Canadian Road Trip from Brampton to Saskatoon

Introduction

This past May, my oldest son Liam and I set out on a cross-country road trip from Brampton, Ontario to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Our mission? To deliver a 2012 Honda Civic to a friend of a friend. Believe it or not, it was actually cheaper to buy a used Civic here in the Greater Toronto Area than in Saskatoon, so we turned the delivery into a four-day father-son adventure across Canada.

Day 1: Brampton to Wawa – Lakes, Geese, and Late Night Flashlight Testing

We hit the road on Sunday, May 25th, heading north from Brampton. Our first quick stop was at the Espanola cutoff, where we grabbed some drinks and candy to fuel the journey.

Next up was Sault Ste. Marie, where we stopped for a late lunch and a walk along the waterfront docks with my old friend Raquel. The Civic was performing well — reliable, fuel-efficient, and surprisingly comfortable for the long haul.

We pushed on to Pancake Bay, a stunning spot on Lake Superior that deserves a photo op. The views were spectacular and totally worth the stop.

We rolled into Wawa, famously “the town so nice, they named it twice.” Home to Canada’s largest goose statue, Wawa fully embraces its feathered mascot — geese were everywhere. We stayed the night at The Big Bird Inn (despite the name, it had no affiliation with Sesame Street). The town was quiet that evening, so I filmed some flashlight review footage by the lake before we called it a night.

Day 2: Wawa to the Wildfires – Trees, Construction, and Sleeping in the Car

After an early breakfast, we stopped to say goodbye to Wawa’s Giant Goose, then hit the road toward Thunder Bay. This stretch was slow and monotonous — lots of trees, lots of construction — but we made the most of it.

We paid our respects at the Terry Fox Memorial and spotted a few pelicans on Lake Superior. Then, we took a short tour of my alma mater, Lakehead University, before heading to Kakabeka Falls, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Ontario.

Unfortunately, wildfires in the region meant every hotel and motel was booked solid — mostly by firefighters and evacuees. I remembered those fire seasons from when I lived in Thunder Bay, waking up to thick layers of ash that looked like snowfall on my car. That night, with nowhere to stay, we pulled into a rest stop around midnight and slept in the car.

Day 3: From Kenora to Brandon – Big Views and Bigger Memories

We woke up early and drove into Kenora, Ontario, which turned out to be one of the most beautiful towns on our route — stunning lake views and a charming downtown.

Soon after, we crossed into Manitoba, making a quick stop in Winnipeg. We explored the city, and my son had his first legal alcoholic drink at a local restaurant. We also visited The Leaf, an interactive horticultural museum that was surprisingly fun.

Next stop: Brandon, Manitoba. We originally planned to just snap a photo with the town sign for Liam’s friend (also named Brandon), but we ended up staying the night. The people were welcoming, the buffet was delicious, and the budget motel next door made it an easy overnight. We even caught a showing of Final Destination at the local theatre. Brandon was a highlight — highly recommend it for road trippers.

Day 4: Regina, Science, and the Final Push to Saskatoon

On our final full day, we had milkshakes and a hearty breakfast on the way to Regina, Saskatchewan. We stopped at the Saskatchewan Legislative Building (and saw even more pelicans!) before visiting the Royal Saskatchewan Museum for a quick deep-dive into natural science.

The last leg of the journey flew by, and before we knew it, we were in Saskatoon. Due to continued wildfire displacement, hotels were still scarce — so we splurged on a penthouse suite for our final night. It was a relaxing end to an unforgettable trip.

We met the car’s new owner the next day, completed the handoff, and reflected on how far we’d come.

The Journey Home – Airport Adventures

The flight home wasn’t exactly smooth sailing. Due to the wildfires, delays stacked up and we ended up spending a night stuck in the Edmonton airport. It wasn’t ideal, but it was all part of the experience.

We finally made it home to Brampton on Friday, May 30th.

Final Thoughts: A Road Trip to Remember

What started as a simple car delivery turned into one of the most meaningful experiences I’ve had as a father. Driving across the country with my son gave us time to talk, laugh, explore, and bond. I hope Liam remembers this trip as fondly as I do.

Would I do it all again? Absolutely.