Dunes, island time & freshwater horizons
This is leg 2 of 2, the final leg.
Travel leg · Michigan Lake Shore
Sleeping Bear Dunes to Mackinac Island
Sleeping Bear Dunes and Mackinac Island sit about 165 km (103 mi) apart in a straight line, with Mackinac Island to the north-east. It is leg 2 of 2 on our Michigan Lake Shore itinerary, a 6-day trip. This one most likely involves a water crossing, so check ferry schedules early.
- Straight-line distance
- 165 km · 103 mi
- Est. road distance
- Water crossing likely
- Est. drive time
- Not estimated
- Direction
- Heading north-east
- Curated routes
- 1 itinerary
This leg most likely crosses water, so we don’t estimate road distance or drive time. Check ferry or flight schedules for the actual crossing.
Ways to get there
We don't have live routing data, so the figures below are labelled estimates built from the straight-line distance. Use them to plan the day, then confirm in a maps app.
By ferry
Mackinac Island most likely needs a water crossing from here, so start with ferry schedules. Sailings can vary by season.
Most travelers drive between Holland and the dunes, then continue north by car to the ferry towns that serve Mackinac Island. Cars do not go onto the island, so you leave yours on the mainland and use ferries, bikes, walking and horse-drawn carriages once there.
Open Sleeping Bear Dunes → Mackinac Island directions in Google Maps ↗
Worth stopping for
Picks from our curated guides at both ends, plus 4 places near the straight-line path.
When you arrive in Mackinac Island
Stay overnight to see the car-free island after day-trippers leave; one full day covers the core.
Fort Mackinac
18th-century fort above the harbor with cannon firings and costumed interpreters.
Lake Shore Boulevard (M-185)
Car-free 8.2-mile loop around the island, the only state highway with no cars.
Arch Rock
Limestone arch 146 ft above the water, reached by stairs or a bluff road.
Original Murdick's Fudge
Island fudge maker since 1887; watch it worked on marble slabs.
The Pink Pony
Waterfront restaurant and bar at the Chippewa Hotel, famous for whitefish.
Horn's Gaslight Bar
Saloon on Main Street since 1933 with live music and Southwestern food.
Near the way
These places from our other itineraries sit within about 25 km of the straight line between Sleeping Bear Dunes and Mackinac Island. The road may not pass them directly, so check how far off your route they are.
Sleder's Family Tavern
Michigan's oldest continuously operating tavern (1882), with burgers and a mahogany bar.
Chateau Grand Traverse
Old Mission Peninsula's pioneering winery, known for Riesling.
Chateau Chantal
Hilltop winery-inn with views over both bays.
Mission Point Lighthouse
1870 lighthouse at the tip of Old Mission Peninsula, with beach and trails.
Before you leave Sleeping Bear Dunes
Two days for the dunes, scenic drive, Glen Arbor and a paddle on the Crystal River.
On this curated route
Where Sleeping Bear Dunes → Mackinac Island sits in the full itinerary. Highlighted stops are this leg.
Going the other way? Mackinac Island to Sleeping Bear Dunes is the same 165 km in a straight line, heading south-west. Reverse directions in Google Maps ↗
Weather at each end
The biggest gap comes in June, when Mackinac Island averages highs 4°C warmer than Sleeping Bear Dunes.
| Measure | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sleeping Bear Dunes high | -1° | -2° | 1° | 5° | 9° | 14° | 20° | 21° | 18° | 12° | 7° | 2° |
| Mackinac Island high | -4° | -4° | 1° | 7° | 12° | 18° | 22° | 22° | 19° | 11° | 5° | 0° |
| Sleeping Bear Dunes rain | 47 | 41 | 53 | 81 | 88 | 82 | 68 | 77 | 87 | 107 | 68 | 64 |
| Mackinac Island rain | 48 | 40 | 47 | 76 | 76 | 85 | 75 | 83 | 92 | 113 | 75 | 65 |
Temperatures in °C, rain in mm per month. Long-term monthly averages from NASA POWER satellite climatology — a guide to typical conditions, not a forecast. Month headings link to Mackinac Island month guides.
Sleeping Bear Dunes to Mackinac Island: questions travelers ask
How far is Sleeping Bear Dunes from Mackinac Island?
Sleeping Bear Dunes is about 165 km (103 mi) from Mackinac Island in a straight line, with Mackinac Island to the north-east. The trip most likely involves a water crossing, so the distance you actually travel depends on the ferry or flight route.
How long does it take to drive from Sleeping Bear Dunes to Mackinac Island?
We don't estimate a drive time for this one: it most likely crosses water, so check ferry schedules before you plan the day.
What is there to see between Sleeping Bear Dunes and Mackinac Island?
Near the straight-line path we have 4 places from our curated guides, including Sleder's Family Tavern (Traverse City), Chateau Grand Traverse (Traverse City), Chateau Chantal (Traverse City), Mission Point Lighthouse (Traverse City). The road may not pass them directly, so check the detour.
Which itineraries include the trip from Sleeping Bear Dunes to Mackinac Island?
Our Michigan Lake Shore itinerary includes this leg. Michigan Lake Shore runs about 6 days across 3 stops, best in Jun – Sep.
Onward from Mackinac Island
Getting to Sleeping Bear Dunes
Guides for both ends
- Sleeping Bear Dunes travel guide
- Sleeping Bear Dunes weather best time to visit
- Mackinac Island travel guide
- Mackinac Island weather best time to visit
Mackinac Island by month
- Mackinac Island in January
- Mackinac Island in February
- Mackinac Island in March
- Mackinac Island in April
- Mackinac Island in May
- Mackinac Island in June
- Mackinac Island in July
- Mackinac Island in August
- Mackinac Island in September
- Mackinac Island in October
- Mackinac Island in November
- Mackinac Island in December
Plan Sleeping Bear Dunes → Mackinac Island with your crew
Add this leg to a shared itinerary, poll the group on where to stop, split fuel and tickets, and keep everyone's packing list in one place in TripsCircle.