Road Trip Guide: Devils Lake, ND to Houghton, MI

At 900 miles, the drive from Devils Lake, ND to Houghton, MI is a two-day journey across the Northern Plains and Lake Superior's southern shore. It begins in the drift prairie of North Dakota and ends at Michigan's copper-mining Keweenaw Peninsula. Along the way, you traverse four states and three distinct geological zones, from flat glacial lakes to the iron-rich Mesabi Range.

The trip's unexpected highlight is the glacial Ridge, a 200-mile-long terminal moraine that runs through central Minnesota. This topographic spine offers rolling vistas and a natural boundary between the Red River Valley and the Mississippi headwaters. For a road less taken, consider stringing together county roads following the moraine's crest.

I-94 east from Devils Lake to Minneapolis is a smooth, four-lane highway with many services. After the Twin Cities, take I-35 north to Duluth, then US-2 and M-28 across the Upper Peninsula. Use a toll-free app to plan fuel stops. Expect gas prices to be highest in remote areas like the Porkies.

How long to drive Devils Lake, ND to Houghton, MI? The total driving time is about 14 hours, but plan for 16 with breaks. The route's best stops Devils Lake, ND to Houghton, MI include Itasca State Park, the headwaters of the Mississippi, and the Porcupine Mountains. To discover more hidden gems, check this guide on how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

• Budget fuel: $135- $185 for a standard sedan.
• Lodging: book ahead in Duluth and Marquette.
• Unique Wi-Fi black holes: west of Grand Rapids, MN.

The geology shifts from black dirt to iron ore. Near Biwabik, MN, you'll see the massive mine pits turned into turquoise lakes. Here, the Mesabi Range supplies 75% of the nation's iron ore. The region's culture is steeped in mining history, with small towns like Hibbing claiming the world's largest open-pit mine.

Devils Lake's namesake is a saline lake that's a major stop for migratory birds. As you drive, the forests change from aspen to pine, and the road crosses over the Laurentian Divide, where waters flow north to Hudson Bay or south to the Gulf of Mexico. The Keweenaw Peninsula is known for its autumn colors, but summer offers cool breezes and long daylight.

Culinary stops include the Moorhead, MN's legendary Sons of Norway lefse, and in Duluth, the iconic pickled herring at Russian River. Once in Michigan, try a pasty (a meat pie) in Houghton, a nod to Cornish miners. For unique local commerce, visit the Red Jacket Tipple in Calumet, a restored tramway that offers a ride to the mine's top.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites are absent from this route, but the nearby Pipestone National Monument (in southwestern Minnesota) is a sacred site for Native Americans, and the Keweenaw National Historical Park commemorates copper mining. (Both are worth a detour if time allows.)

Snow can fall in October in northern Minnesota, so pack winter gear even in spring. The roads are well-maintained, but moose are a hazard at dusk near Lake Superior. Stay alert for deer, especially between dusk and dawn. Pull over at one of the many rest areas with picnic shelters to stretch.

Families will enjoy the Great Lakes Aquarium in Duluth and the children's museum in Grand Rapids. Pets are allowed at most state parks, but they must be leashed and are not allowed on swimming beaches. Many hotels in the Upper Peninsula are pet-friendly, for a fee.

To manage fatigue, the TripCheck app provides real-time camera feeds and rest area conditions. Aim to stop every 2 hours. Notable rest stops include the one at the St. Louis River in Jay Cooke State Park and the scenic overlook at Porcupine Mountains.

Hidden off-route spots: take County Road 37 from Virginia, MN to see the tallest waterfall in Minnesota, Hidden Falls. For a quirky break, visit the world's largest boot in Red Wing, MN, just off US-61. The drive is worth it for the landscape alone, so yes, is it worth driving Devils Lake, ND to Houghton, MI? Absolutely, if you appreciate northern wilderness and history.

Things to do between Devils Lake, ND and Houghton, MI include hiking the Superior Hiking Trail at Gooseberry Falls State Park, and touring the shipwreck museum at Whitefish Point.