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M-185 (Michigan highway) facts for kids

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M-185 marker

M-185
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Map of the Straits of Mackinac with M-185 highlighted in red
Route information
Maintained by MDOT
Length 8.004 mi (12.881 km)
Existed July 12, 1933 (1933-07-12)–present
Restrictions Pedestrians, bicycles or horses only
Major junctions
Loop around Mackinac Island
  Fort Street
British Landing Road
Location
Counties: Mackinac
Highway system
Michigan State Trunkline Highway System
Interstate • US • State (CDH)
M-184 M-186


M-185 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Michigan. It circles Mackinac Island. Mackinac Island is a popular tourist place on the Lake Huron side of the Straits of Mackinac. The highway is along the island's coast. The highway is a thin paved road that is 8.004 miles (12.881 km) long. There are scenic views of the straits that divide the Upper and the Lower peninsulas of Michigan. It also has views of Lakes Huron and Michigan. It doesn't connect to any other Michigan state highways. This is because it is on an island. People can only get to it by passenger ferry.

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) says that the M-185 is "the only state highway in the nation where motor vehicles are banned". Traffic on it is by foot, on horse, by horse-drawn vehicle, or by bicycle. Cars have been banned on the island since the 1890s. Only a few vehicles have been allowed on the island other than the city's emergency vehicles. The highway was built during the first decade of the 20th century by the state. It was designated as a state highway in 1933. The highway was paved in the 1950s. Parts were rebuilt to deal with coastal erosion in the 1980s. Until an accident in 2005, it was the only state highway without any car accidents.

Major intersections

Mile 1 Marker M-185 Mackinac Island
Newer milemarker sign erected along the highway in 2011

The highway is on Mackinac Island. That island is in Mackinac County. Milemarkers are posted in a counterclockwise way.

mi km Destinations Notes
0.000 0.000 Fort Street Endpoint used for milemarkers
4.552 7.326 British Landing Road Leads to interior of the island; British Landing
7.607 12.242 Market Street Leads to many signposted historic sites in the downtown area
8.004 12.881 Fort Street Endpoint used for milemarkers
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

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