Trip from Ohio to Michigan UP to Oshkosh Wi quickest route?

Tim Hancock · 07-09-2008, 11:34 AM

Taking a family trip to Marquette Michigan for a weekend then down the other side of Lake Michigan to Oshkosh Wisconsin. Anyone have any suggestions for quickest route from Mackinaw City thru UP to Marquette, then from Marquette down to Oshkosh. I have traveled the rest of the route, but don't want to pick a bad route thru the UP. I want the "fastest" route as I hate driving when I should have been flying.

legion · 07-09-2008, 12:21 PM

US 41.

Really, north of Green Bay there are no interstates. All roads are two-lane affairs that stop at every little town. Just pick the most direct route.

Tim Hancock · 07-09-2008, 04:00 PM

Thanks Chris, 41 it is from Marquette to Oshkosh. It looks like maybe 75 to 2 to 77 to 28 to get from the Mackinac bridge to the east side of Marquette on the Lake Superior shore.

God what a long effing drive!

CurtEgerer · CurtEgerer's Garage

You did say "fastest", correct? There's only one option then. Cross Mackinac Bridge, continue north on I-75, exit to M-123 North, head west on M-28 to Seney. Once thru Seney (a gas station and a bar), you'll hit the infamous "Seney Straight" (aka, the Yooper Autobahn). About 25 miles of absolutely flat, dead straight 2 lane pavement thru the National Wildlife Refuge. Vegetation is cut way back, no traffic, no cross roads. Put hammer down. Hold down as long as you dare.

I found terminal velocity there (and sustained it) in my Cayenne (150), my e46 M3 (165) and years ago in my 73 VW Sport Bug (83!).

Tim Hancock · 07-09-2008, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CurtEgerer

You did say "fastest", correct? There's only one option then. Cross Mackinac Bridge, continue north on I-75, exit to M-123 North, head west on M-28 to Seney. Once thru Seney (a gas station and a bar), you'll hit the infamous "Seney Straight" (aka, the Yooper Autobahn). About 25 miles of absolutely flat, dead straight 2 lane pavement thru the National Wildlife Refuge. Vegetation is cut way back, no traffic, no cross roads. Put hammer down. Hold down as long as you dare.

I found terminal velocity there (and sustained it) in my Cayenne (150), my e46 M3 (165) and years ago in my 73 VW Sport Bug (83!).

Curt, driving at 75-85 or so, is that still the quickest/best way? I will have the wife, daughters and a trailer behind me, so I will have to keep it under 90

CurtEgerer · CurtEgerer's Garage

It really is. US-2 along the south shore usually has a lot of tourist traffic, and it's tough to pass. Sometimes I take US2 west to M117 and take that north to M28 - that might be a little faster if the traffic is light on US2. M28 goes right into Marquette.

Too bad you're in a hurry - there's lots of awesome backroads.

Like mentioned already, US41 south out of Marquette is the only way to Green Bay. US41 eventually winds up in Miami FL!!

cgarr · cgarr's Garage

Watch out for the crappy roads in Michigan

strupgolf · 07-09-2008, 06:59 PM

Did you ever think of taking the ferry across Lake Michigan? Its fast, saves time and money, and might work. I think there are different routes from Michigan, upper and lower. Just my 2c.

Tim Hancock · 07-10-2008, 03:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strupgolf

Did you ever think of taking the ferry across Lake Michigan? Its fast, saves time and money, and might work. I think there are different routes from Michigan, upper and lower. Just my 2c.

I thought about it for the return trip, as the ferry to Ludington Mi is just east of my second destination of Oshkosh. Problem is that with a trailer my wife and my two "adult" daughters, the fare is about $400 and really does not save more than an hour or two as I will be heading back to northwest Ohio.