Study: Michigan is an average state for summer road trips

Many Michiganders are currently on or preparing for summer vacation. For those staying in state, a road trip through the Mitten State sounds like a fun and relaxing way to take a break from the office routine.

However, according to one study, Michigan is an average state to drive through.

WalletHub ranked the best and worst states for a summer road trip, and Michigan just made the top 20 at number 19.

The study took into account costs, safety and the availability of attractions and activities along the trip.

Of course, we know that gas prices in Michigan aren’t great, especially compared to the rest of the country. However, Michigan’s low cost of living, along with other factors that factored into this category, have significantly reduced the cost of travel, making Michigan the 13th cheapest state to travel in, according to the study.

The safety issue is hard to avoid in Michigan. Property crime rates are high in the most populated areas, especially in the southeast of the state. In addition, the state has a real problem with uninsured drivers. Due to the risk involved, Michigan was ranked the 19th most unsafe state to drive through.

However, there is one point where the study can be contradicted: the attractions and activities along a road trip through Michigan in the summer. According to the study, Michigan comes in right in the middle at 25th place, and we simply don’t believe that.

Michigan offers incredible views along M-22 and the M-119 “Tunnel of Trees” (which is even more visible in the fall when the leaves change color), but there’s also Brockway Mountain Drive in the Upper Peninsula and Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive at Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Additionally, Michigan doesn’t have vast deserts or forests between destinations when commuting from city to city in the southern part of the state. The same can’t be said for Texas and Florida, which rank 1st and 5th, respectively.

You can drive from one side of the Lower Peninsula to the other in a day and see lots of great things in several cities. Then cross the Mackinac Bridge into the UP and discover a whole different world with even more activities and arguably better natural views.

Yes, we don’t think Michigan is your average summer road trip state. There’s too much to see and too much to enjoy between destinations. As long as you do your research, know which places to avoid, and drive safely, a summer road trip through the Mitten State should be an absolute win for the whole family.

Things you would expect on the side of the road in Michigan