Truckers Regularly Cross Very Remote Areas of Michigan and Go Hundreds of Miles Out of Their Way to Avoid Chicago

Long haul trucker generally have a singular goal: get their load to its destination as swiftly and economically as possible.

For many cross-country drivers across the northern tier of the nation, that trip may avoid Michigan. The Ohio Turnpike and Indiana Toll Road which both run just south of the state's border are key arteries for truck traffic. But the route does include Chicagoland and its inherent congestion and back-ups.

Is a more expedient route across the nation really through the highways and backroads of northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula?

The Allure of the Upper Peninsula for Truckers

A trucker asked essentially this question on the Trucker subreddit of Reddit, "I've never been through the UP. Would it be worth it to avoid Chicago?"

The route imagined a starting point near Ludington and ending near Duluth. The trip across the Mackinac Bridge and the non-interstates of the Upper Peninsula and Northern Wisconsin was an estimated 11-hour drive via the Mackinac Bridge.

The alternate route around the southern tip of Lake Michigan through Chicago was essentially a push in time also at 11 hours.

READ MORE: No One Remembers the Michigan Turnpike Authority That Almost Built Toll Roads Across the State + Michigan Explains Why They Will Likely Never Offer EZ-Pass on the State's Toll Bridges

Many veteran truckers were quick to share some thoughts on the two routes:

How often will you get the chance to go through the UP and get paid? Chances are you will run through Chicago many times compared to UP.

take the route through the UP. It's beautiful, there's friendly people, and it's more "truck friendly" than going through and around Chicago. Trucking, especially for forestry and mining, is a lifeblood of the UP

Chicago's Reputation Among Long-Haul Drivers

Others felt Chicago wasn't bad compared to even larger metros like New York and Los Angeles.

I'm from the north east and to be honest Chicago ain't that bad, it has traffic but it's traffic that moves , unlike nyc where you sit for hours

Same. Chicago is nothing... Maybe you hit traffic? I guess? Traffic is part of trucking.

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Just how bad is Chicago for truckers? This vet gets the last word on summing up the answer to that question: "I'd drive INTO Lake Michigan to avoid Chicago."