Community Forums

TXTiger · 09-22-2019, 07:21 PM

Starting my research a little early. Planning a trip to Mich next summer to visit a friend and then go to Wisc to visit my daughter. Instead of going thru Chicago I was told that I could take a ferry across the Lake. Would this be less costly than burning diesel going around thru Chicago, plus tolls?

Agesilaus · 09-22-2019, 07:27 PM

5 seconds on google:
https://www.ssbadger.com/

$86/foot for RV one way.

MidMichHunte · 09-22-2019, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agesilaus

5 seconds on google:
https://www.ssbadger.com/

$86/foot for RV one way.

It’s $87 per person plus $7 per foot for the RV. Probably not cheaper, but far less frustrating and faster than driving 94/90 Michigan to Wis. where are you coming from? Done both trips numerous times, but without and RV, prefer the Badger whenever it makes sense.

If you know your travel dates in advance you can take advantage of their pre season pricing to save a few $$$.

WDW · 09-22-2019, 08:26 PM

An historic trip on a national treasure of a vessel. Both communities on each side offer fun things to do. Worth the price of admission.

twogypsies · 09-22-2019, 10:37 PM

It's $72 for adults;

$67 for Senior 55+;

$7/foot RV

Much better than driving!!!

KiteSquid · 09-23-2019, 03:17 AM

Not a bad price for a four hour ferry ride, and bypassing Chicago traffic!!!!!!!!

Sweetbriar · 09-23-2019, 04:25 AM

I've looked into it also and it's a time versus cost problem. Even with the poor mileage of my gas coach the cost to drive is much less than the ferry. I can easily manage Chicago traffic by timing my pass thru just the same as I would have to time my arrival at the ferry crossing point. If I was driving a class B rather than a 30' class A maybe. The $350 crossing cost will buy a lot of fuel.

Victory Blue · 09-23-2019, 06:52 AM

Depending on your start and stop points it's likely much more expensive to use the ferry than to drive. Here's our example:

Every summer we travel from Door County, Wisconsin to Petoskey, Michigan; the distance by road is about 350 miles. I thought the ferry might be an interesting change to our route but, at almost $530 (7x45+67+67+72+6.5), it didn't make sense; I can go 1,500 miles on $530 worth of diesel.

I might still have done it once, but the departure and arrival times from WI to MI weren't conducive to our travel: arriving in MI at 7pm we'd still have to travel 3+ hours to get to Petoskey.

If we were just crossing in a car we'd do it, but not in a big RV and towing; just my opinion.

twogypsies · 09-23-2019, 11:38 AM

I think you have to view the ferry trip as a pleasant 'journey'. For a family, yes it could be expensive. For a couple it could be viewed as a relaxing, traffic-free adventure. Chicago traffic is awful!

George Schweikle · 09-23-2019, 01:08 PM

We did the ferry in a car many years ago and my memory is that it took a very long time from required arrival at the terminal to departure. Something like a 3 - 4 hour wait while they loaded railroad cars & trucks. Maybe things are different now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Victory Blue

Depending on your start and stop points it's likely much more expensive to use the ferry than to drive. Here's our example:

Every summer we travel from Door County, Wisconsin to Petoskey, Michigan; the distance by road is about 350 miles. I thought the ferry might be an interesting change to our route but, at almost $530 (7x45+67+67+72+6.5), it didn't make sense; I can go 1,500 miles on $530 worth of diesel.

I might still have done it once, but the departure and arrival times from WI to MI weren't conducive to our travel: arriving in MI at 7pm we'd still have to travel 3+ hours to get to Petoskey.

If we were just crossing in a car we'd do it, but not in a big RV and towing; just my opinion.

twogypsies · 09-23-2019, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by George Schweikle

We did the ferry in a car many years ago and my memory is that it took a very long time from required arrival at the terminal to departure. Something like a 3 - 4 hour wait while they loaded railroad cars & trucks. Maybe things are different now.

They don't carry RR cars and from their FAQ on the website they advise to be there only 1 hr. before departure.

It takes 4 hr. to cross.... better than driving from that point to point.

"The S.S. Badger offers the largest cross-lake passenger service on the Great Lakes and an authentic steamship experience. The relaxing four-hour, 60-mile cruise takes passengers, autos, RVs, tour buses, motorcycles, bicycles, and commercial trucks across Lake Michigan between Ludington, Michigan and Manitowoc, Wisconsin."

reubenray · 09-23-2019, 01:51 PM

https://www.lake-express.com/?gclid=...SAAEgLoxPD_BwE

twogypsies · 09-23-2019, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reubenray

https://www.lake-express.com/?gclid=...SAAEgLoxPD_BwE

Trailers and vehicles can only be 18' long. Very pricey!

jlckmj · 09-24-2019, 08:50 PM

Lake Express out of Milwaukee to Muskegan also has a height limit of 9 foot (if my memory is correct)
The ferry from Manitowoc is much larger.

I used the Lake Express twice this month to pick up vehicles in Michigan from an auction, very fast (2 1/2 hr) and comfortable.

Lake Express is about $100 per car and $100 per person.

Jim