You love a good road trip, but let’s face it, the cost of gas can be a deterrent from embarking on an adventure. We get it. In fact, that’s precisely why we’ve mapped out the perfect road trip – one that can be completed on one tank of gas. And, yes, it is a conglomerate of the very best road trips in Michigan, so this trip will offer you a taste of local life.
This trip takes us through northern Michigan all the way to the Thumb (or vice versa). So if you live Up North or near Lake Huron or you’re trying to maximize your weekend travel plans, this may be the trip for you. The trip takes about eight hours to complete and spans 399 miles. We did some digging and learned that the average tank of fuel will take you between 300-500 miles before hitting empty. Of course that depends on the model of your car. SUVs and trucks will guzzle gas, while compacts or hybrids will get you further for less. Here’s a link to our Google Maps itinerary.
Let’s get started!
Google Maps
- Traverse City
Joey Lax-Salinas/Flickr Whether you’re taking a stroll by the bay, dining at one of the award-winning eateries, or checking out the nearby vineyards, Traverse City has you covered.
- Charlevoix
John Menard/Flickr Lots of family-friendly recreation opportunities in this small town, mostly involving the water.
- Petoskey
Michigan Municipal League/Flickr With quaint shops, a small town atmosphere, beautiful architecture, and access to Walloon Lake, Petoskey makes for a great stop.
- Mackinaw City
James Marvin Phelps/Flickr Here is the last stop before you cross the Mighty Mac and head into Yooper territory.
- Rogers City
Fotos By B/Flickr Dubbed “Nautical City,” you’ll appreciate this coastal community for its many parks and trails near the water.
- Alpena
cmh2315fl/Flickr Plan your trip just right to make it here at night, when you can view the galaxy at Rockport State Recreation Area - an official dark sky preserve.
- Tawas City
adaenn/Flickr The Tawas Bay area is an outdoors person’s paradise: perfect for hiking, kayaking, catching lake fish. And the city of Tawas itself has that charming, old time feel.
- Bay City
renny67/Flickr You’ll love downtown here. It’s filled with cute little shops and eateries, and it’s situated right next to the river.
- Caseville
Redi-Rock International/Flickr Known for its sandy beach and marina, you’ll also love the Cheeseburger Days festival every summer.
- Port Austin
Derek A Young/Flickr And we finally come to Port Austin, which rests right on the Thumb… Another lakeside known especially for its farmers market - one of the largest in the state.
Itching to hit the road yet? You should be, because these destinations make for the very best road trips in Michigan. What are you waiting for? Call up the buddies and make your plans for next weekend, or tag them in the comments to start planning your adventure now.
Google Maps
Joey Lax-Salinas/Flickr
Whether you’re taking a stroll by the bay, dining at one of the award-winning eateries, or checking out the nearby vineyards, Traverse City has you covered.
John Menard/Flickr
Lots of family-friendly recreation opportunities in this small town, mostly involving the water.
Michigan Municipal League/Flickr
With quaint shops, a small town atmosphere, beautiful architecture, and access to Walloon Lake, Petoskey makes for a great stop.
James Marvin Phelps/Flickr
Here is the last stop before you cross the Mighty Mac and head into Yooper territory.
Fotos By B/Flickr
Dubbed “Nautical City,” you’ll appreciate this coastal community for its many parks and trails near the water.
cmh2315fl/Flickr
Plan your trip just right to make it here at night, when you can view the galaxy at Rockport State Recreation Area - an official dark sky preserve.
adaenn/Flickr
The Tawas Bay area is an outdoors person’s paradise: perfect for hiking, kayaking, catching lake fish. And the city of Tawas itself has that charming, old time feel.
renny67/Flickr
You’ll love downtown here. It’s filled with cute little shops and eateries, and it’s situated right next to the river.
Redi-Rock International/Flickr
Known for its sandy beach and marina, you’ll also love the Cheeseburger Days festival every summer.
Derek A Young/Flickr
And we finally come to Port Austin, which rests right on the Thumb… Another lakeside known especially for its farmers market - one of the largest in the state.
Can’t get enough of local adventure? We don’t blame you! You’ll want to take a road trip to the best historic landmarks in Michigan.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Traverse City, MI, USAAddress: Charlevoix, MI 49720, USAAddress: Petoskey, MI 49770, USAAddress: Mackinaw City, MI 49701, USAAddress: Rogers City, MI 49779, USAAddress: Alpena, MI 49707, USAAddress: Tawas City, MI 48763, USAAddress: Bay City, MI, USAAddress: Caseville, MI 48725, USAAddress: Port Austin, MI 48467, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Road Trips In Michigan March 13, 2020 Nikki Rhoades Are there any food-related road trips in Michigan? One tank trips are effortless in Michigan, as there’s much to do. We may not be a famous foodie hot spot, but the local dining scene is truly a gem. We locals love comfort food, but we’re welcoming to international cuisine, vegan food, and so much more. If you’re hoping to take a few foodie day trips in Michigan, you definitely want to check out the taco trail, or you might consider checking out a few mom and pop shops. There’s also great value in simply selection an interesting small town and exploring its restaurants. Whatever you decide to do, your taste buds will doubtlessly thank you! What are the best day trips in Michigan? Here in the Great Lakes region, locals are accustomed to brutal, unforgiving winters. Tourists, however, are not. As a result, Michigan is not a coveted vacation spot… but rest assured that there is still plenty to do here amidst the local landscape. There are many incredible day trips worth taking in the area – our website is full of them, so don’t be afraid to click around and explore something new! What are the most popular attractions in Michigan? There are so many things to do in Michigan! Nonetheless, there’s a reason landmarks are instantly recognizable and are visited by tourists and locals alike. The local naturescape also has its appeal, but quite frankly, you’ll find that there is value in anything locals recommend. There’s nothing that quite compares to exploring Michigan like a local!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Road Trips In Michigan
March 13, 2020
Nikki Rhoades
Are there any food-related road trips in Michigan? One tank trips are effortless in Michigan, as there’s much to do. We may not be a famous foodie hot spot, but the local dining scene is truly a gem. We locals love comfort food, but we’re welcoming to international cuisine, vegan food, and so much more. If you’re hoping to take a few foodie day trips in Michigan, you definitely want to check out the taco trail, or you might consider checking out a few mom and pop shops. There’s also great value in simply selection an interesting small town and exploring its restaurants. Whatever you decide to do, your taste buds will doubtlessly thank you! What are the best day trips in Michigan? Here in the Great Lakes region, locals are accustomed to brutal, unforgiving winters. Tourists, however, are not. As a result, Michigan is not a coveted vacation spot… but rest assured that there is still plenty to do here amidst the local landscape. There are many incredible day trips worth taking in the area – our website is full of them, so don’t be afraid to click around and explore something new! What are the most popular attractions in Michigan? There are so many things to do in Michigan! Nonetheless, there’s a reason landmarks are instantly recognizable and are visited by tourists and locals alike. The local naturescape also has its appeal, but quite frankly, you’ll find that there is value in anything locals recommend. There’s nothing that quite compares to exploring Michigan like a local!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
One tank trips are effortless in Michigan, as there’s much to do. We may not be a famous foodie hot spot, but the local dining scene is truly a gem. We locals love comfort food, but we’re welcoming to international cuisine, vegan food, and so much more. If you’re hoping to take a few foodie day trips in Michigan, you definitely want to check out the taco trail, or you might consider checking out a few mom and pop shops. There’s also great value in simply selection an interesting small town and exploring its restaurants. Whatever you decide to do, your taste buds will doubtlessly thank you!
What are the best day trips in Michigan?
Here in the Great Lakes region, locals are accustomed to brutal, unforgiving winters. Tourists, however, are not. As a result, Michigan is not a coveted vacation spot… but rest assured that there is still plenty to do here amidst the local landscape. There are many incredible day trips worth taking in the area – our website is full of them, so don’t be afraid to click around and explore something new!
What are the most popular attractions in Michigan?
There are so many things to do in Michigan! Nonetheless, there’s a reason landmarks are instantly recognizable and are visited by tourists and locals alike. The local naturescape also has its appeal, but quite frankly, you’ll find that there is value in anything locals recommend. There’s nothing that quite compares to exploring Michigan like a local!
