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Highway 17: Nipigon to Terrace Bay, Lake Superior, Ontario
Photo: Mike Beauregard from Canada · CC BY 2.0

Drives Ontario Muskoka, Algonquin and Northern Ontario

Highway 17: Nipigon to Terrace Bay

Highway 17 · Nipigon → Terrace Bay

Leisurely63 mi1 hr 5 min4,000 ft climbHigh point ≈ 1,400 ftOne way
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The drive

This stretch of the Trans-Canada runs 63 miles east from Nipigon along the north shore of Lake Superior to Terrace Bay. It takes about an hour. It's a two-lane highway through rock cuts and past high ground over the water.

Rossport is a short loop off the highway and not part of this drive. Expect heavy trucks, since this is the main route across northern Ontario.

Along the way

  1. Nipigon
  2. Terrace Bay
Elevation
4,000 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 1,400 ft
NipigonTerrace Bay
Curves
Mostly gentle curves
NipigonTerrace Bay
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Heavy trucks use this road all year.
  • Winter storms and crashes can close the highway for hours; check Ontario 511.
  • Wikipedia describes Highway 17 here as part of one of the province's most scenic drives.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Ontario 511.

Questions about this drive

How long does Highway 17 from Nipigon to Terrace Bay take?

It's 63.4 miles and takes about 1 hr 5 min.

Is Highway 17 along Lake Superior busy?

It's a two-lane road with heavy truck traffic, since it's the main route across northern Ontario.

Where can you check Highway 17 closures?

Ontario 511 lists current closures and conditions.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
Preview it in 3DFly the whole drive over satellite and terrain before you go.
Drive it with no signalAPEXDownload the map and every turn before you go.
Live Group TrackingAPEXEveryone on the route, on the map, by name.
Road conditionsAPEXWet or dry, ice, fog and wind along the road before you go.
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More drives near here

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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Highway 17: Nipigon to Terrace Bay, from Nipigon to Terrace Bay