Our favorite summer road trips from the Twin Cities
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Gas prices might be high, but have you seen flight prices? If you want to travel this summer, it might be a better idea to pack up the car and take off.
Here are a few of Axios Twin Cities' favorite road trips:
Details: Our first two picks are on the shorter side and under 600 miles total.
🌊 Grand Marais
This harbor town two hours north of Duluth is filled with small town charm and has plenty of nature to explore along the way.
Route: There's really only one way to get there — the highway Bob Dylan sang about.
Stops: Palisade Head, Split Rock Lighthouse, Lookout Mountain, and Temperance River State Park.
Things to do and eat: World's Best Donuts for sweet treats, The Fisherman's Daughter for fresh-caught fish and chips, and Sven and Ole's for pizza.
- Be sure to walk the Grand Marais Breakwater Trail downtown to the lighthouse, but wear good shoes. The rocks can be slippery.
By the numbers: 8.5 hours, 528 miles roundtrip.
🚲 Trempealeau, Wis.
This quaint Mississippi River town is packed with things to do and is an easy drive from the Twin Cities.
Route: Take Highway 61 and enjoy the river views on one side and bluffs on the other.
Stops: Get lunch at Slippery's in Wabasha, which has a great patio overlooking the river.
Things to do and eat: Stay at the Trempealeau Hotel and use it as a launch pad for a bike ride along the Great River State Park Trail. You can enjoy a glass of wine at Elmaro Vineyard, which is just off the trail.
- Back in town, Sullivan's Supper Club is an authentic Wisconsin experience. At night, the hotel has live music on its large courtyard by the river.
By the numbers: 5 hours, 270 miles roundtrip.
Next up, these trips will put more than a thousand miles on your car, but they're worth the extra distance.
🏖 Northern Michigan
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a treasure, with sand so fine and water so blue you'll think Lake Michigan is the Caribbean Sea.
Route: Head east to Manitowoc, Wis., and take the S.S. Badger ferry across to Ludington. Head north along Lake Michigan and then up to the Upper Peninsula.
- The ferry ride won't save you much time or money, but it's a great experience.
Stops: Sleeping Bear Dunes, Mackinac Island, Munising, and Marquette.
Things to do and eat: Hike the dunes, take a ferry to Mackinac Island or hop on a boat tour of Painted Rocks in Munising.
- Our copy editor, Patricia Guadalupe, lived in the Upper Peninsula and says you have to get a pasty. They're good everywhere, but she noted Lehto's in St. Ignace.
- Nick recommends Blackrocks Brewery in Marquette.
By the numbers: 22 hours, 1,145 miles roundtrip.
🏞 Western South Dakota
The Badlands and Black Hills quickly make you feel you're outside of the Midwest, with geological formations that look like they're from a different planet.
Route: Take I-90 and watch the landscape's rapid change at the Missouri River.
Stops and stay: Rapid City is between the two parks and will have the most food and hotel options. Visit Wall Drug and the Corn Palace in Mitchell along the way.
Audrey's one-day itinerary: Wake up early and see Mount Rushmore and/or the Crazy Horse Memorial, then drive the Peter Norbeck National Scenic Byway through the Black Hills for gorgeous views and short walks.
- Stop in Rapid City for a meal, then continue east and take Badlands Loop Road once you enter the park. Check out the overlooks along the way and climb Saddle Pass to watch the sunset over the park — it's worth the hike.
Plus: If you have more time, consider driving the extra few hours to Devil's Tower in Wyoming.
By the numbers: 17 hours, 1,175 miles roundtrip.
Our last pick is for the long weekend. It's a haul, but you won't regret it.
🏔 Glacier National Park, Montana
Making the long haul to Glacier is worth it if you like picturesque mountains and streams, some of the best hikes and historic lodges set on turquoise lakes.
Route: Take I-90 through South Dakota one way, and take I-94 through North Dakota the other.
Suggested stops: Custer State Park in South Dakota; Devil's Tower in Wyoming; Theodore Roosevelt Park in North Dakota.
Where to stay: If you want comfort, stay in Glacier Park Lodge, developed by the James J. Hill family. Otherwise, the camping on Lake McDonald is amazing.
What to do: Drive the Going the Sun Road. Hike to Avalanche Lake. Take a whitewater rafting trip.
By the numbers: 36 hours, 2,400 miles roundtrip.