Have you come down with a case of wanderlust, but a vacation just isn’t in the cards right now? We have a solution that only requires a tank of gas and a great road trip soundtrack.

While Ann Arbor is on pause during the COVID-19 pandemic, you can still get out and enjoy a drive. In fact, we rounded up some of our favorite local scenic drives—that range from 11 minutes from home to an hour. Just keep in mind that many nearby attractions are temporarily closed. And if you decide to take a walk or get outside of your vehicle, please remember to avoid crowded areas, to wear a mask or facial covering and to maintain a six-foot distance from others. Nevertheless, these amazing drives all around southeast Michigan are sure to satisfy your sense of adventure—and keep you safe while you’re at it. Have fun!

Huron River Drive

Driving Time from Main Street, Ann Arbor: About 11 Minutes

Approximate Drive Length, One Way: 33 Minutes

Amongst local bikers, this classic 24-mile route along Huron River Drive from Ann Arbor to Dexter and back is a favorite. But if you’d rather drive, this scenic route has plenty to offer from the comfort of your car as well! Start on the eastern part of the road, which you can hop on near the South Pond Nature Area, and head west towards Hudson Mills Metropark in Dexter. Along the way, you’ll drive past several beautiful parks, nature areas, waterfront views and even Ann Arbor’s own quaint Main Street. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy it at a park along your journey or find a quiet spot near Hudson Mills to enjoy it from your car!
 

Highway to Hell

Driving Time from Main Street, Ann Arbor: About 11 Minutes
Approximate Drive Length, One Way: 34 Minutes

Huron River Drive is so pretty, that we had to include it on this list one more time. This section, however, is dedicated to a little town located northeast of Ann Arbor: Hell, Michigan, which you can reach by driving a little further on the picturesque road. Yes, you read that correctly! Hell might have a funny name—which the residents happily embrace with unique attractions, hilarious signs and more—but it’s one of the cutest towns around. Not only is it packed full of punny activities, but they are also home to the Pinckney State Recreation Area which encompasses 11,000 acres of green, rolling hills and numerous inland lakes, all of which you can explore when you get there! From Main Street, take West Huron River Drive past Dexter and Dover, and you’ll find yourself in Hell in no time.
 

US-12 to Coldwater

Driving Time from Main Street, Ann Arbor: About 14 Minutes
Approximate Drive Length, One Way: 1.5 Hours

Southeast Michigan might not be packed full of sweeping mountain vistas, sprawling valleys or great lakes, but we do happen to have a beautiful countryside perfect for road trips. One of our favorite, quiet country drives is along US-12 to Coldwater, MI, an 86-mile drive that takes you past farmlands, picturesque towns, sparkling lakes and bright greenery. The great thing about this drive is that it can be as long or short as you want. Want a quick jaunt outside of Ann Arbor? Stop in Benton. Want to go even farther than Coldwater? US-12 continues all the way to Chicago and the entire drive is packed full of serene sights to see.
 

Waterloo State Recreation Area

Driving Time from Main Street, Ann Arbor: About 25 Minutes
Drive Time Varies on Route Chosen

Waterloo Recreation Area is the largest park in the Lower Peninsula! It offers more than 20,000 acres of outdoor paradise just minutes from Ann Arbor in Chelsea, including campgrounds, mountain biking opportunities, more than 40 miles of multi-use trail, boating and fishing, horseback riding, and more. To learn more, check out Everything You Can Do in Waterloo Recreation Area. But if you’re more interested in exploring from the comfort of your car, the massive park is also full of paved roads that go around lakes, through wooded areas and more. Click here for a map of the whole park and start planning your DIY drive-through safari!
 

Irish Hills

Driving Time from Main Street, Ann Arbor: About 43 Minutes
Approximate Drive Length, One Way: 30 Minutes   

The Irish Hills, located about 50 minutes from Ann Arbor, is a historic area that features a unique combination of picturesque countryside, hometown charm and more than 50 crystal blue lakes for recreation and enjoyment! Our scenic drive through this area begins at the 755-acre Hidden Lake Gardens and journeys throughout the area to Brooklyn, MI, showcasing some of SE Michigan’s most stunning scenery. For full driving directions, check out this pamphlet from Irish Hills Recreation. And if you want to have more of a historic driving tour rather than a scenic one, they have a pamphlet for that as well!
 

Belle Isle

Driving Time from Main Street, Ann Arbor: About 45 Minutes
Approximate Drive Length, One Way: 23 Minutes

Belle Isle, a 982-acre island park in Detroit is an incredible spot to visit when you’re just looking for a pretty drive. It was developed in the 19th century, so it’s packed full of historic charm as well as some fun things to do. The island, which is home to several paved roads, can be explored on foot as well as by a car. In fact, it’s such a popular driving spot that it’s the location for the annual Detroit Grand Prix! So head to Belle Isle the next time you need a day out; the drive offers jaw-dropping views of the Detroit skyline as well as the massive lake.

Frankenmuth

Driving Time from Main Street, Ann Arbor: About 1 Hour

Approximate Drive Length, One Way: 15 Minutes

Known as Michigan’s “Little Bavaria,” Frankenmuth is an adorable town located about an hour north of Ann Arbor that is definitely worth a visit. While the charming, historic city is full of fun attractions, spectacular shopping and more—if you are just in the mood for a fun drive, this is a great spot for it. Our route, which only takes about 15-20 minutes one way, will take you through Frankenmuth’s Main Street showcasing some of its amazing architecture, through a covered bridge, to a sprawling riverfront park and more. But we encourage you to break off and keep exploring throughout the day to see everything Frankenmuth has to offer!
 

Have a good drive!

Did we miss your favorite scenic drive near A2? Let us know in the comments!