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SS Badger Car Ferry Crossing Lake Michigan | Photo by Todd and Brad Reed Photography 

Crossing Lake Michigan on the SS Badger Car Ferry

The SS Badger is the Largest Car Ferry on Lake Michigan

Blending tradition with innovation, the S.S. Badger is the fun and relaxing shortcut across Lake Michigan–a spring, summer and fall treat for the entire family. The four-hour, 60-mile cruise between Manitowoc, Wisconsin and Ludington, Michigan has all the comforts of home and more. The 410′ S.S. Badger carries up to 620 passengers and 180 cars, tour buses, RVs, and semi-trucks. Congratulations to the S.S. Badger on its status as a National Historic Landmark! Click here to read more about the history of this great ship. 

Enjoy a fun and relaxing cruise. Crossing time from Manitowoc, Wisconsin to Ludington, Michigan is four hours.

Enjoy Cruise Ship Amenities

Passengers will find spacious outside decks for walking or lounging, free movies and satellite TV, live entertainment, two restaurants, full cocktail service, shopping and staterooms for relaxing or sleeping during the cruise. Activities for kids include a video arcade, coloring contests, and kids’ playroom. During the fall, passengers can sleep on the Badger in a stateroom while the ship is at the dock in Ludington, Michigan.

A trip on the S.S. Badger carferry is a vacation within itself! No matter which way you are crossing the Lake Michigan there are restaurants and shops within walking distance of the dock. Remember when you’re on board the Badger, there’s plenty to keep you busy, and staterooms are available. Many lodging facilities in both Manitowoc and Ludington offer free shuttle service to and from the carferry docks for those who choose to spend the night. It’s a fun and very affordable mini-vacation for your entire family.

Daily Cruises Across Lake Michigan

The S.S. Badger carferry travels across Lake Michigan between Manitowoc, Wisconsin and Ludington, Michigan once daily during the spring and fall seasons. Once summer is underway, the Badger makes two round-trip crossings daily. There are also Shoreline Cruises that take place each summer in both Manitowoc and Ludington.

During the overnight crossing, passengers can enjoy sleeping in a stateroom aboard the ship. Staterooms are available by reservation during each sailing. The number of staterooms is limited, so reserve early. 

US-10 continuance map

The SS Badger is Designated as the Continuance Route of Highway US-10.

US-10 is an east–west United States highway formed in 1926. US-10 was one of the original long-haul highways which stretched from Detroit, Michigan, to Seattle, Washington, but then lost much of its length when new Interstate Highways were built in its right-of-way. Today, the eastern terminus of US-10 is in Bay City, Michigan, at its interchange with Interstate 75 (I-75) and the western terminus of US-10 is in West Fargo, North Dakota, at its interchange with I-94.

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) has designated the route traveled by the S.S. Badger across Lake Michigan as the official continuance route of US-10. Prior to this designation, Lake Michigan had separated US-10 in the port cities of Ludington, Michigan and Manitowoc, Wisconsin into two segments. Highway US-10 connects the states of Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and South Dakota by means of ferrying 60 miles across Lake Michigan. US-10 is one of only two United States highways utilizing a ferry service connection. The S.S. Badger plays a major role in providing connectivity of US-10 for travelers and commercial cargo in the upper Mid-West.

Contact Lake Michigan Carferry

Ludington: 701 Maritime Drive, Ludington, Michigan 49431
Manitowoc: 900 South Lakeview Drive, Manitowoc, Wisconsin 54220

(800) 841-4243
www.ssbadger.com

Visiting Port Manitowoc, Wisconsin

After your trip across Lake Michigan on the S.S. Badger car ferry, there are many things to do whether you disembark in Manitowoc, Wisconsin or Ludington, Michigan.

Manitowoc is favorite harbor town along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Home to roughly 35,000 people, Manitowoc was ranked #2 by Forbes Magazine for “Best Small Cities to Raise a Family.” Manitowoc is not only rich in maritime history, the city is also the lone Wisconsin port for the S.S. Badger car ferry. The downtown area is within walking distance of the car ferry port where you can shop, catch a movie or dine in one of the local restaurants. Enjoy a leisurely bike ride or hike on the Mariner’s Trail, a seven mile trail that runs along Lake Michigan. There are numerous other things to do in and around the Manitowoc area. 

Walking in Manitowoc

If you’re on foot, you can walk north on Quay Street to 8th Street. Turn left, and here you can grab a cup of coffee at Manitowoc Coffee, get a good book at Book World or take in a show at the Capitol Civic Centre…as well as exploring quaint historical buildings, shops and pubs. Or if you turn to the right and walk across the bridge you can go to the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, Beernsten’s Confectionary and Ice Cream Shop, or further up 8th Street you can visit the Rahr-West Art Museum. There are several lodging choices within walking distance, like the Best-Western Lake Front or the Econo Lodge, and many accommodations will provide shuttle services to and from the S.S. Badger (please call lodging in advance to check availability).

Manitowoc Biking Trails

If you bring your bicycle, you won’t have to go far to find the Mariners Trail, six miles of paved trail along the lakeshore that connects Manitowoc and Two Rivers. The trail includes beautiful gardens, sculpture, plus access to the Village Inn on the Lake, the Lakeview Motel, David Martin Pottery Studio, lighthouses, and many more businesses. You can also rent bicycles at many of our local bicycle shops and hotels if you don’t have your own.

Driving Around Manitowoc

If you bring your car you are only minutes away from museums, restaurants, antique shops, and attractions. In addition to our groomed beaches, you may want to visit Two Rivers and the Washington House (home of the Ice Cream Sundae), the Hamilton Wood Type Museum, or Rogers Street Fishing Village and Coast Guard Museum.

Explore Manitowoc, Wisconsin

Built by Joseph and Mary Vilas between 1891 and 1893, this Queen Anne style Victorian mansion is the location of an historical art museum.

The Highway US-10 continuance crosses Lake Michigan between Manitowoc, Wisconsin and Ludington, Michigan via the SS Badger car ferry.

On the western shore of Lake Michigan lies Manitowoc, a community of roughly 35,000 and rich in maritime history.

No matter what your interests, the Manitowoc/Two Rivers area has much to offer. For more information, contact the Manitowoc Visitor and Convention Bureau.

Visiting Port Ludington, Michigan

Ludington is a top vacation destination in Michigan…due to the miles of beautiful beaches, first class fishing and the Ludington State Park. The S.S. Badger docks just a few short blocks from Ludington’s vibrant downtown, filled with great shops, restaurants and galleries…or visit one of our historic lighthouses. Ludington has plenty of lodging facilities, from hotels/motels and resorts to charming bed & breakfasts. Any time of year, there’s a fun event happening in the area.

You can learn more about Ludington at VisitLudington.com.

Scroll below for more articles about Lake Michigan Destinations.
 

More Northeast Wisconsin Destinations

Parasailing

Ephraim, Wisconsin

Nestled in the harbor, Ephraim of Door County, Wisconsin has a picturesque view of Peninsula State Park’s Eagle Bluff and Horseshoe Island.

Marinette, Wisconsin

Marinette is a historical place and offers a museum telling the stories of its past including an exhibit honoring “Queen Marinette”.

kayaks on beach

Sister Bay, Wisconsin

Sister Bay is mostly known as Northern Door County’s largest village for food and drink. Be sure to visit Sister Bay, Wisconsin.

Green Bay, Wisconsin

Green Bay is on the southern tip of a narrow estuary off the western coast of Lake Michigan and has great fishing and other activities.

Door County, Wisconsin

The small towns, quaint surroundings, and nautical feel of Door County, Wisconsin have earned it the name “Cape Cod of the Midwest.”

manitowoc lighthouse

Manitowoc, Wisconsin

On the western shore of Lake Michigan lies Manitowoc, a community of roughly 35,000 and rich in maritime history.