Travel time from Kalamazoo on gameday?

Question

We are traveling from Kalamazoo to Ann Arbor to tailgate for the U of M/State game tomorrow. We have reserved 2 spots at the high school. How early should we arrive to get in line at the high school? We imagine the expressway could be quite slow once we get near Ann Arbor. It is difficult to know how to time it.

Answer

Traveling from Kalamazoo to Ann Arbor on a U of M home game day can be challenging due to heavy traffic near the stadium, particularly on US-23 and I-94 as you approach Ann Arbor. Normal drive time from Kalamazoo to Ann Arbor is about 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours, but on gameday, especially for a big rivalry like U of M vs. Michigan State, it can easily take 2.5 to 3 hours once you get within a few miles of the stadium.

Since you have reserved spots at a nearby high school for tailgating, timing your arrival is crucial to ensure you can get in line without excessive waiting.

Recommended Arrival: For reserved tailgate spots, arriving 3 to 4 hours before kickoff is generally safe. This means leaving Kalamazoo around 6:30–7:00 am for a noon game or 7:30–8:00 am for a 1 pm game.
Traffic Considerations: Expect congestion to start roughly 10–15 miles from the stadium, especially along US-23 and Fuller Road, and near exits leading to the high school lots. Allow extra time for merging, slower speeds, and parking procedures.
Navigation Tips: Use a GPS or traffic app (Google Maps, Waze) to monitor real-time traffic and adjust your route. Sometimes taking local roads parallel to US-23 can shave off time if there are backups.

Additional tips for gameday:

Have your reservation confirmation handy to show staff for quick entry into the tailgate lot.
Pack essentials the night before, including food, chairs, and any tailgate gear, so you can maximize time once parked.
Plan for restroom and minor delays—high school lots are usually smaller and slower to fill than stadium parking garages.
Consider arriving even earlier if you want a prime spot in the tailgate lot or if it’s a major rivalry game with high attendance.

In summary, leaving Kalamazoo 3–4 hours before kickoff should allow ample time for travel, traffic delays, and getting settled in your reserved tailgate spot, while keeping you relaxed and ready for the pregame festivities.

Travel time from Kalamazoo on gameday?

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