How to Get
to Door County

From Green Bay*:

From I-43, take Exit 185 onto Hwy. 57 towards Sturgeon Bay. Pass through the rural rolling countryside with views of Green Bay. Distance to Sturgeon Bay: one hour. *See construction note below.

From Milwaukee*:

Travel north on I-43. Take exit 185 on I-43 onto Hwy. 57 towards Sturgeon Bay. The interstate is flush with traditional Wisconsin dairies, including big red barns, grazing cows and plenty of opportunities to stop for cheese. Distance to Sturgeon Bay: two hours and thirty minutes. *See construction note below.

From Madison:

Head north on Hwy. 151. Take exit 148 for Hwy. 26-N toward Rosendale. Merge onto I-41 North toward Appleton. Continue north on I-41 until you merge onto I-43 south towards Milwaukee. Just over the Tower Drive Bridge on I-43 southbound, take exit 185 onto Hwy. 57 towards Sturgeon Bay. Low rolling hills and marshlands mark the central part of the state before the Niagara Escarpment begins rising out of Lake Winnebago. Distance to Sturgeon Bay: three hours.

From Chicago*:

Head north on I-94 toward Milwaukee. Continue onto I-43 in Milwaukee. Travel north on I-43. Take exit 185 onto Hwy. 57 towards Sturgeon Bay. Watch the hustle and bustle give way to Wisconsin’s rolling countryside on your way to a relaxing time away from the city. Distance to Sturgeon Bay: four hours and fifteen minutes. *See construction note below.

From Minneapolis:

Travel east on I-94 toward Eau Claire. Take exit 52 onto Hwy. 29. Merge onto Hwy. 51-S toward I-39. Take exit 187 onto Hwy. 29 toward Green Bay. Merge onto I-41 north in Green Bay, then merge onto I-43 south towards Milwaukee. Just over the Tower Drive Bridge on I-43 southbound, take exit 185 onto Hwy. 57 towards Sturgeon Bay. Pass by some of the richest farmland in the state and the edges of Wisconsin’s timberland to the north before reaching the blue waters of Green Bay and Lake Michigan. Distance to Sturgeon Bay: five hours.

 

*2021 Construction Note:
Please be aware that in 2021 there is currently road construction on Hwy 57 around I-43 northbound exit ramp 185, which is currently closed. Follow the posted detour signs on I-43 to be properly routed back to Hwy 57 north to Sturgeon Bay. The detour route should only add 5-10 minutes of travel time. View a map of the short detour route here. We apologize for the inconvenience, but it'll help you enjoy Door County that much more!

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Ground Transportation

Babler Bus Service, Inc.

(800) 763-0146

Motor Coach Charter & Tour Service. A locally owned second generation company providing Motor Coach charters & tours to Door County / all of North Eastern Wisconsin for 20+ years. We are fully licensed & insured providing safe, clean, reliable transportation. Consider us for your wedding, family reunion, business or any group transportation need from 20 - 250 people. Our full size coaches seat up to 56 passengers each. See our website for more info on bus tours to Chicago & other tours we offer.

Many of the marinas in Door County have transient boat slips suited for multi-day visitors. Contact the local marina for reservations and the amenities offered.

The Washington Island Ferry provides transportation between the mainland peninsula and Washington Island year-round.

The Lake Michigan Car Ferry links Ludington, Michigan with Manitowoc, Wisconsin, turning a 450-mile drive into a four-hour cruise on the S.S. Badger across the open waters of Lake Michigan. From Manitowoc, there is an additional one hour and fifteen minute drive to get to Sturgeon Bay. The car ferry sails seven days a week from mid-May to mid-October and reservations are recommended.

Ferries

Island Clipper

(920) 854-2972

The Island Clipper departs Gills Rock at the tip of the Door Peninsula and carries visitors through island-studded waters to picturesque Washington Island. The 65 ft., 149 seat all-weather craft, with the latest in safety and navigational equipment, makes the seven mile, 20 minute trip relaxing and enjoyable with comfort seating and narration of your voyage through Death's Door. Once you're on the Island, take a guided 90-minute tour. The Viking Train stops at four points of interest.

Traveling to Door County by air is more convenient than most travelers realize. The traffic-free drive from Austin Straubel Airport in Green Bay to the heart of Sturgeon Bay takes under an hour, faster than the commute from O’hare Airport to downtown Chicago. Many visitors incorporate a pilgrimage to Lambeau Field in their travels to Door County before the drive north that offers views of the bay and quaint rural countryside the entire trip.

Three international airports in Wisconsin can serve as your gateway to Door County. The nearest is the Austin Straubel Airport in Green Bay (one hour drive to Sturgeon Bay). The Appleton Airport is the next closest (one hour and twenty minutes to Sturgeon Bay). Milwaukee’s General Mitchell Airport (two hours and thirty minutes to Sturgeon Bay) is the largest of the three. All three airports offer car rentals on site.

The county does have two smaller airports, Cherryland Airport in Sturgeon Bay and the Ephraim-Gibraltar Airport in Fish Creek. These airports are for smaller crafts and you should contact the airport operators before travel.

Airline Reservations

Local Airports

Technical Info (Airnav) for Pilots

International Airport