Origin
Sterling Heights, MI
Late night in Sterling Heights on Sunday
Local time
4:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sterling Heights, MI to Swartz Creek, MI
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 10m
Distance
58.9 mi
95 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 5m
★
6 AM
1h 10m
8 AM
1h 21m
10 AM
1h 14m
12 PM
1h 13m
3 PM
1h 15m
5 PM
1h 21m
8 PM
1h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sterling Heights, MI
fish socks
Swartz Creek, MI
Frank Krasznavolgyi
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Sterling Heights to Swartz Creek, you are looking at a straightforward 58.9-mile journey through the Michigan Midwest. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 10 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $9, the route is highly economical and requires zero planned stops to complete. Because the travel time is relatively short, you do not need to worry about overnight accommodations or complicated logistics. This drive serves as a practical, no-nonsense connection between these two Midwest locales, allowing you to get from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 37.7 mi | 40m |
| M 59 | 9.1 mi | 9m |
| Mound Road | 3.4 mi | 5m |
| Chevrolet-Buick Freeway | 3.2 mi | 3m |
| Miller Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| 17 Mile Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| M-59 Service Drive | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 37.7 mi, about 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sterling Heights, MI and Swartz Creek, 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
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
I 75
Toward I 75: Saginaw
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 69: Lansing, Port Huron
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward I 69: Lansing, Flint, Port Huron
12
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 69 West: Lansing
13
Merge onto I 69
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Chevrolet-Buick Freeway
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
Exit 129
Toward Miller Road
Use the slight right lane.
15
Turn right onto Miller Road
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Miller Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Arrive at destination
Miller Road
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
29 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 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 29.4 miles from Sterling Heights, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 135 decision points cluster between mile 4.4 and 57.1 — 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
7
52.3 mi into trip
|
~59m in
Take the exit toward I 69: 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.
Toward I 69: Lansing, Port Huron
7
52.6 mi into trip
|
~1h in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 69: Lansing, Flint, Port Huron
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 69: Lansing, Flint, Port Huron
7
57.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
Take the exit toward Miller Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 129
Toward Miller Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.21 one way
$18.42 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
21 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $10.11 | $20.22 |
| premium | $4.89 | $11.33 | $22.67 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.00 | $26.01 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.7 | 0 | $6.18 | $2.83 |
| Efficient EV | 14.7 | 0 | $5.15 | $2.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 23.6 | 0 | $8.25 | $3.77 |
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 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
Swartz Creek, MI
Late night in Swartz Creek on Sunday
Local time
4:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
26 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
1h 10m 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 trip is heavily highway-focused, with 70% of your travel taking place on major thoroughfares. You will navigate a mix of M-59 and Mound Road before transitioning onto I-75 for the bulk of the transit. The most significant portion of your drive features a 37.7-mile uninterrupted stretch on I-75, providing a consistent pace for the majority of the trip. While the route lacks the technical curves of backroads, it offers a functional and efficient experience for the driver. You can expect a standard interstate feel that prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenery.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 37.7 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and M 59. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.4 miles in near M-59 Service Drive.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 58.9 miles you will encounter 13 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 52.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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 Swartz Creek, MI, road signs point toward M 59 West, Port Huron and Flint.
M 59 West
4.6 mi in
|
~7m
Port Huron
52.3 mi in
|
~59m
Flint
52.6 mi in
|
~1h
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 10m. Total distance: 58.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 37.7 miles on I 75. 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 Swartz Creek, MI before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
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 52.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Swartz Creek, 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
More trips to Swartz Creek, MI
Explore more options from Sterling Heights, MI or browse trips ending in Swartz Creek, MI.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MI road trips.