I’ve driven across the windswept deserts of Arizona in a sandstorm, through Appalachia with a busted axle, and in the dead of a Montana blizzard using nothing but chains and grit. But let me tell you—few things test your mettle like driving in Michigan after a disaster hits. Cracked pavement, narrow shoulderless highways, forgotten forest roads—if you’re not prepared, Michigan will eat you alive. The state’s infrastructure is a patchwork quilt of old industrial routes, pothole-riddled backstreets, and seasonal access roads that seem to vanish when you need them most.
So when disaster strikes—be it an ice storm, tornado, chemical spill, or civil unrest—you better be ready to outdrive the chaos. Below are the roads you should avoid in Michigan when SHTF, the survival driving skills to get you out of harm’s way, and a few DIY hacks if your tank runs dry in the middle of nowhere.
The 5 Worst Roads in Michigan to Drive on During a Disaster
1. I-94 Between Detroit and Jackson
I-94 is a vital artery, but in a crisis, it turns into a clogged vein. Construction is constant, traffic backups are brutal, and exits are limited. When panic sets in, this stretch becomes a parking lot. Worse, if you’re caught during a snowstorm or flash freeze, you’re stuck—possibly for hours, maybe days.
2. M-39 (Southfield Freeway)
This one’s a death trap when it rains, snows, or floods. The underpasses flood so fast you’d think Poseidon had a hand in designing them. In a disaster, your odds of getting stuck under a flooded viaduct are alarmingly high.
3. M-10 (Lodge Freeway)
Known for sharp turns and reckless drivers, M-10 is tough to manage even on a good day. In a mass-evacuation or emergency situation, it becomes a twisted mess of broken-down vehicles and frustrated drivers with nowhere to go.
4. Telegraph Road (US-24)
Once a major thoroughfare, Telegraph has aged poorly. Deep potholes, worn paint, and uneven surfaces make it a tire killer. Add a disaster scenario and you’re looking at suspension damage, loss of control, or worse.
5. M-59 (Hall Road)
Hall Road is Michigan’s strip mall superhighway—cluttered, confusing, and full of people who drive like they’ve never seen a turn signal. When things go bad, everyone floods here, hoping for supplies. You’ll find gridlock, road rage, and nowhere to go.
15 Survival Driving Skills You Need When the Grid Goes Down
- Know Your Exit Routes
Always memorize at least three ways out of your city—main roads, back roads, and rural trails. - Read the Terrain
In Michigan, snow hides potholes and floods disguise sinkholes. Train yourself to read water lines, tree movement, and road texture. - Drive Without GPS
Learn to read paper maps, follow compass bearings, and use natural landmarks like rivers and elevation to navigate. - Brake Feathering on Ice
Avoid slamming your brakes on slick roads. Instead, feather them—light, pulsing taps that keep traction without losing control. - Off-Road Transitioning
When roads fail, you’ll need to take to the forest, ditches, or fields. Know how to gently drop off curbs and cross rough terrain without bottoming out. - High Water Assessment
Never drive through standing water unless you can judge depth. If you can’t see the road markings, it’s too deep. - Combat Reverse
Master the art of reversing through narrow passages under pressure—especially important during blocked escape routes. - Swerve Control
Practice controlling your vehicle during evasive maneuvers. Swerving too hard leads to rollover—keep your hands light and don’t overcorrect. - Engine Management in Cold Weather
Michigan winters are brutal. Keep a block heater, monitor oil viscosity, and always carry a thermal blanket for engine emergencies. - Clutch & Coast
If you’re running low on fuel or trying to escape silently, knowing how to coast in neutral or clutch can save gas and reduce noise. - Know How to Fix a Flat (Fast)
Disasters don’t wait for AAA. Practice changing a tire under five minutes—blindfolded, if you want a challenge. - Use Mirrors Like a Hawk
You can’t afford tunnel vision. Train yourself to check mirrors every five seconds—spot ambushes, detours, and traffic snarls early. - Run Flat Awareness
Not every tire will die with a bang. Feel for pull, vibration, and steering lag—change it before it strands you. - Situational Lights Discipline
Use brake lights sparingly when fleeing. Tail lights scream your position. Know when to go dark. - Evade & Obscure
Use smoke, road flares, or mud to obscure your vehicle from pursuers or drones. Always be ready to vanish.
3 DIY Survival Driving Hacks When You Run Out of Gas
- Siphon with a Water Bottle and Tube
Keep a few feet of clear tubing and a clean water bottle. You can siphon fuel from abandoned vehicles using gravity and suction. Just be careful—gas fumes are toxic. Never do this near flame or spark. - Emergency Biofuel Blend
If you’re driving a diesel engine, you can blend vegetable oil (from restaurants or pantries) with a small amount of rubbing alcohol and let it settle. Filter well. It’s rough—but it might get you 10–20 more miles to safety. - Solar Heat & Pressure Hack
On sunny days, place a sealed metal gas can in a hot area (like the car roof) to slightly pressurize remaining vapors. Then, carefully tip it toward your fuel intake using gravity to draw every drop. Slow, but better than nothing.
Final Word From the Road
I’ve driven through chaos in more places than I can count—New Orleans post-Katrina, NorCal during wildfire evacuations, and Flint during the water crisis. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: mobility is survival. If your vehicle becomes a prison on wheels, you’re done.
Michigan is a land of contrast—gleaming cities, thick pine forests, frozen lakes, and endless cornfields. But its roads weren’t built for disaster. They were built cheap, patched over decades, and stretched beyond their limits. So you’ve got to make up the difference with skill, smarts, and nerve.
Keep your rig maintained. Practice those survival driving skills like your life depends on them—because one day, it just might. And when you’re sitting at the edge of the road, watching others panic while you’re quietly driving off into the woods with a full tank, you’ll know you’ve made it to a higher level.
Stay sharp. Stay quiet. Keep moving.
TheDailyChristian 