Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Comstock Park, 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

3h 4m

Distance

168.4 mi

271 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
2h 53m ★
6 AM
3h 5m
8 AM
3h 28m
10 AM
3h 13m
12 PM
3h 10m
3 PM
3h 14m
5 PM
3h 26m
8 PM
2h 58m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
unincorporated community in Kent County, Michigan, United States

Comstock Park, MI

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Sterling Heights, MI, MI

Sterling Heights, MI

fish socks

Trip Overview

Connecting Comstock Park to Sterling Heights, this 168.4-mile journey across Michigan is a straightforward transit through the Midwest. You can expect to spend about 3 hours and 4 minutes on the road, making this a very manageable single-day trip. By utilizing I-96, I-69, and I-75, you’ll stay on major thoroughfares for the vast majority of your travel. Budget roughly $26 for fuel to complete the trek. Since the entire route stays within Michigan, you won't face any regional transitions, but the shift from the western side of the state toward the metro Detroit area is notable. It is a practical, efficient drive that doesn't require an overnight stay.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

84.2 miles from Comstock Park, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 96 57.4 mi 1h 1m
I 69 51.5 mi 52m
I 75 38.7 mi 41m
M 59 9.6 mi 10m
Mound Road 3.5 mi 5m
US 131 1.6 mi 1m
17 Mile Road 1 mi 1m
North Division Avenue 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 96 — 57.4 mi, about 1h 1m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Comstock Park, MI and Sterling Heights, MI.

1

Start on Bud Drive Northeast

0.3 mi · 1 min · Bud Drive Northeast
2

Turn right onto North Division Avenue

0.3 mi · 34 sec · North Division Avenue
3

Turn left onto West River Drive Northeast

484 ft · 15 sec · West River Drive Northeast
4

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Toward US 131 South: Kalamazoo
5

Merge onto US 131

1.6 mi · 1 min · US 131
6

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 34 sec
Exit 89A Toward I 96 East, M 37 South: Lansing Use the right lane.
7

Merge onto I 96; M 37

57 mi · 1 hr 1 min · I 96; M 37
Use the straight / right lanes.
8

Take the exit

2.5 mi · 2 min
Exit 89 Toward I 69 East: Flint
9

Merge onto I 69

52 mi · 52 min · I 69
10

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 48 sec
Toward I 75, US 23: Saginaw, Detroit Use the slight right lane.
11

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 46 sec
Toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Detroit
12

Merge onto I 75; US 23

1.9 mi · 2 min · I 75; US 23
13

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75

37 mi · 39 min · I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 47 sec
Exit 77A Toward M 59 East: Utica Use the right lane.
15

Merge onto M 59

9.6 mi · 10 min · M 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Exit 50 Toward Mound Road, Merrill Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Continue on Dobry Drive

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Dobry Drive
18

Turn right onto Mound Road

3.3 mi · 5 min · Mound Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
19

Continue on Mound Road

0.2 mi · 35 sec · Mound Road
20

Turn right onto 17 Mile Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · 17 Mile Road
21

Arrive at destination

17 Mile Road

Trip Plan

Because this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Plan for at least one stop during your 3-hour journey to keep your energy levels up and break up the interstate monotony. Traffic density will likely increase as you approach your destination, so keep an eye on your timing to avoid peak congestion. With a total fuel cost of $26, it is easy to budget for a round trip if you are heading back shortly after arriving. Take advantage of the single planned stop to refuel or stretch your legs midway through the 168.4-mile trip to ensure a comfortable arrival in Sterling Heights.

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 84.2 miles from Comstock Park, MI, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.4 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 37 miles or 41m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 84.2 miles or 1h 31m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 28m

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 Comstock Park, 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 Comstock Park, MI

This is one driving day of about 168.4 miles and 3h 4m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Comstock Park, 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 96 for about 57.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Owosso, MI, MI

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Owosso, MI

84 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

Carlton, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Haslett, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 84.2 miles from Comstock Park, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Coffee Stop

Courageous Coffee Cafe & Bakery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Portland, Michigan

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 48.1

Hours: 6:30 am–1 pm

+15179754213

Visit website

Coffee First Cafe & Bake Shoppe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Sterling Heights, Michigan

1 mi

Schuil Coffee Company

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Grand Rapids, Michigan

2 mi

That Early Bird

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 12

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+16162588350

Visit website

Stomping Grounds Coffee Shop

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 96.2

Durand, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+19895411550

Visit website

Cafe Immortelle

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 156.4

Troy, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–3 pm

+12482509858

Visit website

Courageous Coffee Cafe & Bakery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 48.1

Portland, Michigan

Hours: 6:30 am–1 pm

+15179754213

Visit website

Coffee First Cafe & Bake Shoppe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 168.4

Sterling Heights, Michigan

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15868385353

Visit website

Schuil Coffee Company

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 12

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+16169566815

Visit website

Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co.

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 120.3

Grand Blanc, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+18104984909

Visit website

Fireside Coffee Co

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 108.3

Swartz Creek, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+18106359196

Visit website

Baker's Beanery

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 12

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+16169573110

Visit website

Lotus Brew Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 12

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+16164198613

Visit website

Brody's Be Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 12

Ada, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

Visit website

Grand Rapids Escape Room

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 12

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 4–8 pm

+16164019441

Visit website

Camelot Park

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 12

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 6:30 am–9 pm

+16164563232

Visit website

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 12

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+16169571580

Visit website

LegaSea Aquarium & The Reptarium

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 168.4

Utica, Michigan

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+15868846941

Visit website

Independence Oaks County Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 144.3

Village of Clarkston, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–7:30 pm

+12486250877

Visit website

Fitzgerald Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 60.1

Grand Ledge, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+15176277351

Visit website

Fish Ladder Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+16164563696

Visit website

Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 72.2

East Lansing, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+15178844800

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 2.5 and 163.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
2.5 mi into trip | ~4m in

Take the exit toward I 96 East, M 37 South: Lansing

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Exit 89A Toward I 96 East, M 37 South: Lansing
7
114.1 mi into trip | ~2h 1m in

Take the exit toward I 75, US 23: Saginaw, Detroit

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 75, US 23: Saginaw, Detroit
6
114.5 mi into trip | ~2h 2m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Detroit

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Detroit
7
153.6 mi into trip | ~2h 44m in

Take the exit toward M 59 East: Utica

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Exit 77A Toward M 59 East: Utica
8
163.4 mi into trip | ~2h 55m in

Take the exit toward Mound Road, Merrill Road

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 50 Toward Mound Road, Merrill Road

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.33 one way

$52.65 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 59 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $28.91 $57.81
premium $4.89 $32.41 $64.81
diesel $5.61 $37.18 $74.36

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 58.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 50.5 0 $17.68 $8.08
Efficient EV 42.1 0 $14.74 $6.74
EV Truck/SUV 67.4 0 $23.58 $10.78

Gas CO2

59 kg

EV CO2

20 kg (66% 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

Comstock Park, MI

Afternoon in Comstock Park on Sunday

Local time

4:20 PM

EDT

Current temp

44°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Sterling Heights, MI

Afternoon in Sterling Heights on Sunday

Local time

4:20 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

24 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

3h 4m 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 trip is heavily focused on highway travel, with 89% of your journey spent on high-speed interstates. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, especially during the longest uninterrupted stretch of 57.4 miles along I-96. The road maintains a consistent, highway-focused personality that favors efficiency over winding backroads. While you will transition between several major interstates, the experience remains predictable and fast-paced. Expect a steady, interstate-heavy grind that helps you cover the distance quickly as you move from the Comstock Park area toward Sterling Heights.

89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 57.4 mi on I 96.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 96 and I 69. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.5 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 168.4 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 2.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 114.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 114.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Comstock Park, MI and Sterling Heights, MI, road signs point toward Detroit and M 59 East: Utica.

Detroit

114.1 mi in | ~2h 1m

M 59 East: Utica

153.6 mi in | ~2h 44m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 4m. Total distance: 168.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 57.4 miles on I 96. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 2.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 114.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 114.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Sterling Heights, MI, but most travelers stay overnight.

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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Sterling Heights, MI

Cheboygan, MI 268.1 mi · 4h 45m Boyne City, MI 244.3 mi · 4h 25m Elk Rapids, MI 239.4 mi · 4h 36m Bellaire, MI 234.7 mi · 4h 30m

More from Comstock Park, MI

Rochester Hills, MI 159.7 mi · 2h 55m Royal Oak, MI 152.6 mi · 2h 53m Kalamazoo, MI 57 mi · 1h 4m Grand Rapids, MI 6.8 mi · 10m

More trips to Sterling Heights, MI

Bessemer, MI 580.2 mi Elmwood, MI 526.5 mi L'Anse, MI 509.3 mi Quinnesec, MI 468.7 mi Maple Grove, MI 432.8 mi Homestead, MI 351.2 mi
Escape planner: Comstock Park, MI Scenic drives in MI

Explore more options from Comstock Park, MI or browse trips ending in Sterling Heights, MI.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MI road trips.