A Lake Michigan Sunset | Photo by Brad Reed
Take a Car Ferry Shortcut Between Traverse City, Michigan and Green Bay, Wisconsin
Northeastern Wisconsin and Northwest Michigan have a lot in common. Situated across Lake Michigan from each other, the scenery boasts rolling countryside, magnificent lake views, and miles of beautiful beaches.
Traverse City to Green Bay the Easy Way!
Should you wish to travel from Traverse City to Green Bay, the S.S. Badger is the way to go. Take a scenic drive of less than two hours from Traverse City to Ludington, Michigan. Ludington is the home port of the Lake Michigan Carferry, and a wonderful community to visit. In Ludington, you can board the S.S. Badger carferry and enjoy a relaxing four hour cruise to Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Once in Manitowoc, you have less than an hour’s drive to Green Bay.
S.S. Badger Carferry Amenities
The fun isn’t just found on land…there are lots of entertaining activities aboard the S.S. Badger as it makes its four hour trip across Lake Michigan. Find a lounge chair out on the spacious deck and soak up the sun, play Badger Bingo, watch a movie, shop in the Badger Boatique, or enjoy a meal or drink. The trip will fly by, and you may not want to disembark!
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.
Experience More Lake Michigan Circle Tours
The Lake Michigan Circle Tour is one of the scenic road systems around the Great Lakes. The other Great Lakes also have circle tours.
There are many wonderful scenic routes and tours to help discover all the beauty of the Lake Michigan shoreline.
The Lake Michigan Circle Tour connects over a hundred lighthouses and is one of the most scenic routes in the United States.
Do you want to travel between Traverse City, Michigan and Green Bay, Wisconsin? Take a short cut across Lake Michigan on the car ferry.
The Southern Lake Michigan Circle Tour goes from Manitowoc, Wisconsin around Lake Michigan, eventually ending in Ludington, Michigan.
Here are suggested Circle Tour routes which utilize one of Lake Michigan’s ferry services to take a short cut across the lake.
The Northern Lake Michigan Circle Tour is considered by many to be the most beautiful half of the trip around the big lake.
More Lake Michigan Ferry Info
Lake Michigan Ferries
There are two car ferries operating on Lake Michigan, offering cross-lake service for vehicles and passengers between Michigan and Wisconsin.
Manitowoc Wisconsin Car Ferry
Manitowoc is the Wisconsin port for the S.S. Badger Car Ferry which sails across Lake Michigan to Ludington.
Loop the Lake with a Circle Tour Shortcut!
Here are suggested Circle Tour routes which utilize one of Lake Michigan’s ferry services to take a short cut across the lake.
Car Ferry History
Lake Michigan is rich with car ferry history, and the SS Badger car ferry is the most storied of the car ferry fleet.
Port of Manitowoc, Wisconsin
The Port of Manitowoc is a deep water draft commercial harbor on Lake Michigan, and the Wisconsin port for the SS Badger car ferry.
SS Badger Car Ferry
Cross Lake Michigan between Manitowoc, Wisconsin and Ludington, Michigan on the SS Badger car ferry. Save the driving and enjoy a cruise!
Highway US-10
The Highway US-10 continuance crosses Lake Michigan between Manitowoc, Wisconsin and Ludington, Michigan via the SS Badger car ferry.
Discover More Lake Michigan Destinations
Boyne City, Michigan
Boyne City is a jewel in the crown of Michigan and boasts an art district, street music in the summer, the Morel Festival, and more.
Manitowoc, Wisconsin
On the western shore of Lake Michigan lies Manitowoc, a community of roughly 35,000 and rich in maritime history.
Mason County, Michigan
Mason County is located in central West Michigan with Ludington being the main destination. Features include Lake Michigan and the PM River.
Escanaba, Michigan
Escanaba is the site of the Upper Peninsula State Fair and is popular for fishing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.
Carlsville, Wisconsin
Carlsville is located between Sturgeon Bay and Egg Harbor. This small town is home to an impressive amount of famous Door County goods.
Cook County, Illinois
Cook County is in Illinois, adjacent to Indiana. The county seat is Chicago, which is the third most populous city in the United States.