Origin
Benton, MI
Late night in Benton on Sunday
Local time
4:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Benton, MI to Sterling Heights, MI
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 26m
Distance
68.1 mi
110 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 20m
★
6 AM
1h 27m
8 AM
1h 40m
10 AM
1h 32m
12 PM
1h 30m
3 PM
1h 32m
5 PM
1h 40m
8 PM
1h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Benton, MI
fish socks
Sterling Heights, MI
fish socks
Trip Overview
Benton to Sterling Heights is 68.1 miles and takes about 1h 26m via I 94 and West Michigan Avenue, with a fuel budget near $11 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Michigan, connecting two points in the Midwest region. It's a straightforward drive, primarily on major highways, making it a convenient option for a quick journey. Given its short duration and manageable distance, this route is ideal for a same-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination with plenty of time to spare.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 35.6 mi | 40m |
| West Michigan Avenue | 10.7 mi | 16m |
| North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway | 7.8 mi | 8m |
| Mound Road | 5.9 mi | 9m |
| Walter P Reuther Freeway | 3.1 mi | 3m |
| 17 Mile Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| US 23 | 0.9 mi | <1m |
| I-696 East to Northbound Mound Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 35.6 mi, about 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Benton, MI and Sterling Heights, MI.
1
Start on US 12
11 mi
·
16 min
·
West Michigan Avenue
Use the left lane.
2
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
3
Merge onto US 23
0.9 mi
·
57 sec
·
US 23
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 94: Detroit, Chicago
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
35 sec
Toward I 94 BL East: Detroit, Airports
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 94
36 mi
·
40 min
·
I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
302 ft
·
5 sec
Exit 216A
Toward I 75: Flint, Toledo
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 75 North: Flint
Use the slight left lane.
9
Merge onto I 75
7.8 mi
·
8 min
·
North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 61
Toward I 696: Lansing, Port Huron
Use the slight right lane.
11
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 Huron
Use the slight right lane.
12
Continue on I 696
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Walter P Reuther Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit onto I-696 East
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
I-696 East
Exit 22
Toward Mound Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
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 North
Use the slight left lane.
15
Turn straight onto Mound Road
5.9 mi
·
9 min
·
Mound Road
16
Turn right onto 17 Mile Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
17 Mile Road
17
Arrive at destination
17 Mile Road
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
34 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 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 34.1 miles from Benton, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 12 and 56.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
12 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 94 BL East: Detroit, Airports
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 94 BL East: Detroit, Airports
8
48.2 mi into trip
|
~59m 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.
Exit 216A
Toward I 75: Flint, Toledo
7
48.2 mi into trip
|
~59m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 75 North: Flint
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 75 North: Flint
8
56.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m 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
7
56.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m in
|
I-75 North to I-696 East
Keep slight right at fork onto I-75 North to I-696 East toward I 696 East: Port Huron
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 696 East: Port Huron
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.65 one way
$21.29 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
24 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $11.69 | $23.38 |
| premium | $4.89 | $13.11 | $26.21 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.04 | $30.07 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$11
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.4 | 0 | $7.15 | $3.27 |
| Efficient EV | 17 | 0 | $5.96 | $2.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.2 | 0 | $9.53 | $4.36 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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
Late night in Sterling Heights on Sunday
Local time
4:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
1h 26m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 72% of the route utilizing major freeways like I 94. You'll experience a substantial uninterrupted stretch of 35.6 miles on I 94, offering a consistent pace. While largely freeway, you'll transition to roads like West Michigan Avenue and North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway as you near Sterling Heights, introducing a slight shift in the driving environment. Expect a direct and efficient journey with minimal deviations from these main arteries.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 35.6 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and West Michigan Avenue. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 12 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 68.1 miles you will encounter 14 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 12 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Benton, MI and Sterling Heights, MI, road signs point toward Chicago, Airports, Toledo, Port Huron and Mound Road North.
Chicago
11.8 mi in
|
~17m
Airports
12 mi in
|
~18m
Toledo
48.2 mi in
|
~59m
Port Huron
56.5 mi in
|
~1h 8m
Mound Road North
60.5 mi in
|
~1h 14m
|
via I-696 East to Northbound Mound Road
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 26m. Total distance: 68.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 35.6 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Sterling Heights, MI before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 12 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Sterling Heights, MI before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner 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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