Updated: March 27, 2025
The Great Lakes are the largest group of freshwater lakes in the world. Covering more than 94,000 square miles, the five lakes — Erie, Huron, Michigan, Ontario and Superior—are often referred to as inland seas.
The lakes are located along the Canadian-United States border, with shorelines touching the Canadian province of Ontario and eight states. Collectively, Ontario and the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin make up the Great Lakes Region.
The best way to explore this diverse region is by car, and AAA editors have created itineraries that show off numerous areas of spectacular natural beauty, rural charm and lively downtown areas, along with recommendations for fun places to go along the way. Below are a few examples of AAA's best Great Lakes road trips.
As winters can bring icy roads in the northern Midwest, the best times for a road trip in the Great Lakes Region are from spring to fall. Autumn is an especially pleasant time to visit as it offers spectacular fall foliage viewing. Among the best Great Lakes Region Road Trips for fall foliage are , the North Shore Scenic Drive Road Trip and the Northern Ohio Road Trip.
Whether you like busy big cities or peaceful countryside, you'll find it in Illinois. Chicago, the third most populous city in the United States, sits atop the state along the shore of Lake Michigan. The state's capital, Springfield, lies amid the prairie land of Central Illinois. Two sections of the famed Route 66 are located within the state, offering a variety of scenery and fun things to do.
Bordering Lake Michigan to the north and the Ohio River to the south, Indiana's capital city, Indianapolis, is known for the Indianapolis 500 as well as its professional sports teams, the NFL's Colts and the NBA's Pacers. Outside of the capital, this Midwest state offers much in the way of scenery in the rolling hills of Hoosier National Forest.
The state of Michigan is comprised of two peninsulas, the mitten-shaped Lower Peninsula and the Upper Peninsula, and it touches four of the five Great Lakes as well as Lake St. Clair. It's also filled with inland lakes, so you're never far from a water view on a these Great Lakes road trips in Michigan.
"The Land of 10,000 Lakes" is the northernmost contiguous state and borders Lake Superior. Its forests are home to black bears, moose and what is said to be the largest population of timber wolves outside of Alaska. Bird watchers will find numerous bald eagles, red-tailed hawks and snowy owls in Minnesota, where lakes and streams are an angler’s paradise.
Home to some of the most visited tourist attractions in the world including the Statue of Liberty, Times Square and Central Park, there are almost limitless fun things to do in New York City. But don't miss the charms of the rest of the state, which is filled with natural beauty, wineries and charming historic districts.
The Buckeye State, named for its Buckeye trees, borders Lake Erie. Ohio road trips offer miles of pleasant scenery along the lakeshore and through its farmlands.
Known as "America's Dairyland," Wisconsin borders two of the Great Lakes—Michigan and Superior—and offers a wonderful variety of scenery from farmland to rocky shorelines.
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