Summer Road Trips in Michigan
Routes
30
Avg Distance
576 mi
Avg Drive
11h 4m
Destinations
19
Michigan in the summer offers a diverse range of driving experiences, with 30 routes averaging 574 miles and over 11 hours. These drives feature gently rolling terrain, with maximum elevations reaching up to 1,625 feet. For EV drivers, there's good coverage with at least 17 DC fast chargers available on some routes, making summer exploration a breeze.
Fuel snapshot for this state
Regular
$3.94/gal
Diesel: $5.60/gal
Typical trip cost
$86–$114
One-way, ~576 mi avg @ 25.4 MPG
CO₂ per trip
~202 kg
ICE vehicle, one-way average
Source: US Energy Information Administration • week of 2026-08-31
Climate through the year: Michigan
Michigan peaks at around 84°F in Jul and cools to 32°F / 20°F in Jan. Wettest month is May at ~3.5 in of rain. Table highlights Summer months.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Rain in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 32 | 20 | 1.5 |
| Feb | 35 | 21 | 1.4 |
| Mar | 45 | 28 | 2 |
| Apr | 58 | 39 | 2.8 |
| May | 70 | 50 | 3.5 |
| Jun peak | 79 | 60 | 3.1 |
| Jul peak | 84 | 65 | 3.2 |
| Aug peak | 81 | 64 | 3.1 |
| Sep | 74 | 56 | 3.1 |
| Oct | 61 | 45 | 2.3 |
| Nov | 48 | 34 | 2.2 |
| Dec | 37 | 26 | 1.7 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Monthly Climate Normals, 1991–2020 reference period. Sampled at the major-airport station for MI — microclimates along specific routes can vary significantly.
Planning Tips
- Carry extra water — summer heat in the car and at rest stops dehydrates faster than you think.
- Start drives early or late to avoid peak afternoon heat, especially through desert or plains stretches.
- Check your tire pressure before long summer drives — hot pavement increases blowout risk with underinflated tires.
Frequently Asked Questions
Summer Routes
Editor's pick
Hudsonville, MI → Carthage, NY
Through: Flint → Toledo → Airport Highway +2 more
This 721-mile route reaches a drive score of 8, traversing gently rolling terrain across state lines with a maximum elevation of 1,154 feet, offering a substantial summer trek.
Editor's pick
Dearborn, MI → Bessemer, MI
Through: Escanaba
Boasting a drive score of 8, this 597-mile trip includes park access and good EV coverage with 17 DC fast chargers, winding through gently rolling terrain up to 1,625 feet.
Editor's pick
Detroit, MI → Bessemer, MI
Through: Escanaba
Another route with a drive score of 8, this 593-mile option also provides access to parks and covers gently rolling terrain, peaking at 1,615 feet in elevation.
Plymouth, MI → Detroit, MI
Ironwood, MI → Ann Arbor, MI
Through: Detroit
Detroit, MI → Carthage, NY
Through: Ohio Turnpike: Chicago → Cleveland → Binghamton +1 more
Bessemer, MI → Sterling Heights, MI
Through: Detroit
Yale, MI → Ann Arbor, MI
Through: Detroit
Bessemer, MI → Macomb, MI
Through: Detroit
Green, MI → Livonia, MI
Through: Detroit
Sterling Heights, MI → Plymouth, MI
Through: Escanaba
Detroit, MI → Ontonagon, MI
Through: Escanaba
Ontonagon, MI → Livonia, MI
Through: Detroit
Detroit, MI → Allouez, MI
Through: Escanaba
Dearborn, MI → Osceola, MI
Through: Escanaba
Livonia, MI → Seneca, MI
Through: Flint → Escanaba
Wyandotte, MI → Detroit, MI
Laurium, MI → Detroit, MI
Green, MI → Macomb, MI
Through: Detroit
Detroit, MI → Laurium, MI
Through: Escanaba
Allouez, MI → Livonia, MI
Through: Detroit
Kalamazoo, MI → Wyandotte, MI
Through: M 55 East: Lake City → Escanaba
Livonia, MI → Laurium, MI
Through: Flint → Escanaba
Dollar Bay, MI → Dearborn, MI
Through: Detroit
Detroit, MI → Boston, MI
Through: Escanaba
Clinton Township, MI → Laurium, MI
Through: Escanaba
Detroit, MI → Dollar Bay, MI
Through: Escanaba
Boston, MI → Westland, MI
Through: Detroit
Royal Oak, MI → Wyandotte, MI
Through: Escanaba
Livonia, MI → Boston, MI
Through: Flint → Escanaba