Getting Up North
One of the best parts of a Northern Michigan trip is the drive itself. Whether you’re coming from Detroit, Chicago, or somewhere in between, the last stretch of highway — trees closing in, lakes flashing by the window — is when the trip really starts to feel like a getaway.
From Detroit and Southeast Michigan
It’s roughly a three-and-a-half to four-hour drive north on I-75, depending on your final destination. Traffic is heaviest on Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings during summer weekends, so if you can shift your travel to a weekday or an early Saturday morning, you’ll skip most of the backup.
From Chicago
Guests coming from Chicago are looking at about five to six hours, typically routing around the base of Lake Michigan and up through the western side of the state. It’s a longer drive, but the payoff — trading city traffic for lakeside quiet — makes it worth every mile for the guests who make the trip regularly.
Flying In
If you’d rather skip the long drive, Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City offers direct flights from several major hubs and puts you close to our Traverse City-area properties right off the plane. It’s a great option for shorter trips or guests coming from farther away.
Build in a Stop
However you’re getting here, consider breaking up the drive with a stop at a roadside cherry stand, a small-town diner, or a scenic overlook. Half the fun of a Northern Michigan trip is what you see on the way in.
Plan Your Route, Then Your Stay
Once you know how you’re getting here, the next step is picking where to stay. Browse our properties across Traverse City, Gaylord, and the surrounding towns, and find the home base that fits your route.
