For lakes touring enthusiasts, understanding the distances between ports on Lake Michigan is crucial for planning your adventures. This comprehensive guide provides the key details you need to know about the distances between various ports on this vast and beautiful lake.
Lake Michigan Distance Between Ports
The table below outlines the distances between major ports on Lake Michigan, measured in statute miles:
| Port | Mackinaw Point, MI | Charlevoix, MI | Traverse City, MI | Muskegon, MI | Holland, MI | Michigan City, IN | Chicago, IL | Racine, WI | Milwaukee, WI | Sheboygan, WI | Sturgeon Bay, WI | Green Bay, WI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mackinaw Point, MI | 0.0 | 56.0 | 97.0 | 224.0 | 257.0 | 325.0 | 324.0 | 272.0 | 250.0 | 212.0 | 155.0 | 198.0 |
| Charlevoix, MI | 56.0 | 0.0 | 45.0 | 178.0 | 210.0 | 278.0 | 276.0 | 225.0 | 211.0 | 165.0 | 113.0 | 160.0 |
| Traverse City, MI | 97.0 | 45.0 | 0.0 | 195.0 | 227.0 | 295.0 | 293.0 | 242.0 | 228.0 | 182.0 | 131.0 | 178.0 |
| Muskegon, MI | 224.0 | 178.0 | 195.0 | 0.0 | 34.0 | 108.0 | 114.0 | 80.0 | 80.0 | 78.0 | 124.0 | 171.0 |
| Holland, MI | 257.0 | 210.0 | 227.0 | 34.0 | 0.0 | 82.0 | 95.0 | 79.0 | 88.0 | 102.0 | 155.0 | 202.0 |
| Michigan City, IN | 325.0 | 278.0 | 295.0 | 108.0 | 82.0 | 0.0 | 38.0 | 84.0 | 104.0 | 146.0 | 217.0 | 264.0 |
| Chicago, IL | 324.0 | 276.0 | 293.0 | 114.0 | 95.0 | 38.0 | 0.0 | 64.0 | 85.0 | 132.0 | 208.0 | 255.0 |
Specific Distances
In addition to the comprehensive table, here are some specific distances between popular ports on Lake Michigan:
- Port Sheldon to Saugatuck: 16 statute miles
- Saugatuck to Holland: 8 statute miles
- Holland to South Haven: 26 statute miles
- South Haven to Saint Joseph: 22 statute miles
- Saint Joseph to New Buffalo: 25 statute miles
Lake Michigan Facts
To provide some context, here are a few key facts about Lake Michigan:
- Freshwater volume: 1,180 square miles
- Surface area: 22,400 square miles
- Length: 300 miles / 480 kilometers / 259 nautical miles
- Speed limits: Generally unlimited except where posted or common sense prevails
- Tidal pattern: Semidiurnal, but extremely small (averaging around 1 inch)
- Seasonal fluctuations: Average 3.0 feet