Driving route · Canada

Route from Essipit to Thunder Bay

Interactive map, distance, and indicative drive time for the route from Essipit 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 Essipit (Quebec) 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 Essipit to Thunder Bay

The straight-line distance between Essipit and Thunder Bay is 1462.3 km. The estimated road distance by car is around 1652 km, with an indicative drive time of 18 h 22 min.

Straight-line distance 1462.3 km
Estimated road distance ~1652 km
Indicative drive time 18 h 22 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: Essipit – 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 $185–$251

Estimate: ~1652 km, 8 L/100 km, $1.65/L. ±15%. Excludes tolls.

Driving directions from Essipit to Thunder Bay

The map shows the locations of Essipit (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 Essipit to Thunder Bay

Real distance: 1,959.7 km  ·  Estimated time: 25 h 59 min

🗓 Calculated on June 4, 2026
  1. Drive north on Rue Kanishushit. 102 m
  2. Turn left onto Rue Mashkuss. 1.6 km
  3. Turn left onto 138/Route 138. Continue on 138. 32.4 km
  4. Turn right onto Route 172/172. 118.3 km
  5. Stay straight to take the 175 ramp. 6.3 km
  6. Turn right to take the 70 Ouest ramp toward Alma/Jonquière. 45.1 km
  7. Turn left onto Route d'Hébertville/169/170. 760 m
  8. Bear right onto 4e Rang Ouest/170. Continue on 170. 8.6 km
  9. Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Rue du Pont/170. 67.8 km
  10. Turn left onto Boulevard Saint-Félicien. 5.5 km
  11. Turn left onto Boulevard du Jardin/167. 211.8 km
  12. Turn left onto Route 113/113. 328.3 km

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

Estimate trip cost: Essipit – Thunder Bay

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

Indicative estimates based on ~1652 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

Essipit

Quebec · 48.33710, -69.39920

Essipit is a small coastal community on Quebec's Côte-Nord, located on the province's north shore of the Saint Lawrence at roughly 48.34° N, 69.40° W. With a population of about 297, it is a compact settlement outside…

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 Essipit to Thunder Bay

The straight-line distance between Essipit (Quebec) and Thunder Bay (Ontario) is about 1462.3 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: Essipit – Thunder Bay

The journey from Essipit to Thunder Bay covers roughly 1652 km on the road, equal to 1462.3 km straight line. The trip connects Quebec to Ontario and is classified as a long route (over 300 km). Plan multiple breaks and check highway traffic, weather, and fuel availability — particularly in remote sections. Open the interactive planner for the route map, turns, and a fuel-or-EV cost calculator.

The trip starts at Essipit (Quebec) — coordinates 48.3371° N, -69.3992° E. The destination is Thunder Bay (Ontario), at 48.3822° N, -89.2461° E.

Practical tips for the Essipit – Thunder Bay drive

Terrain along the way

The route starts in Quebec — a province St. Lawrence valley framed by the Laurentians and the Appalachians — and reaches Thunder Bay in Ontario, Great Lakes shoreline in the south, Canadian Shield forests across the north. The route also passes near Amulet (Quebec).

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 1652 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 Essipit

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

Essipit profile →

Related tools

Cities along the Essipit – Thunder Bay route

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

Routes with intermediate stops: Essipit → Amulet · Essipit → Rouyn · Essipit → Rouyn-Noranda

Related routes

From Essipit to other cities:

To Thunder Bay from other cities:

From Thunder Bay to intermediate cities:

All info about Essipit →  ·  All info about Thunder Bay →

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Frequently asked questions: Essipit – Thunder Bay

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

The straight-line distance between Essipit and Thunder Bay is about 1462.3 km. This is the direct geometric distance between the two coordinates, ignoring road geometry.

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

The estimated road distance from Essipit to Thunder Bay is about 1652 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 Essipit to Thunder Bay?

Indicative drive time from Essipit to Thunder Bay is about 18 h 22 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 Essipit 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 Essipit–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 Essipit 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 Essipit to Thunder Bay?

A common alternative is going via Amulet or Rouyn. Use the live planner to compare routes.

Can I open the Essipit–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 Essipit as origin and Thunder Bay as destination.