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Trip from Sterling Heights, MI to Rogers City, MI

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 49m

Distance

251.5 mi

405 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$39

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 36m ★
6 AM
4h 50m
8 AM
5h 17m
10 AM
4h 59m
12 PM
4h 57m
3 PM
5h 1m
5 PM
5h 16m
8 PM
4h 42m

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 Rogers City, MI, MI

Rogers City, MI

fish socks

Trip Overview

The drive from Sterling Heights, MI to Rogers City, MI covers 251.5 miles and takes about 4h 49m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 75, State Highway 65, M 59 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 111.8 miles on I 75. At current regular gas prices, budget about $39.32 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

125.8 miles from Sterling Heights, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 16m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 75 111.8 mi 1h 58m
State Highway 65 64.2 mi 1h 14m
M 59 9.1 mi 9m
M 65 North 8.9 mi 10m
M 65 8.4 mi 9m
US-23 South 7.7 mi 8m
West Huron Road 6.3 mi 8m
M-65 4.4 mi 5m
Longest stretch: I 75 — 111.8 mi, about 1h 58m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on 17 Mile Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · 17 Mile Road
2

Turn right onto Mound Road

3.2 mi · 5 min · Mound Road
3

Continue on Mound Road

0.1 mi · 24 sec · Mound Road
4

Turn right onto M-59 Service Drive

0.2 mi · 24 sec · M-59 Service Drive
5

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Toward M 59 West
6

Merge onto M 59

9.1 mi · 9 min · M 59
7

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 40B Toward I 75 North: Flint Use the slight right lane.
8

Merge onto I 75

33 mi · 35 min · I 75
9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75

52 mi · 56 min · I 75
Toward I 75: Saginaw
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75; US 23

27 mi · 26 min · I 75; US 23
11

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 51 sec
Toward M 61: Standish, Gladwin
12

Turn right onto M 61

2.1 mi · 3 min · M-61
13

Continue on M 61

0.6 mi · 1 min · West Cedar Street
14

Turn left onto US 23

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Main Street
15

Continue on US 23

6.3 mi · 8 min · West Huron Road
16

Continue on US 23

0.6 mi · 1 min · West Center Road
17

Continue on US 23

2.0 mi · 2 min · East Huron Road
18

Turn left onto M 65

4.0 mi · 4 min · North Hale Road
Use the left lane.
19

Continue on M 65

1.1 mi · 1 min · State Street
20

Continue on M 65

2.9 mi · 3 min · Hale Road
21

Continue on M 65

4.5 mi · 5 min · State Highway 65
22

Continue on M 65

1.0 mi · 1 min · South Bullock Street
23

Continue on M 65

4.5 mi · 5 min · State Highway 65
24

Continue on M 65

4.4 mi · 5 min · M 65
25

Continue on M 65

1.5 mi · 2 min · State Highway 65
26

Continue on M 65

4.0 mi · 4 min · M 65
27

Continue on M 65

11 mi · 12 min · State Highway 65
Use the straight lane.
28

Continue on M 65

1.5 mi · 1 min · Baker Road
29

Continue on M 65

3.2 mi · 3 min · South State Road
30

Continue on M 65

39 mi · 44 min · State Highway 65
31

Continue on M 32; M 65

1.6 mi · 1 min · M 32; M 65
32

Turn left onto M 65

8.9 mi · 10 min · M 65 North
33

Continue on M 65

1.1 mi · 1 min · M-65 North
34

Continue on M 65

3.4 mi · 3 min · State Highway 65
35

Continue on Michigan Avenue

1.0 mi · 1 min · Michigan Avenue
36

Continue on M 65

0.5 mi · 34 sec · State Highway 65
37

Continue on M 65

4.4 mi · 5 min · M-65
38

At end of road, turn left onto US 23

7.7 mi · 8 min · US-23 South
Use the left lane.
39

Continue on US 23

0.7 mi · 1 min · South Bradley Highway
40

Turn right onto M 68

0.7 mi · 2 min · West Erie Street
41

Turn left onto US 23 BUS

0.2 mi · 38 sec · North Third Street
42

Turn left onto West Huron Avenue

101 ft · 3 sec · West Huron Avenue
43

Arrive at destination

West Huron Avenue

Trip Plan

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 125.8 miles from Sterling Heights, MI, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.8 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 55 miles or 1h 2m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 125.8 miles or 2h 16m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 55m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rogers City, 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 251.5 miles and 4h 49m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 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 75 for about 111.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Skidway Lake, MI, MI

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Skidway Lake, MI

126 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

Flint, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Skidway Lake, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 125.8 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 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111.8 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

Coffee First Cafe & Bake Shoppe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Sterling Heights, Michigan

Near the start, short detour

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

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15868385353

Visit website

Stardust Entertainment Center

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 89.8

Saginaw, Michigan

Hours: 12–11 pm

+19897936300

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

Fireside Coffee Co

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 53.9

Swartz Creek, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+18106359196

Visit website

Battle Alley Coffee Co.

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 35.9

Holly, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+12482450512

Visit website

Davisburg Rest Area 908

0.1 mi from route

Dodge Road Rest Area 631

0.1 mi from route

Clarkston Rest Area 904

0.1 mi from route

Bay City Rest Area 605

0.1 mi from route

Clio Rest Area 612

0.1 mi from route

Linwood Rest Area 626

0.1 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.1 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

TA

0.2 mi from route

Flying J Travel Center

0.2 mi from route

M-81 Express Stop

0.2 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.2 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.3 mi from route

Service Plaza

2.2 mi from route

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 53.9

Flint, Michigan

Hours: 12–8 pm

+18104078972

Visit website

Seagull Point Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 251.5

Rogers City, Michigan

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19897342191

Visit website

Flint Children's Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 53.9

Flint, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+18107675437

Visit website

Airborne Adventure Park - Saginaw, MI

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 89.8

Saginaw, Michigan

Hours: 4–8 pm

+19895960022

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

Sloan Museum of Discovery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 53.9

Flint, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+18102373450

Visit website

Marshall M Fredericks Sculpture Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 89.8

University Center, Michigan

Hours: 11 am–5 pm

+19899647125

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 4.4 and 242.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
4.4 mi into trip | ~7m in | M-59 Service Drive

Turn right onto M-59 Service Drive

Navigation decision point

7
14.1 mi into trip | ~18m in

Take the exit toward I 75 North: Flint

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 40B Toward I 75 North: Flint
5
47.4 mi into trip | ~54m in | I 75

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward I 75: Saginaw

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 75: Saginaw
5
126.5 mi into trip | ~2h 17m in

Take the exit toward M 61: Standish, Gladwin

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward M 61: Standish, Gladwin
6
242.2 mi into trip | ~4h 37m in | US 23 / US-23 South

At end of road, turn left onto US 23 / US-23 South

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$39.32 one way

$78.64 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 88 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $43.17 $86.34
premium $4.89 $48.40 $96.80
diesel $5.61 $55.53 $111.06

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$39

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$64–$89

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 88 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 75.5 0 $26.41 $12.07
Efficient EV 62.9 0 $22.01 $10.06
EV Truck/SUV 100.6 1 $35.21 $16.10

Gas CO2

88 kg

EV CO2

29 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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

Afternoon in Sterling Heights on Sunday

Local time

12:13 PM

EDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Rogers City, MI

Afternoon in Rogers City on Sunday

Local time

12:13 PM

EDT

Current temp

54°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

14 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

4h 49m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

251.5 mi in 4h 49m, mostly highway — 111.8 mi of that is on I 75.

73% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
43 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 111.8 mi on I 75.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and State Highway 65. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 4.4 miles in near M-59 Service Drive.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 251.5 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 4.4 miles (M-59 Service Drive): Navigation decision point; at 14.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 47.4 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

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 Rogers City, MI, road signs point toward M 61: Standish and Gladwin.

M 61: Standish

126.5 mi in | ~2h 17m

Gladwin

126.5 mi in | ~2h 17m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 49m. Total distance: 251.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 111.8 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 14 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.

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 Rogers City, 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. There are 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

The main spots that need attention: at 4.4 miles (M-59 Service Drive): Navigation decision point; at 14.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 47.4 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Rogers City, 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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Rogers City, MI to Sterling Heights, MI

Plan the drive back the other way.

252.3 mi 4h 50m

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