I'm considering a drive from Toronto to Prince Rupert in mid may, on the transcanada Hwy. I'm stealing one of your females, and that's when the visa paperwork should be done. Anybody ever do it? Looks like a haul, but figure it'd be a hell of a trip to do, and probably never have the opportunity to do it again.

I've done prince George to Timmins a few times.

You would really have to have a burning inner desire to see what prairie looks like to get anything out of it.

The Rockies are nice, but given your in the coast mtns I doubt you'd be that impressed with them either.

I could see the prairies being a bit boring.. Stores/gas stations pretty common along the hwy, or do you really need to plan things out?

The stretch between Kenora,ON and Vermillion Bay, ON is a death rd.

Why so?

I driven it numerous times and apart from occasional construction, never had any delays or problems.

Jim

It has gotten better since they added the passing lanes going up hills. It is a slow stretch of road though.


ddj

I have been driving this stretch of road for 40+ yrs,still alive.

Stores and gas stations are pretty common. As long as you can get a few hundred km's between fill ups, you'll be fine.

I agree that the drive is 80% boring and 20% interesting/beautiful.

You're stealing one of our girls?

We have laws against kidnapping up here you know.

Not many locals are killed on the Vermillion Bay to Kenora section of road. It seems a heavy foot and inattentiveness( is that even a word) are the biggest problems. Pay attention and it is a beautiful piece of country.

Randy

Calvin;
With the understanding that I've driven the highways from Winnipeg to Prince Rupert and have not driven east of Winnipeg as yet, I would suggest the following.

In the main it's pretty good road heading west from Winnipeg and depending on where you begin to swing northward, as has been said there are plenty of fuel stops available. Certainly more than say running through some parts of rural Wyoming where I recall being very pleased to see they sold gas in Lusk!

My cyber friend Jordan probably hit the mathematical equation dead on regarding the 80% just driving and the 20% seeing interesting stuff.

That said, if indeed you aren't likely to ever do it again and you can spend the time, there are certainly worse activities I can think of.

The locals in some of the out of the way spots in particular can be great and when one has time to not rush the trip and meet a few it can make a trip. I know we've certainly found that when we've traveled through rural Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska and Colorado thus far.

Hopefully that was some use to you and please don't hesitate to drop me a line if you think I can be of any help to you.

Congratulations on your upcoming "theft" of a Canadian lady, I hope you two have a wonderful lifetime together.

Regards,
Dwayne

I like driving through the prairies, probably because it is so different than what I am used to. The long uninteresting part for me is the Toronto to Winnipeg stretch, that being said, lots of people like the area.

take 16 hwy through man,sask,alberta way better that trans canada

When I lived in the area people were getting killed left and right, including one whole family and a 5 semi truck pile up. These are two the stand out in my mind, there were many more.

The problem is with the flatlanders finally getting into the curves, hills and rockcuts that they are not accustomed to, and also after 4 hours on the road, they get drowsy, and that is not a good stretch to snooze on. Way better than the trip through the rockies.

The press dubbed that section of Highway 17 "The Highway of Death." There are lots of worse places on the Transcanada. I policed that area for 22 years. It ain't as bad as the press would have you believe.

Are you in a hurry? The Transcanada is OK, but is also the source of so many "boring flatland" comments about the prairies. You have to spend some time on your feet on our native grasslands, and pay attention to appreciate the subtle beauty of the prairies. Most people don't have the attention span or the time required to make a long drive on the great plains a learning experience. But there is lots to appreciate for those who are open to the experience.
The Yellowhead is generally a more interesting road to me, mostly going through the aspen parkland region with some mixed grass prairie and lots and lots of prairie pothole country along the way. That route is also more direct. If this is a round trip, I'd strongly suggest a loop, on both the Trans Canada and the Yellowhead with some side trips to unique areas like the Cypress hills and some of the lesser known parks like Riding Mountain, catch a fish or two, and smell the fragrance of grass.

Great trip, and May is the time to do it.
If time isn't in short supply, get off the #1 and go through
some of the small towns. Each one has its own story/claim to fame,
and the scenery can be beautiful. Unfortunately, grain elevators
aren't as common as they once were, so it's harder to tell
which town your in
Try to break it up so that you aren't driving all the way
across the prairies in one day. That can be taxing.

Hey Calvin, the only thing you'll really NEED, is a radar detector/laser jammer....Driving across the prairies will test your patience with cruise control....

I drove from Golden BC to Mossomin Saskatchewan in one day, I needed a couple of beers at the end of that drive for sure.

I've been across from Winnipeg into Northern BC 5 or 6 times.. I actually loved going across on the YellowHead Hwy.. I love that Canada isn't built up like the USA.

boring was driving a VW Camper, with a Canoe on top, and I went East out of Drumheller AB, followed the route east thru Sask, rte numbers kept changing but road ran straight.. and finally intercepted the Yellowhead in Eastern Sask, right before going into Manitoba..

had time to kill and wanted to see the "backroads" . had a storm blowing from the North, all the way across.. this was early September, high winds, so one could only do about 45 mph in the VW Bus.. if a large truck pass me in either direction, the VW would almost make an immediate left turn...

had to have the steering to the left and the wind was strong enough that it was trying to push the VW off the road to the right into the ditch..

was like flying a kite, instead of driving a vehicle for 900 plus miles...somehow I still enjoyed the wilds of it all..

I love driving the roads of Canada.. been all the way out on Cape Breton on one side, and have taken the ferry to Newfoundland multiple times, PEI etc..on the east side..far enough north in Quebec where the roads turned to dirt..

Up the Cassier Hwy going up to Alaska, up to Inuvik( sp?) in the Yukon, and then the road to Yellowknife in the NWT...

long before all of this Homeland Security BS..

when crossing the border to Canada and back was just as painless as going thru the California AG inspection in today's world..

Those devices are prohibited in most provinces. Hefty fines and siezure of the device. But do what you have to.

Thank You Brother Kieth for answering a question I have long wondered about. I always wondered why so many accidents in the vicinity of Kenora to Vermillion Bay when the North Shore of Lake Superior is a way worse stretch of road.

The North Shore doesn't sneak up on you.

I drove a CanPar truck from Nipigon to Manitouwadge 3 days a week for 8 years. 12 to 16 hour days--660 klicks return. Best job I ever had and some days I even had a parcel to deliver.

They're legal west of Ontario

Not legal in Manitoba. As Keith said, big fines and seizure of the device.

Last I recall, they were only legal in Alberta. But like I said, do what you have to do.

You wouldn't be Noel by any chance? Believe I use to hunt with you in the mid 90's.

Yep: Legal in Alberta but an ex-RCMP buddy told me that if you get stopped without one there is a good chance of a friendly warning or reduced ticket. Gotta detector: full on ticket, no friendly chat.

Whats the rush anyway? Bald Azz prairies have some great scenery. If you do swing south to the Cypress Hills or travel the TransCanada, I live just outside Med Hat. If I'm not gone fishin I'll buy you a beer.

To be expected from a province with a socialist government.

Hmmm, that's good to know! A few years ago they were legal all the way until I hit Ontario. I guess that must have changed.

Noel had the Lonlac run--he's still killin moose pretty regular.

They weren't legal when I lived in Manitoba in 1980-83 so its been awhile.

Wow, well I guess I was driving through Manitoba under false information...

LOL, only reason I'm sure of it is I lost a couple to RCMP when I was shall we say, "stopped for movin right along". Tickets were for speed plus possession of a radar detecter. Every cop between Boisssavain and Shilo knew my Trans Am.

Legal in BC as well.......And a couple years ago, legal in Sask too.....

And given the nature of speeding tickets in BC now, almost a full requirement if you are going to be driving anywhere. At least, if you dislike thousands of dollars in fines that is anyway, and you can't keep your foot off of the pedal while cruise is engaged.

The last time I drove across the prairies it was nothing after a couple hours to wonder if there was something wrong with the truck when it started to cough, only to realize I was hitting the governor.........When the only thing you have reference is the vehicles passing you and the horizon, it can be fair easy to end up doing a touch over the limit.

Prairies - boring? What's wrong with you? You'll finally have the opportunity to actually look around while you're driving. Winnipeg to Calgary is a beautiful drive, lots of scenery, varied prairie topography, old homesteads, golden wheat fields, gophers, etc.

Winnipeg - Western Canadian Aviation Museum, Minto Armoury museum, among other things like CFL or NHL, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Symphony, etc.
Brandon - Commonwealth Air Training museum
Shilo - Canadian Artillery museum
Carberry desert - yes, a desert in Manitoba
If you want to see oil pumps, take Manitoba highway 2, then west to Weyburn on SK #13.
Check out the Al Capone tunnels in Moose Jaw, during prohibition.
Royal Tyrrell dinosaur museum in Alberta, absolutely world class, stunning displays.
Just a few things to do along the way.

And no, don't speed through the prairies. Savour them. Besides, you never know when a tractor or combine will pull out in front of you.

You'll understand what they mean when they say that prairie folks are the friendliest you'll ever meet.

Thanks, say Hi to Noel for me.

Randy

I agree

Well Calvin- How many times have you driven across Canada on #1 so far? None? Well you're in for a terrific drive then. Admittedly, there are lots of interesting other routes, but if you've never been on any of it, why not start with this one and have a look at another some other time. Or, as mentioned, make it a circle route.

You can't get to Prine Rupert by #1 so my recommendation is pretty direct and straight forward. Follow #1 to Banff National Park (British Columbia/ Alberta border) then north on #93 through the park to Jasper National Park to join #16 and follow it to downtown Prince Rupert. Make sure to stop at some of the sights, like Drumheller for the dinosaurs, Banff for the wonder, the Ice Fields for the experience, Jasper for Jasper. The rest of the route for the experience.

If you drive 12 hour days, it will take you about two days to cross Ontario, another day and a half to cross the Praries, anther day and a half to cross BC. That's assuming you can average 600 miles a day and not stop and look at anything.

You'd be better off to drive a little less each day and see some of the sights as you go (and as you head back).

Greg S

Thanks.. Me and the fiance will be heading across the country to cross the border on her visa and then get hitched.. So it'll pretty much be long days of driving to catch the ferry in BC.

Calvin I think you'll enjoy the trip,I'm a BC guy so I live in the same kind of country as you,and I love the prairies!The people are great on both sides of the border,and there's plenty to see if you look.Spring and fall the skies are filled with waterfowl,and through Southern Saskatchewan and Alberta there are huge mulies as well as antelope and pockets of elk.If I was 25 years younger I wouldn't mind calling Saskatchewan home at all.Have a great trip,and congratulations on your upcoming nuptials!Cheers...Monashee

Oh, and don't forget, you'll experience quite a bit more daylight at that time of year as you move northwards.