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<ul class="summary-list"><li>My family and I spent about $750 to take a roundtrip ferry across Lake Michigan.</li><li>We <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/car-ferry-victoria-canada-seattle-washington-review-photos-2024-4">took our car on the ferry</a>, which accounted for a good portion of our expenses.</li></ul>As one of the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Whats-the-largest-US-city-by-population">most populous cities in the US</a>, Chicago has some pretty terrible traffic. However, I have to brave it several times a year when traveling between <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/visit-midwest-doors-county-wisconsin-best-fall-foliage-2024">Wisconsin</a> and Michigan for work and family events.<br /><br />By the time I reach my destination, I usually have a migraine, my kids have motion sickness, and my husband is crabby and exhausted.<br /><br />So, when I found out we could take the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ferry-ride-michigan-lake-express-review-milwaukee-muskegon-2023-8">Lake Express</a> from Milwaukee to Muskegon, Michigan, with our car and entirely avoid traveling through <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-restaurants-in-chicago-from-local-foodie-2024-5">Chicago</a>, I was thrilled.<br /><br />Over the summer, my family gave the ferry a try. Here's what our experience was like.<br /><br /><h2>We booked our tickets in advance and took advantage of a few discounts</h2>I purchased our tickets a few days in advance and used a college-student discount since I was taking a graduate-school course. We also saved almost $200 with a summer "kids ride free" promotion.<br /><br />After these discounts, we only spent $187 each way for the four of us.<br /><br />However, on each leg of the trip, we also had to pay $72 for port, security, and fuel fees, and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amtrak-auto-train-brought-car-worth-it-moving-review-2023-10">bringing our car</a> cost us $115 each way. In total, we spent $748 roundtrip.<br /><br /><h2>We boarded the ferry with our car</h2>  <div type="image" title="Lines of cars parked closely together in a covered lot." height="878" width="1170" msid="114781330" hostid="261"></div>For our departure, we arrived at the terminal half an hour early and waited in a line of cars until it was time to board.<br /><br />Driving onto the ferry was easy, but parking required guidance since the cars were packed in like sardines. Thankfully, the Lake Express employees eased us into our space with hand signals.<br /><br /><h2>The ferry was much more comfortable than driving</h2>  <div type="image" title="A mix of blue and black seats on a ferry, with a snack bar in the background." height="773" width="1031" msid="114781339" hostid="261"></div>I was pleased to find lots of comfy cushioned seating on the Lake Express, even in the most basic cabin. My kids love coloring, card games, and messy snacks, and I like to crochet, so we grabbed a large table with aisle access.<br /><br />My husband and I didn't pack enough snacks for ourselves, but thankfully, there were plenty to purchase at the onboard café. Its menu included sandwiches, salads, coffee, and even beers by Bell's Brewery and Milwaukee Brewing Co.<br /><br /><h2><strong>The trip wasn't stress-free, but the views made up for it</strong></h2>  <div type="image" title="A sailboat on a lake on a sunny day." height="2071" width="2761" msid="114781335" hostid="261"></div>Throughout the majority of the voyage, my stress melted away. Despite moderate winds, the rooftop deck's <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/most-beautiful-places-to-visit-in-us-2024-1">gorgeous views</a> of the sky and shoreline were a treat. Sailboats, lighthouses, waterfowl, and other surprises delighted my kids throughout the ride.<br /><br />However, the deboarding process was stressful. Because the cars were parked so close together, we found it tricky to maneuver out of our space. Plus, walking between the cars required some minor acrobatics.<br /><br />However, dealing with these minor inconveniences was still better than driving through Chicago. Next time we <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/venice-vaporetto-ferry-pass-not-worth-it-family-2024-10">take the ferry</a>, though, we'll borrow someone else's car at our destination or rent one at the terminal.<br /><br />After all, the vehicle fees were an expensive part of our booking, and leaving our car at home could've saved us hundreds of dollars.<br /><br /><i>Correction: November 6, 2024 — An earlier version of this story overstated the cost of the vehicle fees on the author's ferry trip. The car accounted for less than half the trip's expenses, not a majority of them.</i><br />

We spent $374 to take a ferry across Lake Michigan with our car. The journey was nice, but I'll do things differently next time.

Bed Bath & Beyond is closing nearly 150 more locations as it whittles its footprint down to just 360. Here's the full list of closing stores.

You Searched For "Milwaukee to Muskegon ferry" and got 2 results

We spent $374 to take a ferry across Lake Michigan with our car. The journey was nice, but I'll do things differently next time.

Jessica Steinhoff

Bed Bath & Beyond is closing nearly 150 more locations as it whittles its footprint down to just 360. Here's the full list of closing stores.

Avery Hartmans

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