10 Best Michigan Road Trip Ideas For New Visitors
From the shores of the Great Lakes to vibrant small towns and hidden forest trails, Michigan is made for road trip which is why these 10 Michigan road trip ideas highlight the state’s incredible diversity. Think towering sand dunes, charming lighthouses, island escapes, amazing shoreline adventures and more. This is what awaits you when you travel through here and having explored much of this state personally, I’m very excited to share these experiences with you as well.
1) Lake Michigan Coastal Tour
This classic Michigan road trip hugs the Lake Michigan shoreline, offering endless beach views, charming lakeside towns, and iconic attractions like Sleeping Bear Dunes. It’s ideal for summer travelers wanting to explore beaches, wineries, and lighthouses.
Ideal time to go:
June to September
Sample itinerary:
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Day 1: Start in Holland, visit Big Red Lighthouse
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Day 2: Saugatuck to Ludington, dune hikes and beaches
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Day 3: Traverse City, wine tasting on Old Mission Peninsula
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Day 4: Explore Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
2) Upper Peninsula Waterfall and Wilderness Loop
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is wild and scenic, packed with waterfalls, dense forests, and rugged lake shores. This loop connects highlights like Tahquamenon Falls, Pictured Rocks, and Porcupine Mountains, offering outdoor lovers a true adventure. I’ve personally explore just about every part of it and its one of my favorite ways to do a Michigan road trip, especially if you love nature.
Ideal time to go:
May to October
Sample itinerary:
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Day 1: Begin in Marquette, explore local waterfalls
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Day 2: Drive to Munising, boat tour of Pictured Rocks
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Day 3: Visit Tahquamenon Falls State Park
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Day 4: Hike in the Porcupine Mountains, return via Copper Harbor
3) M-22 Scenic Drive (Leelanau Peninsula)
The M-22 loop is one of Michigan’s most beloved drives, tracing the Lake Michigan shoreline through the Leelanau Peninsula. This route is a fall favorite thanks to colorful foliage, coastal views, and stops in wine country.
Ideal time to go:
September to October for fall colors; summer for beaches
Sample itinerary:
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Day 1: Start in Traverse City, head to Suttons Bay
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Day 2: Visit wineries and Leland’s Fishtown
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Day 3: Hike Sleeping Bear Dunes, end in Glen Arbor
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Day 4: Return along scenic M-22 to Traverse City
4) Detroit to Ann Arbor Art & Culture Trail
This urban road trip highlights two of Michigan’s most culturally rich cities. Detroit’s music history and revitalized downtown meet Ann Arbor’s vibrant arts and university energy, making this a quick yet rewarding road trip.
Ideal time to go:
Year-round
Sample itinerary:
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Day 1: Detroit’s Motown Museum and Eastern Market
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Day 2: Explore the Detroit Institute of Arts
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Day 3: Drive to Ann Arbor, visit U-M Museum of Art
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Day 4: Explore Kerrytown District and local cafes
5) Keweenaw Peninsula Exploration
The Keweenaw Peninsula juts into Lake Superior and is rich with mining history, remote beaches, and starry skies. It’s one of the most rugged and beautiful places in Michigan’s U.P.
Ideal time to go:
June to October
Sample itinerary:
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Day 1: Start in Houghton, visit the A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum
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Day 2: Drive to Copper Harbor, hike Estivant Pines
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Day 3: Kayak or bike Fort Wilkins Historic Park
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Day 4: Return via Eagle Harbor and stop at waterfalls
6) Lighthouse & Shipwreck Coastline Tour (Lake Huron)
This Lake Huron road trip is perfect for lighthouse lovers and maritime history buffs. The shoreline features dozens of historic beacons and haunting shipwreck stories. Additionally you can also see my post on the best Michigan lighthouses to see more of these.
Ideal time to go:
May to October
Sample itinerary:
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Day 1: Begin in Port Huron, tour Fort Gratiot Lighthouse
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Day 2: Continue to Tawas Point and Sturgeon Point
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Day 3: Visit Presque Isle lighthouses and Alpena’s shipwreck museum
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Day 4: End in Mackinaw City, tour Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse
7) Mackinac Island & Straits Area Tour
This trip combines the romance of Mackinac Island with the beauty of Michigan’s Straits area. With no cars allowed on the island, visitors can enjoy biking, horse-drawn carriages, and Victorian charm.
Ideal time to go:
Late May to early October
Sample itinerary:
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Day 1: Arrive in Mackinaw City, explore Colonial Michilimackinac
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Day 2: Ferry to Mackinac Island, bike the 8-mile shoreline loop
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Day 3: Visit Arch Rock and Fort Mackinac
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Day 4: Return and stop at the Mackinac Bridge overlook
8) The Thumb Scenic Heritage Route
Michigan’s Thumb Region is underrated and full of farmland, lakefront villages, and unusual geological features like Turnip Rock which is the image you see above. This quieter route offers laid-back charm and rural coastal beauty.
Ideal time to go:
June to September
Sample itinerary:
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Day 1: Start in Bay City, drive to Caseville
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Day 2: Visit Port Austin, kayak to Turnip Rock
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Day 3: Explore Port Huron, lighthouse tour
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Day 4: Return via inland backroads through farm country
9) West Michigan Wine Trail
West Michigan is home to a growing number of vineyards and wineries, especially near Lake Michigan’s eastern shore. A road trip through this region offers tastings, farm-to-table dining, and charming B&Bs.
Ideal time to go:
Late summer to early fall
Sample itinerary:
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Day 1: Start in New Buffalo, visit tasting rooms
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Day 2: Continue to St. Joseph and Benton Harbor
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Day 3: Head north to Fennville and Holland wineries
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Day 4: Relax at a lakeside inn or farm retreat
10) Pictured Rocks to Mackinac Scenic Loop
This Upper Peninsula loop connects some of the most iconic destinations in northern Michigan, including Munising’s Pictured Rocks, Seney National Wildlife Refuge, and the Mackinac Straits region.
Ideal time to go:
June to October
Sample itinerary:
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Day 1: Explore Pictured Rocks via boat or kayak
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Day 2: Visit Seney Wildlife Refuge and drive to St. Ignace
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Day 3: Cross the Mackinac Bridge and explore Mackinaw City
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Day 4: Optional day trip to Mackinac Island or relax on Lake Huron beaches
From island escapes and beachside towns to remote wilderness and cultural hubs, these 10 Michigan road trip ideas offer the perfect mix of adventure, relaxation, and scenic beauty. Whether you’re planning a long summer escape or a quick weekend getaway, Michigan has a road trip route that’s sure to inspire.
