The Central Hub for all of Northwestern Ontario
Thunder Bay is well connected by road, rail, port and air. With close to 1 million passengers moving through the airport each year, there are many flights and it's easy to get here no matter what direction you're coming from or going to. From Toronto or Winnipeg, it's only 90 minutes. This vibrant city also acts as the gateway to the rest of Northwestern Ontario.
- By road: Thunder Bay is accessed from the East and West via the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 11-17).
- By air: Thunder Bay International Airport is the third busiest in Ontario and will keep your business globally connected.
- By sea: Thunder Bay has excellent shipping access through the Thunder Bay Port Authority, the largest outbound port on the Great Lakes.
- By rail: Goods can easily be shipped across the country, and continent, by using the Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Railways.
It's easy to get here. Explore new opportunities as you enjoy this vibrant city and its welcoming community. Go To Thunder Bay. For Life.
Thunder Bay Transportation Infrastructure
Thunder Bay International Airport -Thunder Bay airport operates multiple daily flights to Toronto and many other Canadian and international destinations. As Ontario's 3rd busiest airport it not only transports people to and from Thunder Bay but also acts as the main node for connections into destinations throughout Northern Ontario.
Thunder Bay Port Authority – The Port of Thunder Bay is the largest port on the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway System. It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week from March until early January. The Port has the largest grain storage capacity in North America and has facilities for dry bulk, liquid bulk, and general cargo. It is served by the Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Railways and numerous trucking companies.
Canadian National Railway – CN picks up goods at the Port of Thunder Bay to transport them across North America. With approximately 19,600 miles of tracks, CN is the largest rail network in Canada and the only transcontinental rail network in North America.
Canadian Pacific Railway – The Canadian Pacific Railway brings good to and from the Port of Thunder Bay. Connecting the Atlantic and the Pacific ports the Canadian Pacific Railway delivers goods across Canada and into the United States.
Learn more about the Transportation Sector
Proximity to Border Crossings
Thunder Bay is very close to the US border at Pigeon River. It only takes 45 minutes to drive south on Highway 61 to the Canadian / US border.
Distances to/from Thunder Bay, ON
| Distance From | Kilometres | Miles |
| Buffalo, NY | 1603 | 994 |
| Chicago, IL | 1060 | 657 |
| Detroit, MI | 1263 | 783 |
| Duluth, MN | 314 | 194 |
| Milwaukee, WI | 945 | 586 |
| Minneapolis, MN | 556 | 345 |
| North Bay, ON | 1105 | 687 |
| Ottawa, ON | 1465 | 910 |
| Sault Ste. Marie, ON | 690 | 428 |
| Sudbury, ON | 995 | 618 |
| Timmins, ON | 770 | 478 |
| Toronto, ON | 1375 | 858 |
| Winnipeg, MB | 685 | 425 |
- This chart is sourced from the City of Thunder Bay Website
Community Profile
Thunder Bay Economic Data – This interactive website includes data on demographics, labour force, tax, quality of life, housing transportation, education, companies and utilities.
Thunder Bay Community Profile for Investors – This PDF provides demographic and economic information about doing business here.
Contact(s)
Why Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay is a transportation hub, featuring one of Canada’s largest port facilities, both major railways and the junction of the Trans-Canada Highway with the principal north-south routes from the Upper Midwest to the Gulf of Mexico.
Testimonials
“We ship every day… Plane leaves here at 5 o’clock every day. Our goods are in their owners hands as quick as 18 hours anywhere in North America.” - Owner, Cinevate Inc.
Quick Stats
News
Thunder Bay Bombardier to build 125 new GO commuter trains
Porter Airlines Increasing Number of Flights Between Thunder Bay and Toronto
Local Business News
Subscribe to the Thunder Bay CEDC eNewsletter
Thunder Bay Business