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Trip from Fabius, MI to Sterling Heights, MI

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 26m

Distance

180.2 mi

290 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 15m ★
6 AM
3h 27m
8 AM
3h 51m
10 AM
3h 35m
12 PM
3h 33m
3 PM
3h 36m
5 PM
3h 50m
8 PM
3h 19m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Fabius, MI, MI

Fabius, MI

fish socks

Downtown Sterling Heights, MI, MI

Sterling Heights, MI

fish socks

Trip Overview

This 180.2-mile drive from Fabius to Sterling Heights is a straightforward, highway-focused trip that can comfortably be completed in about 3 hours and 26 minutes. Given its manageable length and duration, it's an ideal candidate for a single-day journey, so an overnight stop isn't necessary. You'll primarily be on I-94, M-14, and US-131, with about 75% of the route being highway driving. Budget around $28 for fuel, and expect a relatively uninterrupted journey with just one planned stop. This drive stays within the Midwest region, offering a consistent feel throughout.

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

90.1 miles from Fabius, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 39m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 94 96.8 mi 1h 43m
M 14 22.2 mi 23m
US-131 12.6 mi 14m
I 96 9.2 mi 9m
South Grand Street 8.8 mi 9m
Mound Road 5.9 mi 9m
Jeffries Freeway (Express) 5.3 mi 5m
North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway 4.6 mi 4m
Longest stretch: I 94 — 96.8 mi, about 1h 43m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Youngs Prairie Road

78 ft · 4 sec · Youngs Prairie Road
2

Turn right onto M 60

3.8 mi · 5 min · M-60
3

Turn left onto US 131; M 60

13 mi · 14 min · US-131
4

Continue on US 131

8.8 mi · 9 min · South Grand Street
5

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 94 East: Detroit
6

Merge onto I 94

97 mi · 1 hr 43 min · I 94
7

Keep slight left at fork onto M 14

4.7 mi · 5 min · M 14
Exit 171 Toward M 14: Plymouth
8

Keep right at fork onto M 14

2.4 mi · 2 min · M 14
Toward M 14 East, US 23 South: Plymouth
9

Keep slight left at fork onto M 14

15 mi · 16 min · M 14
Exit 42 Toward M 14 East: Plymouth, Livonia Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on I 96

9.2 mi · 9 min · I 96
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 96

5.3 mi · 5 min · Jeffries Freeway (Express)
Toward I 96 Express: Downtown Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Exit 186B Toward Davison Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Continue on M 8

2.2 mi · 5 min · M 8
14

Continue on M 8

1.3 mi · 1 min · Davison Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 55 sec
Toward I 75: Flint, Toledo Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 56 sec
Toward I 75 North: Flint Use the slight left lane.
17

Merge onto I 75

4.6 mi · 4 min · North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Exit 61 Toward I 696: Lansing, Port Huron Use the slight right lane.
19

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.
20

Continue on I 696

3.1 mi · 3 min · Walter P Reuther Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

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.
22

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.
23

Turn straight onto Mound Road

5.9 mi · 9 min · Mound Road
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 3 hour and 26-minute drive, starting earlier in the day is wise to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach Sterling Heights. With only one stop recommended and a total distance of 180.2 miles, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to pause. Keep your fuel budget around $28 in mind, and be aware that the longest stretch without a major change is nearly 97 miles on I-94, so ensure you're fueled up before embarking on that segment. This trip is well-suited for a single-day adventure, so focus on making the most of your time on the road.

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 90.1 miles from Fabius, MI, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 96.8 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 40 miles or 46m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 90.1 miles or 1h 39m 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 41m

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 Fabius, 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 Fabius, MI

This is one driving day of about 180.2 miles and 3h 26m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Fabius, 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 94 for about 96.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Washtenaw County, Michigan, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Chelsea, MI

90 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.

Popular next leg

Chelsea, MI to Sterling Heights, MI

69.7 mi · 1h 28m

Pacing Suggestions

Oak Park, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Michigan Center, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 90.1 miles from Fabius, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 96.8 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · around the midpoint

BIGGBY COFFEE

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Jackson, Michigan

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset · 1h 44m in / 1h 43m to go 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+15179900800

Visit website

BIGGBY COFFEE

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Jackson, Michigan

1.2 mi

Starbucks Coffee Company

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Battle Creek, MI

1.7 mi

Best coffee break · home stretch

Coffee First Cafe & Bake Shoppe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Sterling Heights, Michigan

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch · 0min to go 1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15868385353

Visit website

ALWADI COFFEE

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Plymouth, Michigan

1 mi

Plymouth Coffee Bean

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Plymouth, Michigan

1.4 mi

BIGGBY COFFEE

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Jackson, Michigan

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+15179900800

Visit website

BIGGBY COFFEE

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Jackson, Michigan

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+15177952812

Visit website

Starbucks Coffee Company

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Battle Creek, MI

Hours: 5 am–9 pm

+12699793918

Visit website

BIGGBY COFFEE

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Jackson, Michigan

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+15173154061

Visit website

BIGGBY COFFEE

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Battle Creek, Michigan

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+12692237508

Visit website

Tim Hortons

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour Inexpensiv

Portage, Michigan

Hours: 5 am–7 pm

+12693430910

Visit website

BIGGBY COFFEE

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Portage, Michigan

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+12693453540

Visit website

Starbucks Coffee Company

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour Moderately

Kalamazoo, Michigan

Hours: 5 am–8 pm

+12693534368

Visit website

Coffee First Cafe & Bake Shoppe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Sterling Heights, Michigan

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15868385353

Visit website

ALWADI COFFEE

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 1 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Plymouth, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+17344046349

Visit website

Plymouth Coffee Bean

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Plymouth, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+17344540178

Visit website

Battlecreek Coffee Roasters

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Battle Creek, Michigan

Visit website

Meridian Coffee Co.

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Plymouth, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+17342598580

Motor City Java House

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+13137667578

Visit website

Serendipity & The Brew

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour

Marshall, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+15177814753

Visit website

Sweetwater's Donut Mill

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Battle Creek, Michigan

Hours: 5 am–8 pm

+12699791944

Visit website

The Fifth Wall Escape Rooms

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Ferndale, Michigan

Hours: 3–10 pm

+12482914305

Visit website

Leslie Science & Nature Center

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+17349971553

Visit website

Painting with a Twist

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Ferndale, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+12488507182

Visit website

Breakout Escape Rooms Royal Oak

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour

Royal Oak, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–11:30 pm

+15863596944

Visit website

LegaSea Aquarium & The Reptarium

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Utica, Michigan

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+15868846941

Visit website

Maybury State Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

Final third 3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

Northville, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+12483498390

Visit website

Hamtramck Disneyland

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 4 mi from route ~10 min detour

Hamtramck, Michigan

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13133465465

Visit website

Maybury Farm

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

Final third 4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour

Northville, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–2 pm

+12483740200

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 129.7 and 168.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

9
129.7 mi into trip | ~2h 22m in | M 14

Keep slight left at fork onto M 14 toward M 14 East: Plymouth, Livonia

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 42 Toward M 14 East: Plymouth, Livonia
7
154 mi into trip | ~2h 48m 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
159.3 mi into trip | ~2h 54m 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
163.2 mi into trip | ~3h 1m 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
168.6 mi into trip | ~3h 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$28.17 one way

$56.34 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 63 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $30.93 $61.86
premium $4.89 $34.68 $69.36
diesel $5.61 $39.79 $79.57

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$28

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$53–$78

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 63 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 54.1 0 $18.92 $8.65
Efficient EV 45.1 0 $15.77 $7.21
EV Truck/SUV 72.1 0 $25.23 $11.53

Gas CO2

63 kg

EV CO2

21 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 20, 2026

Origin

Fabius, MI

Afternoon in Fabius on Tuesday

Local time

12:53 PM

EDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Sterling Heights, MI

Afternoon in Sterling Heights on Tuesday

Local time

12:53 PM

EDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

65°F

Chelsea, MI

90 mi in

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

18 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 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?

Expect a highway-centric experience on this route, with 75% of the 180.2 miles on major roadways. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 96.8 miles on I-94, allowing for steady progress. While the profile is highway-focused, the transitions between I-94, M-14, and US-131 will offer slight variations in your driving environment. This isn't a winding country road adventure; it's designed for efficient travel with minimal slowdowns.

75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 96.8 mi on I 94.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and M 14. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 129.7 miles in near M 14.

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 16 significant decision points across 180.2 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 129.7 miles (M 14): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 154 miles (I 96 / Jeffries Freeway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 159.3 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.

Between Fabius, MI and Sterling Heights, MI, road signs point toward M 14: Plymouth, M 14 East, M 14 East: Plymouth, Livonia, Toledo and Port Huron.

M 14: Plymouth

122.7 mi in | ~2h 14m | via M 14

M 14 East

127.4 mi in | ~2h 19m | via M 14

M 14 East: Plymouth

129.7 mi in | ~2h 22m | via M 14

Livonia

129.7 mi in | ~2h 22m | via M 14

Toledo

163.2 mi in | ~3h 1m

Port Huron

168.6 mi in | ~3h 8m

About the Cities

Arriving in Sterling Heights, MI

Full guide →

Sterling Heights is in Michigan.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 26m. Total distance: 180.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 96.8 miles on I 94. 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 129.7 miles (M 14): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 154 miles (I 96 / Jeffries Freeway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 159.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 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.

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