Explore Michigan’s Hidden Gems on Your Next Road Trip from Chicago with Auto Transport Chicago. Leaving the deep-dish pizza of the Windy City can be a tough situation. It could be due to starting a new job or renovating a family home that has been passed down to your generation. Whatever the reason, you can always turn that long road trip from Chicago to Detroit into a fun family vacation. The trick is to have everything packed up and ready to go so you don’t stress about the details. Using an auto transport Chicago service saves you trouble over logistics and timing. You can ship out your second family vehicle, prized custom car, or fixer-upper meant for a teen and use the primary vehicle for your trip. This guide will help you plan out the perfect trip before pickup and delivery of your car.
Discovering Michigan’s Hidden Gems: Must-Visit Destinations on Your Road Trip
Before you leave Chicago, be sure to swing by Millennium Park for one last family photo. It’s a great keepsake that you can hang in your new home to remind you of friends, family, and special moments. Pack that photo away and hit the road with this quick rundown of hidden gems.
#1 – New Buffalo, MI
Located about 70 miles from Chicago is a quaint town along Lake Michigan with a lot of charm and personality. Plan your stay at the Four Winds Casino Resort to fill your belly and maybe place a small bet. The Casino will be your home base. You can easily get to an afternoon swim at New Buffalo Public Beach (don’t forget the lighthouse), catch a show at the Silver Creek Event Center, and enjoy a spa treatment back at the resort before leaving.
#2 – Kalamazoo, MI
Kalamazoo has a crazy, vibrant arts and cultural district. Everything from craft beer to three colleges and universities makes this city a melting pot of ideas, music, food, and fashion. Start your stop at the Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum for flight simulators and historical aircraft. Just nearby is One Well Brewing for delicious food and kid-friendly entertainment. Then, put on your history-buff hat and take a tour of the 19th-century Henderson Castle (you can stay here if you book early enough).
#3 – Marshall, MI
Marshall feels way more like a smaller town, which is perfect for your halfway point. You need a break, and the slower pace of life here means homemade food and people willing to chat you up at a local grocery store. Take a stroll down the City Riverwalk to burn off the morning pancakes, and then head to the Honolulu House Museum for a taste of the islands mixed with Victorian architecture and style. If you enjoy live music, a great way to end the evening is at the Dark Horse Brewing Company, but be sure to check their Instagram account, as tickets sell out quickly.
Marshall Car Show
#4 – Hidden Lake Gardens in Tipton, MI
Spread out over 755 acres is a multi-zone botanical garden complete with the “Reach for the Sky Canopy” walk. Michigan State University runs it, offering excellent birdwatching, events, and a great excuse to stretch your legs between driving and filling up the tank. You can eat on the property, but Rachel’s Coney Island is located only about 3 miles away. Be sure to ask about the mac and cheese!
#5 – Ann Arbor, MI
Ann Arbor is a lively city due to the presence of the University of Michigan. Over 122,000 people live in the city year-round, so there is plenty to do. A good starting point is the Matthaei Botanical Gardens and the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology. You can always stop by Zingerman’s Deli and ask what’s happening on that date. There are way too many live shows, concerts, special events, and community gatherings to mention here. You can also sneak into Rolling Hills Water Park with a non-resident pass for the day and relax in the lazy river if nothing else sparks your interest.
Final Stop – Detroit, MI
The final stop on your journey is set in Detroit, MI. The best way to get an impression of the city is to head downtown for street art and shopping along Woodward Avenue. You can snag a bite at Hudson Café and then finish everything at the Detroit International Riverfront. That should give you plenty of time to coordinate with your transport carrier driver for the final delivery of your car.
M1 Concourse, Pontiac Michigan
Essential Packing Tips for an Unforgettable Road Trip Experience
Packing for a Michigan road trip is a lot easier when your auto transport Chicago quote or estimate is complete. You can keep all the essentials in your primary vehicle and leave the rest to the moving truck and domestic transport service.
Michigan offers a diverse range of attractions that often surprise travelers. Your packing list will depend mainly on the time of year you travel. Stick to clothes and gear appropriate for sandy beaches, forested hiking, quirky museums, and urban centers – all based on the season.
Don’t forget comfort. A family traveling from Chicago to Detroit will need snacks, drinks, and entertaining distractions. Pack a small cooler to prevent items from melting, and keep toll money (or a transponder) ready to go. You also want to ensure that you have all your essential documents, including those for the delivery timeframe of your secondary car and the IDs for everyone on the trip.
Otherwise, the bare essentials would include:
- Driver’s license & vehicle registration
- Insurance documents
- Roadside assistance info
- Phone charger (car + wall)
- Wallet, ID, credit/debit cards
- Comfortable clothes & layers (weather changes fast)
- Sunglasses & hat
- Toiletries & medications
- Reusable water bottle
- Snacks (non-perishable)
- Hand sanitizer & wipes
- Spare tire, jack, and tools
- Jumper cables
- Flashlight (with batteries)
- First aid kit
- Blanket or travel pillow
- Trash bags
You can consolidate gear from your secondary vehicle as you want, ensuring it is completely clean and clear of personal items before it is shipped through fleet management services.
Navigating Auto Transport: Seamlessly Transitioning from Chicago to Michigan
As for your auto transport Chicago planning, there are some steps you should complete to ensure everything arrives where you need it when you want it.
Always start with the best auto transport services. Look for a company backed by a wide network of professional drivers and strong customer reviews to ensure a safe, simple, and reliable move. Ask them what time of year is best for fewer drivers on the road and better shipping deals. Something like the 4th of July, with over 72.2 million people on the road, may not be a good choice.
You’ll want to prepare your car for transport by cleaning out any personal items and checking the essentials (fuel level, oil, tire pressure, and lights). A quality car shipping service will conduct a visual inspection of the vehicle, allowing you to confirm details and take photos for your records.
Be sure you have all the necessary documents, from insurance to photo ID, registration, and bill of lading. You will likely need to sign a transport receipt and an inspection checklist, which you should obtain copies of. That will include the phone number to reach your driver and confirm pickup and delivery times, dates, and locations.
The best car transport companies will offer enclosed and open carrying options. Enclosed is better for safety and to lower the risk of damage from the elements, but it might cost more and be booked up. Open storage just means your car is on a truck without cover, and it is easier to schedule.
Finally, ask if there are any notification updates or real-time GPS tracking options to put your mind at ease during your road trip. That way, you can focus on picking out cool restaurants to enjoy instead of worrying about sudden rainstorms or long traffic jams that might delay delivery.
Conclusion
Michigan is a wonderful state to move to, even if you’re not headed for Detroit. Using an auto transport Chicago company ensures your secondary vehicles are safe and secure while you create family memories that will last a lifetime.
Take your time to hire only good car shipping companies with reliable car transport and clear delivery times. That will reduce your moving stress, so by the time you arrive at your new home, your car will be just a quick text notification away.
