Sault Ste. Marie to Thunder Bay

The Lake Superior stretch — 700 km of the most remote highway driving in Ontario

700 km 8+ Hours Highway 17
Highway 17
Sault Ste. Marie to Thunder Bay
700 km
8+ hours
Gaps up to 100-150 km

This Is the One

If there's one section of the Trans-Canada that everyone talks about, this is it. The 700 km from Sault Ste. Marie to Thunder Bay along the north shore of Lake Superior is the most remote, most challenging, and — on a clear day — the most visually stunning stretch of highway in Ontario. It's also where the most things can go wrong.

Reddit threads about crossing Canada consistently identify this section as the part that caught them off guard. The fuel gaps are real. The lack of cell service is real. The moose are real. And the sheer length of driving through boreal forest with minimal services takes a mental toll. But with proper preparation, it's manageable and genuinely memorable.

Before You Leave Sault Ste. Marie: Fill your fuel tank completely. Check your spare tire pressure. Download offline maps. Tell someone your route and expected arrival time. Bring water, snacks, and a phone charger. This is not an exaggeration — this is standard advice from everyone who has driven this route.

The Route Breakdown

Sault Ste. Marie to Wawa (230 km, 2.5 hrs)

The first section heads north along the Lake Superior shoreline. Batchawana Bay, about 75 km out, has a gas station and is your first fuel opportunity. Lake Superior Provincial Park begins shortly after and runs for about 80 km along the highway. The park has some of the best scenery on the entire Trans-Canada — Old Woman Bay is a frequently-photographed stop where the highway runs between towering cliffs and Superior's shoreline.

Must Stop

Wawa (km 230)

Population 2,900. Famous for the giant Canada Goose statue at the highway junction. Wawa has fuel (fill up regardless of your gauge), motels, a grocery store, and several restaurants. The Young's General Store is a local institution. If you're doing this drive in two days, Wawa is the most common overnight stop. The Wawa Motor Inn and Mystic Isle Motel are the main options — book ahead in summer.

Wawa to White River (90 km, 1 hr)

A relatively short section through dense boreal forest. The highway climbs inland away from the lake. Not much between the two towns except trees and the occasional logging road.

Fuel Stop

White River (km 320)

Population 600. Claims to be the birthplace of Winnie the Pooh — a Canadian soldier purchased a black bear cub here in 1914, named it Winnipeg (Winnie), and eventually donated it to the London Zoo where A.A. Milne's son met it. There's a statue. Fuel is expensive here but you need it. One motel, one restaurant, limited hours.

White River to Marathon (110 km, 1.5 hrs)

More boreal forest. The highway is two-lane with few passing opportunities. This section can feel endless. Marathon (population 3,300) is a former gold mining town on Peninsula Harbour, Lake Superior. It has fuel, a hospital, and more dining options than you'd expect. The Pebble Beach on Peninsula Harbour is worth the 5-minute detour.

Marathon to Nipigon (210 km, 2.5 hrs)

The longest gap between significant services on this route. You'll pass through Terrace Bay (fuel available, population 1,600) about 80 km past Marathon. After that, Schreiber and Nipigon are the next stops. The highway hugs the Superior shoreline in places through this section, with dramatic views of the lake and the headlands.

Key Town

Nipigon (km 610)

The Nipigon River Bridge is the only point where the Trans-Canada is a single road with no alternative route. If this bridge closes (it happened in 2016), there is literally no way to drive across Canada. The town has fuel and basic services. You're about 90 minutes from Thunder Bay here.

Nipigon to Thunder Bay (110 km, 1.25 hrs)

The home stretch. The highway improves as you approach Thunder Bay, becoming divided four-lane for the final approach. You'll pass the Terry Fox Memorial and Lookout about 10 km east of the city — it marks the spot where Terry Fox was forced to end his Marathon of Hope in 1980. The memorial and the view of Lake Superior from the lookout are both moving. Stop here.

Tip: Drive this section entirely in daylight. Leave Sault Ste. Marie by 7 AM in summer to ensure you reach Thunder Bay before dark. Moose activity peaks at dawn and dusk. A moose on the highway at night is nearly invisible until it's too late — they don't reflect headlights the way deer do.

Fuel Strategy

The golden rule: never pass a gas station with less than half a tank. Actual fuel stops along the route:

  • Batchawana Bay (km 75) — Small station
  • Wawa (km 230) — Multiple stations, fill completely
  • White River (km 320) — One station, premium prices
  • Marathon (km 430) — Reliable, fill here
  • Terrace Bay (km 510) — Small station
  • Nipigon (km 610) — Fill before Thunder Bay push

Cell Service

Expect no reliable cell service for stretches of 50-100 km between Wawa and Marathon. Bell and Telus have slightly better coverage than Rogers in this area, but none are consistent. Download offline maps and music before you leave. If you have a satellite communicator (Garmin inReach, etc.), this is where it earns its cost.

Emergency: If you break down between towns, stay with your vehicle. Flagging down another driver is your best option. OPP patrols the highway but response times can be long. In winter, carry a survival kit: blanket, candles, food, water. People have died from exposure on this highway.
Quick Facts
  • Highway: 17
  • From: Sault Ste. Marie
  • To: Thunder Bay
  • Distance: 700 km
  • Drive Time: 8+ hours
  • Max Fuel Gap: ~150 km
  • Cell: Unreliable
  • Difficulty: High
Route Navigation