U.S. Route 2 in Michigan
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| U.S. Route 2 in Michigan | |
|---|---|
| State | MI |
| Type | US |
| Maint | MDOT |
| Length mi | 272.195 |
| Length km | 438.055 |
| Established | 1926 |
| Direction a | West |
| Terminus a | US 2 at the Wisconsin state line near Iron River |
| Junction | I-75 in St. Ignace |
| Direction b | East |
| Terminus b | US 2 at the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario |
| Counties | Iron, Dickinson, Menominee, Schoolcraft, Mackinac, Chippewa |
| Previous type | US |
| Next type | US |
U.S. Route 2 in Michigan is a major east–west highway spanning the Upper Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. It enters from Wisconsin near Iron River and travels across the northern tier of the peninsula to Sault Ste. Marie, where it crosses the St. Marys River into Canada via the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge. The route provides a vital transportation link through remote forested and Lake Superior shoreline regions, connecting communities and serving as a key corridor for tourism and commerce.
Route description
From the Wisconsin state line, the highway runs concurrently with US 141 eastward through Iron County, passing south of the Ottawa National Forest. Near Crystal Falls, it turns north and then east again, entering Dickinson County and serving the Iron Mountain–Kingsford area. Continuing east, it crosses into Menominee County and skirts the southern shore of Lake Michigan's Green Bay, passing through Escanaba in Delta County. The route then traverses the Hiawatha National Forest in Schoolcraft County before following the Lake Michigan shoreline into Mackinac County. It meets I-75 and US 31 in St. Ignace at the southern approach to the Mackinac Bridge. From there, US 2 turns north along the eastern Lake Michigan and Lake Huron shorelines through Mackinac and Chippewa counties, finally terminating at the international border in Sault Ste. Marie.
History
The route was originally part of the Dixie Highway system in the early 20th century before being incorporated into the United States Numbered Highway System in 1926. Its initial alignment was largely along existing state trunklines, including the former M-12 and M-94. Significant realignments occurred in the 1930s and 1950s, particularly east of St. Ignace, where the road was improved and shifted closer to the Lake Huron shoreline. The completion of the Mackinac Bridge in 1957 and the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge in 1962 solidified its role as a continuous trans-peninsular and international route. The Michigan Department of Transportation has since undertaken numerous modernization projects, including bypasses around communities like Escanaba and realignments for safety and efficiency.
Major intersections
Major junctions from west to east include the western terminus at the Wisconsin state line, concurrent with US 141. It intersects US 45 in Iron River and M-73 near Crystal Falls. In Dickinson County, it meets US 141 again and M-95 near Iron Mountain. East of Escanaba, it junctions with US 41 and M-35. A critical interchange occurs in St. Ignace with I-75 and US 31. Further north, it intersects M-134 near De Tour Village and M-129 south of Sault Ste. Marie, before reaching its eastern terminus at the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge.
Business loop
A business loop, designated **US 2 Business**, exists in St. Ignace. It branches from mainline US 2 west of the city and runs along the former alignment through the downtown commercial district, passing near the Mackinac Bridge Authority headquarters and the Father Marquette National Memorial, before rejoining US 2 near the interchange with I-75. This route provides direct access to local businesses, the St. Ignace Marina, and ferry docks for service to Mackinac Island.