Michigan Summer Road Trip Guide: Best Routes for Your Honda SUV (2026)
The ice has left the inland lakes, cherry blossoms are pushing through across Leelanau County, and strings of 70-degree days are lining up along Lake Michigan. Road trip season is here. Whether you are loading kayaks for a weekend at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, packing the family tent for an Upper Peninsula waterfall adventure, or mapping a wine-country loop through Traverse City, your Honda SUV is built for it. This Michigan summer road trip guide covers five driving routes from Grand Rapids, matched to the right Honda SUV for each journey, plus gear-packing strategies and maintenance tips from Serra Honda Grandville.
Browse our current Honda SUV inventory at Serra Honda Grandville
Why Your Honda SUV Is the Perfect Michigan Road Trip Vehicle
AWD Capability for Michigan's Unpaved Back Roads and Beach Access
Michigan road trips rarely stay on asphalt. State forest campgrounds, seasonal two-tracks, and Lake Michigan beach parking areas demand ground clearance and traction a sedan cannot deliver. The 2026 Honda Passport comes standard with i-VTM4 AWD and 8.3 inches of ground clearance - enough for the sandy access roads at Nordhouse Dunes and gravel forest roads in the Manistee National Forest. The CR-V offers available Real Time AWD with Intelligent Control System, and the Pilot's i-VTM4 AWD includes seven drive modes (Normal, ECON, Sport, Snow, Trail, Sand, and Tow). For a deeper look at Passport and CR-V adventure capability, see our dedicated comparison.
Fuel Range - How Far Can You Go on One Tank in a CR-V Hybrid or Passport?
Range matters on a Michigan summer road trip where gas stations can be 40 miles apart in the Upper Peninsula. The 2026 CR-V Hybrid's 14.0-gallon tank and 37 MPG combined AWD rating deliver an estimated 518-mile range per fill-up - enough to drive from Grand Rapids to Pictured Rocks and back without stopping for gas. The Passport and Pilot each carry 18.5-gallon tanks; at 21 MPG combined, both yield approximately 389 miles per tank.
5 Best Michigan Road Trip Routes from Grand Rapids
Route 1 - Grand Rapids to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (~170 miles)
Head north on US-131 from Grand Rapids, then west on M-115 and north on M-22 through Frankfort and Empire. Driving time is approximately 2.5 hours. The final stretch on M-22 is one of Michigan's most scenic two-lane highways, winding along bluffs above Lake Michigan with pulloffs at Point Betsie Lighthouse. At Sleeping Bear, tackle the Dune Climb (a 450-foot ascent above the lakeshore), drive the 7.5-mile Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive with 12 designated overlooks, and hike the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail. Day-use entry requires a National Park pass ($25 per vehicle or $45 annual). Best Honda match: the CR-V Hybrid, which handles this round trip on a single tank and offers 36.3 cubic feet of cargo behind the rear seats.
Route 2 - Grand Rapids to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore via the UP (~347 miles)
Cross the Mackinac Bridge and follow M-28 west through Seney to Munising, the gateway to Pictured Rocks. The drive is roughly 6.5 hours, making this a two-day or long-weekend trip. Stop at the Cut River Bridge rest area south of Brevort for elevated Lake Michigan views, and in Munising, book a Pictured Rocks boat cruise (reserve early - July cruises sell out by May). Key highlights include Miners Castle, Chapel Rock, and the Mosquito Falls trail. Campgrounds at Twelve Mile Beach and Hurricane River are first-come, first-served and fill early in peak season. Best Honda match: the Passport, with standard AWD, 44.0 cubic feet of cargo behind the second row, and 8.3-inch ground clearance for gravel forest roads leading to trailheads.
Route 3 - Grand Rapids to Traverse City Wine Country (~141 miles)
Take US-131 north to M-37, then follow winding roads through rolling orchard country south of Traverse City. The drive is approximately 2.5 hours, but plan for a full weekend. Old Mission Peninsula and Leelanau Peninsula host over 40 wineries and tasting rooms within a 30-minute drive of downtown. Standout stops include Chateau Chantal, Brys Estate (known for its lavender Secret Garden), and Black Star Farms. Between tastings, explore the Boardman Lake Trail, rent paddleboards on West Grand Traverse Bay, or browse Front Street shops. Best Honda match: the CR-V - fuel efficient, easy to park in small winery lots, and sized right for a weekend bag and a few cases of Michigan wine.
Route 4 - Grand Rapids to Tahquamenon Falls State Park (~301 miles)
Head north on US-131 to I-75, cross the Mackinac Bridge, and continue through St. Ignace and Newberry. The drive takes approximately 5 hours. The Upper Falls is the second-largest waterfall east of the Mississippi (200 feet across, up to 50 feet of drop), and the Lower Falls offers cascades surrounding an island accessible by rowboat rental. The four-mile North Country Trail connecting the Upper and Lower Falls is one of Michigan's most rewarding day hikes - allow two hours one way. State park entry is $17 for residents or $9 for non-residents. Best Honda match: the Pilot, especially for families combining Tahquamenon with Whitefish Point and the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum. Three-row seating and 113.7 cubic feet of maximum cargo volume handle a multi-day UP trip.
Route 5 - The Lake Michigan Shoreline Loop: Holland -> Grand Haven -> Muskegon -> Ludington (~120 miles)
Start in Holland (30 minutes from Grand Rapids) and drive north through Grand Haven and Muskegon to Ludington. The loop is roughly 120 miles - a perfect single-day adventure. Highlights include Holland State Park Beach (arrive before 10 AM in peak season), the Grand Haven pier and lighthouse, Pere Marquette Beach in Muskegon, and Ludington State Park - where the Big Sable Point Lighthouse trail offers a 3.5-mile round-trip walk to a historic 1867 lighthouse. Extend the trip by catching the SS Badger car ferry from Ludington to Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Best Honda match: the CR-V Hybrid, which completes this loop and the drive home to Grand Rapids on a single tank.
Schedule a test drive at Serra Honda Grandville. Call 616-667-4500 or book online.
Gear Up - What Fits in Your Honda SUV
- 2 adult kayaks (with roof rack)
Fits in CR-V? Yes - roof rails support up to 165 lbs with crossbars
Fits in Passport? Yes - standard roof rails, 165 lbs with crossbars
Fits in Pilot? Yes - roof rails on Sport and above, 165 lbs with crossbars - Full-size tent + sleeping bags (2 people)
Fits in CR-V? Yes - fits behind rear seats
Fits in Passport? Yes - fits with room to spare
Fits in Pilot? Yes - fits behind 3rd row with seats folded - Road bikes (2, with rack)
Fits in CR-V? Yes - hitch-mount or roof rack
Fits in Passport? Yes - hitch-mount or roof rack
Fits in Pilot? Yes - hitch-mount or roof rack - Large cooler + grocery bags
Fits in CR-V? Yes
Fits in Passport? Yes
Fits in Pilot? Yes - 3 full-size luggage bags
Fits in CR-V? Yes - snug fit behind rear seats
Fits in Passport? Yes - easily behind rear seats
Fits in Pilot? Yes - behind 2nd row with 3rd row folded - Stroller + pack-n-play
Fits in CR-V? Tight fit with other gear
Fits in Passport? Yes - easily behind rear seats
Fits in Pilot? Yes - behind 3rd row with room remaining - Cargo behind 2nd row (cu. ft.)
CR-V: 36.3
Passport: 44.0
Pilot: 48.5 (behind 2nd row) / 21.8 (behind 3rd row)
All three Honda SUVs accept Honda Genuine Accessory crossbars with a maximum dynamic roof load of 165 pounds. For kayaks exceeding the combined 165-pound limit, consider aftermarket crossbar systems rated for higher capacities, and always verify your specific year/trim's roof load rating in the owner's manual.
Road Trip Prep - Michigan Spring/Summer Maintenance Tips
What to Check Before a Long Michigan Road Trip
Michigan's pothole-damaged roads, temperature swings, and long-distance rural driving put unique demands on your vehicle. Before heading north:
- Tire pressure and tread depth - check all four tires plus the spare for winter damage
- Air conditioning system - test output and refrigerant levels after winter dormancy
- Engine oil and filter - if within 1,000 miles of your next change, do it before the trip
- Windshield washer fluid - top off with bug-cleaning formula for summer insect buildup on M-22 and US-31
- Wiper blades - Michigan summer thunderstorms arrive fast, especially in the UP
- Coolant levels - critical for long highway stretches
Honda's Road Trip Readiness Service at Serra Honda Grandville
Serra Honda Grandville offers a multi-point inspection covering every item above. Service your Honda before your trip and ask about current specials - spring and early summer bring deals on tire rotation, oil change bundles, and AC checks. Review our seasonal maintenance checklist for recommended service intervals. The service department at Serra Honda Grandville in Grandville, MI, serves drivers from Grand Rapids, Kentwood, Wyoming, Muskegon, and Holland. Call 616-667-4500 or book online.
Frequently Asked Questions About Honda SUVs for Michigan Road Trips
What is the best Honda SUV for a Michigan summer road trip with a family?
The 2026 Honda Pilot is the best choice for families because it seats up to eight passengers across three rows and offers 113.7 cubic feet of maximum cargo space. Its 5,000-pound towing capacity handles pop-up campers and small boat trailers, and the i-VTM4 AWD system provides confident handling on Michigan's varied road surfaces. Serra Honda Grandville carries the full Pilot lineup for test drives.
Can a Honda CR-V fit two kayaks on a roof rack?
Yes. The 2026 Honda CR-V supports Honda Genuine Accessory crossbars with a dynamic roof load capacity of up to 165 pounds. Two recreational kayaks (typically 45-60 pounds each) plus a J-style or saddle-style kayak carrier system fit within this limit. Verify the combined weight of your kayaks plus carrier before loading.
How many miles can a Honda CR-V Hybrid travel on a full tank of gas?
The 2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid has a 14.0-gallon fuel tank and an EPA-estimated 37 MPG combined with AWD, yielding an estimated range of approximately 518 miles per tank. In city driving at 40 MPG, the range extends to roughly 560 miles - enough to drive from Grand Rapids to Pictured Rocks and most of the way back without a fuel stop.
Is the Honda Passport good for off-road trails in Michigan?
Yes. The 2026 Honda Passport comes standard with i-VTM4 AWD, 8.3 inches of ground clearance, and seven drive modes including Trail and Sand. The TrailSport trim adds off-road-tuned suspension, all-terrain tires, and underbody skid plates. It handles Michigan's forest access roads, sandy beach approaches, and seasonal two-tracks with confidence.
Does the Honda Pilot have enough cargo space for a family camping trip?
Absolutely. The 2026 Honda Pilot offers 113.7 cubic feet of maximum cargo volume, 48.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 21.8 cubic feet behind the third row with all seats up. For a family camping trip, fold the third row flat to access nearly 50 cubic feet - more than enough for a tent, sleeping bags, cooler, cooking gear, and luggage.
Where can I get my Honda SUV road-trip-ready near Grand Rapids, Michigan?
Serra Honda Grandville in Grandville, MI, offers multi-point inspections, tire services, AC system checks, and oil changes to prepare your Honda for summer road trips. Visit the service department or call 616-667-4500 to schedule an appointment. Check current service specials at serrahondagrandville.com and the seasonal maintenance page for recommended intervals.
Visit Serra Honda Grandville, Michigan's #1 Volume Honda Dealer, in Grandville, MI, or call 616-667-4500 today. View our current SUV inventory
