Origin
Sterling Heights, MI
Morning in Sterling Heights on Sunday
Local time
8:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sterling Heights, MI to South Gull Lake, 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 50m
Distance
144 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 39m
★
6 AM
2h 50m
8 AM
3h 12m
10 AM
2h 58m
12 PM
2h 56m
3 PM
2h 59m
5 PM
3h 11m
8 PM
2h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sterling Heights, MI
fish socks
South Gull Lake, MI
Kevin Carrera
Trip Overview
Sterling Heights, MI to South Gull Lake, MI is 144 miles and takes about 2h 50m via I 94 and M 14, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Michigan, connecting two points in the Midwest region. It's a straightforward, mostly highway journey ideal for a single-day excursion. Plan for a relatively quick drive that gets you to your destination without significant detours or complicated navigation. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to travel between these two locations.
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 Sterling Heights, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m 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 |
| 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 |
| M 89 | 4.3 mi | 4m |
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 South Gull Lake, 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
4.3 mi
·
4 min
·
M 89
26
Turn right onto North 40th Street
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
North 40th Street
27
Turn left onto East C Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East C Avenue
28
Turn right onto Midland Drive
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
Midland Drive
29
Turn left onto Burlington Drive
0.2 mi
·
49 sec
·
Burlington Drive
30
Turn left onto Makin
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
Makin
31
Arrive at destination
Midlake Drive
Trip Plan
Given the short 2h 50m duration, you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Sterling Heights in the morning allows ample daylight to reach South Gull Lake. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $23, this trip is easy on the wallet and requires minimal planning. Keep an eye on I 94 for potential traffic, especially if traveling during peak commute hours or weekends. The longest stretch without a major road change is 66.7 miles, so ensure you have sufficient fuel before embarking on that segment.
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 Sterling Heights, MI, or about 1h 24m 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 32 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72 miles or 1h 24m 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Gull Lake, 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 144 miles and 2h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 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
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 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
$22.51 one way
$45.03 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
50 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $24.72 | $49.44 |
| premium | $4.89 | $27.71 | $55.42 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.79 | $63.59 |
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: 50.4 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 | $15.12 | $6.91 |
| Efficient EV | 36 | 0 | $12.60 | $5.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57.6 | 0 | $20.16 | $9.22 |
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
South Gull Lake, MI
Morning in South Gull Lake on Sunday
Local time
8:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 50m 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 primarily highway-focused, with 61% of the journey on major freeways. You'll spend a good portion of your time on I 94, including a continuous stretch of 66.7 miles, offering a consistent pace. The route also incorporates segments of M 14 and the Walter P Reuther Freeway, which contribute to the overall highway character. Expect a relatively smooth and direct experience, with limited exposure to slower, local roads. The feel is predominantly one of efficient travel rather than scenic exploration.
61% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 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 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 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 144 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 South Gull Lake, MI, road signs point toward Port Huron, Toledo, M 14: Ann Arbor, M 311 and M 96.
Port Huron
7.2 mi in
|
~11m
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
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 50m. Total distance: 144 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (61%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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.
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 South Gull Lake, 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at South Gull Lake, 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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Return Trip
South Gull Lake, MI to Sterling Heights, MIPlan the drive back the other way.
143.9 mi
2h 53m
Continue From South Gull Lake, MI
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