[debjoy1]

Hi-

We have purchased a home in Antrim County near Torch Lake. I am considering a job in Interlochen which is a one hour and 15 minute drive from my house each way in good weather. Not having lived a full winter up in Antrim yet, do you think it is feasible to make this drive everyday to work in the winter? I have a regular car with front wheel drive. I would appreciate your opinions.

Also, do you think it is possible to find a cheap rental nearer to Interlochen just for the winter months?

Thanks!

[Bydand]

You can make, but I have a feeling that it will get old FAST. Make sure you have great snow tires in the winter and it will make the long drive a bit more solid during nasty winter weather. For that long of a drive in that area of the state I would maake sure you set aside enough for a room in case it gets too bad to make it back. Better to spend a night at a Motel than the Hospital or Morgue.

[Peter B]

Originally Posted by debjoy1

Hi-

We have purchased a home in Antrim County near Torch Lake. I am considering a job in Interlochen which is a one hour and 15 minute drive from my house each way in good weather. Not having lived a full winter up in Antrim yet, do you think it is feasible to make this drive everyday to work in the winter? I have a regular car with front wheel drive. I would appreciate your opinions.

Also, do you think it is possible to find a cheap rental nearer to Interlochen just for the winter months?

Thanks!

Bydand is right. That drive daily during winter would be horrendous during snowfalls. With a car, yes, 4 full snow tires are a necessity. A couple of days per week. Ok. But I would pray for many snow days otherwise. The incline on US 31 South of Traverse towards Interlochen is comedic during snowfalls. Cheap rentals during winter are plentiful in the Interlochen area though. Perhaps holding out for a position in Traverse City would an option.

[Crustedfilth]

That area gets tons of lake effect snow. I mean tons. I suggest a 4x4 truck and pull a snowmobile on a trailer everyday.

[jeeg]

I see only the time factor being a problem. It's one thing to drive for 30 minutes in bad winter weather, after an hour and fifteen minutes or so once you get home you'll say "Forget the glass, give me the whole bottle of wine!"
Seriously, you'll only face a few days with weather that bad. Keep an emergency bag with toiletries and a change of clothes in the car and some extra money on you in case you decide to get a motel room if it's really bad.
I live in the north half of the Upper Peninsula and neither my wife nor I have ever bothered with snow tires for our vans. Good all season tires will do just fine. Never been in a winter accident and never gotten stuck.

[stanman13]

I can see that drive turning into 2 hours or more during inclement weather. But to be able to live up there...gotta do what ya gotta do.

[Peter B]

Originally Posted by jeeg

I see only the time factor being a problem. It's one thing to drive for 30 minutes in bad winter weather, after an hour and fifteen minutes or so once you get home you'll say "Forget the glass, give me the whole bottle of wine!"
Seriously, you'll only face a few days with weather that bad. Keep an emergency bag with toiletries and a change of clothes in the car and some extra money on you in case you decide to get a motel room if it's really bad.
I live in the north half of the Upper Peninsula and neither my wife nor I have ever bothered with snow tires for our vans. Good all season tires will do just fine. Never been in a winter accident and never gotten stuck.

We had around 160" this past winter and there were more than "a few days" when travel was a nightmare. An hour and 15 min drive easily turns into 2+ hrs. when it's like that in this area. Also, all season tires are NOT snow tires. They are basically useless when you come to ANY incline. If youi live in flat area and just leave the house for groceries in the winter, than maybe all season tires will do okay. However, commuting 2.5 hrs per day in the snowbelt in a car without snow tires is absurd and a display of not having common sense. Maybe it's just me but I would put snow tires on my wife's car

[sunshineann]

there are many winter rentals in this area. Most are rentals until June. What would you come June? This was our first winter here and i had no idea what lake affect snow was..lol. Now we know. We wouldnt move for anything though. Best of luck to you.

[Wulf67]

They are not just snow tires but winter tires. Different, softer rubber of winter tires also increases grip, handling and comfort on dry roads at low temperatures. They also provide much better grip on ice.

The Complete Winter Tires Guide

I have winter tires on my FWD Saab and I often get stuck behind big 4x4/AWD SUVs because they are driving so slow. 4x4/AWD can give a false sense of security. You can probably accelerate a little bit faster but a lighter car will always stop faster than a heavy SUV/truck.

Investing in an extra set of winter wheels and tires is a must in NW Michigan. Same reason why you wear flipflops in summer and snow boots in winter, right?

I have them on my car from November through April.

[michiganmom2008]

Originally Posted by debjoy1

Hi-

We have purchased a home in Antrim County near Torch Lake. I am considering a job in Interlochen which is a one hour and 15 minute drive from my house each way in good weather. Not having lived a full winter up in Antrim yet, do you think it is feasible to make this drive everyday to work in the winter? I have a regular car with front wheel drive. I would appreciate your opinions.

Also, do you think it is possible to find a cheap rental nearer to Interlochen just for the winter months?

Thanks!

Make sure you have road side assistance!*LOL* and just be careful! The hills, and the other drivers are what you have to watch out for. I would invest in 4x4 or AWD vehicle as soon as possible. We have family at torch lake and my father in law commutes to Traverse every day to work....we have heard some stories. It sure will be a long drive for you some days. Good luck! You can not live up there, be committed to a drive that far away on a daily basis and only have a front wheel drive car in the winter time.