We spent $374 to take a ferry across Lake Michigan with our car. The journey was nice, but I’ll do things differently next time.

For our departure, we arrived at the terminal half an hour early and waited in a line of cars until it was time to board.

Driving onto the ferry was easy, but parking required guidance since the cars were packed in like sardines. Thankfully, the Lake Express employees eased us into our space with hand signals.

The ferry was much more comfortable than driving

Throughout the majority of the voyage, my stress melted away. Despite moderate winds, the rooftop deck’s gorgeous views of the sky and shoreline were a treat. Sailboats, lighthouses, waterfowl, and other surprises delighted my kids throughout the ride.

However, the deboarding process was stressful. Because the cars were parked so close together, we found it tricky to maneuver out of our space. Plus, walking between the cars required some minor acrobatics.

However, dealing with these minor inconveniences was still better than driving through Chicago. Next time we take the ferry, though, we’ll borrow someone else’s car at our destination or rent one at the terminal.

After all, the vehicle fees were the most expensive part our booking and leaving our car at home could’ve saved us hundreds of dollars.