Driving "across" Canada - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

STeeLy · 08-20-2009, 07:12 PM

So it's nearing the end of August and time for me to get back to school in Ottawa.

I'm likely departing the 31st of August and end up in Toronto (to see a few friends) hopefully on or before the 4th/5th.

Can anyone recommend any places to stay along the way? I'm thinking about stopping in Moose Jaw/Regina, Winnipeg, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie... however, if I have another friend, Moose Jaw/Regina and Thunder Bay may be skipped.

Hemi-Cuda · 08-20-2009, 08:23 PM

funny, me and a buddy are planning a two week roadtrip to the east coast next year, since i've never been further east than Saskatchewan. gonna take two weeks off and do a big oval, dropping down to the states for the drive back

i love road trips to places i've never been, so i'm really looking forward to this trip

JiriHrdina · 08-20-2009, 08:25 PM

I'd blow right through to The Peg if you can - but if you do have to stop - choose Moose Jaw over Regina. Moose Jaw is really nice, Regina...well...is not.

Machiavelli · 08-20-2009, 08:31 PM

^ Great advice. Moose Jaw might be the only tolerable thing in Saskatchewan.

Edit: Also, are you determined to go across Canada for the stops along the way, or do you just want to get here ASAP? If the latter, going through the States might be a better idea.

STeeLy · 08-20-2009, 08:46 PM

Going through the states is quicker... but I have weird goals like getting my car through all 10 provinces of Canada... this is just part of that... ahaha...

octothorp · 08-20-2009, 08:51 PM

Winnipeg is actually pretty good, but I'd really recommend stopping in the Lake of the Woods area, one of the nicest areas in central Canada.

jkstuart12 · 08-20-2009, 08:56 PM

I actually just drove from Calgary to Sudbury last week. I stayed at two great hotels along the way.

Brandon - Lakeview Inn and Suites -very clean, free continental breakfast (very good!). About $100/night. It's also convenient as its located right off the highway.

Thunder Bay - Days Inn North - I was pleasantly surprised with this one. The hotel opened in 2007 and is very clean, again a free continental breakfast. I think it was $130/night.

I would absolutely recommend both of these hotels.

Hope this helps!

Ps. Sorry if there are typing mistakes (I'm on a friends laptop with an 8" screen and keys half the size of my fingers lol)

4X4 · 08-20-2009, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

I'd blow right through to The Peg if you can - but if you do have to stop - choose Moose Jaw over Regina. Moose Jaw is really nice, Regina...well...is not.

Advice: Don't speed in or near Winnipeg. Trust me.

starseed · 08-20-2009, 11:49 PM

At the end of June and beginning of July, I did hemi's oval if you were to connect D and I.

The US route obviously had more to see, I loved Minneapolis, it is a great city. Apparently every house is within 6 blocks of a lake. The Mall of America is just awesome. I loved going to the small towns in the USA, I went to a Norweigan cafe in Osseo, Wisconsin and had the greatest pie ever. Chicago is also incredible. Millennium park is nice to stroll around.

I drove Canada on the way back, it is nicer scenery, but the speed limit is 90 through Ontario >.< and I hate two lane highways. It was really nice though. Thunder Bay is a cool place, you have to stop by Lake Superior.

I will grab a couple of pics of the mall and the park...

BlackArcher101 · 08-20-2009, 11:51 PM

Don't forget to leave the radar detector behind! (First hand experience, trust me)

malcolmk14 · 08-21-2009, 12:02 AM

I have some friends who just drove Toronto to Calgary this week. Arrived yesterday. They stayed in Thunder Bay and Moose Jaw.

There were also four of them in the car, so they could drive a little longer. Toronto to Thunder Bay was killer.

STeeLy · 08-21-2009, 12:04 AM

Radar Detector-less considering this car is from Ontario anyway.

And 90 through Ontario, I normally do about 105 on those roads, most of the OPP won't care if you do 105 (from experience driving in Ontario)

Also, I might be alone if not with one other person... while I can handle 15 hour straight drives, I do not want to risk that again.

Thanks guys!

Hemi-Cuda · 08-21-2009, 02:16 AM

i'm not too worried about speeding tickets on my trip. i'm pretty certain this will be the only time i drive through these provinces and states, so who cares if i have a few outstanding tickets in them. might even make a good roadtrip game to see how many i can rack up

HOOT · 08-21-2009, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

funny, me and a buddy are planning a two week roadtrip to the east coast next year, since i've never been further east than Saskatchewan. gonna take two weeks off and do a big oval, dropping down to the states for the drive back

i love road trips to places i've never been, so i'm really looking forward to this trip

Holy smokes! You're gonna need to get 2 oil changes on that trip alone

I'm jealous I would love to take my car on that trip.

Deelow · 08-21-2009, 06:29 AM

Stretch between Kenora and Thunder Bay is terrible. I hate it.

STeeLy · 08-21-2009, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

i'm not too worried about speeding tickets on my trip. i'm pretty certain this will be the only time i drive through these provinces and states, so who cares if i have a few outstanding tickets in them. might even make a good roadtrip game to see how many i can rack up

Tickets anywhere in Canada can apply... also, some provinces have agreements with certain states about traffic laws. So you might still have these tickets on your record.

If you understand what I'm saying.

worth · 08-21-2009, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

funny, me and a buddy are planning a two week roadtrip to the east coast next year, since i've never been further east than Saskatchewan. gonna take two weeks off and do a big oval, dropping down to the states for the drive back

i love road trips to places i've never been, so i'm really looking forward to this trip

that looks really awesome, and now i want to do it.

jam26 · 08-21-2009, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

I'd blow right through to The Peg if you can - but if you do have to stop - choose Moose Jaw over Regina. Moose Jaw is really nice, Regina...well...is not.

Agreed...I stayed in Moose Jaw, Dryden and the Soo. Made for a nice drive.

flamesfever · 08-21-2009, 09:27 AM

We stayed at Comfort Inns.....mainly because we were travelling with a large dog (yellow lab), and could get a ground floor room with sliding glass door which openned to our parking space. It allowed an easy in and out with the dog. The price also included a quick and easy breakfast.....for a fast getaway in the morning.

An RCMP relative suggested going no more than 9 km over the speed limit on the highway, which should keep you from getting speeding tickets. I believe Ontario and Alberta have a reciprical agreement to report speeding tickets to each other. I don't know about other provinces.

4X4 · 08-21-2009, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

i'm not too worried about speeding tickets on my trip. i'm pretty certain this will be the only time i drive through these provinces and states, so who cares if i have a few outstanding tickets in them. might even make a good roadtrip game to see how many i can rack up

Driving through Winnipeg a couple years ago netted both myself and my g/f speeding tickets. She got the first one on the ring road and then we switched seats and I took over driving. About an hour later, on that beautiful, straight, divided highway west of the city, I got one as well. Going 125kph in a 100 (I think?) was $250.

She paid hers and I didn't pay mine because I figured the same as you. Then I got a letter from a collection agency. That made me pay it pretty quick.