I am leaving late Friday for Holland. I am leaving from the NW corner of Oakland Co. I make the trek a few times a year, so I know exactly how to go via expressways but I was curious of an alternate route, just staying on highways instead. I pulled my map, but there really isn't any direct route from my area. I could head north and pick up M21 and run that into Grand Rapids but its out of the way. Do any of you have suggestions? It'll just be me (mom) and my girls so not wanting to get into "bad" areas either (though I'm a regular driver into Detroit, I want to avoid with the kids)Appreciate tips.

Plot the route with www.maps.yahoo.com then click and drag the route anyway you want. The system will recalculate how many miles and how much longer it will take. You can always go back to the original route.Didn't understand where is Oakland, Co? Is that Colorado or Oakland County?

I don't think there are any semi direct routes to Holland for you. We live in the Lake Fenton area, semi close to you and 69 to 96 is the only practical way we know. M21 would be ok road but somewhat out of the way.

Go exploring, just get on a road that heads west / North and turn as needed (feel it out). As long as you're going either North or west, you're going the right way... I guess you could go too far North, but when you hit Lake Michigan you're done going west.

Head towards Brighton, then get on Grand River Drive. That should take you through Lansing and in to Grand Rapids. Jump on M-6 then 196 into Holland.

Grand River has some rural areas but also some very congested areas which would not be much fun to drive/pull an RV.

Question for my fellow MI dwellers | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

Matt_Colie
Explorer II
May 28, 2015
Kennedy,

We found a pretty road that went west from White Lake. It crossed 23 and ran into Argentine Rd. It didn't good from there so we went south to Highland rd (M59) and ran that to GD River.

Have fun...

Matt
Kennedy64
Explorer
May 28, 2015
Matt_Colie wrote:
Kennedy,

We do a lot of that. WE have been know to go a week without a limited access highway.

There is a pretty good route from Lansing to the west. Look at where SR-43 and SR-50 take you.

But, you have a lot of lakes between you (where ever - Oakland is big) and Lansing. And not knowing where you will start makes this tough. Ortonville is a little bit north of South Lyon, you know. I have made both work, but not recently.

Matt

Matt
I'm in Davisburg, surrounded by Holly, Clarkston and White Lake.
My dad taught me to love the 'let's see where this road will take us' travels. My girls normally do too.
I did look at the SR-43 & 50 on the map. Looked like the best option if I want to avoid the E-way.
Thanks
Kennedy
Matt_Colie
Explorer II
May 27, 2015
Kennedy,

We do a lot of that. WE have been know to go a week without a limited access highway.

There is a pretty good route from Lansing to the west. Look at where SR-43 and SR-50 take you.

But, you have a lot of lakes between you (where ever - Oakland is big) and Lansing. And not knowing where you will start makes this tough. Ortonville is a little bit north of South Lyon, you know. I have made both work, but not recently.

Matt
RustyInMich
Explorer
May 27, 2015
Take I-96 West into Grand Rapids.

At or near the Beltline Road exit, I-96 West will veer to your RIGHT towards Muskegon. DO NOT take this.

To your LEFT, follow the signs for I-196 West.

Stay on I-196 West until, I believe, Exit 4, which will say "Holland/Zeeland." This is the exit right after the Hudsonville exit.

Follow this local route all the way into downtown Holland (You'll ignore the Zeeland signs).

You'll love Holland. 8th Street Grill - great hamburgers. Kilwin's - best ice cream EVER, esp. Toasted Coconut or Strawberry. Incredible.

- Rusty
Kennedy64
Explorer
May 27, 2015
GordonThree wrote:
Go exploring, just get on a road that heads west / North and turn as needed (feel it out). As long as you're going either North or west, you're going the right way... I guess you could go too far North, but when you hit Lake Michigan you're done going west.

I normally always travel by the seat of my pants, with the same mind set, as long as I'm going X direction, I'll get there. I don't want to do that with the TT though and my kids sometimes get irritated with the ride when I do that :)
Kennedy64
Explorer
May 27, 2015
rfsod48 wrote:
I don't think there are any semi direct routes to Holland for you. We live in the Lake Fenton area, semi close to you and 69 to 96 is the only practical way we know. M21 would be ok road but somewhat out of the way.

Well HI neighbor :)
Ya that's the only practical way I know too and only way I have taken since I was a kid when my dad did the driving. Not to keen on heading north to head south LOL my dad is taking M21 tomorrow but that runs right through their starting point of Lapeer.
Kennedy64
Explorer
May 27, 2015
Dick_B wrote:
Plot the route with www.maps.yahoo.com then click and drag the route anyway you want. The system will recalculate how many miles and how much longer it will take. You can always go back to the original route.
Didn't understand where is Oakland, Co? Is that Colorado or Oakland County?

Oakland County MI :)
rfsod48
Explorer
May 27, 2015
Grand River has some rural areas but also some very congested areas which would not be much fun to drive/pull an RV.
ga80486
Explorer
May 27, 2015
Head towards Brighton, then get on Grand River Drive. That should take you through Lansing and in to Grand Rapids. Jump on M-6 then 196 into Holland.
GordonThree
Explorer
May 27, 2015
Go exploring, just get on a road that heads west / North and turn as needed (feel it out). As long as you're going either North or west, you're going the right way... I guess you could go too far North, but when you hit Lake Michigan you're done going west.