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
.
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 HuronUse 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 18AToward US 24 North: Telegraph RoadUse 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 11.6 and 82.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.24 one way
$26.48 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg30 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Bunker Hill, MI
Morning
in Bunker Hill on Sunday
Local time
11:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Sterling Heights, MI
Morning
in Sterling Heights on Sunday
Local time
11:51 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
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
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.
48% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 29.5 mi on I 96.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
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 Effort6/10
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.
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
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 29.5 miles on I 96. 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.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Sterling Heights, MI before heading back.
