Highway 17 stretch one of Canada’s worst winter drives

A company called Samsara has published a list of the 10 worst stretches of highway for winter driving in Canada and the stretch of Highway 17 from Kenora to Dryden ranked number six. The study analyzed data from crashes across the country and to no ones surprise driving in the Rocky Mountains in the winter can be very dangerous as well as in the highway traffic around Toronto.

The stretch of 17 from Kenora to Dryden it noted had a higher risk from long, dark two-lane stretches with limited passing and the constant threat of moose crossing. Highway 11 from Hearst to Kapuskasing also cracked the top ten.

The worst stretch of road though was in southern Ontario between Chatham and Erieau where lake effect snow from Lake Erie, the winding curves along the shoreline and the narrow two lanes increased the risk to motorists.

The week of Christmas found the most crashes happen on December 24th.

Here is the full list:

1. Erieau Road – Erieau Peninsula lakeshore (ON) Lake-effect snow, narrow two-lane geometry, and shoreline curves between Chatham-Kent and Erieau.
2. Trans-Canada Highway – Rogers Pass and Yoho National Park (BC) Steep grades, avalanche exposure, and tight curves between Golden, Rogers Pass, and Lake Louise.
3. Trans-Canada Highway – Banff–Lake Louise (AB/BC border) Heavy tourist and freight mix, wildlife crossings, and frequent snow squalls.
4. Yellowhead Highway – Jasper–Hinton corridor (AB) Elk and moose crossings, forested curves, and fast-changing mountain weather.
5. Yellowhead Highway – McBride–Tête Jaune Cache (BC) Narrow mountain valley, grade changes, and patchy traction.
6. Highway 17 – Kenora–Dryden (ON) Long, dark two-lane stretches through dense moose habitat, with limited passing and shoulders.
7. Highway 11 – Hearst–Kapuskasing (ON) Extreme cold, limited lighting, and wildlife movement along remote boreal forest segments.
8. Queen Elizabeth Way – Burlington Skyway (ON) Crosswinds, elevated structure over Hamilton Harbour, and heavy truck volumes.
9. Highway 401 – Mississauga interchange complex (ON) 401/403/410 interchange zone with dense freight traffic, frequent lane changes, and winter refreeze on ramps.
10. Highway 401 Express/Collectors – Toronto core (ON) Collector–express weave between Pearson and Scarborough with high density, spray, and rapid refreeze on overpasses.