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Trip from Saint Louis, 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

2h 24m

Distance

122.4 mi

197 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

32 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min
4 AM
2h 14m ★
6 AM
2h 24m
8 AM
2h 44m
10 AM
2h 31m
12 PM
2h 29m
3 PM
2h 32m
5 PM
2h 43m
8 PM
2h 18m

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 Saint Louis, MI, MI

Saint Louis, MI

Amicia Short

Downtown Sterling Heights, MI, MI

Sterling Heights, MI

fish socks

Trip Overview

This 122.4-mile drive from Saint Louis, MI, to Sterling Heights, MI, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 24 minutes to complete. The route primarily utilizes I-75, Gratiot Road, and East Monroe Road, offering a mixed driving experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $19, this journey through the Midwest is budget-friendly. Given its relatively short duration and straightforward path, it's ideal for a single-day excursion without the need for an overnight stop. You'll find this drive to be practical for getting from point A to point B within Michigan.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

61.2 miles from Saint Louis, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 14m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 75 71 mi 1h 16m
Gratiot Road 16.7 mi 19m
East Monroe Road 10.4 mi 14m
M 59 9.6 mi 10m
Mound Road 3.5 mi 5m
West Saginaw Street 2.3 mi 4m
East Holland Avenue 2 mi 2m
Rust Avenue Bridge 1.6 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 75 — 71 mi, about 1h 16m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on North Main Street

173 ft · 13 sec · North Main Street
2

Turn left onto M 46

0.6 mi · 1 min · East Washington Street
3

Continue on M 46

5.4 mi · 7 min · East Monroe Road
4

Continue on M 46

1.0 mi · 2 min · West Saginaw Street
5

Continue on M 46

5.0 mi · 7 min · East Monroe Road
6

Continue on M 46

1.2 mi · 1 min · Gratiot Road
7

Continue on M 46

0.8 mi · 1 min · West Saginaw Street
8

Continue on M 46

0.4 mi · 48 sec · East Saginaw Street
9

Continue on M 46

4.1 mi · 4 min · Gratiot Road
10

Continue on M 46

0.2 mi · 11 sec · North Saginaw Street
11

Continue on M 46

0.6 mi · 38 sec · West Saginaw Street
12

Continue on M 46

11 mi · 13 min · Gratiot Road
13

Continue on M 46

1.2 mi · 1 min · Gratiot Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
14

Turn right onto M 46

0.4 mi · 31 sec · Stephens Street
15

Continue on M 46

464 ft · 6 sec · Rust Street
16

Continue on M 46

1.6 mi · 2 min · Rust Avenue Bridge
17

Continue on M 46

0.3 mi · 23 sec · South Warren Avenue
18

Turn right onto M 46

2.0 mi · 2 min · East Holland Avenue
Use the right lane.
19

Enter roundabout

238 ft · 13 sec
Toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Flint
20

Continue

0.3 mi · 45 sec
Toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Flint
21

Merge onto I 75; US 23

23 mi · 24 min · I 75; US 23
22

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75; US 23

11 mi · 11 min · I 75; US 23
23

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75

37 mi · 39 min · I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 47 sec
Exit 77A Toward M 59 East: Utica Use the right lane.
25

Merge onto M 59

9.6 mi · 10 min · M 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Exit 50 Toward Mound Road, Merrill Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27

Continue on Dobry Drive

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Dobry Drive
28

Turn right onto Mound Road

3.3 mi · 5 min · Mound Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
29

Continue on Mound Road

0.2 mi · 35 sec · Mound Road
30

Turn right onto 17 Mile Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · 17 Mile Road
31

Arrive at destination

17 Mile Road

Trip Plan

For this 2-hour and 24-minute drive, consider leaving in the morning to avoid potential rush hour traffic as you approach Sterling Heights. While there are no specific stops recommended, you'll have plenty of flexibility to pull over for a quick break if needed. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 71 miles on I-75, so plan for a rest stop before or after that segment if you prefer. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $19, and ensure you have enough to reach your destination comfortably without needing to make an unplanned stop for gas.

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 61.2 miles from Saint Louis, MI, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71 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 27 miles or 36m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 61.2 miles or 1h 14m 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 56m

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 Saint Louis, 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 Saint Louis, MI

This is one driving day of about 122.4 miles and 2h 24m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Saint Louis, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 71 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Flint, MI

61 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

Freeland, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Flint, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 61.2 miles from Saint Louis, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 71 miles.

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 Restaurant

Cafe Immortelle

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Troy, Michigan

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 113.7

Hours: 10 am–3 pm

+12482509858

Visit website

Top Coffee Stop

Coffee First Cafe & Bake Shoppe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Sterling Heights, Michigan

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 122.4

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15868385353

Visit website

Cafe Immortelle

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 113.7

Troy, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–3 pm

+12482509858

Visit website

Stardust Entertainment Center

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 35

Saginaw, Michigan

Hours: 12–11 pm

+19897936300

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 122.4

Sterling Heights, Michigan

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15868385353

Visit website

Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co.

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 78.7

Grand Blanc, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+18104984909

Visit website

Fireside Coffee Co

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 70

Swartz Creek, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+18106359196

Visit website

Davisburg Rest Area 908

0 mi from route

Clarkston Rest Area 904

0 mi from route

Dodge Road Rest Area 631

0.1 mi from route

Clio Rest Area 612

0.1 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

TA

0.2 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.2 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.2 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.3 mi from route

Service Plaza

1.4 mi from route

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 70

Flint, Michigan

Hours: 12–8 pm

+18104078972

Visit website

Independence Oaks County Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 96.2

Village of Clarkston, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–7:30 pm

+12486250877

Visit website

Flint Children's Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 70

Flint, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+18107675437

Visit website

LegaSea Aquarium & The Reptarium

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 122.4

Utica, Michigan

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+15868846941

Visit website

Troy Historic Village

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 113.7

Troy, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–3 pm

+12485243570

Visit website

Sloan Museum of Discovery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 70

Flint, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+18102373450

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 36.4 and 117.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
36.4 mi into trip | ~47m in

Enter roundabout toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Flint

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Flint
6
70.8 mi into trip | ~1h 25m in | I 75

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
107.6 mi into trip | ~2h 4m 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
117.5 mi into trip | ~2h 15m 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
6
117.9 mi into trip | ~2h 16m in | Mound Road

Turn right onto Mound Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$19.14 one way

$38.27 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 43 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $21.01 $42.02
premium $4.89 $23.55 $47.11
diesel $5.61 $27.02 $54.05

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$19

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 42.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

32 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Meijer - Tesla Supercharger

Swartz Creek, MI

Tesla

10 DCFC

Saginaw, MI

Saginaw, MI

RIVIAN_ADVENTURE

6 DCFC

FasCharge 5869 Admiral Alma MI

Alma, MI

RED_E

4 DCFC

Flying J 668

Saginaw, MI

eVgo Network

4 DCFC

Starbucks Bridgeport

Bridgeport, MI

Non-Networked

4 DCFC

Lafontaine Ford of Birch Run

Birch Run, MI

FORD_CHARGE

4 DCFC

FasCharge 4649 Express Stop Flint MI

Flint, MI

RED_E

4 DCFC

Randy Wise Hyundai

Flint, MI

Blink Network

4 DCFC

RED_E: 12 ChargePoint Network: 8 Non-Networked: 3 EV Connect: 2 FORD_CHARGE: 2 Blink Network: 2 RIVIAN_ADVENTURE: 1 eVgo Network: 1 Tesla: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 36.7 0 $12.85 $5.88
Efficient EV 30.6 0 $10.71 $4.90
EV Truck/SUV 49 0 $17.14 $7.83

Gas CO2

43 kg

EV CO2

14 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

Saint Louis, MI

Late night in Saint Louis on Sunday

Local time

4:07 AM

EDT

Current temp

45°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Sterling Heights, MI

Late night in Sterling Heights on Sunday

Local time

4:07 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

23 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 24m 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?

The character of this drive is a mixed bag, with 58% of the journey taking place on highways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 71 miles on I-75, which will likely feel like a more direct and faster-paced segment. As you transition to Gratiot Road and East Monroe Road, expect the driving experience to become more local and potentially slower, incorporating more traffic signals and varied road conditions. This blend means you get both efficient highway travel and a taste of the communities you're passing through.

58% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 71 mi on I 75.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 36.4 miles in.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 122.4 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 36.4 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.8 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 107.6 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 Saint Louis, MI to Sterling Heights, MI, road signs begin pointing toward M 59 East: Utica along the way.

M 59 East: Utica

107.6 mi in | ~2h 4m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 24m. Total distance: 122.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (58%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 71 miles on I 75. 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 36.4 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.8 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 107.6 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.

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, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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