2024 Mackinac Bridge Crossing...

[Big Flounder]

Who's planning on going this year? I've said I was going to go every year for the past three years but think I can actually make it work this time. I always thought this looked like a pretty fun event. Date is September 7th this year.

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www.mackinacbridgecrossing.com

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

You didn't miss anything last year because it was cancelled due to construction.

Better get registered early if you plan on going. Sounds like they're capping participation at 1500 tractors.

 

[Big Flounder]

I went ahead and registered this evening. No doubt will be a good time!

 

[710ltd2002]

Who's planning on going this year? I've said I was going to go every year for the past three years but think I can actually make it work this time. I always thought this looked like a pretty fun event. Date is September 7th this year.

Home | MBATC

www.mackinacbridgecrossing.com

I love that bridge but I still close my eyes when I drive across it. I don’t know how you guys do it on tractors—and in the outside lane no less!
Dave

 

[Big Flounder]

I love that bridge but I still close my eyes when I drive across it. I don’t know how you guys do it on tractors—and in the outside lane no less!
Dave

Wait, we’re in the outside lane??

 

[caterpillar guy]

Yup Outside lane for all slower vehicles except truck during the drive. DO take a coat/jacket and rain gear with you. I have done the drive for 10 years straight till the Fuci problem Hauled and drove it that long. I've been on the ground at the yard there with it being pretty nice and comfortable and on the bridge was a cold wind blowing. Also one year just before crossing time that morning it rained hard everything was soaked including most of the tractor drivers. All in All it is a good time for most. Plan on probably more than 150 per night for rooms and reserve now if you want one. There are some camp grounds up there if you plan on that too. Food is crazy high at any restaurant. 2 Cheapest in the past with the best food were Clydes and the Bowling alley in ST.Ignace. There is a little place right on Central next to the Interstate on the west side that is a bit high but has good food. It is across from one of the parking lots for the island boats. There is a good bit to see for a first timer though not much changes from year to year. The truckstop in ST. Ignace is another good place to eat . There is a marshaling yard out to the west of Mackinac City on Central St. Unless you are there early just follow the traffic. Early I mean like Wednesday or earlier that week. I would not go on monday unless you want to deal with the bridge walk traffic for the labor day bridge walk. I was up there one year with a load of tractors that day it took a half hour to get around the corner with the semi that day. From the South get off the 337 exit turn right at the end of the ramp go to the second traffic light there will be a grocery store on the left corner. turn left there it has a left turn lane and light if driving a semi there is plenty of room to turn as long as you pay attention to your driving. Then go out there about 2 miles it will be past the cemetery on top of the hill on the left/south side. There are docks for unloading and places to unload with ramps on your trailer if you choose. It is pretty well set up if people don't stop to BS while unloading and get it done then move out of the way. Chains can be put on the trailer then parked and put away. Biggest hold up is lack of communication with the club representative on these things. Look at some of the videos on Utube at the yard south of the bridge it will help with understanding the confusion there. I mean there is about 20-30 acres of tractors with people that have lived driving them to people that should learn a lot more before getting there/never have driven a tractor before. If you have doubts or questions ask me or talk to Bob or Jeremy at Owosso Tractor Parts. They put this thing on each year. The DOT usually happen to have an inspection going on that couple of days just before it looking at things on the trucks including pickups and trailers. It is usually at the rest area just north of the Grayling truckstop exit. If having your tractor hauled by somebody make sure of their hauling schedule and equipment. Guys have been upgrading their trucks condition that are hauling up there due to this. MI is a bunch of Gustpo type cops with the DOT this is from living here and seeing how they act and treat people at stops. Yes some of it can be from the person though they just have a demanding attitude like IA cops have always had when I had anything to to with them. OH has some of the most polite ones I have ever dealt with.

 

[710ltd2002]

Wait, we’re in the outside lane??

And the inside lane is a metal grate that rattles and vibrates and lets you see the water 200’ below. So choose your poison, eh?

 

[Dieseltech]

I'm planning on it again this year with some friends from Minnesota and Wisconsin. Our group of eight tractors are planning on driving from north central Indiana, crossing the bridge, then hiring the tractors hauled back across the bridge to the gravel pit, then driving the trip back to Indiana. The 2021 year five of us drove tractors 1160 miles in 11 days to cross the bridge, that year was the best weather I'd seen in all my crossings.