SS Badger car ferry.

Last Thursday I got the chance to take the ferry across Lake Michigan. Best $325 I’ve spent in a while.

The passenger vehicles park and their passengers start boarding early along with pedestrians, bicycles, etc. Commercial drivers stay with the truck and a spotter guides you on when it’s time to back on. Since I have my dog along we were the last to back on so she would have a nice breeze with the windows down in the truck.

When you pay for a commercial spot you get use of a stateroom if you want one. They are equipped with a toilet, sink, and bed. I cleaned up and went for some lunch and after walking around to see what all was offered onboard I returned to my room and had a nice nap. There is a cafeteria, restaurant, bar, movie theater, and gift shop on board as well as a big seating area with tv’s. There are also plenty of lounge chairs outside on the deck if you want to sit outside.

I went from Manitowoc WI to Ludington MI. About 15 minutes before reaching Ludington they took the commercial drivers down to the car deck so that we could get our trucks ready to drive off. It was neat being down there when they open and big seat gate at the rear of the ship and spin around to back into the dock.

 

It takes 4 hours.

 

They delivered right in Ludington just a few miles after you get off the boat.