Wheels Over Wings: Michigan's Road Trip Love Affair

I have nothing against air travel. I know it's statistically safer than driving and significantly faster. But being a full-blooded, born and bred Michigander, if the destination is driveable, chances are I'm choosing a road trip over a flight. I'm not alone, either. A whopping 73% of us would rather hit the road than the air for our vacation escapades.

What makes road trips irresistible to Michiganders? A recent survey commissioned by Michelin and conducted by OnePoll found that it's all about the view. According to the survey results, 50% of us have fallen in love with the changing scenery. Let's face it: We were fortunate in Michigan to have a diverse landscape, unlike northern Ohio—it's so flat! Michigan has lakeshores and forests at nearly every turn.

Why Michiganders Prefer Wheels Over Wings

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Personally, I love scanning radio stations for the perfect soundtrack when I'm on the road, and so do 43% of those surveyed who say music is a must. Rolling down your window and belting out your favorite tunes helps us to break free from the routines we are locked in (26% need that escape).

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Being in control is also a significant factor for many Michiganders. However, 25% of us prefer road trips over flying because we genuinely enjoy the feel of the pedal beneath our feet. Michigan and cars have been tied together since the Model-A rolled off the line, and someone asked, "Where are we going?"

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About 43% of us feel we are seasoned road trip veterans and know how to prepare our trusty vehicles to beat our navigation system's estimated arrival time. Not everyone wants to drive, though; 45% prefer to be behind the wheel, 22% are happy to ride along, and 28% like to share their driving duties.

If you are a passenger princess or prince, please refrain from asking, "Are we there yet?", 27% identified that question as their biggest pet peeve. So Michigan, good luck, happy travels, watch for deer and tell your folks I said hi.

50 of Michigan's "Must-Drive" Roads

Gas up the car, grab those road munchies and a roadtrip partner that you can trust, and head out on some of Michigan's most unique roads and routes. Make sure you take lots of photos and video!

Road Fatalities: Most Dangerous Time, Day, and Month by State

Knowing what dangers are ahead is part of being a good driver. Georgia-based attorneys at Bader Scott gathered information from the National Highway Safety Transportation Administration (NHTSA) to determine the most fatal time, day, and month to be on the road in each of the 50 states.

Gallery Credit: Scott Clow