As the largest Michigan city in the northern portion of the lower peninsula of the state, Traverse City is a popular destination for auto shippers traveling through Northern Michigan. The city itself is known for being the largest single producer of tart cherries in the country, celebrated each summer with the Cherry Festival. Of particular interest to auto shippers is the city’s status as a top small town travel destination. In fact in 2012, Traverse City was honored as one of the best places to retire in the United States as ranked by U.S. News.
Traverse City’s position in the western half of the state denies it direct access by the sole Interstate running through the area, I-75. The city is, however, accessible by a number of state highways. US-31 runs from the Indiana border to the top of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, ending its 356-mile stretch in nearby Mackinaw City. M-37 also connects Traverse City with other large cities in the south like Grand Rapids. Lake effect snow is a concern to auto shippers traveling through Traverse City, especially from November to April. Weather can also be unpredictable in Northern Michigan, with light snow sometimes appearing in September and May.