Air
- Companies:Delta Airlines, American Airlines
- Duration:Approximately 7 hours (including layovers)
- Distance:2,800 miles
- Costs: €350 - €450 (round trip, prices may vary)
- Roads/Routes: Not applicable
Pro Tip: Book your flight during the weekday to benefit from lower fares and less crowded airports.
To travel from Santa Maria, CA to Howard City, MI, consider taking a connecting flight as there are no direct flights. Start at Santa Maria Airport (SMX) and fly to a major hub such as LAX, then connect to a flight heading to Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) in Michigan. From there, you can rent a car or take a bus to reach Howard City.
Road Trip
- Distance:Approximately 2,000 miles
- Duration: 30 hours of driving time (not including breaks)
- Costs: €250 for fuel (at €1.50/L assuming 35 MPG and gas prices), +€100 for meals and lodging if staying overnight.
- Roads/Routes:I-5 North, I-40 East, I-70 East, then I-96 North.
Pro Tip: Download offline maps or a GPS app to ensure you stay on track, especially through rural areas where signal may be weak.
For a scenic road trip, take I-5 North out of Santa Maria, join I-40 East at Barstow, and continue to I-70 East through Colorado. This route offers beautiful landscapes and several interesting small towns to stop at along the way for breaks.
Bus
- Companies:Greyhound, FlixBus
- Duration:Approximately 40 hours (including layover times)
- Distance:2,100 miles
- Costs: €150 - €200 (one-way, varies by booking date)
- Roads/Routes: Bus routes vary, check your company for specifics.
Pro Tip: Book your bus tickets a few weeks in advance to lock in the best prices and plan your journey during off-peak hours for less crowded buses.
Bus travel is a budget-friendly option. Take a Greyhound or FlixBus from Santa Maria to major hubs like Los Angeles, then transfer to a bus heading to Michigan. Note that this will involve multiple transfers and potential long waiting times.