Drive Edmonton to Toronto 14 days

so i shall be driving from vancouver to toronto

... i already kind of have a vancouver plan (vancouver-lake louise-banff-jasper-edmonton, etc)

then i was wondering if anyone had any tips for between edmonton and toronto??

in particular between winnipeg and toronto - this part seems a bit empty on the google map!!

it even suggested going through chicago... would this be a better plan??

we're slightly rushed for time and hoping to do the edmonton-toronto part of the journey in 14 days!!

any help for filling out the edmonton - toronto journey would be great!!

Hi,

I have done the Winnipeg to Toronto drive and it's LONG. We drove through Chicago and Detroit on the way there and through Canada on the way back.

We hit traffic around Chicago which definitely seemed to add some time to our trip, but in theory this is supposed to be the shorter way. So if you can take into account, to not hit a rush hour, that would probably be ideal. The roads are great with lots of rest stops.

The recommended trip through Canada is believe it or not, the 11 because of all the twists and turns which add to the amount of time the 17 would take. The 11 also takes you through some beautiful country. Winter driving would be slightly terrifying though, so this depends on when you plan to do this. Gas stations also start to get few and far between eventually to, so you want to make sure to fill up when you have the chance.

You can double check with some people, but I was told by people who drove each route many times, that it's faster than the 17, although the 17 runs along the Great Lakes and is probably also very scenic.

Either way it's still a bit of a drive. It took us about 30 hours I believe on the way there. So keep that in mind.

Good luck and maybe you should take me to Toronto with you. I'm overdue for a visit.

Cheers,

Amie

In the meantime I'll try to think of things to see along the way.

Cool! I live here and have always wanted to drive across Canada. The enemy's usually time, lol, but really 14 days is PLENTY. I know that at best Edmonton - Toronto can be done in 3 day's time. There's different way's, but the choice lies in whether or not you want to see Northern Ontario (scenery's nice) or Chicago/Detroit, like you say. Either way, you'll be happy... just know that 14 day's is way more then enough time to do it comfortably.

Kevin

I've driven across the country a few times and I'm a photo buff and interested in local "stuff"; so I plan time for impromptu stops & slight detours. For instance, near Thunder Bay there's the Terry Fox memorial.

I've never actually made the trip just to get there, in a hurry.

I've driven at this time of year but I had perfect weather all the way. The Thunder Bay to Sudbury leg is long and sparsely populated, but I found it spectacular and I stopped often for photos, especially the first time I drove it - it was in the spring. Make sure your vehicle is in good shape - CAA is a good idea. (If you're not a member I could "sponsor" you and make $10 in that process.)

I would save a trip to Chicago mainly to plan for more time & maybe another season.

Don't forget Out-Of-Province/Country medical insurance - very inexpensive at CAA.

Have a good one!

Claude

Thanks for all the help... i think chicago sounds like a really nice city... but i was worried if i took it that id miss out some nice canadianess which is what im really here for!

If anyone has done the route and has any recommendations let me know!!

[ Edit: Edited on Oct 20, 2008, at 3:24 PM by j3nn1f3r14 ]

Having lived in Chicago - don't try to include it in a Canadian trip. Chicago is better included in a Midwestern US adventure. Enjoy Canada and then decide if you want to visit the upper Midwest at some point. Between Chicago, Minneapolis (lived there too), St. Louis and a few other cities, that's an experience in and of itself. Enjoy Canada.

Sorry, can't help with a Canadian route - only been to Montreal...

I was told the 11 is best from the Manitoba/Ontario border to Toronto, even though it veers quite north. Apparently it's shorter than going along the Great Lakes. I did it, and it can get sparse (fuel up when you can etc) but it was quite beautiful. If you could even set a night or two for camping that would be awesome.