More than just asphalt and painted lines, Ontario Highway 11 is the lifeblood of a province. It is a sprawling, complex artery of commerce, tourism, and community, a route that embodies the very story of Ontario's growth and ambition. Known colloquially as "Main Street Ontario," this legendary provincial highway stretches from the bustling southern gateways to the rugged, remote frontiers bordering Minnesota. For some, it is a modern, four-lane commuter corridor. For others, it is a solitary two-lane road carved through the ancient rock of the Canadian Shield, a vital link connecting the vastness of Northern Ontario.
This is a road of dual identities: the historic route of Yonge Street, once claimed as the longest street in the world, and the visionary Ferguson Highway, built to unlock the north's untold riches. It is a critical section of the Trans-Canada Highway system, a testament to a national dream of unity. Driving its full length is to witness the profound diversity of Ontario's landscapes, economies, and cultures, from the cottage country playground of Muskoka to the industrial heartlands of the north and the serene wilderness of the northwest. This guide is the most comprehensive resource available for understanding King's Highway 11 in its entirety—its route, its rich history, and the essential information every traveler needs to know.
To understand the scale of Highway 11, it helps to see the core data in one place. This table provides a quick, factual overview of this immense roadway.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Name | King's Highway 11 |
| Total Length | 1,784.9 kilometres (1,109.1 miles) |
| Southern Terminus | Highway 400 in Barrie, Simcoe County |
| Northern Terminus | Highway 71 near Rainy River |
| Key Regions Served | Central Ontario, Northeastern Ontario, Northwestern Ontario |
| Trans-Canada Section | Co-designated with Highway 17 from Nipigon to Thunder Bay; main route from Thunder Bay to Rainy River |
| Historic Names | Ferguson Highway; The Yonge Street Highway (historic, now decommissioned) |
Tracing the path of Highway 11 is to take a journey through the heart of the province. The character of the road and the landscape it traverses change dramatically across its nearly 1,800-kilometre length. The route can be best understood by dividing it into four distinct sections, each with its own unique identity.
The modern journey on Highway 11 begins in the city of Barrie, at a major interchange with Highway 400. This southern section is the highway’s most developed and heavily trafficked stretch, a testament to its role as the primary artery connecting the Greater Toronto Area to the recreational paradise of Muskoka, often called "cottage country." Here, Highway 11 is a modern, four-lane divided highway, designed for efficient and high-volume traffic.
Leaving Barrie, the highway pushes north, bypassing the city of Orillia, which sits between Lake Couchiching and Lake Simcoe. This area marks the transition from the rolling farmland of Southern Ontario to the granite outcrops of the Canadian Shield. The road continues to Gravenhurst, known as the "Gateway to Muskoka," where the iconic Segwun steamships dot the waterfront.
Further north, the route leads through Bracebridge, a picturesque town nestled around a waterfall on the Muskoka River, and then on to Huntsville, a major regional hub for tourism and services. The landscape along this stretch of highway is defined by stunning pink-hued granite, dense mixed forests, and countless lakes that draw cottagers and tourists year-round. This is the part of Highway 11 that many Ontarians know best, a route synonymous with summer vacations and autumn colour tours. The journey from Barrie to North Bay is smooth, fast, and scenic, culminating in its arrival at the city of North Bay, which sits on the shore of Lake Nipissing and marks the dividing line between Southern and Northern Ontario. For drivers heading north, North Bay is the last major city before the highway's character changes completely.
Leaving North Bay, Highway 11 sheds its four-lane persona and transforms into the road it was historically meant to be: the Ferguson Highway. For much of this section, it is a two-lane highway that serves as the essential spine of Northeastern Ontario. The landscape becomes wilder and more rugged, a seemingly endless expanse of boreal forest, pristine lakes, and the exposed rock of the Canadian Shield.
The first major point of interest is the town of Temagami, a legendary destination for canoeing and wilderness camping, surrounded by old-growth pine forests. The highway continues north, offering breathtaking views and a sense of growing remoteness. It next reaches the city of Temiskaming Shores, an amalgamated municipality that includes the former towns of New Liskeard and Haileybury. This area, known as the "Clay Belt," features surprisingly fertile agricultural land, a stark contrast to the surrounding shield. Here you can find the "Ms. Claybelt" statue, a testament to the region's farming heritage.
From Temiskaming Shores to Cochrane, the road passes through a series of smaller, hardworking towns, each with a history rooted in mining, forestry, or the railway. These include Englehart, a historic railway town, and Kirkland Lake, a community forged in the gold rushes of the early 20th century. The route from North Bay to Cochrane is a journey back in time, tracing the path built by the Department of Northern Development to open up what was once called "New Ontario." The towns along the route were built because of this road access, and to this day, they depend on it. The section culminates in Cochrane, a town famous for its connection to the polar bear and as the southern terminus of the Polar Bear Express train to Moosonee.
West of Cochrane, Highway 11 enters its most isolated and challenging stretch, the Northern Arc. This vast, remote section of highway curves west through the heart of the boreal forest, connecting a string of small, resource-based communities. The distances between towns are long, and the services are sparse, demanding preparation and respect from any driver. This is a true Northern Ontario experience.
The route first passes through Smooth Rock Falls and then continues to Kapuskasing, a major pulp and paper town on the river of the same name. Further west lies Hearst, which proudly bills itself as the "Moose Capital of Canada" and is a major centre of French-Canadian culture in Ontario. For hundreds of kilometres, the existing highway often parallels the Canadian National Railway line, both serving as lifelines through the dense wilderness.
The journey continues through the Municipality of Greenstone, which encompasses several smaller communities like Geraldton and Longlac, both with histories tied to gold mining. This part of the Trans-Canada Highway system is less of a tourist route and more of a working highway, plied by transport trucks carrying lumber, minerals, and other goods that fuel the provincial economy. The drive demands constant vigilance for wildlife, especially moose, which are a frequent and dangerous presence on the road. The Northern Arc finally concludes as the highway descends towards the town of Nipigon, situated on the river of the same name, which flows into the vast expanse of Lake Superior. Near Nipigon, at the northernmost point of the Great Lakes, Highway 11 merges with its southern counterpart, Highway 17.
At Nipigon, Highway 11 joins Highway 17 for a stretch, becoming a single, co-designated Trans-Canada Highway route that runs along the north shore of Lake Superior to the region's largest city, Thunder Bay. The city is served by the Thunder Bay Expressway, a section of highway that bypasses the urban core. West of Thunder Bay, the two highways split again. While Highway 17 continues west towards Dryden and Kenora, Highway 11 takes a more southerly route, arching towards the US border.
This final section of Highway 11, running from Thunder Bay through Northwestern Ontario to the Rainy River district, is also part of the Trans-Canada Highway. It's a crucial route for transport and travel, connecting the region to the rest of Canada. The highway passes through the town of Atikokan, a former iron mining hub, before reaching the border town of Fort Frances.
Fort Frances is a significant port of entry, connected to International Falls, Minnesota, by an international bridge. This stretch of highway is also promoted as "MOM's Way," a touring route connecting Manitoba, Ontario, and Minnesota. The landscape is characterized by the lakes, rivers, and forests of the Canadian Shield, offering spectacular scenery. The long journey of Highway 11 finally comes to an end at its intersection with Highway 71, just east of the town of Rainy River, which also sits on the US border. From a bustling four-lane highway in the south, it concludes here, in the quiet, wild beauty of Northwestern Ontario, having stitched together the entire province.
The story of Highway 11 is the story of Ontario's ambition. It evolved from a colonial military trail into the backbone of a modern provincial economy, a process that involved visionary planning, massive highway construction projects, and a continuous adaptation to the needs of a growing population.
One of the most persistent legends in Canadian geography is that of Yonge Street being the "world's longest street." This claim was fundamentally tied to its identity as Highway 11. For much of the 20th century, the official King's Highway 11 began at the Toronto waterfront and ran north along Yonge Street, continuing all the way to the north. This continuous designation created a single, named route stretching over 1,800 kilometres. The southern portion of this route, known as Yonge Street, has its own deep history, originating from a military and settlement trail called the Penetanguishene Road, surveyed in the late 18th century under the direction of John Graves Simcoe to create a road link to the upper Great Lakes.
However, it is crucial to understand that this is purely a historical fact. In a major jurisdictional shift in 1997 and 1998, the provincial Government of Ontario "downloaded" responsibility for many highways to local municipalities. The entire section of Highway 11 south of Barrie, including all of Yonge Street, was decommissioned as a provincial highway. Today, the road known as Yonge Street is a series of municipal roads, and Highway 11 officially begins in Barrie. While the historical connection is undeniable and fascinating, it is no longer accurate to say Yonge Street is Highway 11.
The true heart of Highway 11's identity lies in its northern expansion, a project championed by Ontario Premier G. Howard Ferguson in the 1920s. At the time, Northern Ontario was largely inaccessible by road, a vast territory of timber and mineral wealth connected only by rail or water. Ferguson envisioned a new trunk road from North Bay that would push north, opening the "Clay Belt" region around New Liskeard and the resource-rich areas beyond for settlement and industry.
The construction of this road, named the Ferguson Highway in his honour, was an immense undertaking managed by the Department of Northern Development. Crews had to blast through solid rock, clear dense forests, and cross countless swamps and rivers. When it opened in 1927, the route from North Bay to Cochrane was a gravel road, but it was revolutionary. It provided the first reliable road access for a dozen new towns along the route and fundamentally changed the economic landscape of the province. This new road was the promise of a future, a commitment from the government of Ontario to the people and industries of the north.
The Ferguson Highway was just the beginning. The 20th century saw a continuous series of projects aimed at the completion of highway links across the north. A major milestone was the completion of the final gap in the route between Hearst and Geraldton in 1943, which finally created a continuous, albeit primitive, road connection across the vast northern expanse of the province.
Following World War II, as vehicle traffic increased, the focus shifted to improving the existing highway system. Sections were paved, realigned, and widened. A pivotal moment came with the creation of the Trans-Canada Highway system. The route of Highway 11 was designated as a key part of this national network. The section west of Nipigon became the primary Trans-Canada route, linking Thunder Bay with the west. This designation brought federal funding and national importance to the highway, solidifying its role as more than just a provincial road. The work continues to this day, with ongoing highway construction projects aimed at creating a four-lane highway further north, a modern echo of the same vision that first drove the builders of the Ferguson Highway nearly a century ago.
Driving Highway 11 requires an understanding of its varied conditions and potential hazards. It is a highway of two distinct characters, and preparation is key, especially when venturing into the northern sections.
South of North Bay, Highway 11 is a modern, predictable four-lane highway with a high speed limit. The risks here are similar to any major highway: high traffic volume, especially during summer weekends, and the need for vigilance.
North of North Bay, the road predominantly becomes a two-lane, undivided highway. This change in highway design demands a significant adjustment in driving style. Overtaking must be done with extreme caution, and drivers must be prepared for slower-moving transport trucks. The two greatest highway safety concerns in Northern Ontario are wildlife and weather. Collisions with moose are a serious and often fatal danger, especially at dawn, dusk, and overnight. The weather, particularly from October to April, can be severe and unpredictable. Blizzards can create whiteout conditions, and extreme cold can lead to black ice. The long stretch of highway between towns means that if you have a problem, help can be a long way off.
In response to safety concerns on two-lane sections, the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has been implementing a new route design known as a "2+1 highway." This model features a single lane in each direction, supplemented by a third, alternating passing lane every few kilometres. This highway design is a cost-effective way to improve highway safety by providing dedicated and safe opportunities to pass slower vehicles, reducing the risk of head-on collisions. Major highway construction continues on the stretch of highway from North Bay towards Temiskaming Shores, with the long-term goal of creating a continuous four-lane highway to service the growing region.
For anyone travelling on Highway 11, particularly north of Barrie, the single most critical tool is the official Ontario 511 service. Managed by the Ministry of Transportation, this service provides real-time, up-to-the-minute traffic and transit information. It is an indispensable resource for planning and safety.
The Ontario 511 service offers a website and a telephone line where you can check for:
Checking road conditions before you depart and along your route is not just a convenience; it is an essential safety practice for travel in Northern Ontario.
Travelers heading west from North Bay face a choice between two Trans-Canada routes: Highway 11 to the north, and Highway 17 to the south. The best choice depends on your destination, priorities, and tolerance for remote travel.
Highway 17 (The Southern Route): This is generally considered the faster and more direct route to get to Western Canada. It follows the north shore of Lake Superior, offering some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in the country. It passes through more and larger communities, such as Sault Ste. Marie, Wawa, and Marathon, meaning services like gas, food, and lodging are more frequent. It is the preferred route for most long-haul commercial traffic.
Highway 11 (The Northern Route): This route is longer and significantly more remote. It takes you through the deep boreal forest and the heart of Ontario's resource economy. While perhaps less scenically dramatic than the stunning cliffs of Lake Superior, it offers a profound sense of solitude and wilderness. Services are much farther apart, and there is less traffic. It is the necessary route if your destination is one of the northern towns like Kapuskasing or Hearst. For the adventurous traveler or those specifically visiting the north, it is the only path.
For safety and convenience, especially in winter, Highway 17 is often recommended. For an experience of the vast, wild interior of the province, Highway 11 is unmatched.
Beyond being a transportation corridor, Highway 11 is a destination in itself, offering access to some of Ontario's most remarkable natural landscapes and quirky roadside attractions. It is a gateway to adventure for those willing to explore.
The highway provides direct or nearby access to numerous provincial parks. In the south, it skirts the edges of the popular parks of the Muskoka and Almaguin Highlands regions. Further north, Marten River Provincial Park offers a glimpse into the region's logging history with a reconstructed 19th-century camp. Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater Provincial Park, accessible via roads leading from the highway near Temagami, is a world-class destination for rugged, backcountry canoeing.
Further up the route, Kettle Lakes Provincial Park near Timmins features 22 deep, spring-fed kettle lakes left behind by glaciers, perfect for swimming and paddling. Fushimi Lake Provincial Park near Hearst offers excellent fishing in a remote northern setting. As the highway approaches Nipigon, it provides access points to the vast and magnificent Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area.
A road trip through Northern Ontario would be incomplete without its charming and often oversized roadside attractions. These landmarks provide a unique sense of place and are beloved by locals and travelers alike. Driving Highway 11, you will encounter the iconic "Ms. Claybelt" statue in New Liskeard (part of Temiskaming Shores), a Holstein cow paying tribute to the area's agricultural roots.
In Cochrane, the massive statue of "Chimo the Polar Bear" greets visitors, highlighting the town's connection to the arctic watershed. While not directly on the highway, a short detour from Kirkland Lake will take you to the Sir Harry Oakes Chateau, a monument to the town's immense gold mining wealth. The entire route is a launching point for world-class fishing, hunting, and snowmobiling, with countless lodges, outfitters, and trail networks dotting the regions it passes through. From yonge and centre street in the past to the vast wilderness today, the route offers endless things to do.
Is Yonge Street still Highway 11? No. While Yonge Street was historically the southern part of Highway 11, this section was decommissioned in 1997-1998. The highway's official southern starting point is now at Highway 400 in Barrie.
Where does Highway 11 officially start and end? It officially starts at Highway 400 in Barrie, Ontario, and travels 1,784.9 kilometres to its end point at Highway 71, east of Rainy River in Northwestern Ontario.
What towns does Highway 11 go through? It passes through dozens of towns and cities, including Barrie, Orillia, Huntsville, North Bay, Temiskaming Shores, Cochrane, Kapuskasing, Hearst, Nipigon, Thunder Bay, Atikokan, and Fort Frances.
Is Highway 11 a divided highway? It is a divided, four-lane highway from its start in Barrie to North Bay. North and west of North Bay, it is predominantly a two-lane, undivided highway, with some newer "2+1" sections.
Is Highway 11 part of the Trans-Canada Highway? Yes. A significant portion of the highway is designated as part of the Trans-Canada Highway. It shares the designation with Highway 17 between Nipigon and Thunder Bay, and it is the sole Trans-Canada route from Thunder Bay to Rainy River.
Which is a better or safer drive: Highway 11 or Highway 17? Highway 17 is generally considered the safer and more populated route, with more services and spectacular views of Lake Superior. Highway 11 is more remote and offers a different kind of wilderness experience but requires more careful planning, especially in winter.