Flight or car O’hare to Sutton Bay August

Question

Hello! In early stages of planning for first week of August. We’ve got a wedding in Sutton Bay (travelling in from Europe) and want to spend about a week in the US. We’re firstly trying to decide whether we should take an internal flight from o’hare to traverse city and rent a car from there, or rent a car at o’hare and drive all the way. We’re an active couple in mid 30s, enjoy hiking, beach but also towns, breweries etc. and don’t mind driving long distances. What do you think?

Answer

It sounds like an exciting trip! Given that you're an active couple who enjoys hiking, beaches, and exploring towns and breweries, both options—flying from O'Hare to Traverse City or renting a car and driving directly from O'Hare—have their advantages. Here's a breakdown of each option to help you decide:

Flying from O'Hare to Traverse City and Renting a Car:
- Pros:
  - The flight from O'Hare to Traverse City is relatively short (around 1 hour 15 minutes), so you can save time on travel and get to Sutton Bay faster. Once you land, you can rent a car for local exploration.
  - Traverse City is a great base for exploring northern Michigan’s natural beauty. You can easily visit nearby attractions such as Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, wineries, and enjoy the beaches along Lake Michigan.
  - Traverse City is a charming small town with a vibrant brewery scene, perfect for a few days of local exploration before heading to Sutton Bay.
- Cons:
  - You’ll need to rent a car upon arrival in Traverse City, which adds a rental expense. While Traverse City is relatively close to Sutton Bay (about a 45-minute drive), you’ll still need a car to explore the area.
Renting a Car at O'Hare and Driving to Sutton Bay:
- Pros:
  - The drive from O'Hare to Sutton Bay is scenic and can be an enjoyable part of your journey. The trip is about 4-5 hours, which gives you the chance to stop in interesting towns, breweries, or parks along the way, such as in Michigan City, South Bend, or other charming small towns.
  - If you're into road trips, this gives you more flexibility to explore northern Indiana and western Michigan at your own pace. It’s an adventure in itself!
  - Driving gives you the freedom to explore areas that might not be easily accessible by flight, like the more rural towns or nature spots along the way.
- Cons:
  - The drive can be long, especially after a long international flight, so you may feel tired from the journey. But if you enjoy long drives, this won’t be a huge issue.
  - You’ll be spending a good portion of your first day driving, which means you may not have much time to explore the cities along the way, unless you stop for a night or two. So it’s important to factor in potential overnight stays if you want to break up the trip.

Summary:

If you prefer a quicker, more straightforward journey with time to explore the northern Michigan area, flying to Traverse City and renting a car is likely the best option. You can easily explore the town and nearby attractions like Sleeping Bear Dunes, beaches, and breweries in Traverse City.
If you're up for an adventurous road trip and want to explore small towns, local breweries, and scenic routes, renting a car at O'Hare and driving to Sutton Bay could be an exciting option. Just be mindful of the long drive and how you plan to pace it, especially with a long flight beforehand.

Both options offer unique experiences, so it depends on whether you'd prefer a quicker and more relaxed arrival in northern Michigan (fly and rent a car) or if you're up for a scenic, leisurely road trip (drive from O'Hare). Either way, you're in for a great trip!