Back
M-22: Frankfort to Empire, Lake Michigan shore, Michigan
Photo: Jim Sorbie · CC BY 2.0 · cropped

Drives Michigan Michigan's Lower Peninsula

M-22: Frankfort to Empire

M 22, Sutter Road, North Scenic Highway · Frankfort → Empire

Leisurely22 mi30 min700 ft climbHigh point ≈ 800 ftOne way
Scan to drive it in CarvePoint a phone's camera here. It opens ready to drive.
Drive it in Carve, free

Opens this route in the app, or where to get it.

Drive this road
in the appOpen

The drive

This is M-22 heading north from Frankfort toward Empire along the Lake Michigan shore. The highway passes through Elberta and Frankfort, then turns northeast to curve around the north shore of Crystal Lake. South of the Platte River it enters Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. East of Platte Lake it turns north to Empire, the lakeshore's headquarters town. The drive is 21.5 miles and takes about 32 minutes.

It links the Frankfort to Onekama and Leland to Empire drives and runs through wooded stretches with beach access.

Along the way

  1. Frankfort
  2. Empire
Elevation
700 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 800 ft
FrankfortEmpire
Curves
Mostly gentle curves
FrankfortEmpire
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Summer weekends are busy.
  • The road enters Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore south of the Platte River.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check MDOT MiDrive.

Questions about this drive

How long is M-22 from Frankfort to Empire?

M-22 from Frankfort to Empire is 21.5 miles and takes about 32 minutes.

Does M-22 go through Sleeping Bear Dunes?

Yes. South of the Platte River, M-22 enters Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

When is M-22 busiest?

Summer weekends are the busiest times.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
Preview it in 3DFly the whole drive over satellite and terrain before you go.
Drive it with no signalAPEXDownload the map and every turn before you go.
Live Group TrackingAPEXEveryone on the route, on the map, by name.
Road conditionsAPEXWet or dry, ice, fog and wind along the road before you go.
Record your drivesAPEXRecord a drive and turn it into a route to drive again or share.

Free on iPhone and Android. CarPlay and Android Auto come with Apex.

Download on theApp StoreEarly access onGoogle Play

More drives near here

All 18 drives in Michigan ›

Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

+ Plan a new route
Map of M-22: Frankfort to Empire, from Frankfort to Empire