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How to Book a Lake Superior Road Trip

How to · Travel

How to Book a Lake Superior Road Trip

See the massive inland sea, rugged cliffs, and quiet shoreline without draining your savings account.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $1,600 before anything else
Across the 0% window $88.89/mo 18 months, no interest

How we got that: $1,600 spread evenly across the 18-month introductory window on the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card. Checked · at the bank Carry a balance past the window and the standard APR applies to what is left.

Driving the big loop around Lake Superior gives you five hundred miles of rocky shoreline, cold pine forests, and quiet roadside fish shacks. You want to book those lakeside motels by late spring for a late summer trip, because the good spots fill up fast and options get thin.

A typical trip runs about sixteen hundred dollars for gas, food, and lodging. Spreading that cost out over time makes it easier to handle without putting your normal budget in a bind.

Remember that the introductory window is a hard deadline, not free money. If you still have a balance left when those eighteen months are up, regular interest kicks in on what is left over.

The steps

  1. 01

    Map your route

    Plan for about a five to seven day drive starting from Duluth or the Sault. Keep your daily driving under four hours so you actually have time to hike and look around.

  2. 02

    Lock in your motels

    Book your lakeside stops by late spring. Places along the north shore and the Upper Peninsula go fast during July and August.

  3. 03

    Set up your payment plan

    If you are using the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card, you get 0% for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers from date of account opening. That breaks down to about eighty-eight dollars and eighty-nine cents a month for an sixteen hundred dollar trip.

  4. 04

    Pack for cold water

    Lake Superior stays freezing all summer. Bring a real windbreaker and layers, even if it is eighty degrees when you leave home.

  5. 05

    Download offline maps

    Cell service drops out completely in stretches along the north and east shores. Save your routes and confirmation codes before you leave town.

  6. 06

    Check the card terms before you commit

    Every figure we publish for the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card carries the date a person verified it against Citi and a link to where they checked. Intro windows and APRs change without notice, so confirm the current terms before applying.

    See Citi Simplicity® Credit Card terms →

Common questions

How long does it take to drive around Lake Superior?

You need at least five full days just to make the loop without rushing. Seven to ten days is much better if you want to hike and explore.

Do I need a passport for the trip?

Yes, because the loop crosses the border between the US and Canada. Make sure your passport is up to date before you pack.

When is the best time to go?

Late summer offers the warmest lake water and open roads. July and August are prime time, but September brings fall colors and fewer bugs.

How much does gas cost on the route?

Prices vary depending on whether you are buying in the US or Canada and how far you are from major towns. Fill up whenever you see a good price in remote areas.