The drive from Dearborn Heights, MI to Sterling Heights, MI covers 30.6 miles and takes about 45m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Mound Road, Jeffries Freeway (Express), North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 5.9 miles on Mound Road.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $4.78 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 45m. Total distance: 30.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (53%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
The drive from Dearborn Heights, MI to Sterling Heights, MI covers 30.6 miles and takes about 45m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Mound Road is the longest continuous segment at about 5.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.4 miles in near Schoolcraft Road.
Driving Effort10/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 15 decision points packed into just 30.6 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 45m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.4 miles (Schoolcraft Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.4 miles (I 96 / Jeffries Freeway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
3.4 mi into trip|~6m in|Schoolcraft Road
Turn right onto Schoolcraft Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
4.4 mi into trip|~7m in|I 96 / Jeffries Freeway (Express)
Keep slight left at fork onto I 96 / Jeffries Freeway (Express) toward I 96 Express: Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 96 Express: Downtown
7
9.7 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward Davison Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 186B
Toward Davison Avenue
7
13.6 mi into trip|~20m in
Take the exit toward I 75: Flint, Toledo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 75: Flint, Toledo
8
19.1 mi into trip|~27m in
Take the exit toward I 696: Lansing, Port Huron
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 61
Toward I 696: Lansing, Port Huron
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Dearborn Heights, MI and Sterling Heights, MI, road signs point toward Toledo, Port Huron and Mound Road North.
Toledo
13.6 mi in|~20m
Port Huron
19.1 mi in|~27m
Mound Road North
23 mi in|~32m|via I-696 East to Northbound Mound Road
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Mound Road
5.9 mi
9m
Jeffries Freeway (Express)
5.3 mi
5m
North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
4.6 mi
4m
North Telegraph Road
3.1 mi
5m
Walter P Reuther Freeway
3.1 mi
3m
M 8
2.2 mi
5m
Davison Freeway
1.3 mi
1m
17 Mile Road
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Mound Road
— 5.9 mi, about 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dearborn Heights, MI and Sterling Heights, MI.
1
Start on this road
404 ft·15 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto US 24
3.1 mi·5 min·North Telegraph Road
3
Keep slight right at fork onto Telegraph Drive
0.2 mi·28 sec·Telegraph Drive
4
Turn right onto Schoolcraft Road
237 ft·5 sec·Schoolcraft Road
Use the right lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·18 sec
Toward I 96 East
6
Merge onto I 96
0.6 mi·41 sec·Jeffries Freeway
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 96
5.3 mi·5 min·Jeffries Freeway (Express)
Toward I 96 Express: DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 186BToward Davison AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on M 8
2.2 mi·5 min·M 8
10
Continue on M 8
1.3 mi·1 min·Davison Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward I 75: Flint, ToledoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward I 75 North: FlintUse the slight left lane.
13
Merge onto I 75
4.6 mi·4 min·North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 61Toward I 696: Lansing, Port HuronUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I-75 North to I-696 East
0.4 mi·52 sec·I-75 North to I-696 East
Toward I 696 East: Port HuronUse the slight right lane.
16
Continue on I 696
3.1 mi·3 min·Walter P Reuther Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit onto I-696 East
0.3 mi·38 sec·I-696 East
Exit 22Toward Mound RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I-696 East to Northbound Mound Road
0.7 mi·1 min·I-696 East to Northbound Mound Road
Toward Mound Road NorthUse the slight left lane.
19
Turn straight onto Mound Road
5.9 mi·9 min·Mound Road
20
Turn right onto 17 Mile Road
1.0 mi·1 min·17 Mile Road
21
Arrive at destination
17 Mile Road
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 15.3 mi from Dearborn Heights, MI
· 23m into the drive
The midpoint is around 15.3 miles from Dearborn Heights, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Sterling Heights, MI
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Sterling Heights, MI if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$4.78 one way
$9.57 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg11 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$5.25
$10.51
premium
$4.89
$5.89
$11.78
diesel
$5.61
$6.76
$13.51
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$5
Estimated CO2 emission: 10.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging
· 0 stops
· 64% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
9.2
0
$3.21
$1.47
Efficient EV
7.7
0
$2.68
$1.22
EV Truck/SUV
12.2
0
$4.28
$1.96
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Dearborn Heights, MI
Afternoon
in Dearborn Heights on Friday
Local time
3:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Widespread Fog
NNE 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued April 17 at 2:51AM EDT until April 17 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued April 17 at 2:46AM EDT until April 17 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS Detroit/Pontiac MI
Destination
Sterling Heights, MI
Afternoon
in Sterling Heights on Friday
Local time
3:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Widespread Fog
NNE 2 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued April 17 at 2:51AM EDT until April 17 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued April 17 at 2:46AM EDT until April 17 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS Detroit/Pontiac MI
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
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
45m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Dearborn Heights, MI to Sterling Heights, MI covers 30.6 miles and takes about 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Mound Road, Jeffries Freeway (Express), North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 15.3 miles from Dearborn Heights, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.78 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 is a short but busy drive. With 15 decision points packed into just 30.6 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 45m.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.4 miles (Schoolcraft Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.4 miles (I 96 / Jeffries Freeway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Dearborn Heights, MI and Sterling Heights, MI, road signs point toward Toledo, Port Huron and Mound Road North.
