30 Miles to Nowhere: How a Remote Michigan Road Closure Creates Massive Detour

Detouring around road construction is a routine fact of life when driving. How cumbersome the detour may be varies, but eventually you get back on the path to your destination.

But in remote stretches of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, a road closure may not be such a routine situation.

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The U.P. Reality: Detours Are Different Up North

Such a closure is in place (as of summer 2025) in Luce County near Tahquamenon Falls. There is road work happening in the Grand Marais area on the shores of Lake Superior.

Taking Country Road 406 from the Newberry area to Grand Marais isn't possible currently due to roadwork along the way that includes repairing bridges.

CR 406 Closure: A 30-Mile Warning

Here's what that "30 miles ahead" sign looks like:

That's incredible to need a road closed alert 30 miles from the actual closure.

READ MORE: Truckers Regularly Cross Very Remote Areas of Michigan and Go Hundreds of Miles Out of Their Way to Avoid Chicago

The long way around detour to get between the two communities involves taking M-77 south from Grand Marais to M-28 and east to M-123. It's a lengthy trip, but necessary for anyone looking to get through.

Locals say taking a backroad non-marked detour route is nearly impossible for vehicles with trailers or motorcycles

there is a detour but most that have come through say it requires 4 wheel drive, it is bumpy, and narrow.

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Imagine ignoring the signed closure and needed to take a 30 mile backtrack.