If — like me — you care about your car as if it were your child, then you are surely concerned about the abysmal roads in the state of Michigan.
Naturally, East Lansing is bound to have roads that are sure to rattle your bones (and your suspension). So I took the time to drive around the city to find and bring to your attention the five worst roads in the city.
This hilly abomination is a concern if you’re looking for a less-traveled route from the north side of the city to the south. I would say take Abbot Road, but that’s just as bad — we’ll get to that one later.
Alas, this road is among the least awful of the awful, because it’s not too traffic-heavy. This allows you to take it at your own speed, sparing you and your car some misery.
4. Wildwood Drive, east of North Harrison
I debated hard about switching this one and North Harrison, but when I drove down this unassuming road I knew based on condition alone it had to be ranked higher.
This road looks like it hasn’t been touched in decades. It would be even higher still if it weren’t a side street that sees little traffic. I just feel bad for those who have to live on it. Lovely houses there, by the way.
3. Physics Road
This post-apocalyptic monstrosity’s only saving grace is it’s such a short stretch of road. If you’ve ever rode the 31 bus to Grand River Avenue, you will have felt the wrath of this unforgiving back-breaker as it passes Snyder-Phillips Hall.
The condition of this road has got to be the worst of any on this list. If you are a mechanic, you should recommend traversing this “road” to all of your customers. You’ll have a line of cars with broken suspensions so long you’ll be able to retire when it’s finished, if it ever is.
2. Abbot Road
Between the constant construction and pavement with more bumps than the back of a toad, anybody who’s ever driven in East Lansing knows about this local tragedy.
Good luck driving down this road on a Friday night after 10 p.m. Flanked on both sides by frats and bars, you’ll have to avoid Ubers and Lyfts, students who may or may not be having a good time, and — of course — detours. Abbot Road is the epitome of chaos.
1. Hagadorn Road, between Grand River Avenue and Hannah Boulevard
East Neighborhood, I know you feel me on this one. I lived there for two years, and I still have nightmares of traveling this god-forsaken stretch of road.
Every crack feels like you’re hitting a wall. There is no way to dodge a pothole, because there’s likely a car to your right and left. There’s a fair chance you’ll get stuck behind a train, and once it has passed, going through those rail crossings will cause you to slip a disk.
Avoid this road at all costs. Misery leaks from every crack and divot down this fractured, backed-up, inexcusable disgrace of a road. Without a doubt, it is the worst road in East Lansing.
(Dis)honorable Mention: All of Frandor Shopping Center
The only reason Frandor isn’t number one is because it isn't technically in East Lansing.
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It’s almost a joke how appalling the asphalt is here. I dare somebody to find a road in Frandor that doesn’t have some sort of crack or pothole on it. No wonder Belle Tire decided to set up shop there; any time somebody drives in, they’ll come out with blisters on their new tires.
Don’t get me wrong, I love Frandor; some of my favorite stores are there. But my heart aches every time have to drive there.
Word to the wise: Take the bus.
