Manistee County is easily accessible by varied means. Major sources are: three major highways, commercial airport, rail freight service, one commercial deep water port and two additional recreational ports.
Highways
• U.S. 31 – Major north-south highway joins major freeway in Ludington
• M-55 – Major east-west access
• M-115 – Cuts across NE corner of Manistee County
• M-22 – Scenic West Coast of County
| DISTANCE | MILES |
| Chicago | 270 |
| Cleveland | 410 |
| Detroit | 250 |
| Grand Rapids | 120 |
| Indianapolis | 380 |
| Lansing | 170 |
| Traverse City | 60 |
Public Transportation
Manistee County Transportation provides commuter services, fixed bus routes, Dial-A-Ride and charter service. The service covers the entire County. Manistee County Dial-A-Ride also provides daily service to Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, MI approximately 60 miles to the northeast. During summer months they also operate the trolley. Call for hours (231-723-6525)
Rail & Commercial Airport
Daily Rail Freight Service – Marquette Rail
Manistee’s Blacker Airport (hyperlink to: http://www.manisteeairport.com/) is served by Skyway/Midwest Airlines with daily flights to and from Milwaukee. Charter service is available and the airport has a 5,500 ft. runway plus VOR.
Manistee County is also served by nearby airports including:
• Mason County Airport (20 nm South)
• Frankfort Dow Memorial Field Airport (21 nm North)
• Baldwin Municipal Airport (30 nm Southeast)
• Wexford County Airport (36 nm East)
• Cherry Capital Airport (40 nm NE)
Ports
A full domestic port facility is available at Manistee Lake. The Manistee River Channel, which is connected to the harbor, is maintained to 23 dredged feet. Commercial ships navigate the river to Manistee Lake factories.
Additional recreational ports accessible from Lake Michigan – Portage Lake & Arcadia