Cars are a way of life in Michigan, perhaps even more than any other US state - after all, Detroit is known as the ‘Motor City'. The state is covered by an extensive network of freeways and highways. Multi-lane freeways, which have a maximum speed limit of 113kph (70mph), are distinguished by a thick line on maps. Highways may be more than two lanes but are marked by thinner lines and have a maximum speed limit of 89kph (55mph). All freeways and highways are named according to numerical convention. Traffic drives on the right and seat belts must be worn at all times. The minimum driving age is 16 years. Proof of insurance is compulsory and foreign drivers must possess a licence from their country of origin. The maximum legal alcohol to blood ratio for driving is 0.08%.

Emergency breakdown service: The American Automobile Association (AAA)  (tel: 1 800 222 6424).

Routes to the city: Major freeways connecting Detroit with its suburbs and beyond include: I-75, which connects to Ohio in the south and to Flint in the north; I-94, which connects with Ann Arbor and Kalamazoo to the west and Sarnia to the northeast; and I-96, which connects with Lansing and Grand Rapids to the west. The Detroit-Windsor Tunnel is a toll tunnel connecting Detroit with Windsor, Ontario, Canada, which is just to the north.

Driving times to Detroit: From Flint (Michigan) - 1 hour; Cleveland (Ohio) - 3 hours 45 minutes; Toronto (Canada) - 4 hours 30 minutes.

Coach services: Greyhound (tel: 1 800 231 2222; website: www.greyhound.com) operates regular inter-city services out of the Detroit Greyhound Bus Terminal (tel: (313) 961 8011), 1001 Howard Avenue. Facilities include vending machines, toilets, lockers and tourist information. Charter coach services can also be hired from Greyhound (tel: 1 800 454 2487).