I took a high-speed ferry across Lake Michigan, and the beautiful shortcut saved me from hours of traffic
Adam Dietz
- I recently took the Lake Express ferry to avoid traffic and get from Wisconsin to Michigan.
- The ferry ride had incredible views, the ship seemed clean and stylish, and I loved it.
Driving through Chicago is one of the great miseries of my life.
I live in Wisconsin but I have family in Michigan and Indiana, so I've spent countless hours sitting in standstill Chicago traffic, shaking my fist at Willis Tower and Guaranteed Rate Field as I inch along the expressway.
So with an upcoming engagement in Michigan, I decided to try "The Lake Michigan Shortcut," also known as the Lake Express ferry. The high-speed ferry goes from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Muskegon, Michigan, and cuts across Lake Michigan, turning a stress fest that can take well over three hours by car into a relaxing two-and-a-half-hour ferry excursion.
Here's what it was like.
I started by buying my ferry ticket, which I thought was quite expensive.
I'd heard from friends and loved ones that taking the Lake Express ferry was an expensive endeavor. They were right.
My Lake Express ferry ticket cost $93.50 each way with an additional $36 dollars in charges for port and security fees and fuel, making for a grand total of $223.
Per the instructions in the ticketing email, I arrived at the Lake Express ticketing center 45 minutes before my scheduled departure.
I thought both Lake Express terminals were well-kept and well-organized.
Both the Milwaukee and the Muskegon terminals were quite nice. Each had a small snack bar, some cool merchandise for sale, and ample seating both inside and outside.
My first ferry arrived a little later than anticipated, but the crew worked to get everyone on board in a timely manner.
The ferry also allows people to drive onto it so they have their car at their final destination.
The ferry allows passengers to transport cars, but I left mine at home since I had family and friends located near the Muskegon drop-off. It would've cost me an extra $224 to bring my car with me round trip.
You can also check a bicycle for $16 round trip. Larger bags can be checked for free.
The interior of the ferry was much more modern and comfortable than I expected.
The interior of the Lake Express ferry was a sight to behold with buffed hardwood floors, spacious and comfortable seating, and stylish faux-wood tray tables.
The main cabin also had an impressive number of windows that provided lake views to those unwilling or unable to make their way up to the sundeck.
Passengers were also able to track the ship.
Screens posted at the front and rear of the cabin provided information on weather, a map of where the ferry was on its journey, views from the sundeck, and other pertinent trip information.
Wi-Fi was also available for purchase.
Although I was happy to disconnect from the internet for a period of time, those wanting internet access can add it to their trip for $15.
That said, most of the ferry passengers I saw seemed to talk, read, or play cards instead of using internet.
The concession area proved to be a hit with passengers.
A concession area near the front of the ferry opened about 30 minutes after the ferry left the dock, and people immediately began lining up.
The menu consisted of a mix of hot options like hot dogs, pizza, and burritos as well as an assortment of snacks. Beer and wine were also available to purchase.
I got in line for a snack about an hour into my trip.
The line moved quickly and the staff was incredibly pleasant and polite. I ordered a bacon-and-cheese breakfast burrito, bag of chips, cup of coffee, and bottle of water for a total of $19.
The chips, coffee, and water came out immediately, but I waited more than 30 minutes for my burrito to be prepared.
The sundeck was a great spot to enjoy the views of the lake.
The Lake Express ferry had a sundeck area on top of the ship. It was a great place to get fresh air and marvel at the beauty of the lake around us.
The seating on the sundeck was limited, though there was plenty of space to stand.
There were about 10 seats near the back of the sundeck and then the rest of the space was wide open.
Traveling at 40 knots across Lake Michigan also made for some windy conditions up on the sundeck. I spent time up there during our departure and arrival at the dock as did many of the other passengers.
The views were fantastic throughout the entirety of both trips.
When leaving Milwaukee, I made it a point to head to the sundeck to wave goodbye to my wife and enjoy the breathtaking views of the city. Milwaukee's majestic skyline, a slew of sailboats, and the bluest skies of the summer made for a bittersweet farewell.
Any sense of melancholy dissipated when Muskegon came into view some two-and-a-half hours later. Muskegon offered those same blue skies as in Milwaukee in addition to a gorgeous red lighthouse, sandy beaches, and a bay area that made it feel like summer might never end.
Notably, both of my ferry trips ended up taking longer than anticipated.
As mentioned, my trip to Muskegon aboard the Lake Express ferry was delayed about 15 minutes. My ferry home was delayed about 30 minutes, but I'm not sure why.
But I also know delays happen with many forms of transit. I didn't mind them since I was enjoying the experience and waiting for the ferry was better than sitting in traffic.
Still, I found both of my ferry trips took closer to three hours.
I loved my time on the ferry, but the cost will prevent me from doing it again.
Although I loved my time aboard the Lake Express ferry and am extremely glad to have been able to do it, I consider it a luxury.
The ferry is well-maintained, comfortable, and the crew are unbelievably helpful and polite. It's a smooth and enjoyable way to make the trek from Milwaukee to Muskegeon, but it's cost prohibitive for me.
At $233 dollars for a round-trip adult ticket, the Lake Express is a great thing to do once or for special occasions.
If asked my opinion of the ferry while stuck in the chaos of Chicago traffic, I might be singing a slightly different tune. But for now, I'll stick to maneuvering the messiness of Windy City traffic the next time I need to get to Michigan.
Popular Right Now
Advertisement