Road Trips from Ann Arbor, MI
Thinking about a quick getaway from Ann Arbor? You've got options for day trips that are mostly highway, keeping the driving straightforward. Most destinations are within a 2.5-hour drive, perfect for a shorter excursion, with several hitting the mark at around 1.5-2 hours. You'll find a mix of routes with parks nearby, offering a chance for a scenic stop, though the terrain is generally flat across the board. It's ideal for a relaxed drive with a park visit factored in.
Total Routes
122
Shortest
0.4h
With Parks Nearby
78
Under 2 hours
59 total in this range
Ortonville, MI
1h 16m55.1 mi one way
For the shortest trip on this list, Ortonville, MI, is your best bet at just 55.1 miles and 1.3 hours. It’s primarily a highway drive with a high score of 9, but note that there are no parks directly associated with this route. It's the quickest way to get out of town.
Grosse Pointe Woods, MI
1h 3m51.9 mi one way
Butler, MI
1h 30m69.5 mi one way
Lake Orion, MI
1h 20m59.9 mi one way
Kalamo, MI
1h 49m80.8 mi one way
Full-day getaway
29 total in this range
Watertown, MI
2h 30m124 mi one way
Watertown, MI, is the longest drive on this list at 124 miles, taking roughly 2.5 hours. While it scores a 9 for the drive and is mostly highway, it does not feature parks nearby. This is best if your priority is simply reaching a destination with minimal stops.
Kingston, MI
2h 11m110.9 mi one way
Kingston, MI, offers a 110.9-mile drive that takes about 2.2 hours. This route mixes highway and surface roads and scores a 9 for the drive. Note that there are no parks associated with this specific route, making it a direct trip.
Ellington, MI
2h 16m112 mi one way
Ellington, MI, is a 112-mile destination reachable in about 2.3 hours. The drive profile is mixed highway and surface roads with a strong drive score of 9. This option does not highlight nearby parks, focusing instead on the journey itself.
Chapin, MI
2h84.1 mi one way
Kimball, MI
2h 1m95.4 mi one way
Weekend trip
29 total in this range
Manistee, MI
4h 34m238.1 mi one way
Mayfield, MI
4h 18m226.1 mi one way
Elk Rapids, MI
4h 33m237.4 mi one way
Acme, MI
4h 23m233.3 mi one way
Rogers City, MI
4h 46m249.6 mi one way
Long-haul ideas
Republic, MI
8h 55m473.6 mi one way
Ishpeming, MI
8h 26m452.4 mi one way
Spalding, MI
8h 9m440.9 mi one way
Boston, MI
10h 29m544.2 mi one way
Golden, MI
9h 12m484.4 mi one way
Browse by Mood
Manistee, MI
4h 34m238.1 mi one way
Mayfield, MI
4h 18m226.1 mi one way
Watertown, MI
2h 30m124 mi one way
Elk Rapids, MI
4h 33m237.4 mi one way
Manistee, MI
4h 34m238.1 mi one way
Grosse Pointe Woods, MI
1h 3m51.9 mi one way
Ishpeming, MI
8h 26m452.4 mi one way
Munising, MI
7h 11m396.7 mi one way
When to Go
Spring
The routes with nearby parks, like those heading to Juniata or North Branch, could be pleasant for spring outings as nature awakens. The flat terrain makes for easy walking.
Summer
With many routes featuring nearby parks and all being under 2.5 hours, these destinations are well-suited for summer day trips. The mostly highway profiles mean less time driving and more time enjoying the outdoors.
Fall
The park-inclusive drives, such as to Emmett or Cass City, would be ideal for fall foliage viewing. The straightforward highway portions of these trips minimize travel time.
Winter
The shortest option, Ortonville at 1.3 hours, is ideal for a quick winter escape. The mostly highway routes across the board mean you spend less time on the road in colder weather.
Starting Somewhere Else?
Other nearby cities with their own escape planners.
Ready to plan?
Pick any destination above for full turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost, rest stops, and weather. Or visit the Ann Arbor, MI city hub for all incoming and outgoing routes.