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M-22: Suttons Bay to Leland, Leelanau Peninsula, Michigan
Photo: Christian Raguse · CC BY 3.0

Drives Michigan Michigan's Lower Peninsula

M-22: Suttons Bay to Leland

M 22, West Bay Shore Drive, Manitou Trail · Suttons Bay → Leland

Leisurely22 mi35 min700 ft climbHigh point ≈ 900 ftOne way
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The drive

This stretch of M-22 goes around the top of the Leelanau Peninsula. M-22 reaches its northernmost point at Northport, then turns south along the West Arm of Grand Traverse Bay, passing Peshawbestown and Suttons Bay on its way to Traverse City. This drive runs the other direction, from Suttons Bay north along the bay to Northport and then across to Leland.

Suttons Bay is near milepost 101 of M-22, Northport near 89 and Leland near 76. The last gravel stretch of the highway, from Leland to Northport, was paved in 1945. In 2015 USA Today readers voted M-22 the best scenic autumn drive in the nation, and the northern section has been a Pure Michigan Byway since 2002 as the Leelanau Scenic Heritage Route.

The drive is 22.2 miles and takes about 35 minutes.

Along the way

  1. Suttons Bay
  2. Omena
  3. Northport shore
  4. Leland
Elevation
700 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 900 ft
Suttons BayLeland
Curves
Mostly gentle curves
Suttons BayLeland
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • The highway passes Peshawbestown and Suttons Bay along the West Arm of Grand Traverse Bay before it reaches Northport.
  • For current construction or closures, use MiDrive.

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 does M-22 from Suttons Bay to Leland take?

M-22 from Suttons Bay to Leland is 22.2 miles and takes about 35 minutes.

Is M-22 a scenic byway?

Yes. Two sections of M-22 have been designated Pure Michigan Byways; the northern section began as the Leelanau Scenic Heritage Route in 2002.

Where is the northernmost point of M-22?

M-22 reaches its northernmost point at Northport, then turns south along the West Arm of Grand Traverse Bay.

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.
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More drives near here

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

Map of M-22: Suttons Bay to Leland, from Suttons Bay to Leland