Driving from Toronto to Calgary - Route advice please

[Ekliptix]

I'm driving a car from Toronto to Calgary in 2 weeks with a friend.
According to Google maps, there are 3 main routeshttps://www.google.ca/maps/dir/Toron...51.0486151!3e0

They are all similar in time, but I expect the scenery may be better with one route over another.

Anyone with input on which route may be the most enjoyable, I'll appreciate your experience.

Thanks

[jwslam]

From everyone I've talked to (not personal experience)
Do NOT go through Northern Ontario. Single lane each way, 60kph, many logger trucks, too many twists and turns to pass.

[ExtraSlow]

G0 through the US, do not go around the north side of lake superior.
Cheaper gas, cheaper food, better service, everything better.

[bh87]

I would choose the route that goes near/past Chicago, a friend of mine that did a coast to coast road trip a couple years ago went that route on the way to Toronto and then the all Canada route on the way back. He said there was way more places to stop/visit and things to see in the US and that the Canada route was actually awful. Poorly maintained (this could be different now since he drove it a couple years ago) and just about nothing to see for most of it as it was either a clear cut road through a forest or a flat prairie and nowhere to stop for long gaps at a time.

Check what places would make the most sense for you if you wanted to stop, the route I like you can decide which border crossing you want to go through (check wait times before you arrive) either Sarnia or Detroit/Windsor, stop in Chicago and in St. Paul/Minneapolis (Mall of America is there). You also get to avoid state parks that could have slower speeds and are likely full of families with campers and trailers which the other USA route goes through.

[ganesh]

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From everyone I've talked to (not personal experience)
Do NOT go through Northern Ontario. Single lane each way, 60kph, many logger trucks, too many twists and turns to pass.

Isn't northern ON is beautiful? I thought @Ekliptix wanted scenery route.

[2Legit2Quit]

I just did Calgary to PEI about 3 weeks ago, highway 17 and 11 are trash in terms of paving and yes down to one lane each way which can be very frustrating. Some areas are very scenic but unless you are really taking your time then there's not much point in going this route unless you aren't pressed for time.

Unless you don't want to deal with Customs for whatever reason, I'd go through the states for time and fuel savings...gas was upwards of $1.30 for 87 octane in some spots fuuuuuuuuuuu.

[SkiBum5.0]

I have done this trip half a dozen times. My vote for speed is the US route - Chicago is a nightmare - try to arrive there at 10-1pm. This route is boring.
Second option is to take the northern way - always my favourite because that's where my family is from. You can usually do Toronto - Sault Ste Marie at a leisurely pace. I always stopped in Nipigon, ON which is a small town. Then Regina, and on to Calgary. Very scenic along 17 but be careful around Dryden, ON. That's OPP training ground, and they like them some AB plates. Spots along the way are the Terry Fox Memorial outside Thunder Bay, The Big Goose in Wawa, Lake of the Woods near Kenora, The Canadian Mint in Winnipeg.

EDIT: almost forgot - have to check out the Hoito for pancakes in Thunder Bay - bet you can't eat 6. If you are stopping, may as well get some Persians from the Persian Man as well.

[ercchry]

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From everyone I've talked to (not personal experience)
Do NOT go through Northern Ontario. Single lane each way, 60kph, many logger trucks, too many twists and turns to pass.

It's 90, not 60... twists and turns are fun, it's also beautiful and traffic is pretty mild, we did about 120km/h the whole way... which I don't recommend near Sault Ste. Marie (2 tickets, one on each side of town... only ones the whole trip)

I pick north, cause you don't have to time passing through major urban centres, or time border crossings, plus I usually have dogs so don't need to worry about vet letters or any other nonsense

Gas wasn't too bad... except in Sault Ste. Marie, hwy robbery there... which is weird considering it's a border town

[Marsh]

I've done this route. Definitely go through the US as you highlighted on your map. That is the best route for sure. speed is quicker, better scenery, better food, cheaper gas.

[SkiBum5.0]

I guess I'm wondering what scenery you get on the US route (southern one) versus through Canada? I get that there are large patches of nothing on the Canadian route - I prefer that. The middle route utilizes a ferry that you have to time just right - it's also really expensive - $150-200 for a car plus two people. Did you you see all the construction icons on that southern route? It took us almost 2 hours to cross the greater Chicago area getting there near 9:30am (too early + heavy construction).

[HiTempguy1]

Having towed these routes, north all the way. Do 15 over and the cops wont give a shit.

Go along the great lakes for views though. It says the far north route is quicker, but thats only if you go slow.

[jacky4566]

Fuel prices alone make the US trip easier. Looking at Gas buddy its around .80-85$/L right now.

[never]

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I'm driving a car from Toronto to Calgary in 2 weeks with a friend.
According to Google maps, there are 3 main routeshttps://www.google.ca/maps/dir/Toron...51.0486151!3e0

They are all similar in time, but I expect the scenery may be better with one route over another.

Anyone with input on which route may be the most enjoyable, I'll appreciate your experience.

Thanks

What will you be driving?

[SinisterProbeGt]

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G0 through the US, do not go around the north side of lake superior.
Cheaper gas, cheaper food, better service, everything better.

you will also want to go below the "Lake of the Woods" you will go to the US side again but you get to take a sweet land bridge Kinda like the Florida keys

[Ekliptix]

The consensus is go the south US route with HiTempguy's comment being the most convincing to take one of the 2 Canadian routes. Leaning towards the south US route at the moment.

Driving this:

[never]

That thing is awesome!

[HiTempguy1]

If you go south, its basically all interstate. Seems a crying shame.to do such a roadtrip in that truck and to go south, but maybe that is just me. Do you have a 700r4 in it? Another bonus is you won't be run off the road if it is only a 3 speed and ypu cruise at 65mph.

I'll say it again, The North route is beautiful.

[ercchry]

Will you have your new truck registered? Might be a pain in the ass depending on customs officer crossing back and forth on in transit permits

[85regal]

I have done the northern ontario route and it would be my first choice again. It is very scenic and worth seeing once if you are not in a huge rush. If time is a factor and not into scenic drives, then just go through the states.

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If you go south, its basically all interstate. Seems a crying shame.to do such a roadtrip in that truck and to go south, but maybe that is just me. Do you have a 700r4 in it? Another bonus is you won't be run off the road if it is only a 3 speed and ypu cruise at 65mph.

I'll say it again, The North route is beautiful.

i completely agree

[OTown]

Ive done both multiple times. Go the US route. If you have some extra time I would definitely recommend making a day trips/stop in Chicago. Pretty neat city.

Last time I did it I went through Detroit tunnel, made a stop in chicago, then continued west on the 90 towards Sioux falls since I wanted to see Black Hills/Mount Rushmore, then north along Great Falls. But the later part is a bit of a detour.