Driving in Michigan offers easy access to 4 of the 5 Great Lakes and the longest shoreline out of all the U.S. states. When navigating the state and the Metro Detroit area, home to more than 4 million people, you will want to be sure you are following the rules of the road so you can have a smooth car rental vacation. Here we will give you some information on the general rules of the road as well as tips on parking, turning, speed limits, and things to do during your stay in Michigan.
General Rules and Regulations
- All drivers and passengers in the front seat must wear a seat belt.
- All passengers under 16 must wear seat belts.
- Passengers under 8 years old must be seated in an appropriate safety or booster seat.
- Children under 4 years of age must sit in the back seat of the vehicle unless younger children occupy these spaces.
- Keep your distance when driving in Michigan. Drivers must follow the 3-4 second rule to allow space between the car in front of them. More space is often required in adverse weather conditions.
- It is illegal to send text messages while driving.
- You must use your headlights if heavy fog and other weather conditions reduce your visibility to 500 feet.
- Drivers should yield to pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles if it is signposted or if doing so could prevent an accident.
- Drivers must yield to service vehicles such as road maintenance and waste collection that have come to a stop or have their lights flashing.
- If you are traveling with children under 6 years old you should be aware it is illegal to leave children alone in a vehicle. If a passenger accompanies them that is 13 years or older, this is not an issue.
Speed Limits in Michigan
Michigan increased the speed limit of many interstate highways to 75 mph. In general, the limits are similar to other Midwestern states. Just make sure you check the signs for the minimum as well as maximum speed limits.
| Residential and business districts | 20-50 mph (32-80 km/h) |
| Highways | 55-70 mph (89-113 km/h) |
| Interstates | 55-75 mph (89-121 km/h) |
Turning and Parking
- In Michigan, U-turns are generally legal unless otherwise signposted. But it’s an offense to obstruct or impede the flow of traffic so be sure to turn when the road is clear and it is safe to do so.
- When merging you must yield right of way.
- When parking, drivers must be within 12 inches of the curb and face the same direction as the flow of traffic.
Car Rental with SIXT in Michigan
We have car rental locations in close proximity to Michigan, both in Indianapolis and Chicago. The location near major cities is great for car rental road trips around the Great Lakes and beyond. Detroit is a fantastic city for music lovers; the origins of Motown and techno sprang up in Detroit and the city had a pivotal role within the jazz, punk, and rock scenes. The global influence of Detroit techno is just one of the many reasons that the city is currently witnessing a tourism revival.
Michigan is also famous beautiful for its scenery. The shorelines of Lake Erie, Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, and Lake Huron provide an incredible array of sightseeing opportunities with geological treasures such as the Pictured Rocks and the Sleeping Bear Dunes. Expect oceanic lakes, hiking trails, beaches, waterfalls, and stunning hardwood forests. Lake Superior is the world’s largest freshwater lake by surface area and volume, and as you gaze out across it appears oceanic.
