Milwaukee to Traverse City: Road Trip Guide & Distance

164.7 miles 265.1 km · straight line
406.2 miles actual route 653.7 km · driving distance
7h 48min estimated drive time
$39 - $48 estimated fuel cost
~50min flight time
43° NE bearing direction

How far is Milwaukee from Traverse City?

The distance from Milwaukee to Traverse City is 164.7 miles (265.1 km) as the crow flies. Traverse City is located NE of Milwaukee. By car, the driving distance is approximately 406.2 miles, taking about 7h 48min. A direct flight would take roughly 50min. Both are located in United States — Milwaukee in Wisconsin and Traverse City in Michigan.

This is a solid day of driving. Be sure to take breaks every 2-3 hours to avoid driver fatigue, and plan your meals ahead of time. Heading East means you'll be driving into the sunrise if you start early. Keep your windshield clean for the best visibility.

Coordinates come from public place data for Milwaukee and Traverse City. The driving distance uses an OSRM road-route result when route data is available. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.

How to Get from Milwaukee to Traverse City

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 7h 48min $39 - $48 Flexible stops
Fly ~50min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~9h 22min $32–$61* Budget
Train ~7h 25min $49–$142* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Milwaukee & Traverse City

Quick Facts

Milwaukee
43.04°N, 87.91°W
America/Chicago
188m elevation
Traverse City
44.76°N, 85.62°W
America/Detroit
180m elevation
Explore more routes from Traverse City

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 55 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 14 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 151.2 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM