Help? Directions to Michigan

[campbuzz98]

In July taking a trip from Melbourne, Florida to Traverse City, Michigan. I have been looking at several routes to take there and am looking to see if anyone has any preferred roads to take or avoid? I welcome all suggestions.

[Kenz]

If you come up I-75 take US-23 south of Maumee I believe. This will take you straight up through Ann Arbor and you will bypass Detroit. It will merge back into 75 south of Flint. Otherwise 75 will take you downtown Detroit. You can then stay on 75 to Grayling then west to Traverse City.
You could also take 65 (not sure from Florida or Alabama) north to Indiana into 69 up into Michigan, connect to 131 straight up the west side to Traverse City. Any route is fine, just stay out of Detroit. I'm not talking life and limb, just it can get crazy, confusing, and congested in a rv.

[pppitiful]

The less stressful way for us from Tennessee to Traverse City is I-75N to I-74W towards Indy, then pick up 31N thru Indiana. Then hit I-94E for a few miles and take I-196N to 131N to Traverse City. We have gone this way quite a few times when going to the west side of Michigan. It is a little longer, but for us it works...less traffic than all Interstate travel. Then again we aren’t in a hurry.


All the kids and grandkids are southeast Michigan and that requres the I75/US23/I275 routes...but for the west side we prefer the middle Indiana route.

[campbuzz98]

Has anyone taken I 77 through the mountains (WV and VA) to I 95

[wzpsjm]

Really, really! Taking i75 thru Detroit is normally not an issue!! However there is a bridge out just before downtown. For the shortest route you would leave I75 just before Toledo and take US23 north witch will merge back onto I75 at Flint. This is all highway. Take M72 west into Traverse city from I75 at Grayling. A few have already mentioned this.

[wzpsjm]

I77 or the WV turnpike is quite hilly. Additionally it has toll booths every 50 miles or so. A pain. However it is a beautiful drive!!

[RoyalFrog2]

Originally Posted by pppitiful

The less stressful way for us from Tennessee to Traverse City is I-75N to I-74W towards Indy, then pick up 31N thru Indiana. Then hit I-94E for a few miles and take I-196N to 131N to Traverse City. We have gone this way quite a few times when going to the west side of Michigan. It is a little longer, but for us it works...less traffic than all Interstate travel. Then again we aren’t in a hurry.


All the kids and grandkids are southeast Michigan and that requres the I75/US23/I275 routes...but for the west side we prefer the middle Indiana route.

We vote for us-31 out of north side of Indpls. It is not interstate but recently redone, limited access, and so awesome and smooth. Not all GPS have been updated yet. And I-196 is excellent. Or take the scenic route Blue Star highway. East coast of Lake Michigan is stunning. All the state parks are no doubt booked already but the whole coast of Lake Michigan is worth seeing. "www.michigan.org" Enjoy! Stop and see us in St. Joseph? Silver Beach St. Joe is the first awesome stop.

[SailorSam20500]

Two issues on traffic. SOUTHbound 75 is CLOSED just north of the I-275 split. I posted a thread on the 75 closure. There is heavy construction on US-23 between Ann Arbor and Brighton. Until the US-23 construction is complete, I would stay away from this stretch.

No comment on pppitiful's recommendation - might be a good choice.

My recommendation as a local to this area:
If you want to come up 75, stay on 75 to I-275, take that to I-96 west (note: at junction, LEFT 2 lanes go west) then US-23 north at Brighton, has a nice new intersection here.

Or instead of getting on US-23, you can keep going west on I-96 and pickup either 127 at Lansing or 131 at Grand Rapids to go north.

Depending on time of day, I-75 thru Flint gets pretty heavy but moves well.

Also, a possible fuel stop on I-275 is just north of I-94 at the Ecorse road exit, west side of expressway. Station has a couple gas pumps that are RV friendly and this is a truck stop for diesel rigs. Also has a CAT scale.

[rblack22]

Originally Posted by wzpsjm

Really, really! Taking i75 thru Detroit is normally not an issue!! However there is a bridge out just before downtown. For the shortest route you would leave I75 just before Toledo and take US23 north witch will merge back onto I75 at Flint. This is all highway. Take M72 west into Traverse city from I75 at Grayling. A few have already mentioned this.

Yup

[ben31]

Short answer...head north. Ok, sorry, I couldn't help it.

[Wolverine 1945]

Originally Posted by RoyalFrog2

We vote for us-31 out of north side of Indpls. It is not interstate but recently redone, limited access, and so awesome and smooth. Not all GPS have been updated yet. And I-196 is excellent. Or take the scenic route Blue Star highway. East coast of Lake Michigan is stunning. All the state parks are no doubt booked already but the whole coast of Lake Michigan is worth seeing. "www.michigan.org" Enjoy! Stop and see us in St. Joseph? Silver Beach St. Joe is the first awesome stop.

I am with Royal Frog,,, we stay off the interstates as much as we can !!!
us 31 up the west coast of Michigan is a nice trip as long as you have the time,,, Van Buren State Park is just south of South Haven,,, the campgrounds is just a short bike ride to the Beach !!! Sites # 3 & 4 are nice size !!!

[BessieHunter]

Take 75 north to Toledo, at Toledo take the Ohio Turnpike or US 20 west.
If Turnpike, exit at Archbold/Fayette exit and take Rt 66 north to US 20. Take US 20 west to US 127 north and stay on it until Clair MI. Take M-10 west, to avoid Clair, then to M-115 to M-37 north to Traverse City.

This is the way my wife and I go, as we workcamp at Indigo Bluffs RV Resort and Campground at Empire MI, west of Traverse City.

[Wolverine 1945]

Originally Posted by BessieHunter

Take 75 north to Toledo, at Toledo take the Ohio Turnpike or US 20 west.
If Turnpike, exit at Archbold/Fayette exit and take Rt 66 north to US 20. Take US 20 west to US 127 north and stay on it until Clair MI. Take M-10 west, to avoid Clair, then to M-115 to M-37 north to Traverse City.

This is the way my wife and I go, as we workcamp at Indigo Bluffs RV Resort and Campground at Empire MI, west of Traverse City.

You can also take M37 north out of Grand Rapids,,, by taking US 131 from IN,,,
There are many ways to get up North in Michigan,,, other than Interstates !!!
And more State Parks than I could ever list !!!

[Hpuck99]

Originally Posted by campbuzz98

Has anyone taken I 77 through the mountains (WV and VA) to I 95

Very pretty but not a easy drive !!!! I live in Michigan, I would take I 75 to US 23 (you get that in Ohio] take it north and it comes right back into I 75 take it to M 72 west will take you right into Traverse City. Best Route......

[Kimber45]

I live in Kalamazoo which is 1/2 way between detroit and chicago and was born in Traverse City. Beware there is a 131 and a 31 and they both run north and south. 31 follows the lake shore. 131 goes north from Indinia up through Grand Rapids and onto Traverscity.

When traveling to Flordia I take 69 south past Indy then meet up with I believe its 70 or 75 the rest of the way.

[EDABEUT]

Our son lives in TC and we go there often from Flint area. 75 north to 72 west in Grayling if you stay on the east side of TC. If we are going to west side - Empire, Indigo Bluffs, Holiday Park etc. we go up 10 to 115 to 31 eliminates the drive thru TC. Where are you staying in TC ????

[wboglejr]

Work your way over to I-65 and take I-65 N to I-69 then up the western side of Michigan. I have relatives that make that drive every year and they take this route as they avoid the mountains (still some foot hills) on I-75 while pulling their trailers/5th wheels. I am told where they cut across at the panhandle, it may add about 30 miles but it is a much nicer drive.

[Wolverine 1945]

Originally Posted by wboglejr

Work your way over to I-65 and take I-65 N to I-69 then up the western side of Michigan. I have relatives that make that drive every year and they take this route as they avoid the mountains (still some foot hills) on I-75 while pulling their trailers/5th wheels. I am told where they cut across at the panhandle, it may add about 30 miles but it is a much nicer drive.

If you are going to travel up the West Coast of Michigan,,, you will need to get off I -69 somewhere,,, I think Lansing would be your last chance to go West ???
And I did not know we had a panhandle ???
I am sure we have every one very confused by now !!!
Just get to Michigan and find a HWY that goes North,,, worst thing that could happen,,, is you find your self crossing The Big Mack !!!

[youroo]

Originally Posted by campbuzz98

In July taking a trip from Melbourne, Florida to Traverse City, Michigan. I have been looking at several routes to take there and am looking to see if anyone has any preferred roads to take or avoid? I welcome all suggestions.

Unless your in a Hurry it is a Shame to travel a Interstate while traveling through "Michigan"! Interstates look the Same! Youroo!!

[Wolverine 1945]

Originally Posted by youroo

Unless your in a Hurry it is a Shame to travel a Interstate while traveling through "Michigan"! Interstates look the Same! Youroo!!

RIGHT ON youroo !!!