Origin
Sterling Heights, MI
Morning in Sterling Heights on Wednesday
Local time
6:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sterling Heights, MI to Manistee, MI
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
4h 37m
Distance
240.1 mi
386 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 24m
★
6 AM
4h 37m
8 AM
5h 4m
10 AM
4h 46m
12 PM
4h 44m
3 PM
4h 48m
5 PM
5h 3m
8 PM
4h 29m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sterling Heights, MI
fish socks
Manistee, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Sterling Heights, MI to Manistee, MI covers 240.1 miles and takes about 4h 37m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 75, US 10, Cadillac Drive for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 84.1 miles on I 75. At current regular gas prices, budget about $37.54 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
120 miles from Sterling Heights, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 11m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
The drive from Sterling Heights, MI to Manistee, MI covers 240.1 miles and takes about 4h 37m, 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 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 75 is the longest continuous segment at about 84.1 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 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 4.4 miles in near M-59 Service Drive.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 240.1 miles you will encounter 17 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 4.4 miles (M-59 Service Drive): Navigation decision point; at 14.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 47.4 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
4.4 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
M-59 Service Drive
Turn right onto M-59 Service Drive
Navigation decision point
7
14.1 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Take the exit toward I 75 North: Flint
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 40B
Toward I 75 North: Flint
5
47.4 mi into trip
|
~54m in
|
I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward I 75: Saginaw
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 75: Saginaw
5
98.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 49m in
Take the exit toward US 10 West: Midland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 162B
Toward US 10 West: Midland
5
110.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 1m in
|
US 10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 toward US 10: Clare
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 10: Clare
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Sterling Heights, MI and Manistee, MI, road signs point toward To M 115: Ludington, Cadillac and M 115: Cadillac.
To M 115: Ludington
148.2 mi in
|
~2h 39m
|
via US 10
Cadillac
148.2 mi in
|
~2h 39m
|
via US 10
M 115: Cadillac
155.8 mi in
|
~2h 47m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 84.1 mi | 1h 30m |
| US 10 | 56.9 mi | 56m |
| Cadillac Drive | 37.6 mi | 51m |
| Caberfae Highway | 25.1 mi | 29m |
| East M-55 Highway | 18.8 mi | 22m |
| M 59 | 9.1 mi | 9m |
| Mound Road | 3.4 mi | 5m |
| 17 Mile Road | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 84.1 mi, about 1h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sterling Heights, MI and Manistee, MI.
1
Start on 17 Mile Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
17 Mile Road
2
Turn right onto Mound Road
3.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Mound Road
3
Continue on Mound Road
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
Mound Road
4
Turn right onto M-59 Service Drive
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
M-59 Service Drive
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward M 59 West
6
Merge onto M 59
9.1 mi
·
9 min
·
M 59
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 40B
Toward I 75 North: Flint
Use the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 75
33 mi
·
35 min
·
I 75
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
51 mi
·
54 min
·
I 75
Toward I 75: Saginaw
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 162B
Toward US 10 West: Midland
11
Continue on US 10
11 mi
·
11 min
·
US 10
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
38 mi
·
38 min
·
US 10
Toward US 10: Clare
13
Take the exit onto US 10
7.6 mi
·
7 min
·
US 10
Toward US 10 WEST, TO M 115: Ludington, Cadillac
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward M 115: Cadillac
15
Turn right onto M 115
38 mi
·
51 min
·
Cadillac Drive
16
Turn left onto M 55
19 mi
·
22 min
·
East M-55 Highway
17
Continue on M 55
25 mi
·
29 min
·
Caberfae Highway
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn left onto US 31
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
West Parkdale Avenue
19
Continue on US 31
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Parkdale Road
20
Continue on US 31
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Arthur Street
21
Continue on US 31
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
Cleveland Street
22
Turn right onto Memorial Drive
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
Memorial Drive
23
Turn left onto Washington Street
405 ft
·
13 sec
·
Washington Street
24
Continue on Maple Street
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Maple Street
25
Turn right
90 ft
·
6 sec
26
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 120 miles from Sterling Heights, MI, or about 2h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.1 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 80 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120 miles or 2h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Manistee, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Sterling Heights, 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 Sterling Heights, MI
This is one driving day of about 240.1 miles and 4h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Sterling Heights, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 84.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 120 mi from Sterling Heights, MI · 2h 11m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
120 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 120 miles from Sterling Heights, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 84.1 miles.
Arriving in Manistee, MI
The final approach into Manistee, 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 Manistee, 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
$37.54 one way
$75.07 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
84 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $41.21 | $82.43 |
| premium | $4.89 | $46.21 | $92.41 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $53.01 | $106.02 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 72 | 0 | $25.21 | $11.52 |
| Efficient EV | 60 | 0 | $21.01 | $9.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 96 | 1 | $33.61 | $15.37 |
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Manistee, MI
Morning in Manistee on Wednesday
Local time
6:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°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
14 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
4h 37m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Sterling Heights, MI to Manistee, MI covers 240.1 miles and takes about 4h 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, US 10, Cadillac Drive. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 120 miles from Sterling Heights, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $37.54 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 240.1 miles you will encounter 17 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 4.4 miles (M-59 Service Drive): Navigation decision point; at 14.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 47.4 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Between Sterling Heights, MI and Manistee, MI, road signs point toward To M 115: Ludington, Cadillac and M 115: Cadillac.
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