Origin
Bunker Hill, MI
Afternoon in Bunker Hill on Friday
Local time
4:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bunker Hill, MI to Sterling Heights, MI
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 1m
Distance
84.7 mi
136 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 53m
★
6 AM
2h 2m
8 AM
2h 19m
10 AM
2h 8m
12 PM
2h 6m
3 PM
2h 9m
5 PM
2h 18m
8 PM
1h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bunker Hill, MI
Helena Jankovičová Kováčová
Sterling Heights, MI
fish socks
Trip Overview
This 84.7-mile drive from Bunker Hill to Sterling Heights, Michigan, is an easy one-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 1 minute. You'll primarily travel on I-96 and the Walter P. Reuther Freeway, with a segment on Mason Road also included. The estimated fuel cost is around $13, making it an economical option for a short journey within the Midwest region. Given the relatively short distance and duration, this route is perfectly manageable without needing an overnight stop. It's a straightforward drive that gets you from point A to point B efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.4 miles from Bunker Hill, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 2m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 1m. Total distance: 84.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (48%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving experience on this route, with 48% of the journey on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 29.5 miles on I-96, offering a good opportunity for steady progress. The drive transitions between faster freeway speeds and potentially slower local road conditions as you navigate through various parts of Michigan. This blend means you'll experience both efficient highway cruising and more varied road conditions as you get closer to your destination.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 96 is the longest continuous segment at about 29.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 11.6 miles in near M 52 / Stockbridge Road South.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 84.7 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 11.6 miles (M 52 / Stockbridge Road South): Navigation decision point; at 26.5 miles (I 96): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 65.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
11.6 mi into trip
|
~22m in
|
M 52 / Stockbridge Road South
At end of road, turn left onto M 52 / Stockbridge Road South
Navigation decision point
5
26.5 mi into trip
|
~45m in
|
I 96
Merge onto I 96
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
65.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 27m in
Take the exit toward US 24 North: Telegraph Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 18A
Toward US 24 North: Telegraph Road
5
70.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m in
|
Quarton Road
Turn right onto Quarton Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
82.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 58m in
|
Mound Road
Turn right onto Mound Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Bunker Hill, MI to Sterling Heights, MI, road signs begin pointing toward M 5 East: Port Huron along the way.
M 5 East: Port Huron
56 mi in
|
~1h 16m
|
via I 696
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 96 | 29.5 mi | 31m |
| Walter P Reuther Freeway | 8.9 mi | 10m |
| Mason Road | 7.7 mi | 11m |
| West Big Beaver Road | 6.9 mi | 12m |
| Dansville Road | 4.8 mi | 7m |
| Telegraph Road | 4.7 mi | 7m |
| Stockbridge Road South | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| Quarton Road | 3.2 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
I 96
— 29.5 mi, about 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bunker Hill, MI and Sterling Heights, MI.
1
Start on Decamp Road
132 ft
·
11 sec
·
Decamp Road
2
Turn left onto Williamston Road
2.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Williamston Road
3
Continue on Ewers Road
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Ewers Road
4
Continue on South Williamston Road
2.7 mi
·
6 min
·
South Williamston Road
5
Continue on Jackson Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Jackson Street
6
Turn right onto M 36
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Mason Street
7
Continue on M 36
4.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Dansville Road
8
At end of road, turn left onto M 52
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Stockbridge Road South
9
Turn right onto East Howell Road
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
East Howell Road
10
Continue on Mason Road
7.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Mason Road
11
Turn left onto North Burkhart Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
North Burkhart Road
12
Continue on Burkhart Road
247 ft
·
7 sec
·
Burkhart Road
13
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 96 East
14
Merge onto I 96
29 mi
·
31 min
·
I 96
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 696
8.9 mi
·
10 min
·
Walter P Reuther Freeway
Toward I 696 East, M 5 East: Port Huron
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto M 10
0.4 mi
·
26 sec
·
John C Lodge Freeway
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
56 sec
Exit 18A
Toward US 24 North: Telegraph Road
Use the slight right lane.
18
Continue on US 24
4.7 mi
·
7 min
·
Telegraph Road
Use the right lane.
19
Turn right onto Quarton Road
3.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Quarton Road
Use the right lane.
20
Continue on West Big Beaver Road
6.9 mi
·
12 min
·
West Big Beaver Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on Metropolitan Parkway
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Metropolitan Parkway
22
Continue on Metropolitan Parkway
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Metropolitan Parkway
23
Turn right onto Mound Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Mound Road
Use the right lane.
24
Turn right onto 17 Mile Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
17 Mile Road
25
Arrive at destination
17 Mile Road
Trip Plan
For this straightforward 2-hour drive, an early morning departure is usually best to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach Sterling Heights. Since there are no recommended stops, you can decide on the fly if you need a break. Keep an eye on your fuel level, as the $13 estimated cost suggests a single fill-up might suffice for the entire trip. A key tip for this route is to be aware of the transition from I-96 to the Walter P. Reuther Freeway, as this interchange can sometimes be busy. Enjoy the flexibility of this shorter drive, allowing for spontaneous detours if something catches your eye.
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 42.4 miles from Bunker Hill, MI, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29.5 miles.
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 19 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.4 miles or 1h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 39m
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 Bunker Hill, 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 Bunker Hill, MI
This is one driving day of about 84.7 miles and 2h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Bunker Hill, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 96 for about 29.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 42.4 mi from Bunker Hill, MI · 1h 2m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
42 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 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 42.4 miles from Bunker Hill, 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
$13.24 one way
$26.48 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $14.54 | $29.08 |
| premium | $4.89 | $16.30 | $32.60 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.70 | $37.40 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.4 | 0 | $8.89 | $4.07 |
| Efficient EV | 21.2 | 0 | $7.41 | $3.39 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33.9 | 0 | $11.86 | $5.42 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (67% 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
Afternoon in Sterling Heights on Friday
Local time
4:51 PM
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
22 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
2h 1m 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 Bunker Hill, MI to Sterling Heights, MI covers 84.7 miles and takes about 2h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 96, Walter P Reuther Freeway, Mason Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 42.4 miles from Bunker Hill, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.24 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 84.7 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 11.6 miles (M 52 / Stockbridge Road South): Navigation decision point; at 26.5 miles (I 96): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 65.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Bunker Hill, MI to Sterling Heights, MI, road signs begin pointing toward M 5 East: Port Huron along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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