Genius
Posts: 998 
Location: Was Victoria, now Ottawa
Location: Was Victoria, now Ottawa
February 17th, 2005, 05:53 PM
I'm leaving Victoria (if you can believe anyone would) for Ottawa (again, sounds crazy). But there is work to be done in Ottawa and I must be there. So I'm driving, Feb. 25th. I want to know if anyone has done this here and how far to drive and where to stay. What b and b's are recommended? Leaving Victoria, what’s a decent amount of distance to drive? How much am I going to spend on gas, and if it is possible to take in all that Saskatchewan has to offer in two days. I think I can make it less than 10 days at a leisurely pace. I'll visit some relatives along the way too. So, who's done it, what have they learned, and how many hours of therapy did it take to recover.
I'm leaving Victoria (if you can believe anyone would) for Ottawa (again, sounds crazy). But there is work to be done in Ottawa and I must be there. So I'm driving, Feb. 25th. I want to know if anyone has done this here and how far to drive and where to stay. What b and b's are recommended? Leaving Victoria, what’s a decent amount of distance to drive? How much am I going to spend on gas, and if it is possible to take in all that Saskatchewan has to offer in two days. I think I can make it less than 10 days at a leisurely pace. I'll visit some relatives along the way too. So, who's done it, what have they learned, and how many hours of therapy did it take to recover.
Super Genius
Posts: 1,076
Location: Victoria, B.C.
Location: Victoria, B.C.
February 17th, 2005, 06:00 PM
gonzo....tell us you're not moving for good are you? is it just temporary insanity with dollars involved?
man, i don't think i could do more than about 15 hours a day in a car. i get car sick, so i'm probably not the best person to ask. i usually just zoom to where i am going and then zoom back. usually travelling in darkness. honestly. not so many cars on the road. don't know if i can do it now though, night vision and all. i guess i could get night vision goggles...
good luck buddy, and make sure to write. hey - send us a daily update - that would be so kewl.
gonzo....tell us you're not moving for good are you? is it just temporary insanity with dollars involved?
man, i don't think i could do more than about 15 hours a day in a car. i get car sick, so i'm probably not the best person to ask. i usually just zoom to where i am going and then zoom back. usually travelling in darkness. honestly. not so many cars on the road. don't know if i can do it now though, night vision and all. i guess i could get night vision goggles...
good luck buddy, and make sure to write. hey - send us a daily update - that would be so kewl.
Genius
Posts: 998
Location: Was Victoria, now Ottawa
Location: Was Victoria, now Ottawa
February 17th, 2005, 06:05 PM
I'm going to take pics of the whole journey, from the mountains of BC to the majestic flatness of the prairie provinces. I'll put them up on photobucket. I'm sure it'll be a shock driving through snow again, especially after the weather we've been having in Victoria. I must be mad. But it is a dollar thing. Money talks (and moves you to colder climates).
I'm going to take pics of the whole journey, from the mountains of BC to the majestic flatness of the prairie provinces. I'll put them up on photobucket. I'm sure it'll be a shock driving through snow again, especially after the weather we've been having in Victoria. I must be mad. But it is a dollar thing. Money talks (and moves you to colder climates).
Newbie
Posts: 12
Location: Canada
Location: Canada
February 17th, 2005, 06:52 PM
I did Vic to Ottawa in 5 days. I had my brother with me to share the driving, so we went pretty much all day, finding cheap motels at dusk.
We went via the US, took the I 90 pretty much the whole way. Pretty nice scenery going that way, with the Badlands being the high point for us. Sturgis was cool.
You save a heck of alot in fuel costs, its soo much cheaper down there.
Only problem with the US is that its full of Americans
, and if you got a dark complexion, dont be doing any sight seeing around any nuclear reactors, etc.
I did Vic to Ottawa in 5 days. I had my brother with me to share the driving, so we went pretty much all day, finding cheap motels at dusk.
We went via the US, took the I 90 pretty much the whole way. Pretty nice scenery going that way, with the Badlands being the high point for us. Sturgis was cool.
You save a heck of alot in fuel costs, its soo much cheaper down there.
Only problem with the US is that its full of Americans
, and if you got a dark complexion, dont be doing any sight seeing around any nuclear reactors, etc.
Don't bother arguing, I KNOW!
Posts: 10,754
Location: pumpkin pie bungalow
Location: pumpkin pie bungalow
February 17th, 2005, 10:46 PM
Gonzo don't forget about the borg and stay in touch with us and keep us posted on your trip..you should start a blog over in the community centre of your trip.
I have been across canada many times, all my cousins and kin live back there..my parents came out in the wagon train to settle the wilds of Vancouver island :P They have good fishing in northern ontario...I caught a big muskie there once visiting my nanny on the shores of lake huron. Nice country northern ontario...course the trees are tooth picks but nobody's perfect :P
Gonzo don't forget about the borg and stay in touch with us and keep us posted on your trip..you should start a blog over in the community centre of your trip.
I have been across canada many times, all my cousins and kin live back there..my parents came out in the wagon train to settle the wilds of Vancouver island :P They have good fishing in northern ontario...I caught a big muskie there once visiting my nanny on the shores of lake huron. Nice country northern ontario...course the trees are tooth picks but nobody's perfect :P
Super Genius
Posts: 1,366
Location: Within arms reach of the new baby..
Location: Within arms reach of the new baby..
February 17th, 2005, 11:42 PM
I drove Thunder Bay to Edmonton in one day. Not much to see in Saskatchewan. Although, if you can time it to be driving through the prairies at sunset, you should, they have absolutely amazing sunsets.
Stop at Kakabekka Falls in Thunder Bay too. I bet this time of year it would be just beautiful, and quiet (tourist wise)....
You can hit the giant nickle too if you stay on the Trans Canada (I had a friend who was crazy about the "biggest crazy things" in Canada, so I had to stop at the giant nickle for her)...
I drove Thunder Bay to Edmonton in one day. Not much to see in Saskatchewan. Although, if you can time it to be driving through the prairies at sunset, you should, they have absolutely amazing sunsets.
Stop at Kakabekka Falls in Thunder Bay too. I bet this time of year it would be just beautiful, and quiet (tourist wise)....
You can hit the giant nickle too if you stay on the Trans Canada (I had a friend who was crazy about the "biggest crazy things" in Canada, so I had to stop at the giant nickle for her)...
Super Genius
Posts: 1,142
Location: Hide-Away Lane, Toronto
Location: Hide-Away Lane, Toronto
February 18th, 2005, 01:41 AM
Hey! Gonzo
I've travelled alot of miles in Canada.
If your single ....
Put an ad in the paper and advertise that your travelling to Ontario and see if someone else wants to go-along and share the gas money. Otherwise; it is pretty boring sh?t.
The worst is Kenora, (Northern Ontario). Up hills and down hills and around corners for miles and miles. Travel that area at night so that you can sort of cruise.
Put a construction hardhat in your back window so that the cops will leave you alone. Not a white supervisors hat .... some dirty ol' yellow hat.
Drive Toronto to Ottawa during the day. Most all the cops are in court. Drive really slow when going through Kingston, Ontario. The cops there could be absolutely criminal!
Fill up your car with pot and tobacco products and I'll meet you at 666 Hide-Away-Lane, in Toronto.
Oh! Yeah .... Sell your umbrella. You won't need it in Ontario.
Calm
Hey! Gonzo
I've travelled alot of miles in Canada.
If your single ....
Put an ad in the paper and advertise that your travelling to Ontario and see if someone else wants to go-along and share the gas money. Otherwise; it is pretty boring sh?t.
The worst is Kenora, (Northern Ontario). Up hills and down hills and around corners for miles and miles. Travel that area at night so that you can sort of cruise.
Put a construction hardhat in your back window so that the cops will leave you alone. Not a white supervisors hat .... some dirty ol' yellow hat.
Drive Toronto to Ottawa during the day. Most all the cops are in court. Drive really slow when going through Kingston, Ontario. The cops there could be absolutely criminal!
Fill up your car with pot and tobacco products and I'll meet you at 666 Hide-Away-Lane, in Toronto.
Oh! Yeah .... Sell your umbrella. You won't need it in Ontario.
Calm
Super Genius
Posts: 1,320
Location: Winnipeg
Location: Winnipeg
February 18th, 2005, 05:56 AM
Take the Yellowhead through Saskatchewan. It's got some rolling hills and stuff. It's a much nicer drive in the winter...not much traffic except for you and the truckers. There's not much to see in that part of Saskatchewan this time of year though. There's the potash mine at Esterhazy, but they've limited access to it so you can't get your friends to give you rides in the buckets of the big loaders anymore.
If you were coming through in the summer I know a few little tourist attractions, like the Luthi House. They shut down in the winter though.
Mind you, if you stop in S'toon there's the Western Development Museum...that's cool. Then you can pound the 8-1/2 or 9 hours to Winnipeg. While here you should check out the Museum of Natural History and walk around the Exchange District a bit. The Exchange District is the part of town where they shoot the movies because it looks like 1920's Chicago. There's also The Forks, where the rivers come together. There's a really cool walking bridge there. Again, not much going on in the winter. You're coming just a little too late for Festival du Voyageur.
Give me a call when you're here, we'll grab a beer or something.
When you pull out of Winnipeg, plan on making Thunder Bay...that's another 8 or 9 hours. You won't see much but rocks and trees once you hit the Ontario border. At first you'll think it's pretty, but soon you'll realize that it's dead boring. You'll be tempted to speed. Don't. There are a lot of moose on that road, they come up to lick the salt in the winter, and if you hit one you will be killed. Also, the truckers are all insane, so be careful.
Definitely check out Kekkabekka falls when you are in Thunder Bay. It's very cool, especially if there's some ice on it. I used to stay in a hotel that was just south of town in Thunder Bay...nice quiet little place. It's a Best Western, but I can't remember the exact name.
Next time you come through, make it in the summer. There's a lot more going on.
Take the Yellowhead through Saskatchewan. It's got some rolling hills and stuff. It's a much nicer drive in the winter...not much traffic except for you and the truckers. There's not much to see in that part of Saskatchewan this time of year though. There's the potash mine at Esterhazy, but they've limited access to it so you can't get your friends to give you rides in the buckets of the big loaders anymore.
If you were coming through in the summer I know a few little tourist attractions, like the Luthi House. They shut down in the winter though.
Mind you, if you stop in S'toon there's the Western Development Museum...that's cool. Then you can pound the 8-1/2 or 9 hours to Winnipeg. While here you should check out the Museum of Natural History and walk around the Exchange District a bit. The Exchange District is the part of town where they shoot the movies because it looks like 1920's Chicago. There's also The Forks, where the rivers come together. There's a really cool walking bridge there. Again, not much going on in the winter. You're coming just a little too late for Festival du Voyageur.
Give me a call when you're here, we'll grab a beer or something.
When you pull out of Winnipeg, plan on making Thunder Bay...that's another 8 or 9 hours. You won't see much but rocks and trees once you hit the Ontario border. At first you'll think it's pretty, but soon you'll realize that it's dead boring. You'll be tempted to speed. Don't. There are a lot of moose on that road, they come up to lick the salt in the winter, and if you hit one you will be killed. Also, the truckers are all insane, so be careful.
Definitely check out Kekkabekka falls when you are in Thunder Bay. It's very cool, especially if there's some ice on it. I used to stay in a hotel that was just south of town in Thunder Bay...nice quiet little place. It's a Best Western, but I can't remember the exact name.
Next time you come through, make it in the summer. There's a lot more going on.
Newbie
Posts: 1
July 11th, 2006, 11:03 PM
i am moving from victoria to barrie this august. i dont think i am crazy..i am really looking forward to the true canadian seasons! I am mainly concerned about costs of renting a uhaul or what not. I have a vehicle i need to get there. in addition, i have a couch and bed and then some random stuff but not too much. Anyone know the cheapest way to do this???
(I noted the US route..good point and thanks!)
i am moving from victoria to barrie this august. i dont think i am crazy..i am really looking forward to the true canadian seasons! I am mainly concerned about costs of renting a uhaul or what not. I have a vehicle i need to get there. in addition, i have a couch and bed and then some random stuff but not too much. Anyone know the cheapest way to do this???
(I noted the US route..good point and thanks!)
Knows Too Much
Posts: 2,100 
Location: Backwater, Ontario.
Location: Backwater, Ontario.
July 28th, 2006, 09:10 AM
Unless you are really attached to your couch and bed, sellem, and buy used when you get to Barrie. Pack the car full, and throw everything else away.
Camp out on the way. Bathe in streams. Eat wild berries. Poach game and fish.
Cheap enough??
Enjoy the good life in............"Barrie"?
Unless you are really attached to your couch and bed, sellem, and buy used when you get to Barrie. Pack the car full, and throw everything else away.Camp out on the way. Bathe in streams. Eat wild berries. Poach game and fish.
Cheap enough??
Enjoy the good life in............"Barrie"?
Genius
Posts: 998
Location: Was Victoria, now Ottawa
Location: Was Victoria, now Ottawa
July 28th, 2006, 03:40 PM
Well, it's been over a year since I moved to Ottawa and I'm glad. Look at the weather in BC now!! The drive was expensive though. I could of sold allot of stuff I dont need and shipped everything else home and flew. Would of been cheaper, but I wanted to see Canada. Now that I have a good job (couldn't find one in Victoria) I want to drive back again as a vacation and see all the sights I missed. I'd like to stay longer in the rockies, and drive up north to the Yukon.
For some reason, when I was driving my U-Haul to Ottawa, I was pulled over twice by the cops in Ontario. For no reason!!
Well, it's been over a year since I moved to Ottawa and I'm glad. Look at the weather in BC now!! The drive was expensive though. I could of sold allot of stuff I dont need and shipped everything else home and flew. Would of been cheaper, but I wanted to see Canada. Now that I have a good job (couldn't find one in Victoria) I want to drive back again as a vacation and see all the sights I missed. I'd like to stay longer in the rockies, and drive up north to the Yukon.
For some reason, when I was driving my U-Haul to Ottawa, I was pulled over twice by the cops in Ontario. For no reason!!
I had Dorothy
Posts: 1,054
Location: not in Kansas anymore
Location: not in Kansas anymore
August 17th, 2006, 08:02 PM
You can skip Northern ontario by crossing the border and coming through Sarnia.Be careful there because the people are mostly in-bred. Alo,you have to take in Moose Jaw,erotic capital of the world.They have what is supposed to be underground tunnels supposedly used by Al Capone, The rest of Canada calls them sewers.Enjoy!!
You can skip Northern ontario by crossing the border and coming through Sarnia.Be careful there because the people are mostly in-bred. Alo,you have to take in Moose Jaw,erotic capital of the world.They have what is supposed to be underground tunnels supposedly used by Al Capone, The rest of Canada calls them sewers.Enjoy!!
Genius
Posts: 998
Location: Was Victoria, now Ottawa
Location: Was Victoria, now Ottawa
August 17th, 2006, 08:09 PM
I drove for about 10 hours a day, except my last day which I drove for 14 hours to get home. It was fun. No kids. Just a cat. I wanted to see most of Canada so I took highway 1. You should take more then a week to do it. Ontario goes on forever. The roads are dangerous there. There are hotels along the way but plan to be in a city in the prairies. Theres allot of nothing there.
I drove for about 10 hours a day, except my last day which I drove for 14 hours to get home. It was fun. No kids. Just a cat. I wanted to see most of Canada so I took highway 1. You should take more then a week to do it. Ontario goes on forever. The roads are dangerous there. There are hotels along the way but plan to be in a city in the prairies. Theres allot of nothing there.
Newbie
Posts: 1
April 8th, 2008, 06:11 PM
Im so happy I found this thread! My boyfriend and I are planning to do basically the exact same trip - I live in Barrie, he lives in Ottawa, and we're meeting up in the middle, and the plan is to take the Trans Can highway to move out to Victoria! Going through Canada was intentional, so that we could finally see lots of the provinces of our true north strong and free.
Ive heard some things though...ie. That it can be crazy scary driving through the mountains. True? False?
Can anyone suggest some good moving companies to go cross country? We don't have a ton of stuff
Can anyone suggest a good pet moving company? I have a cat that hates traveling, and I really don't know if I can handle him freaking out for a week inside a cage in my car.
Are there any things that I should try and do before leaving Ontariariario? As in official stuff - driving insurance transfers, etc? Any help would be awesome!
Im so happy I found this thread! My boyfriend and I are planning to do basically the exact same trip - I live in Barrie, he lives in Ottawa, and we're meeting up in the middle, and the plan is to take the Trans Can highway to move out to Victoria! Going through Canada was intentional, so that we could finally see lots of the provinces of our true north strong and free.
Ive heard some things though...ie. That it can be crazy scary driving through the mountains. True? False?
Can anyone suggest some good moving companies to go cross country? We don't have a ton of stuff
Can anyone suggest a good pet moving company? I have a cat that hates traveling, and I really don't know if I can handle him freaking out for a week inside a cage in my car.
Are there any things that I should try and do before leaving Ontariariario? As in official stuff - driving insurance transfers, etc? Any help would be awesome!
