Route from Thunder Bay to Islay
Interactive map, distance, and indicative drive time for the route from Thunder Bay to Islay — 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 Thunder Bay (Ontario) and Islay (Alberta). Use the live planner below to get up-to-date driving directions by car, on foot, or by bicycle.
Distance from Thunder Bay to Islay
The straight-line distance between Thunder Bay and Islay 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: Thunder Bay – Islay
Driving directions from Thunder Bay to Islay
The map shows the locations of Thunder Bay (A) and Islay (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 Thunder Bay to Islay
Real distance: 1,820.7 km · Estimated time: 22 h 40 min
- Drive east. 46 m
- Turn left onto May Street South. 2.0 km
- Bear right onto Memorial Avenue. 762 m
- Turn left onto Harbour Expressway. 2.8 km
- Bear right toward Cochrane/Sault Ste. Marie. 1.8 km
- Turn left onto Oliver Road. 6.4 km
- Turn right onto Mapleward Road. 8.4 km
- Turn left onto Dawson Road/102. Continue on 102. 22.4 km
- Turn right onto 11/17/Highway 11/17. 639.5 km
- Take exit 348A onto 100 West toward Brandon. 40.4 km
- Take exit 42B onto PTH 1 West toward Brandon. 86.1 km
- Take the 16 West exit toward Saskatoon. 222 m
Standard car route without avoiding highways. For advanced options (motorcycle, bicycle, transit, avoid tolls) use the live planner above.
Estimate trip cost: Thunder Bay – Islay
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 Thunder Bay to Islay
The straight-line distance between Thunder Bay (Ontario) and Islay (Alberta) 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: Thunder Bay – Islay
From Thunder Bay to Islay the estimated road distance is roughly 1793 km (1586.8 km straight line). The trip connects Ontario to Alberta 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 Thunder Bay (Ontario) — coordinates 48.3822° N, -89.2461° E. The destination is Islay (Alberta), at 53.3920° N, -110.5390° E.
Practical tips for the Thunder Bay – Islay drive
Terrain along the way
The route starts in Ontario — a province Great Lakes shoreline in the south, Canadian Shield forests across the north — and reaches Islay in Alberta, prairie in the south rising into the Canadian Rockies in the west. 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 Islay
Full information about Islay: interactive map, GPS coordinates, elevation, nearby cities, and routes to and from Islay.
Islay profile →Explore Thunder Bay
Full information about Thunder Bay: map, GPS coordinates, and all routes from Thunder Bay to other Canadian cities.
Thunder Bay profile →Related tools
Driving Directions
Live planner with turn-by-turn directions from Thunder Bay to Islay.
Interactive map
Open the area between Thunder Bay and Islay 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 Thunder Bay and Islay in satellite imagery.
Cities along the Thunder Bay – Islay route
These cities are near the direct route between Thunder Bay and Islay. They may be useful as a stopover or alternate destination.
Routes with intermediate stops: Thunder Bay → McCreary · Thunder Bay → Dauphin · Thunder Bay → Erickson
Related routes
From Thunder Bay to other cities:
To Islay from other cities:
From Islay to intermediate cities:
Popular routes from Ontario
Most-searched routes from Ontario, ranked by popularity.
Frequently asked questions: Thunder Bay – Islay
What is the straight-line distance between Thunder Bay and Islay?
The straight-line distance between Thunder Bay and Islay 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 Thunder Bay to Islay?
The estimated road distance from Thunder Bay to Islay 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 Thunder Bay to Islay?
Indicative drive time from Thunder Bay to Islay 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 Thunder Bay to Islay?
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 Thunder Bay–Islay 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 Thunder Bay to Islay?
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 Thunder Bay to Islay?
A common alternative is going via McCreary or Dauphin. Use the live planner to compare routes.
Can I open the Thunder Bay–Islay 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 Thunder Bay as origin and Islay as destination.