📷 Photo by Jeff DeWitt on UnsplashLake Michigan's dune coast
Big dunes and the Mighty Mac bridge.
- Distance
- 641 km (399 mi)
- Driving
- 7 h 07 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 5
- States
- IL, MI
- Updated
- July 25, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 641 km (399 mi) with 5 stops, from Chicago to Mackinaw City. About 7 h 07 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Illinois, Michigan · More road trips from Chicago
Route description
From Chicago, follow I-94 around the southern tip of Lake Michigan into Michigan, then take US-31 north along the lakeshore through Holland, Muskegon and Ludington. Beach towns and state parks with their own dunes line the way, and the southern part of US-31 is a fast four-lane highway.
Further north, M-22 leads to Empire and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, where sand bluffs rise 450 feet above Lake Michigan and the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive has the best overlooks. Running down the dune to the water is easy, but the climb back up is long and hard. Traverse City, on Grand Traverse Bay, makes a good base, with cherry orchards and wineries on the peninsulas nearby.
From Traverse City, US-31 continues north through Charlevoix and Petoskey to Mackinaw City, where the five-mile Mackinac Bridge links Michigan’s two peninsulas. Ferries leave from here for car-free Mackinac Island. Summer and early fall are the best times to go; the bridge charges a toll, and in strong winds high-sided vehicles may be escorted across or held.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Chicago
IL - 2429 km
Sleeping Bear Dunes
NatureEmpire, MISand bluffs 450 feet above Lake Michigan. The Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive has the best overlooks.
- 343 km
Traverse City
MI - 4164 km
Mackinac Bridge
ViewsMackinaw City, MIA five-mile suspension bridge linking Michigan's two peninsulas. Ferries to car-free Mackinac Island leave nearby.
- 55 km
Mackinaw City
MI
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Chicago → Sleeping Bear Dunes · 267 mi · 4 h 46 minOvernight nearby, for example: Indigo Bluffs RV Park (6 mi); Platte River Campground (12 mi).
- Day 2: Sleeping Bear Dunes → Traverse City · 27 mi · 0 h 29 minOvernight nearby, for example: Traverse City State Park Campground (4 mi); Leelanau Pines Campground (9 mi).
- Day 3: Traverse City → Mackinaw City · 105 mi · 1 h 53 minOn the way: Mackinac Bridge.Overnight nearby, for example: Tiki RV Park (7 mi); Castle Rock Campark (9 mi).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. Cold, short days in December–March. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
FAQs
How long is Lake Michigan's dune coast?
3-day road trip of about 641 km (399 mi) with 5 stops, from Chicago to Mackinaw City. About 7 h 07 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Lake Michigan's dune coast?
We suggest 3 days: about 7 h 07 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Lake Michigan's dune coast start and end?
It starts in Chicago and ends in Mackinaw City.
Which states does Lake Michigan's dune coast pass through?
Illinois and Michigan.
Where can you camp along Lake Michigan's dune coast?
OpenStreetMap lists 71 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Tiki RV Park, Castle Rock Campark and Platte River Campground.
When is the best time for Lake Michigan's dune coast?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
