Conveniently sited along the southern shore of Lake Michigan, 10 miles southwest of the Michigan state line and 55 miles southeast of Chicago, Michigan City is an important stop along a vast transportation network that provides easy access via land, air and water.

Interstates 94 and 80/90 lie at the city’s southern border, and US highways 12, 20, 35, 212, and 421 connect the city to neighboring communities. More than 40 carriers provide motor freight service in the Michigan City area, assuring local users of competitive rates and a wide range of services.

Heavy industry and agriculture can take advantage of the Port of Indiana, 15 miles west of Michigan City. This busy international seaport offers shipping access to the Great Lakes Waterway, the St. Lawrence Seaway, and the oceans of the world.

Freight service is readily available, either by rail or air. Rail service is provided by the Chicago, South Shore & South Bend Railroad and Norfolk Southern Railroad. CSX Transportation also has a main line that passes through the city. Certified air freight carriers include Federal Express, United Parcel Service, Airborne, Circle Air Freight, Emery & Purolator, and Towne Air Freight.

Commuters can make use of the historic South Shore line, which runs about 40 trains daily between South Bend, 30 miles east of Michigan City, and Chicago’s Loop. This line, the last electric interurban in the nation, has its headquarters in Michigan City. Amtrak provides daily passenger service to Chicago and Detroit as well.

Two airports serve the area:
Michigan City Municipal Airport and Michiana Regional Transportation Center in South Bend. Michigan City Municipal offers service 24 hours a day, and is readily accessible from I-94. MRTC is the state’s second-busiest airport, with daily direct flights to Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dayton, Detroit, Indianapolis, Milwaukee and St. Louis. Ongoing service is offered to Orlando, Evansville, New York City, Miami, Newark, Denver and Washington, D.C. MRTC also provides storage and maintenance facilities for corporate aircraft, general aviation, and private and transient planes.

Local bus service is provided through Michigan City’s municipal system, which operates five buses Monday through Saturday. Greyhound Bus Lines provides interstate service, with terminals in Michigan City and at MRTC. Tri-State Limo Services offers daily airport service to Midway, O’Hare, and MRTC. Private taxi and limousine services are also available.

Highway Distances

Chicago, Illinois 55 miles west
Cincinnati, Ohio 250 miles southeast
Cleveland, Ohio 285 miles east
Detroit, Michigan 200 miles northeast
Evansville, Indiana 297 miles south
Fort Wayne, Indiana 117 miles east
Indianapolis, Indiana 150 miles south
Kansas City, Missouri 569 miles southwest
Louisville, Kentucky 271 miles south
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 144 miles northwest
Minneapolis, Minnesota 486 miles northwest
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 432 miles east
St. Louis, Missouri 318 miles southwest
South Bend, Indiana 34 miles east
Toledo, Ohio 150 miles east

Location

Michigan City, Indiana is nestled on the southern shore of Lake Michigan, adjacent to Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and Indiana Dunes State Park.

The city is in northern LaPorte County, 10 miles southwest of the Michigan state line and 55 miles southeast of Chicago.

The diversified local economy features a sound industrial base accompanied by strong retail, service and tourist sectors. Its proximity to Chicago and other major Midwestern markets makes it a natural production and distribution center.

Michigan City’s climate is four-seasonal and moderate. Lake Michigan has a tempering effect, keeping air warmer in winter and cooler in summer. The coldest month of the year is typically January, with an average high of 30.4° and an average low of 14.9°. July is usually the warmest month, with an average high of 82.7° and an average low of 62.3°.

Next Topic

Previous Topic