This Is Michigan’s Most Dangerous Road

The title of this article is a bit ironic. If you were to ask anyone which road is the most dangerous in the state, most Michiganders would roll their eyes and say, "ALL OF THEM." There's a reason there's an ice cream flavor called Michigan Pothole, and Governor Whitmer's campaign slogan is "Fix the damn roads."

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So, in a state where the roads are notoriously rough, where is the worst road in the Great Lakes State? Considering we have an upper and lower peninsula with a wide range of road quality, there is plenty of ground to cover. But one website has declared the worst road in the state, and you've probably never been there.

High Rock Bay Road

On the World Wide Web, there's a website for everything. So it's no surprise that dangerousroads.org exists, showcasing roads around the world that are, well, not in great shape. The site's interactive map features over 14,000 roads submitted by drivers, but only one road from Michigan appears on the map.

READ MORE: One of Michigan's Most Dangerous Roads Is Finally Being Rebuilt

High Rock Bay Road, just outside of Copper Harbor, way up in the Upper Peninsula, is a nearly 8-mile road that runs from the beginning of US Highway 41 to High Rock Bay. However, this road is not for the faint of heart as it is entirely unpaved and known for being swampy, especially after it rains. This road should not be traveled unless you have a 4x4 or off-road vehicle. 

The video below shows Steve Dewey's intrepid journey along this road, making it very obvious how wild this road is. When you're this far up north, not only is it difficult to reach for repairs, but few people live here to maintain the roads.

However, by all accounts, this drive is worth it for those brave enough to make it. It leads straight to Lake Superior, and the views are unmatched. Going in the fall, when all the leaves are changing, is beautiful.