Route from Islay to Thunder Bay
Interactive map, distance, and indicative drive time for the route from Islay 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 Islay (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 Islay to Thunder Bay
The straight-line distance between Islay and Thunder Bay is 1586.8 km. The estimated road distance by car is around 1793 km, with an indicative drive time of 19 h 55 min.
Trip cost and route type: Islay – Thunder Bay
Driving directions from Islay to Thunder Bay
The map shows the locations of Islay (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.
Turn-by-turn directions
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Driving directions from Islay to Thunder Bay
Real distance: 1,832.3 km · Estimated time: 22 h 45 min
- Drive south on 50 Street. 48 m
- Turn right onto 49 Avenue. 522 m
- Turn left onto Highway 893/893. 5.6 km
- Turn left onto 16/Yellowhead Highway/Route Yellowhead. Continue on 16. 35.2 km
- Turn right onto 75 Avenue. 3.3 km
- Turn left onto 12 Street. 5.0 km
- Turn left onto 40 Avenue. 3.2 km
- Turn right onto 16/Ray Nelson Drive. Continue on 16. 134.9 km
- Keep right to stay on 16 toward Saskatoon/Prince Albert. 134.0 km
- Take the Circle Drive exit toward 11 South. 306 m
- Take the Circle Drive ramp on the left toward 11 South. 188 m
- Turn left onto 16/Circle Drive. 6.6 km
Standard car route without avoiding highways. For advanced options (motorcycle, bicycle, transit, avoid tolls) use the live planner above.
Estimate trip cost: Islay – Thunder Bay
Indicative estimates based on ~1793 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
How to drive from Islay to Thunder Bay
The straight-line distance between Islay (Alberta) and Thunder Bay (Ontario) is about 1586.8 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: Islay – Thunder Bay
The distance from Islay to Thunder Bay is estimated at 1793 km on a mixed road profile, starting from 1586.8 km straight line. It is a long route (over 300 km) that connects Alberta to Ontario. Plan multiple breaks and check highway traffic, weather, and fuel availability — particularly in remote sections. Calculate the current route with the live planner for detailed instructions.
The trip starts at Islay (Alberta) — coordinates 53.3920° N, -110.5390° E. The destination is Thunder Bay (Ontario), at 48.3822° N, -89.2461° E.
Practical tips for the Islay – 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 McCreary (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 1793 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 Islay
Full information about Islay: map, GPS coordinates, and all routes from Islay to other Canadian cities.
Islay profile →Related tools
Driving Directions
Live planner with turn-by-turn directions from Islay to Thunder Bay.
Interactive map
Open the area between Islay and Thunder Bay on the map.
GPS coordinates
Find precise coordinates for any point along the route.
Distance calculator
Measure straight-line distances between intermediate points.
Elevation
Check elevation along the route — useful for mountain passes.
Satellite map
View the terrain between Islay and Thunder Bay in satellite imagery.
Cities along the Islay – Thunder Bay route
These cities are near the direct route between Islay and Thunder Bay. They may be useful as a stopover or alternate destination.
Routes with intermediate stops: Islay → McCreary · Islay → Dauphin · Islay → Erickson
Related routes
From Islay to other cities:
To Thunder Bay from other cities:
From Thunder Bay to intermediate cities:
Popular routes from Alberta
Most-searched routes from Alberta, ranked by popularity.
Frequently asked questions: Islay – Thunder Bay
What is the straight-line distance between Islay and Thunder Bay?
The straight-line distance between Islay and Thunder Bay is about 1586.8 km. This is the direct geometric distance between the two coordinates, ignoring road geometry.
What is the estimated road distance from Islay to Thunder Bay?
The estimated road distance from Islay to Thunder Bay is about 1793 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 Islay to Thunder Bay?
Indicative drive time from Islay to Thunder Bay is about 19 h 55 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 Islay 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 Islay–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 Islay 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 Islay to Thunder Bay?
A common alternative is going via McCreary or Dauphin. Use the live planner to compare routes.
Can I open the Islay–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 Islay as origin and Thunder Bay as destination.