Origin
Attica, MI
Late night in Attica on Wednesday
Local time
3:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Attica, MI to Sterling Heights, MI
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
43m
Distance
38 mi
61 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 40m
★
6 AM
0h 43m
8 AM
0h 51m
10 AM
0h 46m
12 PM
0h 45m
3 PM
0h 46m
5 PM
0h 50m
8 PM
0h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Attica, MI
Noland Live
Sterling Heights, MI
fish socks
Trip Overview
This 38-mile drive from Attica to Sterling Heights, Michigan, is a quick 43-minute trip, making it a perfect day trip. You'll primarily navigate local roads, with South Lake Pleasant Road and M 53 forming key parts of your journey, and a short stint on I-69 East. With a modest fuel cost estimated at $6, this route is budget-friendly. The overall feel is a turn-heavy local drive, so don't expect long stretches of highway cruising. Both your origin and destination are within the Midwest region, offering a familiar landscape throughout.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
19 miles from Attica, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 21m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for the majority of this 43-minute journey. While there's a brief segment on I-69 East, the highway share is 0%, indicating it's not a significant part of the experience. The route is characterized by frequent turns and local road navigation rather than extended periods on a single highway. There's no 'longest stretch' indicated, suggesting a continuous series of smaller road segments and intersections. This drive will likely feel like a typical local commute, requiring your attention at various points.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South Lake Pleasant Road is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Attica, MI to Sterling Heights, MI is easy. At 43m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Attica, MI to Sterling Heights, MI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Lake Pleasant Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 69 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| M 53 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Van Dyke Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 17 Mile Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
South Lake Pleasant Road
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Attica, MI and Sterling Heights, MI.
1
Start on Williams Street
92 ft
·
10 sec
·
Williams Street
2
Turn left onto South Lake Pleasant Road
1.6 mi
·
4 min
·
South Lake Pleasant Road
3
Take the ramp left toward I 69 East: Port Huron
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
I 69 East: Port Huron
4
Merge slight left
4.2 mi
·
4 min
5
Take the exit slight right toward M 53: Imlay City, Almont
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
M 53: Imlay City, Almont
6
Turn right onto Van Dyke Road
5.4 mi
·
7 min
·
Van Dyke Road
7
Turn right onto North Main Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
8
Continue on Van Dyke Road
25 mi
·
30 min
·
Van Dyke Road
9
Turn right onto 17 Mile Road
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
17 Mile Road
10
Turn right
135 ft
·
15 sec
11
Turn left
217 ft
·
16 sec
12
Turn right
135 ft
·
12 sec
13
Turn right
197 ft
·
20 sec
14
At the end of the road, turn left onto 17 Mile Road
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
17 Mile Road
15
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Given its short 38-mile duration and 43-minute travel time, this trip offers significant flexibility. Aim to depart in the morning to avoid potential afternoon traffic. Since there are no designated stops and the drive is brief, you can easily complete it without needing an overnight stay. The estimated fuel cost of $6 is minimal, so you won't need to worry about frequent refueling. A practical tip for this route: pay close attention to local road signage, as the 'turn-heavy' nature means you'll be making several directional changes.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 19 miles from Attica, MI, or about 21m into the drive.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 38 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 19 miles or 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sterling Heights, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Attica, MI so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Attica, MI
This is one driving day of about 38 miles and 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Attica, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 19 mi from Attica, MI · 21m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
19 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 19 miles from Attica, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Sterling Heights, MI
The final approach into Sterling Heights, MI usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Sterling Heights, MI.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.94 one way
$11.88 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
13 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $6.52 | $13.05 |
| premium | $4.89 | $7.31 | $14.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.39 | $16.78 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 13.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.4 | 0 | $3.99 | $1.82 |
| Efficient EV | 9.5 | 0 | $3.32 | $1.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 15.2 | 0 | $5.32 | $2.43 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (69% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Sterling Heights, MI
Late night in Sterling Heights on Wednesday
Local time
3:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
19 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
43m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Attica, MI to Sterling Heights, MI covers 38 miles and takes about 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South Lake Pleasant Road, I 69 East, M 53. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 19 miles from Attica, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.94 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Attica, MI to Sterling Heights, MI is easy. At 43m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Attica, MI to Sterling Heights, MI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Attica, MI to Sterling Heights, MI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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