Great Lakes road trips Take the scenic route.

Circle tours and coastal drives with day-by-day stops. Start with a lake, follow the shoreline and leave room for the unplanned stop.

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10 routes · Suggested itineraries, not turn-by-turn navigation.

On the route: Erie Lake Erie road trip Lake Erie Southern Shore Road Trip Ohio's island region, Cleveland's waterfront, Pennsylvania beaches and Buffalo's harbor history. Pace4-6 days BestLate spring to early fall View the route
Photo: Tomdonohue1 at English Wikipedia · Public domain

Bicentennial Tower.jpg by Tomdonohue1 at English Wikipedia · Public domain. Resized and converted to WebP; display crops vary.

A view of Lake Michigan Lake Michigan road trip Lake Michigan Circle Tour Connect shoreline towns, beaches and cities around Lake Michigan. Pace7–10 days Distance~1,100 mi View the route
Photo: NorbertNagel · CC BY-SA 4.0

Chicago Skyline Sunrise March 15 2026 - 02.jpg by NorbertNagel · CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized and converted to WebP; display crops vary.

On the route: Apostle Islands Lake Superior road trip Lake Superior Circle Tour A cross-border road trip around the world's largest freshwater lake by surface area. Pace10–14 days Distance~1,300 mi View the route
Photo: Sharon Mollerus · CC BY 2.0

Devil's Island Sea Caves (28462731415).jpg by Sharon Mollerus · CC BY 2.0. Resized and converted to WebP; display crops vary.

On the route: Duluth Lake Superior road trip Minnesota North Shore Slow Drive A relaxed Duluth-to-Grand Marais route linking harbors, waterfalls and lighthouse country. Pace3-5 days BestLate spring to fall View the route
Photo: Bspor.88 · CC0

Duluth, MN - Aerial Lift Bridge and harbor, aerial, August 2024.jpg by Bspor.88 · CC0. Resized and converted to WebP; display crops vary.

A view of Lake Ontario Lake Ontario road trip New York's Lake Ontario Shore Rochester's harbor district, eroded bluffs and eastward beach-country stops. Pace3-4 days BestLate spring to early fall View the route
Photo: ImagePerson · CC BY 4.0

Toronto West Humber Bay Mimico Stonegate, Lake Ontario Waterfront.jpg by ImagePerson · CC BY 4.0. Resized and converted to WebP; display crops vary.

A view of Lake Huron Lake Huron road trip Ontario Huron Shore & Bruce Peninsula From Pinery's sand and savanna to Goderich and the Bruce Peninsula's rocky coast. Pace4-6 days BestLate spring to fall View the route
Photo: Michael Barera · CC BY-SA 4.0

Mackinac Island July 2010 02 (downtown from harbor).JPG by Michael Barera · CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized and converted to WebP; display crops vary.

A view of Lake Michigan Lake Michigan road trip Southern Lake Michigan Dunes Weekend Chicago, Indiana Dunes and Harbor Country without circling the whole lake. Pace2-3 days BestLate spring to early fall View the route
Photo: NorbertNagel · CC BY-SA 4.0

Chicago Skyline Sunrise March 15 2026 - 02.jpg by NorbertNagel · CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized and converted to WebP; display crops vary.

A view of Lake Ontario Lake Ontario road trip Toronto to Prince Edward County & Kingston An Ontario waterfront journey from city promenades to dunes and limestone streets. Pace4-6 days BestLate spring to fall View the route
Photo: ImagePerson · CC BY 4.0

Toronto West Humber Bay Mimico Stonegate, Lake Ontario Waterfront.jpg by ImagePerson · CC BY 4.0. Resized and converted to WebP; display crops vary.

A view of Lake Superior Lake Superior road trip Upper Peninsula Superior Coast Marquette, Munising and Pictured Rocks with time for maritime history. Pace3-5 days BestSummer to early fall View the route
Photo: MichaelDPhotos · CC BY-SA 4.0

Split Rock Light Station.jpg by MichaelDPhotos · CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized and converted to WebP; display crops vary.

A view of Lake Michigan Lake Michigan road trip Wisconsin Harbor & Lighthouse Trail A northbound route from Milwaukee through dune country to Door County. Pace4-6 days BestLate spring to early fall View the route
Photo: NorbertNagel · CC BY-SA 4.0

Chicago Skyline Sunrise March 15 2026 - 02.jpg by NorbertNagel · CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized and converted to WebP; display crops vary.

Leave room for ferry schedules, park reservations and border waits. Use the planning guide before turning an idea into an itinerary.