uncivilengineer Posted December 22, 2011 Report Share Posted December 22, 2011 Ok, so it's not the brightest idea, but the girlfriend and I begin out trek to live out west next week and I have a question about Ontario driving. Going through the US is not really an option with a carload of all of our possessions so we'll be keeping to the true north area and there are two options for our trip between Quebec and Manitoba. The main thing is between Ottawa and Thunder Bay, there are two options, and each will need us to stay one night in between because 22 hours a day of driving is NUTS! So the main question is, Route 17 to the North or Route 11 to the South (mind you we're only talking an hour travel difference) there are implications on both routes and I've never traveled on either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beaubie Posted December 22, 2011 Report Share Posted December 22, 2011 Looking at the two routes, why would you drive south to 11 only to have to drive up north again? Or are you cutting through Ontario from Ottawa (like 60, which breaks off from 17 just outside of Ottawa) I think 17 would be the better route. I've been up 11 a few times from Toronto (not to Thunder Bay, mind you) but to about 200 km north of North Bay and that route is alright. It gets a little sparse up there though. From Ottawa to North Bay, 17 looks best. From there though, I'm not so sure which would be the better way either in terms of services or road quality or driving conditions. Sorry I'm not really providing any valuable info but looking at things from a topical perspective 17 just looks like it's a better route. I'm not sure how populated it is along 17 but that curve 11 does in the North just doesn't look great. At least 17 stays by the edge. In any case, good luck and have fun. I guess a road trip in which you are carrying everything you own is a bit different but driving around and through places seems like a fun things to do. Also, be safe - don't know what's running around out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncivilengineer Posted December 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 22, 2011 Looking at the two routes, why would you drive south to 11 only to have to drive up north again? Or are you cutting through Ontario from Ottawa (like 60, which breaks off from 17 just outside of Ottawa) I think 17 would be the better route. I've been up 11 a few times from Toronto (not to Thunder Bay, mind you) but to about 200 km north of North Bay and that route is alright. It gets a little sparse up there though. From Ottawa to North Bay, 17 looks best. From there though, I'm not so sure which would be the better way either in terms of services or road quality or driving conditions. Sorry I'm not really providing any valuable info but looking at things from a topical perspective 17 just looks like it's a better route. I'm not sure how populated it is along 17 but that curve 11 does in the North just doesn't look great. At least 17 stays by the edge. In any case, good luck and have fun. I guess a road trip in which you are carrying everything you own is a bit different but driving around and through places seems like a fun things to do. Also, be safe - don't know what's running around out there. Any input helps, the problem I've found since posting is that the lower route gets closed more often because the lake effect gives more snow, both routes going from ottawa are similar give or take about half an hour driving, which in the grand scheme of things isn't much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddienmike Posted December 22, 2011 Report Share Posted December 22, 2011 Enjoy your trip Uncivil,sorry can't help you with your route,are you coming to Vancouver,need to see a HABS game,I have RDS if your ever in the area,Take care that's a long road,and not he best time of the year to travel. GO HABS GO :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncivilengineer Posted December 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 22, 2011 Enjoy your trip Uncivil,sorry can't help you with your route,are you coming to Vancouver,need to see a HABS game,I have RDS if your ever in the area,Take care that's a long road,and not he best time of the year to travel. GO HABS GO :lol: Haha thanks, I'm headed to Kelowna but without the job for me its still up in the air overall where I end up. We're trying to get tickets to the game in March. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kinot-1 Posted December 22, 2011 Report Share Posted December 22, 2011 IMHO,,,,#11 looks too desolate to me in this weather,,,,,,the section between Longlac and Hearst is 212 Ks,,,with nothing (or so it seems) inbetween. The 2 highways are about the same distance from Ottawa to Sudbury, and then to Thunder Bay #11 or #17. #17 seems to have more towns along the way, if you need them (gas, eats, shelter etc.). I have done both (although not from Ottawa), albeit 33 years ago, but I don't think the route has changed much. Your right about the lake effect, so do your homework (weather, towns etc.)and be prepared to change routes if necessary. Check out the forcast for Timmins, the Soo, Sudbury,,,Wawa from the weather network online. Have your emergency kit handy as well. Good Luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest habs1952 Posted December 24, 2011 Report Share Posted December 24, 2011 Ok, so it's not the brightest idea, but the girlfriend and I begin out trek to live out west next week and I have a question about Ontario driving. Going through the US is not really an option with a carload of all of our possessions so we'll be keeping to the true north area and there are two options for our trip between Quebec and Manitoba. The main thing is between Ottawa and Thunder Bay, there are two options, and each will need us to stay one night in between because 22 hours a day of driving is NUTS! So the main question is, Route 17 to the North or Route 11 to the South (mind you we're only talking an hour travel difference) there are implications on both routes and I've never traveled on either. I'm assuming your traveling from Montreal so....You could take Hwy.117 from Montreal to Hwy. 66 to Hwy. 11 and take the northern route (117 in Quebec turns into 66 in Ontario). Other than that I don't know which route would be the best weather wise. Just make sure you've always got lots of gas no matter which way you go. Know anyone in the trucking business? Can you call a trucking business? They could probably give you the best info. Have a safe trip Uncivil whichever route you go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncivilengineer Posted December 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2011 Greetings from halfway between Thunder Bay and Winnipeg. Took route 11. It is the one you want to do in winter if anyone ever asks this kind of question again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kinot-1 Posted December 30, 2011 Report Share Posted December 30, 2011 Greetings from halfway between Thunder Bay and Winnipeg. Took route 11. It is the one you want to do in winter if anyone ever asks this kind of question again. Glad to hear your enjoying your trip. Good luck the rest of the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forever_Habs10 Posted December 30, 2011 Report Share Posted December 30, 2011 Now....take the next left exit.....and stay the course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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