5 Amazing Great Lakes Road Trip Ideas (With a Complete Itinerary)
If you’ve ever been wanting to plan a Great Lakes road trip, there are tons of ways to do it but with so many choices and places to see, it can get difficult to plan such a tremendous trip and this post is going show you 5 different ways to explore them, 4 through each lake individually and 1 main road trip across 5 all.
Overview
The Great Lakes encompass 5 spots:
- Lake Superior
- Lake Michigan
- Lake Huron
- Lake Erie
- Lake Ontario
Together these lakes span 750 miles east to west, touching eight U.S. states and two Canadian provinces. Together, they make up nearly 21% of the world’s surface fresh water. For road trippers, the Great Lakes offer coastal scenic drives, national parks, charming harbor towns, massive sand dunes, lighthouses, waterfalls, and vibrant cities. Whether you’re exploring one lake or circling several, each route offers a different flavor of adventure.
Great Lakes Map
Best Great Lakes road trip stops
Each of the Great Lakes have ton to offer with some interesecting close to one another making it possible to cross explore more than 1 Great Lake if you so choose. Below you will find a few itinerary ideas to try out, but for now let’s explore some of the top stops around each lake.
Lake Superior:
- Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (MI) – Iconic colorful cliffs, hikes, and kayak tours.
- Apostle Islands (WI) – Known for its sea caves and lighthouse-dotted islands.
- Duluth (MN) – A vibrant port city with access to the scenic North Shore.
- Thunder Bay (Ontario) – A launch point for outdoor adventures in Sleeping Giant.
- Marquette (MI) – A college town with great beaches and trails on the Upper Peninsula. One of my top recommendations here is to visit Presque Isle State Park.
For many people Lake Superior is the most popular out of all the Great Lakes for a road trip as it contains some of the most beautiful areas in the entire country. For me at least, if you asked me which Great Lakes road trip to prioritize doing, I’d tell you Lake Superior should be your 1st choice.
Lake Michigan:
- Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (MI) – Towering dunes and sweeping lake views.
- Traverse City (MI) – Wine country, lakeside beaches, and cherry festivals.
- Door County (WI) – A peaceful peninsula packed with lighthouses and scenic coastal roads.
- Chicago (IL) – Urban lakefront with iconic architecture and Lake Michigan views.
- Mackinaw City (MI) – The gateway to both Lake Michigan and Lake Huron; great for ferrying to Mackinac Island and walking historic streets.
Lake Michigan is a very relaxing area to explore and it does offer a diverse range of sights from Indiana Dunes National Park to Chicago and beautiful coastal towns to explore.
Lake Huron:
- Mackinac Island (MI) – A car-free island of horse-drawn carriages and Gilded Age charm.
- Tawas Point State Park (MI) – Known as the “Cape Cod of the Midwest.”
- Manitoulin Island (Ontario) – The largest freshwater island in the world, with Indigenous culture and natural beauty.
- Mackinaw City (MI) – Strategically placed at the meeting point of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, with lighthouse views and easy access to the Straits.
- Cheboygan (MI) – A small lakeside town known for its historic lighthouse, quiet waterfront, and access to the Inland Waterway.
Lake Huron has a bunch of iconic towns to explore from Mackinac Island to Mackinaw Island nearby, this is a great road trip lake to check out if you’re more into towns and city sights.
Lake Erie:
- Put-in-Bay (OH) – A quirky, entertaining island getaway with Victorian architecture.
- Presque Isle State Park (PA) – Sandy beaches, birding, and a scenic driving loop.
- Niagara Falls (NY/ON) – Iconic waterfall and one of the most visited natural attractions in North America. Niagara Falls itself has tons to do to fill up an entire road trip.
- Marblehead Lighthouse (OH) – One of the oldest operating lighthouses on the Great Lakes with stunning photo ops.
- Point Pelee National Park (Ontario) – The southernmost point in mainland Canada, known for birdwatching, boardwalks, and peaceful shorelines.
Lake Erie has has more classic beach and flat land sights to check out and there’s a bunch of stops along the way and nearby, from Letchworth State Park in New York to places like Nelson Ledges State Park in Ohio. It also offers a variety of beautiful stops.
Lake Ontario:
- Toronto (ON) – Canada’s largest city with a beautiful waterfront and skyline.
- Thousand Islands (NY/ON) – A dreamy archipelago with castle tours and boat cruises.
- Sackets Harbor (NY) – A charming historic town with War of 1812 sites and lakeside dining.
- Prince Edward County (ON) – A wine region with beaches, art galleries, and peaceful shore drives.
- Rochester (NY) – A city with waterfalls, scenic parks, and the beautiful Ontario Beach Park right on the lake.
The main attractions for a Lake Ontario road trip include Toronto, Niagara Falls and 1000 Islands New York as well as the stunning 1,000 Islands National Park (Canada).
5 Great Lakes Road Trip Ideas (Up to 10 Days Each)
Here is a list of each Great Lakes road trip and where to stop around each one, complete with itinerary ideas for you to use:
1. Lake Michigan Loop Road Trip (8–10 Days)
Circle the entire Lake Michigan shoreline, exploring two states in full (Michigan and Wisconsin) plus urban adventures in Chicago. This route features sand dunes, wineries, lake beaches, and historic towns.
Sample Itinerary:
- Day 1: Explore Chicago’s lakefront
- Day 2: Drive to Holland, MI (stop at Indiana Dunes)
- Day 3–4: Traverse City + Sleeping Bear Dunes
- Day 5: Mackinaw City and ferry to Mackinac Island
- Day 6: Drive to Door County, WI
- Day 7–8: Explore lighthouses and beaches
- Day 9: Milwaukee sightseeing
- Day 10: Return to Chicago
2. Lake Superior Circle Tour (10 Days)
This classic international road trip circles all of Lake Superior, crossing the U.S.-Canada border and featuring rugged coastlines, remote waterfalls, and some of the most untouched wilderness in the region.
Sample Itinerary:
- Day 1: Duluth, MN
- Day 2: Apostle Islands, WI
- Day 3: Porcupine Mountains, MI
- Day 4: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
- Day 5: Sault Ste. Marie + Mackinaw City detour
- Day 6: Lake Superior Provincial Park (Canada)
- Day 7: Thunder Bay, Ontario
- Day 8: Sleeping Giant hike
- Day 9: Drive back via North Shore to Grand Marais, MN
- Day 10: Return to Duluth
For this trip, if you need to prioritize certain spots over others, I’d say that Apostle Islands Wisconsin as well as Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore are easily the top choices on this list!
3. Erie to Ontario Scenic Drive (7–9 Days)
A shorter but diverse road trip covering Lake Erie and Lake Ontario with historic sites, waterfalls, and Canada’s vibrant urban centers. Perfect for those who enjoy a mix of nature and culture.
Sample Itinerary:
- Day 1: Cleveland, OH
- Day 2: Erie, PA and Presque Isle
- Day 3: Niagara Falls, NY/ON
- Day 4–5: Toronto waterfront exploration
- Day 6–7: Thousand Islands and Kingston
- Day 8: Sackets Harbor or Prince Edward County
- Day 9: Return via Syracuse or Buffalo, NY
For this list, if you need to prioritize a few areas or are tight on time, then Niagara Falls Canada and 1000 Islands NY (as well as the 1000 Islands National Park nearby) are the top choices to see.
4. Multi-Lake Michigan Adventure (9–10 Days)
This route hits both Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, combining cultural attractions, natural beauty, and charming lakeside towns. Perfect if you want variety without crossing into Canada.
Sample Itinerary:
- Day 1: Detroit, MI
- Day 2: Tawas Point (Lake Huron coast)
- Day 3: Mackinaw City + overnight or day trip to Mackinac Island
- Day 4: Head west to Traverse City
- Day 5: Sleeping Bear Dunes hike
- Day 6–7: Cave Point County Park + Green Bay area
- Day 8: Holland + Saugatuck
- Day 9: South Haven + Indiana Dunes
- Day 10: Return to Detroit
A Lake Michigan road trip is also a stunning way to do a Great Lakes road trip and here I’d personally recommend prioritizing Mackinaw City, Indiana Dunes National Park and Cave Point County Park.
5. Hidden Gems Great Lakes Tour (7–10 Days)
This unique route skips the big-name cities in favor of small towns, scenic parks, and hidden shoreline spots across all 5 Great Lakes. Ideal for travelers seeking peace, photography, and local flavor.
Sample Itinerary:
- Day 1: Marquette, MI (Lake Superior)
- Day 2: Munising & Pictured Rocks
- Day 3: Cross to Mackinac Island (Lake Huron and Lake Michigan)
- Day 4–5: Bruce Peninsula & Tobermory
- Day 6: Port Stanley (Lake Erie)
- Day 7–8: Sackets Harbor (Lake Ontario)
- Day 9: Drive through Adirondacks or along the St. Lawrence
- Day 10: Return via Buffalo or Toronto
Packing List for a Great Lakes Road Trip
Whether you’re camping, staying in hotels, or ferry-hopping to islands, here’s a well-rounded packing list to make your road trip smooth and enjoyable (you can get a majority of the needed items on my Amazon gear list):
Clothing
- Comfortable walking/hiking shoes
- Lightweight jacket or fleece (even in summer, evenings near the lakes can be cool)
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Swimsuit & towel
- Hat and sunglasses
- Layered clothing for variable weather
- Casual clothes for towns/dining
Gear
- Daypack or hiking bag
- Water bottles or hydration pack
- Reusable cooler
- Picnic gear (utensils, blanket, dry food/snacks)
- Phone mount for car navigation
- Binoculars for birding and lighthouse viewing
- Flashlight or headlamp (for campgrounds or night walks)
- Power bank for electronics
Toiletries & Essentials
- Bug spray (especially near forests and water)
- First aid kit
- Hand sanitizer & wet wipes
- Travel-sized toiletries
- Road maps or offline GPS backup
Optional (but Recommended)
- National Parks Pass or state park entry passes
- Travel journal
- Camera or GoPro
- Passport or enhanced ID (if entering Canada)
- Beach chairs or portable hammock
- Ferry tickets printed or saved offline
Where to Stay
- Hotels around Lake Erie
- Hotels around Lake Michigan
- Hotels around Lake Huron
- Hotels around Lake Ontario
For Lake Superior, you have many choices (especially with the Circle Tour):
- Duluth, MN: Check hotels
- North Shore: Check hotels
- Thunder Bay Ontario: Check hotels
- Lake Superior Provincial Park Ontario: Check hotels
- Sault Ste. Marie Ontario: Check hotels
- Marquette, MI: Check hotels
- Porcupine Mountains, MI: Check hotels
- Bayfield & Apostle Islands, WI: Check hotels
Things to Know Before You Go
1. You Might Cross Into Canada: Several Great Lakes routes involve entering Ontario. Be sure to bring a valid passport or enhanced driver’s license. Also check entry requirements or customs regulations, especially for food and alcohol.
2. Ferry Schedules Can Be Limited: Popular destinations like Mackinac Island, Manitoulin Island, and Put-in-Bay are accessed by ferry, which may operate on limited schedules. Reserve ahead, especially during summer.
3. Weather Can Change Quickly: The Great Lakes create their own microclimates. It’s not uncommon to experience rain, wind, and sun all in one day. Always check local forecasts and bring layers.
4. Cell Service May Be Spotty: In remote parts of the Upper Peninsula or along Lake Superior’s northern shore, signal can drop. Download offline maps (like Google Maps or AllTrails) and keep important reservations accessible offline.
5. Plan for Park Fees: Many of the best stops involve state or national parks (like Pictured Rocks, Sleeping Bear Dunes, or Presque Isle). A National Parks Pass or state recreation pass (especially Michigan’s) may save you money if visiting multiple parks.
6. Respect Local Culture & Wildlife: From Manitoulin Island to the preserved trails of Apostle Islands, be mindful of signage, local communities, and protected natural spaces. Do not disturb wildlife or climb restricted dunes or cliffs.
7. Timing Matters: Summer (June–August) is peak season, but early fall (September–early October) offers stunning foliage and fewer crowds. Spring can be cooler but great for waterfalls.
Related
Final Thoughts
A Great Lakes road trip is one of the most scenic and varied adventures you can take in North America. With coastlines stretching thousands of miles and endless combinations of routes, there’s truly no wrong way to explore them. From quiet lighthouses to bustling cities, ferry rides to forest trails, and sandy beaches to soaring dunes, every day on the road brings a fresh view of these mighty inland seas. Choose your route and hit the road, 10 days is just the beginning.
