Is the S.S. Badger or the Lake Express faster than driving around Lake Michigan?

It depends on where you start and finish. From Milwaukee to Traverse City, driving takes about 6 h 25 min; the S.S. Badger route takes about 8 h 15 min door to door, with only 3 h of that behind the wheel. From Milwaukee to Grand Rapids, driving takes about 4 h 15 min; the Lake Express route takes about 4 h 10 min door to door, with only 41 min of that behind the wheel. The ferries win on time when you live near the docks; from farther away they mostly trade hours of driving for a relaxing crossing. Enter your own trip to see.

How much does it cost to take a car on the Lake Michigan ferries?

The S.S. Badger charges about $102.00 for a standard vehicle plus $89.00 per adult one way; the Lake Express is about $134.00 per vehicle plus $124.50 per adult before fees. The calculator adds your fuel for the drive to and from the docks so you can compare the full cost.

When do the Great Lakes car ferries run?

All three big car ferries are seasonal. The S.S. Badger sails mid-May to mid-October, the Lake Express from early May to late October and the Chi-Cheemaun between Tobermory and Manitoulin Island from early May to mid-October. Out of season, driving is the only option.

Do I need a reservation?

Yes, especially for a vehicle in July and August and on holiday weekends. Walk-up space is not guaranteed on any of the three ferries. Book directly with the operator.

Ferry or drive

Take the ferry, or drive around the lake?

The big Great Lakes car ferries can save hundreds of miles, but they cost more and run on a schedule. Enter where you're starting and going, and we'll compare total time, time behind the wheel, fuel and fares door to door.

Your crossing

Ferry Starting from Going to Travel date

Adults

Children (5–15)

Fuel, $ per gallon

Miles per gallon

Children under 5 ride free on all three ferries. Fares are typical one-way fares for a standard car or SUV.

S.S. Badger · Ludington, MI ↔ Manitowoc, WI

Milwaukee to Traverse City

The S.S. Badger doesn't sail on November 14, 2026. Its season is May 15 – October 11, 2026; the next sailing season starts around May 15, 2027. Until then, driving is the way to go.

Driving is about 1 h 52 min faster door to door, but the ferry swaps 3 h 25 min of driving for a relaxing crossing.

Faster

Drive around

409 mi (658 km) by road

Driving: 6 h 25 min
Waiting: None
Fuel: $52.36
Fares: None
Door to door: 6 h 25 min
Cost: $52.36

Drive Milwaukee to Traverse City: 6 h 25 min, 409 mi (658 km)

Take the S.S. Badger

Manitowoc to Ludington, 174 mi (280 km) by road

Driving: 3 h
Check-in and unloading: 1 h 15 min
Crossing: 4 h
Fuel: $22.26
Fares: $280.00
Door to door: 8 h 15 min
Cost: $302.26

Drive to Manitowoc: 1 h 17 min, 80 mi (129 km)
Check in about 1 h before sailing
Cross the lake: 4 h
Drive off at Ludington: about 15 min
Drive to Traverse City: 1 h 44 min, 94 mi (151 km)

Fares for 2 adults with a vehicle, one way. Times don't include waiting for a sailing, meal stops or border crossings; check the schedule before you commit. Fuel is estimated at $3.20 a gallon and 25 mpg.

A coal-fired steamship and National Historic Landmark, with staterooms, a museum and movies on board.
Children under 5 ride free. Plan to check in about an hour before sailing.
Manitowoc is on Central Time and Ludington on Eastern Time — sailing east, your clock jumps ahead an hour.

Schedules and booking at ssbadger.com Driving directions in Google Maps

The car ferries

Great Lakes car ferries at a glance.

Typical one-way fares in the operator's currency. Prices change by season and date; always check before booking.

Ferry	Route	Season	Crossing	Adult	Vehicle
S.S. Badger	Ludington, MI ↔ Manitowoc, WI	May 15 – October 11, 2026	4 h	$89.00	$102.00
Lake Express	Milwaukee, WI ↔ Muskegon, MI	about May 1 – late October	2 h 30 min	$124.50	$134.00
MS Chi-Cheemaun	Tobermory ↔ South Baymouth (Manitoulin Island), ON	May 1 – October 18, 2026	1 h 45 min	C$18.05	C$49.10

Good to know

Ferry or drive questions.

Is the S.S. Badger or the Lake Express faster than driving around Lake Michigan?: It depends on where you start and finish. From Milwaukee to Traverse City, driving takes about 6 h 25 min; the S.S. Badger route takes about 8 h 15 min door to door, with only 3 h of that behind the wheel. From Milwaukee to Grand Rapids, driving takes about 4 h 15 min; the Lake Express route takes about 4 h 10 min door to door, with only 41 min of that behind the wheel. The ferries win on time when you live near the docks; from farther away they mostly trade hours of driving for a relaxing crossing. Enter your own trip to see.
How much does it cost to take a car on the Lake Michigan ferries?: The S.S. Badger charges about $102.00 for a standard vehicle plus $89.00 per adult one way; the Lake Express is about $134.00 per vehicle plus $124.50 per adult before fees. The calculator adds your fuel for the drive to and from the docks so you can compare the full cost.
When do the Great Lakes car ferries run?: All three big car ferries are seasonal. The S.S. Badger sails mid-May to mid-October, the Lake Express from early May to late October and the Chi-Cheemaun between Tobermory and Manitoulin Island from early May to mid-October. Out of season, driving is the only option.
Do I need a reservation?: Yes, especially for a vehicle in July and August and on holiday weekends. Walk-up space is not guaranteed on any of the three ferries. Book directly with the operator.

Fares and seasons are from the operators' published 2026 rates and may change. Drive times and distances: OSRM routing over OpenStreetMap data (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), calibrated to typical travel times.

More planning tools: trip builder, circle tour planner, northern lights forecast, water temperatures and the ship watcher.