Driving fro Toronto area OR Sault Ste. Marie area

[greenclan67]

Hi, I posted this on the transportation board as well, but thought I may get some answers here as well.
Has anyone done this? Eithier route, we can do eithier one, because we are right in the middle from both. We are 5.5 hours from Toronto area, or 3.5 hours from the Sault area. Also we are thinking of doing this Dec 27th to Jan 8th. Are we crazy to drive that route in the dead of winter? Any advice needed, and wanted. Or are we better off to get flights? We have always flown, never drove, but my hubby is not a great flyer, and said he would rather drive next year! TIA

 

[ccudmore]

I can't tell from your message where you're driving from and to. Are you driving to Florida from Manitoulin Island?

 

[greenclan67]

Yes we are driving from home to Orlando, instead of flying next year. It will take a bit more plannin so trying to get a jump on it. Just wondered which was the best route to take. Through Sault ste marie, and cross into Michigan, or to cross in Buffalo. Any suggestions taken!

 

[ccudmore]

I'd say for sure through Toronto. Hwy 17 can be unforgiving in the winter. Much safer and reliable (and I'm sure much shorter) to go the Toronto/Buffalo route. I checked Google Maps and it actually suggested taking hwy 21 along the shore of lake huron and crossing over in Detroit.

It says:
Through Detroit: 26 hours
Through SSM: 28 hours
Through Hamilton/Buffalo (avoiding toronto): 27 hours

So there's not a big difference, but I'd for sure avoid the SSM route simply to avoid hwy 17.

 

[Stitch'sCousin]

You basically have three options (since the ferry isn't running in the winter) and you will be on 17E or 17W for all of them.

You could go along 17E through Sudbury and then down 69 to the 400 to Toronto. At that point, you can choose to to go through (1)Buffalo and use the I79/77 route or (2) go through Detroit and use the I75.
(3)You go along 17W to the Sault, you then get on I75 all the way down to Orlando.

Goggle Maps puts all three routes within about 1 hour of each other.

I have also read on these boards that the I79/77 route through the mountains can be quite the drive in winter (I have only done that route in the summer.) so this would lead me to choose the either one of the I75 routes.

In the end, I would play it by ear, plan for both of the I75 routes and then take the one which has the better weather that day to get you from Manitoulin to Detroit.

As a side note, if you do choose to go through Toronto, make sure you consider not only the weather from Espanola to Toronto, but also what is happening around London.

 

[rodeo65]

On the I75 routes you can get that great book Along the I75. We used it last year after having not driven to FL for 15 year. It was fantastic. Each page represents about 1/2 hr of driving time and gives every exit and what gas, food and lodging is at them. Also gives points of interest and great driving tips, speed trap locations, lane shuffles etc. We had that and a TripTik and after about an hour into Detroit of looking at both we tossed the TripTik.

 

[greenclan67]

Thanks everyone for all of your help. I am taking everything into consideration. I agree about the Sault Route with weather. The only reason it was a thought, was my sister lives in the Sault we could have drove to her place, then continued on the next morning and drove about 10 hours that day. So it would cut about 3.5 hours the first day! I am now thinking it may be better to go the other route.
I am leaving Florida in the morning to return home so I can start to plan the next trip. I am sad to be leaving tomorrow, but very excited to plan another trip. We are flying tomorrow, and my hubby is having a fit, cause he just doesn't like it. SO keep the help coming!