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Trip from Sterling Heights, MI to Dorr, 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 11m

Distance

169.3 mi

272 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
3h 0m ★
6 AM
3h 11m
8 AM
3h 35m
10 AM
3h 20m
12 PM
3h 17m
3 PM
3h 21m
5 PM
3h 34m
8 PM
3h 4m

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 Sterling Heights, MI, MI

Sterling Heights, MI

fish socks

Downtown Dorr, MI, MI

Dorr, MI

KoolShooters

Trip Overview

Sterling Heights, MI to Dorr, MI is 169.3 miles and takes about 3h 11m via I 96, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, connecting two points in Michigan. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on the interstate, making it a convenient option for a single-day journey. Expect a fairly direct route with minimal detours, ideal if you're looking for efficiency. Given its relatively short duration, you won't need to worry about extensive planning for 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

84.7 miles from Sterling Heights, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 35m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 96 117.2 mi 2h 5m
Walter P Reuther Freeway 21.8 mi 23m
Paul B. Henry Freeway 7.8 mi 8m
Mound Road 6.2 mi 10m
US 131 5.7 mi 6m
142nd Avenue 2.5 mi 4m
Kalamazoo Avenue Southeast 2.4 mi 3m
84th Street Southeast 2.3 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 96 — 117.2 mi, about 2h 5m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on 17 Mile Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · 17 Mile Road
2

Turn right onto Mound Road

302 ft · 5 sec · Mound Road
3

Continue on Mound Road

6.0 mi · 9 min · Mound Road
Use the right lane.
4

Keep slight left at fork onto Mound Road

0.2 mi · 16 sec · Mound Road
5

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Toward I 696: Lansing, Port Huron
6

Keep slight right at fork onto Southbound Mound Road to I-696 West

0.4 mi · 50 sec · Southbound Mound Road to I-696 West
Toward I 696 West: Lansing Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Merge onto I 696

22 mi · 23 min · Walter P Reuther Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Merge onto I 96

18 mi · 19 min · I 96
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 96

55 mi · 58 min · I 96
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 96

45 mi · 47 min · I 96
Toward I 96 West: Grand Rapids
11

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min
Exit 46 Toward M 6 West: Holland Use the slight right lane.
12

Continue on M 6

7.8 mi · 8 min · Paul B. Henry Freeway
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Exit 11 Toward Kalamazoo Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 15 sec
Exit 11 Toward Kalamazoo Avenue
15

Turn slight left onto Kalamazoo Avenue Southeast

2.4 mi · 3 min · Kalamazoo Avenue Southeast
Use the left lane.
16

Continue on 84th Street Southeast

2.3 mi · 3 min · 84th Street Southeast
17

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 18 sec
Toward US 131 South: Kalamazoo
18

Merge onto US 131

5.7 mi · 6 min · US 131
19

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Exit 68 Toward 142nd Avenue, Dorr
20

Turn right onto 142nd Avenue

2.5 mi · 4 min · 142nd Avenue
21

Turn right

92 ft · 6 sec
22

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

For this 169.3-mile trip, leaving Sterling Heights in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight. With a total drive time of just over 3 hours, you'll likely only need one brief stop. The main roads are freeways, so fuel and rest areas are generally well-spaced, but it's always wise to keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch of 117.2 miles on I 96. Given the short duration and your estimated fuel cost of $26, this route offers a lot of flexibility; you can depart whenever it suits your schedule.

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 84.7 miles from Sterling Heights, MI, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 117.2 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 44m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 84.7 miles or 1h 35m 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 33m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dorr, MI than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Sterling Heights, 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 Sterling Heights, MI

This is one driving day of about 169.3 miles and 3h 11m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Sterling Heights, 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 117.2 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

85 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

Clyde, MI

Fuel and coffee

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

Lansing, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 84.7 miles from Sterling Heights, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 96 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 117.2 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 Coffee Stop

Farmhouse Coffee & Ice Cream

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Farmington Hills, Michigan

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 24.2

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+12485627708

Visit website

The District Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Dorr, Michigan

0.1 mi

Coffee First Cafe & Bake Shoppe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Sterling Heights, Michigan

1 mi

Anastasia and Katie's Coffee Shop & Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 24.2

Livonia, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+12489578019

Visit website

Farmhouse Coffee & Ice Cream

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 24.2

Farmington Hills, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+12485627708

Visit website

The District Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 169.3

Dorr, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

Visit website

Coffee First Cafe & Bake Shoppe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

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

Sterling Heights, Michigan

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15868385353

Visit website

Taste Coffee Company

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 84.7

Mason, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+15172200447

Visit website

Brighton Coffee House and Theater

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 48.4

Brighton, Michigan

Hours: 6:30 am–6:30 pm

Visit website

Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters Royal Oak

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 12.1

Royal Oak, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+12483077161

Visit website

Coffee Beanery Brighton

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour Inexpensiv mile 48.4

Brighton, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+18102272233

Visit website

Ground Control Coffee Roasters

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 24.2

Farmington, Michigan

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+12489872013

Visit website

Breakout Escape Rooms Royal Oak

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 12.1

Royal Oak, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–11:30 pm

+15863596944

Visit website

The Fifth Wall Escape Rooms

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 12.1

Ferndale, Michigan

Hours: 3–10 pm

+12482914305

Visit website

Painting with a Twist

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 12.1

Ferndale, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+12488507182

Visit website

Painting with a Twist

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 24.2

Farmington, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+12484767928

Visit website

Fitzgerald Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 108.8

Grand Ledge, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+15176277351

Visit website

LegaSea Aquarium & The Reptarium

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Utica, Michigan

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+15868846941

Visit website

Harris Nature Center

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 84.7

Okemos, Michigan

Hours: 9 am–3 pm

+15173493866

Visit website

Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 84.7

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 7.5 and 155.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
7.5 mi into trip | ~12m in | Southbound Mound Road to I-696 West

Keep slight right at fork onto Southbound Mound Road to I-696 West toward I 696 West: Lansing

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 696 West: Lansing
6
47.6 mi into trip | ~56m in | I 96

Keep slight left at fork onto I 96

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
146.9 mi into trip | ~2h 42m in

Take the exit toward M 6 West: Holland

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 46 Toward M 6 West: Holland
7
155.6 mi into trip | ~2h 52m in

Take the exit toward Kalamazoo Avenue

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 11 Toward Kalamazoo Avenue
6
155.9 mi into trip | ~2h 52m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Kalamazoo Avenue

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 11 Toward Kalamazoo Avenue

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.47 one way

$52.94 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 59 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $29.06 $58.12
premium $4.89 $32.58 $65.16
diesel $5.61 $37.38 $74.76

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: 59.2 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 50.8 0 $17.78 $8.13
Efficient EV 42.3 0 $14.81 $6.77
EV Truck/SUV 67.7 0 $23.70 $10.84

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

Sterling Heights, MI

Late night in Sterling Heights on Sunday

Local time

12:18 AM

EDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Dorr, MI

Late night in Dorr on Sunday

Local time

12:18 AM

EDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

65°F

Chelsea, MI

85 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

21 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 11m 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 drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 90% of the journey taking place on major freeways like I 96, Walter P Reuther Freeway, and Paul B. Henry Freeway. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 117.2 miles on I 96, offering a consistent pace. The character of the drive is one of steady forward momentum, typical of interstate travel across the Midwest. While not particularly varied, this highway-centric profile means you can maintain a predictable speed for most of the 3h 11m duration.

90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 117.2 mi on I 96.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 96 and Walter P Reuther Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.5 miles in near Southbound Mound Road to I-696 West.

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 169.3 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 7.5 miles (Southbound Mound Road to I-696 West): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 47.6 miles (I 96): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 146.9 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 Sterling Heights, MI to Dorr, MI, road signs begin pointing toward M 6 West: Holland along the way.

M 6 West: Holland

146.9 mi in | ~2h 42m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 11m. Total distance: 169.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 117.2 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 Dorr, 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 7.5 miles (Southbound Mound Road to I-696 West): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 47.6 miles (I 96): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 146.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Dorr, 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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