Origin
Sterling Heights, MI
Late night in Sterling Heights on Tuesday
Local time
5:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sterling Heights, MI to Martin, MI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 15m
Distance
164.2 mi
264 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 3m
★
6 AM
3h 15m
8 AM
3h 39m
10 AM
3h 24m
12 PM
3h 21m
3 PM
3h 25m
5 PM
3h 38m
8 PM
3h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sterling Heights, MI
fish socks
Martin, MI
Gianluca Pugliese
Trip Overview
This 164.2-mile drive from Sterling Heights, MI to Martin, MI is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes. You'll primarily navigate on I-94, M-14, and the Walter P Reuther Freeway, with about half of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this Midwest to Midwest journey is around $26. Given the relatively short duration and distance, this route is ideal for a single day of travel without needing an overnight stop. It offers a straightforward travel experience through Michigan.
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
82.1 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 94 | 66.7 mi | 1h 11m |
| M 14 | 21.9 mi | 23m |
| Walter P Reuther Freeway | 20 mi | 21m |
| M 89 | 9 mi | 10m |
| Mound Road | 6.2 mi | 10m |
| West Michigan Avenue | 6.1 mi | 9m |
| Disabled American Veterans Memorial Highway | 5.8 mi | 6m |
| East Michigan Avenue | 4.8 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 66.7 mi, about 1h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sterling Heights, MI and Martin, 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
20 mi
·
21 min
·
Walter P Reuther Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 1
Toward I 96 East, I 275: Toledo
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 96 East, I 275: Toledo
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 96, I 275: Detroit, Toledo
11
Merge onto I 275; I 96
5.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Disabled American Veterans Memorial Highway
12
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward M 14: Ann Arbor
Use the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto M 14
17 mi
·
17 min
·
M 14
14
Keep slight left at fork onto M 14
5.4 mi
·
5 min
·
M 14
Exit 45
Toward M 14: Ann Arbor
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 94
67 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
I 94
Toward I 94 West: Chicago
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward M 311, M 96, I 94 BL: Battle Creek
17
Continue on Wheatfield Parkway
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
Wheatfield Parkway
18
Turn right onto I 94 BL; M 96
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
East Michigan Avenue
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94 BL
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
East Michigan Avenue
20
Turn left onto I 94 BL
352 ft
·
6 sec
·
Hamblin Street
21
Continue on East Hamblin Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Hamblin Avenue
22
Turn right onto M 89
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
South Washington Avenue
23
Turn left onto M 89
6.1 mi
·
9 min
·
West Michigan Avenue
24
Turn slight right onto M 89
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
M-89
25
Continue on M 89
8.0 mi
·
9 min
·
M 89
26
Continue on M 89
0.5 mi
·
37 sec
·
East D Avenue
27
Turn right onto M 89
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North 32nd Street
28
Turn left onto M 89; M 43
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
East C Avenue
29
Turn straight onto M 89; M 43
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
East Richplain Drive
30
Continue on M 89; M 43
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
M 89; M 43
31
Continue on M 89; M 43
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Jackson Road
32
Turn right onto 6th Street
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
6th Street
33
At end of road, turn left onto 106th Avenue
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
106th Avenue
34
Turn right onto A-45
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
10th Street
35
Continue on A-45
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
·
South Main Street
36
Arrive at destination
A-45
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour and 15-minute drive, leaving in the morning will allow you ample time to reach Martin, MI, with flexibility for a single planned stop. The $26 fuel estimate is a good baseline, but keeping an eye on your gauge, especially during the 66.7-mile stretch on I-94, is wise. Since this is a relatively short trip, you can afford to be spontaneous with rest breaks. Consider a brief stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs and refuel if needed, ensuring a comfortable arrival.
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 82.1 miles from Sterling Heights, MI, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.7 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 36 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.1 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Martin, 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 164.2 miles and 3h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 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 94 for about 66.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
82 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 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 82.1 miles from Sterling Heights, 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 66.7 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 245 decision points cluster between mile 7.5 and 52.4 — 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
8
27.9 mi into trip
|
~34m in
Take the exit toward I 96 East, I 275: Toledo
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 1
Toward I 96 East, I 275: Toledo
6
28.3 mi into trip
|
~35m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 96 East, I 275: Toledo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 96 East, I 275: Toledo
6
29.1 mi into trip
|
~37m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 96, I 275: Detroit, Toledo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 96, I 275: Detroit, Toledo
8
52.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m in
|
M 14
Keep slight left at fork onto M 14 toward M 14: Ann Arbor
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 45
Toward M 14: Ann Arbor
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.67 one way
$51.34 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
58 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $28.19 | $56.37 |
| premium | $4.89 | $31.60 | $63.20 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.25 | $72.51 |
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: 57.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.3 | 0 | $17.24 | $7.88 |
| Efficient EV | 41.1 | 0 | $14.37 | $6.57 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 65.7 | 0 | $22.99 | $10.51 |
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Destination
Martin, MI
Late night in Martin on Tuesday
Local time
5:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°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
5 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 15m 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 mixed drive on this route, with 53% of it being highway travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 66.7 miles on I-94, offering a good opportunity for sustained cruising. The character of the drive will likely involve transitioning between freeway speeds and potentially more local road conditions as you approach your destination. It's not an all-interstate grind, nor is it a purely rural, winding path, presenting a blend of driving experiences.
53% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 66.7 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 7.5 miles in near Southbound Mound Road to I-696 West.
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 24 significant decision points across 164.2 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 7.5 miles (Southbound Mound Road to I-696 West): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.3 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Sterling Heights, MI and Martin, MI, road signs point toward Toledo, M 14: Ann Arbor, M 311 and M 96.
Toledo
29.1 mi in
|
~37m
M 14: Ann Arbor
35.3 mi in
|
~44m
M 311
124.5 mi in
|
~2h 20m
M 96
124.5 mi in
|
~2h 20m
About the Cities
Starting 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 15m. Total distance: 164.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 66.7 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 Martin, 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 27.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Martin, 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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