Driving route · Canada

Route from Thunder Bay to South River

Interactive map, distance, and indicative drive time for the route from Thunder Bay to South River — 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 South River (Ontario). Use the live planner below to get up-to-date driving directions by car, on foot, or by bicycle.

Distance from Thunder Bay to South River

The straight-line distance between Thunder Bay and South River is 797.9 km. The estimated road distance by car is around 902 km, with an indicative drive time of 10 h 1 min.

Straight-line distance 797.9 km
Estimated road distance ~902 km
Indicative drive time 10 h 1 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: Thunder Bay – South River

Route type Long

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

Indicative fuel cost $101–$137

Estimate: ~902 km, 8 L/100 km, $1.65/L. ±15%. Excludes tolls.

Driving directions from Thunder Bay to South River

The map shows the locations of Thunder Bay (A) and South River (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 Thunder Bay to South River

Real distance: 1,166.4 km  ·  Estimated time: 14 h 47 min

🗓 Calculated on June 4, 2026
  1. Drive east. 46 m
  2. Turn left onto May Street South. 2.0 km
  3. Bear right onto Memorial Avenue. 762 m
  4. Turn left onto Harbour Expressway. 2.8 km
  5. Bear right toward Cochrane/Sault Ste. Marie. 114.2 km
  6. Turn left onto 11/Highway 11. Continue on 11. 613.4 km
  7. Take the 11 exit toward Iroquois Falls/North Bay. 107 m
  8. Bear right onto 11/Highway 11. Continue on 11. 369.9 km
  9. Turn left onto 11/17/Highway 11 & 17. Continue on 11. 58.7 km
  10. Take exit 289 onto 124 toward South River/Sundridge. 452 m
  11. Turn left onto Highway 124/124. 2.2 km
  12. Turn left onto Ottawa Avenue. 406 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 – South River

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

Indicative estimates based on ~902 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

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…

Destination

South River

Ontario · 45.84170, -79.37500

South River sits in north-central Ontario on a modest river valley amid mixed woodlands and cleared farmland. On provincial maps it reads as a compact village where local approaches from surrounding highland and lake…

How to drive from Thunder Bay to South River

The straight-line distance between Thunder Bay (Ontario) and South River (Ontario) is about 797.9 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: Thunder Bay – South River

The distance from Thunder Bay to South River is estimated at 902 km on a mixed road profile, starting from 797.9 km straight line. It is a long route (over 300 km) that stays within 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.

Practical tips for the Thunder Bay – South River drive

Terrain along the way

The route stays within Ontario, Great Lakes shoreline in the south, Canadian Shield forests across the north.

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 902 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 South River

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

South River 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

Cities along the Thunder Bay – South River route

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

Routes with intermediate stops: Thunder Bay → Sault Ste. Marie · Thunder Bay → Thessalon

Related routes

From Thunder Bay to other cities:

To South River from other cities:

From South River to intermediate cities:

All info about Thunder Bay →  ·  All info about South River →

Similar-distance routes from Thunder Bay

Other routes from Thunder Bay with comparable distance (479–1117 km straight line).

Popular routes from Ontario

Most-searched routes from Ontario, ranked by popularity.

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Frequently asked questions: Thunder Bay – South River

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

The straight-line distance between Thunder Bay and South River is about 797.9 km. This is the direct geometric distance between the two coordinates, ignoring road geometry.

What is the estimated road distance from Thunder Bay to South River?

The estimated road distance from Thunder Bay to South River is about 902 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 South River?

Indicative drive time from Thunder Bay to South River is about 10 h 1 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 South River?

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–South River 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 South River?

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 South River?

A common alternative is going via Sault Ste. Marie or Thessalon. Use the live planner to compare routes.

Can I open the Thunder Bay–South River 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 South River as destination.