Driving route · Canada

Route from Bonnyville to Thunder Bay

Interactive map, distance, and indicative drive time for the route from Bonnyville to Thunder Bay — with the live planner for up-to-date turn-by-turn directions.

This page provides the map and indicative distance data for the route between Bonnyville (Alberta) and Thunder Bay (Ontario). Use the live planner below to get up-to-date driving directions by car, on foot, or by bicycle.

Distance from Bonnyville to Thunder Bay

The straight-line distance between Bonnyville and Thunder Bay is 1622.9 km. The estimated road distance by car is around 1834 km, with an indicative drive time of 20 h 23 min.

Straight-line distance 1622.9 km
Estimated road distance ~1834 km
Indicative drive time 20 h 23 min
Note: values are approximate estimates. Road distance is calculated by multiplying the straight-line distance by a road-deviation factor (1.13–1.30 based on length). Drive time assumes ~90 km/h average. Real traffic, tolls, and conditions can vary significantly. Use the live planner for current data.

Trip cost and route type: Bonnyville – Thunder Bay

Route type Long

Long route (over 300 km) — plan a break roughly every 2 hours and check highway traffic and weather.

Indicative fuel cost $206–$278

Estimate: ~1834 km, 8 L/100 km, $1.65/L. ±15%. Excludes tolls.

Driving directions from Bonnyville to Thunder Bay

The map shows the locations of Bonnyville (A) and Thunder Bay (B). Use the form below to calculate the up-to-date road route with turn-by-turn directions, real distance, and estimated drive time.

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Driving directions from Bonnyville to Thunder Bay

Real distance: 1,934.1 km  ·  Estimated time: 23 h 54 min

🗓 Calculated on June 4, 2026
  1. Drive north. 84 m
  2. Turn right. 55 m
  3. Turn left onto 53 Street. 55 m
  4. Turn right onto 50 Avenue/28. 9.3 km
  5. Turn right onto Secondary Highway 657/657. 45.7 km
  6. Turn left onto Secondary Highway 646/646. 20.8 km
  7. Turn right onto Secondary Highway 897/897. 50.5 km
  8. Turn right onto Highway 17/17. Continue on 17. 23.0 km
  9. Turn left onto 67 Street. 1.7 km
  10. Turn right onto 40 Avenue. 3.2 km
  11. Turn left onto 16/Ray Nelson Drive. Continue on 16. 134.9 km
  12. Keep right to stay on 16 toward Saskatoon/Prince Albert. 134.0 km

Standard car route without avoiding highways. For advanced options (motorcycle, bicycle, transit, avoid tolls) use the live planner above.

Estimate trip cost: Bonnyville – Thunder Bay

Litres estimated
Fuel cost
Toll estimate
Total estimate
Range ±15%

Indicative estimates based on ~1834 km. Tolls calculated at ~$0.10/km on tolled segments. The calculator updates with the live planner's real distance. Actual consumption, driving style, weather, and toll rates vary.

Origin and destination

Origin

Bonnyville

Alberta · 54.26670, -110.75000

Bonnyville sits in northeastern Alberta on the prairie–parkland edge. The town functions as a modest regional centre for drivers linking nearby smaller communities, lake country and agricultural areas; it is not part of…

Destination

Thunder Bay

Ontario · 48.38220, -89.24610

Thunder Bay sits on the northwestern shore of Lake Superior in Ontario and functions as the principal urban centre for a broad portion of northwestern Ontario. The city's waterfront and built-up area form the focus for…

How to drive from Bonnyville to Thunder Bay

The straight-line distance between Bonnyville (Alberta) and Thunder Bay (Ontario) is about 1622.9 km. The actual road distance varies by chosen route, road type, and travel conditions — especially in winter and across mountain or northern segments.

Before you leave, consider:

  • Check current traffic with a navigation app — particularly around major cities.
  • Look up any toll segments on your route (Ontario 407, select bridges).
  • In winter or at higher elevations, drive times and conditions can change quickly. Carry a charged phone, fuel reserve, and weather-appropriate gear.
  • Plan stops at service centres or towns along the way — fuel and rest stops can be sparse on remote sections.

Route description: Bonnyville – Thunder Bay

From Bonnyville to Thunder Bay the estimated road distance is roughly 1834 km (1622.9 km straight line). The trip connects Alberta to Ontario and is a long route (over 300 km). Plan multiple breaks and check highway traffic, weather, and fuel availability — particularly in remote sections. The live planner provides turn-by-turn instructions, indicative arrival time, and a fuel-or-electricity cost estimate.

The trip starts at Bonnyville (Alberta) — coordinates 54.2667° N, -110.7500° E. The destination is Thunder Bay (Ontario), at 48.3822° N, -89.2461° E.

Practical tips for the Bonnyville – Thunder Bay drive

Terrain along the way

The route starts in Alberta — a province prairie in the south rising into the Canadian Rockies in the west — and reaches Thunder Bay in Ontario, Great Lakes shoreline in the south, Canadian Shield forests across the north. The route also passes near Dauphin (Manitoba).

When to leave

For a long route, leave early (before 06:30) or wait until after 10:00. Avoid summer long-weekend exoduses and major holidays. Plan a break every 1.5–2 hours of driving — and check weather, especially across the Prairies and through mountain passes.

Alternatives

For this route of about 1834 km, consider VIA Rail Canada — VIA's Corridor service connects many Eastern Canadian cities, and the long-distance trains (the Canadian, Ocean) run through the Prairies and the Maritimes. Cross-border trips may also include Amtrak's Adirondack or Cascades. Check schedules at viarail.ca and amtrak.com.

Explore Thunder Bay

Full information about Thunder Bay: interactive map, GPS coordinates, elevation, nearby cities, and routes to and from Thunder Bay.

Thunder Bay profile →

Explore Bonnyville

Full information about Bonnyville: map, GPS coordinates, and all routes from Bonnyville to other Canadian cities.

Bonnyville profile →

Related tools

Cities along the Bonnyville – Thunder Bay route

These cities are near the direct route between Bonnyville and Thunder Bay. They may be useful as a stopover or alternate destination.

Routes with intermediate stops: Bonnyville → Dauphin · Bonnyville → Winnipegosis · Bonnyville → Grand View

Related routes

From Bonnyville to other cities:

To Thunder Bay from other cities:

From Thunder Bay to intermediate cities:

All info about Bonnyville →  ·  All info about Thunder Bay →

Popular routes from Alberta

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Frequently asked questions: Bonnyville – Thunder Bay

What is the straight-line distance between Bonnyville and Thunder Bay?

The straight-line distance between Bonnyville and Thunder Bay is about 1622.9 km. This is the direct geometric distance between the two coordinates, ignoring road geometry.

What is the estimated road distance from Bonnyville to Thunder Bay?

The estimated road distance from Bonnyville to Thunder Bay is about 1834 km — derived by multiplying the straight-line distance by a road-deviation factor (1.13–1.30 based on length). For an up-to-date route, use the live planner.

How long does it take to drive from Bonnyville to Thunder Bay?

Indicative drive time from Bonnyville to Thunder Bay is about 20 h 23 min, based on an average highway speed of 90 km/h on a mixed motorway/highway profile. Real time depends on traffic, weather, stops, vehicle type, and conditions.

How do I get up-to-date driving directions from Bonnyville to Thunder Bay?

Use the live planner on this page: select your transport mode and click "Update route". You'll see the route with turn-by-turn directions, current distance, and estimated time based on up-to-date routing data.

Does the Bonnyville–Thunder Bay route involve highway tolls?

CanadaDrivingDirections.com does not provide toll details. Toll roads are limited in Canada — Ontario's 407 ETR, a few Quebec bridges, and the Confederation Bridge to PEI are the main ones. Check the operator's site for current pricing.

How does traffic affect the route from Bonnyville to Thunder Bay?

Traffic varies by time of day, season, and weather. The live planner uses up-to-date routing data; for live traffic, use a navigation app before departure — especially in winter when conditions can change rapidly.

Is there an alternative route from Bonnyville to Thunder Bay?

A common alternative is going via Dauphin or Winnipegosis. Use the live planner to compare routes.

Can I open the Bonnyville–Thunder Bay route in Google Maps?

Yes. Click "Open in Google Maps" on this page to view the route in the Google Maps app or browser. You can also open Google Maps directly and enter Bonnyville as origin and Thunder Bay as destination.