Mackinaw City bridge toll on I75?

[RVcrazy]

We are coming in from Sault Ste Marie MI, headed for Mackinaw Mill Creek Campground. We see that there is a toll bridge. Do they take cash? Mail bills by license plate, or do we need some kind of pass before we get there? Thanks!

[djbogue]

We went across the bridge and back a couple of weeks ago. It's not that bad. Maybe you will even have someone pay for you like we did. It was a nice surprise.

[Hammerboy]

wing_zealot wrote:
So you break even and spend two more hours driving around all the toll roads. Yea, I'll pass on that tip. I'll pay the toll and keep my free time.

Same here. I'll pay the toll just to cross the bridge. It's a cool experience and worth every penny.

Dan

[SidecarFlip]

Matt_Colie wrote:
Just because some of you are interested:

The coach is a 23 GMC and does just under 10mpg.
From Marquette to our home is about 550 if you cross the bridge.
From Marquette to our home if we go around the west side of Lake Michigan is just over 600 miles.
I worked in Chicago for a while and know how to safely bypass all of the toll roads.
If I can hit the right Costcos and Krogers, that 15$ will pay for the extra fuel.

Don't even think about the Badger unless you want the boat ride. It is ~140$us for the coach and 60$us per head, got that? That is what I would pay on a cruise ship, and they feed you there.

As a guy that ran engine on iron boats for a good while, there is nothing about the Badger that I need to see.

Matt

I live in SE Michigan as well (see my location in my data line)... I would never consider driving across (94, I live just south of it) to 80 and up through the windy into Wisconsin and around. Way too long time wise and I despise Chicago drivers anyway. We have relatives just south of Cook County and everytime we visit, I get the heebie-jeebies dealing with the idiots that drive there.

Consequently, your reply makes no practical sens to me. The bridge was built as an easier way to access the UP and Wisconsin to the west and Canada to the east.

When we go to Illinois I always take 95 and white knuckle it through Cook County.

[wing_zealot]

So you break even and spend two more hours driving around all the toll roads. Yea, I'll pass on that tip. I'll pay the toll and keep my free time.

[Matt_Colie]

Just because some of you are interested:

The coach is a 23 GMC and does just under 10mpg.
From Marquette to our home is about 550 if you cross the bridge.
From Marquette to our home if we go around the west side of Lake Michigan is just over 600 miles.
I worked in Chicago for a while and know how to safely bypass all of the toll roads.
If I can hit the right Costcos and Krogers, that 15$ will pay for the extra fuel.

Don't even think about the Badger unless you want the boat ride. It is ~140$us for the coach and 60$us per head, got that? That is what I would pay on a cruise ship, and they feed you there.

As a guy that ran engine on iron boats for a good while, there is nothing about the Badger that I need to see.

Matt

[Hammerboy]

Spend a dollar to save a dime perhaps.

Dan

[Ozlander]

He didn't say it made sense.

[OH48Lt]

Drive around? Where? Nearest drive-around is Chicago or Sarnia Ontario. Or take a ferry at 10x the money.

[SidecarFlip]

Matt_Colie wrote:
And our antique GMC has a tandem instead of a dual rear axle (yes, according to SAE it is ONE axle) so we (at 9400#) pay the same toll as a fully loaded Greyhound buss. If you ask, they tell you it is a weight based toll. I can and do often drive around it to save the toll.

Matt

...or a tag (not powered) axle but still on the pavement none the less.

Drive around? that is interesting how do you do that (other than Wisconsin) and Illinois toll roads?

[Matt_Colie]

And our antique GMC has a tandem instead of a dual rear axle (yes, according to SAE it is ONE axle) so we (at 9400#) pay the same toll as a fully loaded Greyhound buss. If you ask, they tell you it is a weight based toll. I can and do often drive around it to save the toll.

Matt

[sch911]

FYI: It's the ONLY toll road in Michigan!

[mvpmich]

Just stay away on Labor Day as the bridge will now be closed to all traffic except emergency vehicles and busses transporting walkers during the bridge walk.

[SidecarFlip]

Been across in January and had to hole up in either St. Ignace or Mackinaw City until the bridge opened up. It's ferocious in the winter.

[SidecarFlip]

Thats true but you'll have to keep your eyes closed the whole time...lol

I've driven semi's across many times. My wife would hide in the sleeper...