​​Michigan Highway 53 is a north-south highway in the eastern portion of the Lower Peninsula, spanning from Metro Detroit north to the tip of the "thumb".  The southern end of Michigan Highway 53 is at Michigan Highway 3 in near-northeast Detroit, and it heads north a considerable distance from there.  It serves several Detroit suburbs, including Warren and Sterling Heights, as it continues north. Beyond Metro Detroit, Michigan Highway 53 passes through Romeo, Imlay City, and Marlette.  On the "thumb" of the Lower Peninsula, it passes through Bad Axe to reach Port Austin, at the tip of the "thumb". In Port Austin, Michigan Highway 25's eastern leg comes in from the east to join Michigan Highway 53 north toward the beach.  Near the Lake Huron shoreline though, Michigan Highway 53 ends, and Michigan Highway 25 leaves it for dead to continue west along the southern shore of the lake.

My photo of Michigan Highway 53 comes from its northernmost stretch, duplexed with Michigan Highway 25 in Port Austin.  The pair of reassurance markers inform drivers that they are continuing west on Michigan Highway 25 by driving north at this point, and that Michigan Highway 53 isn't done quite yet! This photo was taken on April 2021 as I was driving around Metro Detroit and the "thumb".

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