Rothbury Rest Area 529
0 mi from route
Trip from Sterling Heights, MI to Weare, MI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 24m
Distance
241 mi
388 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 12m
★
6 AM
4h 25m
8 AM
4h 52m
10 AM
4h 34m
12 PM
4h 32m
3 PM
4h 36m
5 PM
4h 50m
8 PM
4h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sterling Heights, MI
fish socks
Weare, MI
fish socks
Trip Overview
Sterling Heights, MI to Weare, MI is 241 miles and takes about 4 hours 24 minutes via I 96 and US 31, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Michigan, traversing the Midwest region. Given its mostly highway profile and single-day recommendation, it's a straightforward drive. You'll spend most of your time on major freeways, making it a practical option for a quick getaway or a necessary transit.
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
120.5 miles from Sterling Heights, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 14m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 96 | 163.3 mi | 2h 54m |
| US 31 | 44 mi | 45m |
| Walter P Reuther Freeway | 21.8 mi | 23m |
| Mound Road | 6.2 mi | 10m |
| East Monroe Road | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| North Oceana Drive | 1 mi | 1m |
| 17 Mile Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| West Jackson Road | 1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 96
— 163.3 mi, about 2h 54m
Traffic on I-96
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 39 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,180 veh/hr typical · worst 2,789
Quietest
2 AM
~134 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sterling Heights, MI and Weare, 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
54 mi
·
57 min
·
I 96
Toward I 96 West: Grand Rapids
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 96; M 37
37 mi
·
39 min
·
I 96; M 37
Toward I 96 West, M 37 North: Muskegon
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 1B
Toward US 31 North: Muskegon, Ludington
Use the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto US 31
44 mi
·
45 min
·
US 31
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 154
Toward Pentwater
15
Turn right onto East Monroe Road
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
East Monroe Road
16
Turn right onto North Oceana Drive
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Oceana Drive
17
Turn left onto West Jackson Road
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West Jackson Road
18
Arrive at destination
West Jackson Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a drive best completed in a single day, leaving Sterling Heights in the morning will give you ample time to reach Weare without feeling rushed. The $43 fuel cost is a reasonable estimate, but it's always wise to check current prices. With only one recommended stop and a 4-hour 24-minute duration, you can easily manage this trip without needing to split it. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the end of the long I 96 stretch, to ensure you have enough to reach your destination or a convenient refueling point.
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 120.5 miles from Sterling Heights, MI, or about 2h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 163.3 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 53 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120.5 miles or 2h 14m 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Weare, 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 241 miles and 4h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 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 163.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
121 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 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 120.5 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 96 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 163.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Fruitport Rest Area 502
0 mi from route
Muskegon Rest Area 501
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Portland Rest Area 531
0.1 mi from route
Saranac Rest Area 532
0.1 mi from route
Howell Rest Area 812
0.1 mi from route
Hart Rest Area 530
0.1 mi from route
Grand Ledge Rest Area 825
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Okemos Rest Area 811
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
ONE9 Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Holt Rest Area 810
1.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.3 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 7.5 and 193 — 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
102.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 54m in
|
I 96
Keep slight left at fork onto I 96 toward I 96 West: Grand Rapids
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 96 West: Grand Rapids
8
156.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 52m in
|
I 96; M 37
Keep slight right at fork onto I 96; M 37 toward I 96 West, M 37 North: Muskegon
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 96 West, M 37 North: Muskegon
8
193 mi into trip
|
~3h 31m in
Take the exit toward US 31 North: Muskegon, Ludington
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 1B
Toward US 31 North: Muskegon, Ludington
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.07 one way
$80.14 round trip
$4.22/gal
25.4 MPG avg
84 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $43.65 | $87.29 |
| premium | $5.18 | $49.18 | $98.35 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $50.76 | $101.52 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 72.3 | 0 | $25.31 | $11.57 |
| Efficient EV | 60.3 | 0 | $21.09 | $9.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 96.4 | 1 | $33.74 | $15.42 |
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 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.
Origin
Sterling Heights, MI
Afternoon in Sterling Heights on Wednesday
Local time
3:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Clear
NNE 1 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Weare, MI
Afternoon in Weare on Wednesday
Local time
3:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Mostly Cloudy
NE 3 mph
0% chance
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
9 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 24m 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?
This route is primarily highway driving, with 95% of the 241 miles on freeways. You'll experience a solid 163.3-mile stretch on I 96 before transitioning to other roads. Expect the highway segment to feel consistent, with a higher density of exits and potentially faster speeds. The final portion will involve surface roads.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 163.3 mi on I 96.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 96 and US 31. 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
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 241 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 102.4 miles (I 96): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
977 ft
610 ft
Total Climb
547 ft
Total Descent
419 ft
Highest Point
977 ft
~51.6 mi in
Elevation Range
367 ft
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 Weare, MI, road signs point toward M 37 North: Muskegon and Ludington.
M 37 North: Muskegon
156.1 mi in
|
~2h 52m
|
via I 96; M 37
Ludington
193 mi in
|
~3h 31m
About the Cities
Arriving in Weare, MI
Full guide →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 4h 24m. Total distance: 241 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 163.3 miles on I 96. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 17 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 Weare, 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 17 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 102.4 miles (I 96): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Weare, 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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