Toronto - Winnipeg - Winter Driving

Way more sensible to run 11 they tell me. I'm about to start doing weekly trips up there myself.

 

No. Look at North Bay on a map. You'll see it

 

No, 11 goes through Long Lac, Hearst, Cochrane, North Bay.
17 goes to Sault Ste Marie, Sudbury.
11 is 52 miles longer but has less hills, ultimately either way is only about 15 minutes difference. I usually preferred 17, it was taken care of better, they salt the hills pretty good. More fun to drive and better scenery.
But if the weather forecast looked bad then I went 11.

 

I always take 11.
In winter, 17 can have heavy lake effect snow and close the road. 11 is flat and boring but a bit longer. 6 or 1/2 dozen to the other...

 

Take extra underwear...

 

11 over 17 any day, especially in the winter.

 

My company pays 17 in the summer and 11 in the winter. I've only done the 11 in the summer so I really can't comment about either in the winter, but from all the stories I hear, it's not worth it for the shorter distance. Ice and snow will slow you down and the hills will be a hassle with less than ideal traction.

Honestly, I would not recommend Northern Ontario to non-seasoned drivers. It's a very long drive and can be really stressful at times (two lanes, with lots of inexperienced or ####y/inconsiderate drivers crossing the double yellows around blind corners because they are speeding.

There is probably a lot more money to be made running the 401 down to Windsor and then into the US.

 

That video was on highway 11.
http://globalnews.ca/news/1147900/truck-driver-charged-in-scary-highway-crash/http://globalnews.ca/news/1147900/truck-driver-charged-in-scary-highway-crash/