See the complete street journey right here
This Burlington, Vermont to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan phase of the Nice Northern street journey threads Lake Champlain, big-city Canada, and the Nice Lakes into one lengthy, satisfying drive. You begin on Vermont’s island-dotted shoreline, cross into Quebec, swing previous Ottawa, then comply with Ontario’s Freeway 17 west via forest and granite. The payoff is Sault Ste. Marie, the place freighters squeeze via the Soo Locks on their method between Lake Superior and the decrease Nice Lakes. Give this stretch 3 to 4 days so you’ll be able to cease for brief hikes, waterfront walks, and a few museum-level stops with out driving into the evening. For a full-route plan, see the full Nice Northern street journey overview.
Burlington to Sault Ste. Marie through Canada Overview
Most drivers take I-89 north from Burlington, then cross on the Champlain, New York to Lacolle, Quebec space earlier than persevering with towards Montreal and Ottawa. From there, Ontario Freeway 417 turns into Freeway 17, the principle east to west route throughout northern Ontario. The street is mostly in good condition, however it’s typically two lanes as soon as you allow Ottawa behind, with lengthy distances between providers in locations. Late spring via early fall is the simplest window for this phase. Winter driving can imply heavy snow, ice, and shorter daylight, particularly in northern Ontario and the Higher Peninsula.
Fast Stats for This Highway Journey Phase
| Journey Element | What to Anticipate |
| Whole Distance | About 720 miles, relying on border crossing and metropolis routing |
| Drive Time | About 13 to 14 hours, not counting stops |
| States and Provinces | Vermont, Quebec, Ontario, Michigan |
| Main Routes | I-89, I-87, A-15, A-40, ON-417, ON-17, I-75 |
| Advisable Period | 3 to 4 days |
| Cell Service | Good close to cities, restricted in components of northern Ontario |
| Gasoline Notes | Simple in Burlington, Montreal, Ottawa, and Sudbury, plan forward on ON-17 |
Day-by-Day Plan: Burlington to Sault Ste. Marie Highway Journey
Day 1: Burlington, VT to Ottawa, ON
Plan on roughly 220 to 260 miles and 4.5 to six hours of driving, relying in your border crossing and whether or not you cross via central Montreal. Begin with a fast Burlington waterfront lap at Waterfront Park, then level the automotive north for the border. When you’ve got time earlier than leaving Vermont, the Lake Champlain Islands are a straightforward warm-up with causeway views and snack stops. Crossing into Canada can add time, so maintain your first day versatile. In order for you a metropolis break, Montreal is smart for lunch, a brief stroll in Previous Montreal, and low earlier than pushing on.
Within the afternoon, proceed to Ottawa for a straightforward night on foot. Stroll Parliament Hill grounds, then head to the ByWard Market space for dinner. In order for you a easy next-morning plan, get up early and do a fast Rideau Canal stroll earlier than leaving city. In a single day in Ottawa or simply exterior town so you aren’t preventing site visitors very first thing.
Day 2: Ottawa, ON to North Bay, ON
It is a regular drive day, about 220 miles and round 4 hours on paper, plus stops. Earlier than leaving Ottawa, contemplate reserving a tour window upfront if you’d like a guided go to on Parliament Hill. Particulars and timing change seasonally, so verify the official customer website first. After Ottawa, the route follows ON-417 after which ON-17, shifting from multi-lane freeway to lengthy, rolling stretches with lakes and forest.
Cease choices: a fast photograph cease alongside the Ottawa River hall, lunch in Pembroke, then an extended break round Mattawa the place the Ottawa and Mattawa Rivers meet. North Bay is a pure in a single day, with groceries, gas, and a easy waterfront stroll on Lake Nipissing. If you happen to nonetheless have power, the sundown mild over the lake is a pleasant finish to a protracted day.
Day 3: North Bay, ON to Sudbury, ON
Right now is shorter, roughly 80 to 90 miles and about 1.5 hours of driving, which buys you time for an actual cease. Depart North Bay mid-morning, then roll into Sudbury for a mixture of hands-on sights and a low-effort afternoon. Dynamic Earth and the Huge Nickel are the traditional decisions if you’d like a break from freeway driving.
Use the additional time to reset for tomorrow’s longer push. Do laundry, inventory the cooler, and high off the tank. That is additionally a great evening to obtain offline maps and campground particulars in case you depend on your cellphone for navigation. Cell protection will get much less reliable in locations when you head west on ON-17.
Day 4: Sudbury, ON to Sault Ste. Marie, MI
Plan on about 190 miles and three.5 to 4 hours of driving, plus stops. ON-17 runs via small cities the place a gasoline station and a café is perhaps the one providers, so deal with each good cease as an opportunity to refuel. A favourite break is Chutes Provincial Park close to Massey, simply off the freeway, for a brief stroll to waterfalls and the river gorge. After that, maintain a watch out for lake views and rocky cuts via the Canadian Protect.
By afternoon, you’ll attain Sault Ste. Marie. If border strains are brief, cross into Michigan and head straight for the Soo Locks space for ship watching. The Soo Locks Customer Heart is seasonal, so verify hours earlier than you arrive. Finish the day with dinner downtown or a easy camp meal, then get to mattress. Tomorrow’s phase begins with Lake Superior nation.
Campgrounds to Take into account on This Phase
Grand Isle State Park Campground (Grand Isle, VT) sits on Lake Champlain with a mixture of tent websites, RV websites, and cabins. It’s a strong choose if you’d like a primary evening that also seems like Vermont, with seaside time and simple paddling.
North Seashore Campground (Burlington, VT) retains you proper on the water with fast entry to downtown. It’s handy for a late arrival or an early begin, and it really works effectively for households who desire a playground and seaside in a single cease.
Apple Island Resort (South Hero, VT) is a personal campground on the islands with extra facilities than most state parks. Suppose pool time, a camp retailer, and a resort-style setup that also places you near the lake.
Shelburne Tenting Space (Shelburne, VT) is a straightforward, sensible choice near Burlington for tents and RVs. In order for you hookups and an easy base earlier than you cross the border, it matches the invoice.
Aune-Osborn Campground (Sault Ste. Marie, MI) is thought for freighter views on the St. Marys River. It’s near the Soo Locks and makes a fantastic finish-line camp for this phase.
Brimley State Park Campground (Brimley, MI) places you on Whitefish Bay of Lake Superior. Anticipate a traditional state park setup with seaside time, big-lake wind, and a great reset after lengthy drive days.
Bay View (Hiawatha Nationwide Forest, MI) sits proper on Lake Superior with a extra old-school nationwide forest really feel. It’s a great choice while you desire a easy website close to the water with out the resort vibe.
Monocle Lake Campground (Brimley, MI) is tucked within the woods of Hiawatha Nationwide Forest. It’s quieter, with a small-lake setting that works effectively for paddling or a low-key evening.
Bay Mills On line casino RV Campground (Brimley, MI) is a handy full-hookup choice close to gas and meals. It’s helpful if you’d like a straightforward pull-through cease and a break from cooking.
High Stops and Sights Alongside the Route
Pure highlights
Chutes Provincial Park is a straightforward aspect cease off ON-17 for waterfalls and a brief path system close to Massey. Within the Higher Peninsula, Lake Superior shoreline time is the plain transfer, particularly round Whitefish Bay close to Brimley. When you’ve got additional daylight after arriving in Sault Ste. Marie, a fast waterfront stroll alongside the St. Marys River is an easy method to finish the day.
Cultural and historic stops
Ottawa is the perfect cultural cease on this phase. Parliament Hill is walkable, photo-friendly, and value a tour in case your schedule permits. If you happen to cross via Montreal, Previous Montreal makes a great two-hour break for meals and structure. In Sault Ste. Marie, the Soo Locks are the headliner, with nice ship viewing when freighters are shifting via.
Out of doors recreation
Burlington’s Lake Champlain bike path is a straightforward pre-drive leg stretch. North Bay’s waterfront is sweet for a relaxed stroll and sundown views. In Michigan, Hiawatha Nationwide Forest campgrounds close to Brimley set you up for swimming, seaside walks, and easy day hikes.
Distinctive stops
Sudbury’s Huge Nickel is a traditional roadside photograph. In Sault Ste. Marie, ship watching is the principle occasion, and it may be surprisingly addictive. Convey a pair of binoculars in case you have them.
Journey Suggestions for Burlington to Sault Ste. Marie
Border time can swing quite a bit. Earlier than you allow Burlington, verify official wait-time instruments from Canada and the U.S. so you’ll be able to resolve whether or not to cross early or regulate your route. As soon as you might be west of Ottawa on ON-17, plan gas extra fastidiously and keep away from letting your tank run low. Two lanes and truck site visitors are widespread, so cross solely when it’s clearly protected and provides your self additional time. Wildlife is an actual think about northern Ontario, particularly at daybreak and nightfall. Decelerate when visibility drops. For the Soo Locks, affirm seasonal hours so you don’t arrive after the customer areas shut.
Further Segments and Planning Sources
That is one a part of the bigger route, and the subsequent legs proceed west throughout the Higher Peninsula and into the guts of the Nice Lakes area. For the complete context and phase hyperlinks, use the Nice Northern street journey planning information. If you happen to depend on your cellphone for navigation, contemplate The Dyrt PRO for offline maps and campground particulars in areas the place service drops. For accountable tenting fundamentals, evaluation Depart No Hint steerage earlier than heading out.
Useful official assets:
Ontario Parks: Chutes Provincial Park
USACE: Soo Locks Customer Heart
The Dyrt is the one tenting app with all of the private and non-private campgrounds, RV parks, and free tenting areas in the US. Obtain now for iOS and Android.
Common Articles:
Articles on The Dyrt Journal could include hyperlinks to affiliate web sites. The Dyrt receives an affiliate fee for any purchases made through the use of such hyperlinks at no further value to you the patron.
