Driving In Michigan

This page provides the basic rules of the road for driving in Michigan.

Telephone Numbers
In an emergency dial 911.

Speed Limits
Speed limits in Michigan are measured in miles per hour (MPH).

Rural Interstates

70mph/112kph

Urban Interstates

65mph/104kph

Other Limited Access Roads

70mph/112kph

Other Roads

55mph/88kph

Residential & Business Zones

25mph/40kph

Parks

25mph/40kph


All speed limits are unless otherwise signposted. Speeds in School Zones are 25mph if there are no sidewalks/pavements or 15mph below the posted speed limit for the road if there are sidewalks-check sign posts. Freeways have a minimum speed of 45mph. Limited access roads are multiple laned, with restricted access using exit and entrance ramps rather than intersections. Interstate highways are national limited access roads which connect metropolitan and industrial areas.

Driving Tips and Road Information
Michigan is almost entirely surrounded by four of the Great Lakes (Superior, Michigan, Huron and Erie) and has over 11,000 inland lakes. It is split between two peninsulas which are connected by the 5 mile long Mackinac Bridge. The capital city of Michigan is Lansing. Michigan offers those who visit various water based activities including boating, fishing and swimming, but you can also enjoy the forests, farmland and many towns and cities.

Climate: 

  • Spring - Spring in Michigan usually receives a temperature range of between 2ºC-17ºC/36ºF-63ºF.
  • Summer - Michigan’s proximity to the Great lakes means that in summer the breezes from them cool temperatures, the average range is between 8ºC-27ºC/47ºF-83ºF, and there can be some humidity.
  • Autumn - September and October experiences temperatures of 5ºC-16ºC/41ºF-62ºF.
  • Winter - Winter-time in Michigan is cold; snow tends to cover the Upper Peninsula and northern areas of the Lower Peninsula from the middle of November through to March.

For up-to-date weather information visit Weather.com.

Road conditions:
Michigan is serviced by an excellent road way system of Interstates and Highways. Be aware that when you are driving in remote areas you may encounter the local resident wildlife meandering across your path. Deer and moose are particular examples and hitting them in a vehicle can be extremely dangerous.

Fuel & Service Stations:
Across Michigan there are 68 state run Rest Areas and 13 Welcome Centres which are open 24 hours a day. For locations of Michigan’s service centres visit the Michigan Department of Transportation website which has maps of each state region. To find your nearest fuel station in Michigan, run a search by entering your location details into the Switchboard.com directory.

Car Rental:
It is normally possible for foreign visitors to use their native driving licence within the U.S.A. for a period of up to one year. Be aware that the minimum age permissible to rent a car is generally 21 years, and in some instances 25 years.  Often there are additional costs involved if you are a young driver between 21 and 25. Most car rental companies in the U.S.A. require you to have held your licence for a minimum of one year.  You will need a valid credit card for payment. If you are going to rent a car, it is wise to clarify the details and requirements prior to your departure to avoid any problems.

Insurance:
It is difficult to find companies who will insure foreign visitors, because of the issues surrounding assessment of previous driving record.  For this reason, you will be treated as if you have no previous driving experience, and the cost will be high as a consequence.
Insurance companies who do sell auto insurance to foreign visitors:
American Financial Group: (513) 579-6739: www.amfnl.com
GMAC Insurance: (800) 468-3466: www.gmacfs.com
Orion Auto Insurance Co: (800) 334-0090: www.orionauto.com/orionauto
Progressive Insurance Co: (800) 288-6776: www.progressive.com
If you are staying for 6 months or more you can reduce insurance premiums by getting an American drivers licence.
If you have a rental/hire car, insurance is much more economical and will not incur higher insurance rates.  For this you will need to be over 21 years, hold a valid driving licence from your own country, present your passport and have a major, recognised, credit card.

Things to see:

  • Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park - for the tropical conservatory, sculpture galleries and indoor and outdoor garden designs.
  • Japanese Cultural Centre and Tea House, Saginaw - to experience the Tea Ceremony on the 2nd Saturday of each month.
  • Michigan Maritime Museum, South Haven - for a look at Michigan’s maritime heritage.
  • MSU Athletics Hall of Fame, East Lansing - to see memorabilia from the university’s sporting history.
  • Detroit Zoo - to see a broad range of creatures and experience an array of exhibits.

Highways:

  • Interstate 69 - Runs north from the border with Indiana at a point 2 miles south of Kinderhook towards Coldwater, Charlotte and at Lansing veers eastwards towards Flint, Lapeer and Port Huron where it connects with Sarnia in Ontario.
  • Interstate 75 - Runs from Sault Ste. Marie in Ontario southwards via St. Ignace where it crosses the Mackinac Bridge and continues south towards Gaylord, Bay City, Saginaw, Flint, Troy, Detroit, Monroe and into Ohio near Toledo.
  • Interstate 94 - Runs between Port Huron and Detroit via Marysville.
  • Interstate 96 - Runs east-west across the southern peninsula from Norton Shores via Grand Rapids, Lansing, Farmington Hills to Detroit.
  • Interstate 196 - Runs southwards from Grand Rapids towards Saugatuck, South Haven to form a junction with Interstate 94 east of Benton Harbour.

Safety
General safety:
Exert a sensible degree of caution for your own personal safety:

  • Don’t walk alone, especially at night.
  • Be cautious if strangers approach you on the street.
  • Be aware of your personal possessions, don’t have valuables on show.
  • If someone tries to snatch your bag, throw it on the street or upturn it and empty the contents on the floor.
  • If you are accosted shout ‘Fire’ rather than ‘Rape’ or ‘Help’.

Breakdown:
Check with your own automobile association for possible affiliations and cover abroad. Visit the American Automobile Association website.

Mosquitoes:
Michigan’s proximity to the Lakes means that it is mosquito country, make sure you use repellent particularly if your will be venturing into forests or woodland.

Requirements

Driving licences:
In the U.S.A you are not required to carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) if you hold a valid driving licence that is in English, although often you are required to have held your licence for a minimum of one year. In the U.S.A and Canada driving licence’s include the drivers photograph, so if you are from a country where this is not the case it is wise to also carry your passport to avoid any unnecessary complications or delays should you have to produce it. If you are from the U.K. remember to take both parts of your driving licence (photo card and paper licence with the further details).

Visas:
The U.S.A participates in the Visa Waiver Pilot Program, whereby if you are visiting for a period of 90 days or less for the purpose of tourism or business you will not require a visa.  The countries who qualify are: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
All other visitors are not exempt from carrying a visa.

Useful Links and Further Information
If you need car rental whilst in Michigan we recommend Hertz Car Rental.

Local tourism:
Visit the Michigan Tourism Website at http://travel.michigan.org/.

Maps:
For a detailed downloadable map of Michigan showing its highways visit the Michigan Department of Transportation website. For an overview of the road system of Michigan and surrounding states visit the Michigan pages of the World Sites Atlas website.
If you are looking for road atlases to take with you try Maps Worldwide or Amazon.co.uk.

Gay/Lesbian:
For historic information regarding the gay community in Michigan visit the Artifacts and Disclosures LGBT website.

Disabled drivers:
There are various resources at The American Association of People with Disabilities website and some useful links to a variety of sites at Planet Amber website.

Important Note: Each state has different driving laws, be sure to look up the individual laws. If you drive in the USA, remember that each of the 50 states has its own set of traffic laws and regulations. Fortunately, most of the laws are the same, but some states have slightly different rules. When you rent a car, you should ask the agent if there are any special driving rules in that state. When driving in multiple states, check a tour book for any special driving rules in each state.


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