Origin
South Gull Lake, MI
Morning in South Gull Lake on Sunday
Local time
10:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from South Gull Lake, 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 53m
Distance
143.9 mi
232 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 42m
★
6 AM
2h 54m
8 AM
3h 16m
10 AM
3h 1m
12 PM
2h 59m
3 PM
3h 2m
5 PM
3h 15m
8 PM
2h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
South Gull Lake, MI
Kevin Carrera
Sterling Heights, MI
fish socks
Trip Overview
South Gull Lake to Sterling Heights is 143.9 miles and takes about 2 hours 53 minutes via I-94 and I-96, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This Midwest drive stays within Michigan, offering a straightforward connection between two points. You'll find it's a relatively short trip, ideal for a single-day journey without feeling rushed. The route is predominantly highway, so expect consistent speeds and efficient travel. Consider this if you're looking for a no-fuss drive to get you from point A to point B within the state.
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
72 miles from South Gull Lake, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 26m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 66.8 mi | 1h 11m |
| M 14 | 22.2 mi | 23m |
| I 96 | 9.2 mi | 9m |
| West Michigan Avenue | 6.1 mi | 10m |
| Mound Road | 5.9 mi | 9m |
| Jeffries Freeway (Express) | 5.3 mi | 5m |
| East Michigan Avenue | 5.1 mi | 6m |
| North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway | 4.6 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 66.8 mi, about 1h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Gull Lake, MI and Sterling Heights, MI.
1
Start on Midlake Drive
137 ft
·
5 sec
·
Midlake Drive
2
Continue on Makin Street
0.1 mi
·
35 sec
·
Makin Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto Burlington Drive
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
Burlington Drive
4
Keep slight left at fork onto Burlington Drive
91 ft
·
4 sec
·
Burlington Drive
5
Turn right onto Midland Drive
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
Midland Drive
6
Turn left onto East C Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East C Avenue
7
Turn right onto North 40th Street
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
North 40th Street
8
At end of road, turn left onto M 89
4.3 mi
·
4 min
·
M 89
9
Continue on M 89
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
M-89
10
Continue on M 89
6.1 mi
·
10 min
·
West Michigan Avenue
11
Turn right onto M 89
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
South Washington Avenue
12
Turn left onto West Hamblin Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Hamblin Avenue
13
Continue on I 94 BL
352 ft
·
8 sec
·
Hamblin Street
14
Turn right onto I 94 BL
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East Michigan Avenue
15
Turn right onto I 94 BL
55 ft
·
4 sec
·
I 94 BL
16
Continue on I 94 BL; M 96
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
·
East Columbia Avenue
17
Merge onto I 94 BL; M 96
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
East Michigan Avenue
18
Turn sharp left onto I 94 BL; M 311
349 ft
·
6 sec
·
11 Mile Road
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 94 East: Detroit
20
Merge onto I 94
67 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
I 94
21
Keep slight left at fork onto M 14
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
M 14
Exit 171
Toward M 14: Plymouth
22
Keep right at fork onto M 14
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
M 14
Toward M 14 East, US 23 South: Plymouth
23
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.
24
Continue on I 96
9.2 mi
·
9 min
·
I 96
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
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.
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 186B
Toward Davison Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on M 8
2.2 mi
·
5 min
·
M 8
28
Continue on M 8
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Davison Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Toward I 75: Flint, Toledo
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Toward I 75 North: Flint
Use the slight left lane.
31
Merge onto I 75
4.6 mi
·
4 min
·
North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 61
Toward I 696: Lansing, Port Huron
Use the slight right lane.
33
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.
34
Continue on I 696
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Walter P Reuther Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
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.
36
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.
37
Turn straight onto Mound Road
5.9 mi
·
9 min
·
Mound Road
38
Turn right onto 17 Mile Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
17 Mile Road
39
Arrive at destination
17 Mile Road
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour 53 minute duration, this drive is easily manageable in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to take advantage of daylight and avoid potential rush hour traffic as you approach Sterling Heights. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $23, you can plan your fuel and break strategically. Keep in mind the longest stretch is over 66 miles on I-94, so ensure you have enough fuel before embarking on that segment to reach a convenient exit for services.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 72 miles from South Gull Lake, MI, or about 1h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.8 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 32 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72 miles or 1h 26m 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 15m
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 South Gull Lake, 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 South Gull Lake, MI
This is one driving day of about 143.9 miles and 2h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from South Gull Lake, 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 66.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
72 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 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 72 miles from South Gull Lake, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 66.8 miles.
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 265 decision points cluster between mile 19.3 and 132.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
19.3 mi into trip
|
~29m in
Take the exit toward I 94 East: Detroit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 94 East: Detroit
9
93.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 49m 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
117.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 15m 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
123 mi into trip
|
~2h 21m 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
8
132.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 35m 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
$22.50 one way
$44.99 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
50 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $24.70 | $49.40 |
| premium | $4.89 | $27.69 | $55.38 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.77 | $63.54 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43.2 | 0 | $15.11 | $6.91 |
| Efficient EV | 36 | 0 | $12.59 | $5.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57.6 | 0 | $20.15 | $9.21 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Destination
Sterling Heights, MI
Morning in Sterling Heights on Sunday
Local time
10:53 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 53m 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 is a highway-focused drive, with 64% of the route utilizing major interstates like I-94 and I-96. Expect most of your time to be spent on these faster-paced roads, covering a longest stretch of 66.8 miles on I-94 without significant interruption. The profile suggests a consistent driving experience, likely characterized by multiple lanes and steady traffic flow for much of the journey. While not explicitly scenic, the efficiency of the highway system allows for a predictable and timely arrival.
64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 66.8 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 19.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 26 significant decision points across 143.9 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 19.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 93.5 miles (M 14): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 117.7 miles (I 96 / Jeffries Freeway (Express)): 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 South Gull Lake, MI and Sterling Heights, MI, road signs point toward M 14: Plymouth, M 14 East, M 14 East: Plymouth, Livonia, Toledo and Port Huron - among others.
M 14: Plymouth
86.4 mi in
|
~1h 41m
|
via M 14
M 14 East
91.1 mi in
|
~1h 46m
|
via M 14
M 14 East: Plymouth
93.5 mi in
|
~1h 49m
|
via M 14
Livonia
93.5 mi in
|
~1h 49m
|
via M 14
Toledo
126.9 mi in
|
~2h 28m
Port Huron
132.4 mi in
|
~2h 35m
Mound Road North
136.3 mi in
|
~2h 40m
|
via I-696 East to Northbound Mound Road
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 53m. Total distance: 143.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (64%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 66.8 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.
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 19.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 93.5 miles (M 14): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 117.7 miles (I 96 / Jeffries Freeway (Express)): 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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