Driving route · Canada

Route from Sainte-Foy to Thunder Bay

Interactive map, distance, and indicative drive time for the route from Sainte-Foy 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 Sainte-Foy (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 Sainte-Foy to Thunder Bay

The straight-line distance between Sainte-Foy and Thunder Bay is 1354.5 km. The estimated road distance by car is around 1531 km, with an indicative drive time of 17 h.

Straight-line distance 1354.5 km
Estimated road distance ~1531 km
Indicative drive time 17 h
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: Sainte-Foy – 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 $172–$232

Estimate: ~1531 km, 8 L/100 km, $1.65/L. ±15%. Excludes tolls.

Driving directions from Sainte-Foy to Thunder Bay

The map shows the locations of Sainte-Foy (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 Sainte-Foy to Thunder Bay

Real distance: 1,804.0 km  ·  Estimated time: 24 h 4 min

🗓 Calculated on June 4, 2026
  1. Drive northwest on Rue des Talus. 122 m
  2. Turn left onto Rue du Mont-Joli. 149 m
  3. Turn right onto Avenue Dalquier. 417 m
  4. Stay straight to take the 73 ramp. 595 m
  5. Keep right to take exit 139 onto 40 Ouest toward Montréal. 216 m
  6. Keep left to take 40 Ouest toward Montréal. 123.7 km
  7. Keep right to take 40 Ouest/55 Nord toward Montréal/Shawinigan. 2.8 km
  8. Keep right to take 40/Autoroute Félix-Leclerc toward Montréal/Boulevard des Forges. 55.2 km
  9. Take exit 144 onto 158 toward Berthierville/Saint-Gabriel. 429 m
  10. Turn right onto Avenue Gilles-Villeneuve/158. Continue on 158. 4.8 km
  11. Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Chemin Robillard/158. 50 m
  12. Exit the roundabout onto Chemin Robillard/158. Continue on 158. 17.3 km

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

Estimate trip cost: Sainte-Foy – Thunder Bay

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

Indicative estimates based on ~1531 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

Sainte-Foy

Quebec · 46.78330, -71.30000

Sainte-Foy is a suburban sector on the western flank of the Quebec City metropolitan area in the province of Quebec. On road maps it appears as an urban-suburban mix where commercial corridors, residential…

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 Sainte-Foy to Thunder Bay

The straight-line distance between Sainte-Foy (Quebec) and Thunder Bay (Ontario) is about 1354.5 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: Sainte-Foy – Thunder Bay

The journey from Sainte-Foy to Thunder Bay covers roughly 1531 km on the road, equal to 1354.5 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 Sainte-Foy (Quebec) — coordinates 46.7833° N, -71.3000° E. The destination is Thunder Bay (Ontario), at 48.3822° N, -89.2461° E.

Practical tips for the Sainte-Foy – 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 Englehart (Ontario).

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 1531 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 Sainte-Foy

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

Sainte-Foy profile →

Related tools

Cities along the Sainte-Foy – Thunder Bay route

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

Routes with intermediate stops: Sainte-Foy → Englehart · Sainte-Foy → Cobalt · Sainte-Foy → Ville-Marie

Related routes

From Sainte-Foy to other cities:

To Thunder Bay from other cities:

From Thunder Bay to intermediate cities:

All info about Sainte-Foy →  ·  All info about Thunder Bay →

Popular routes from Quebec

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Frequently asked questions: Sainte-Foy – Thunder Bay

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

The straight-line distance between Sainte-Foy and Thunder Bay is about 1354.5 km. This is the direct geometric distance between the two coordinates, ignoring road geometry.

What is the estimated road distance from Sainte-Foy to Thunder Bay?

The estimated road distance from Sainte-Foy to Thunder Bay is about 1531 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 Sainte-Foy to Thunder Bay?

Indicative drive time from Sainte-Foy to Thunder Bay is about 17 h, 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 Sainte-Foy 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 Sainte-Foy–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 Sainte-Foy 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 Sainte-Foy to Thunder Bay?

A common alternative is going via Englehart or Cobalt. Use the live planner to compare routes.

Can I open the Sainte-Foy–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 Sainte-Foy as origin and Thunder Bay as destination.