North Bay plays a crucial role as a major transportation hub in Northern Ontario. Being located at the crossroads of Highway 11, 17, and 63, provides businesses with direct access to key markets in both Canada and the United States. The community is also home to several international carriers and freight forwarding services.
Access & Location
Discover the benefits of choosing North Bay for your (re)location. Located just a 3-hour drive from Toronto, and 3.5-hours from Ottawa. Our city serves as a vital transportation hub connecting northern Ontario. North Bay is well connected by road, rail, and air. Home to Northern Ontario’s longest 10,000 ft runway, you can land anything that flies.
North Bay is well-connected through high-capacity rail freight lines. This enables efficient transfer of heavy loads and large quantities of materials to and from major centers. Canadian Pacific (CP) Railway, Canadian National (CN) Railway, and Ottawa Valley Railway (OVR) provide freight services. These railways link to the United States' rail system and all industrial areas across Canada.
The municipally owned North Bay Jack Garland Airport (YYB) has the longest runway in northern Ontario. With a main runway stretching 10,000 feet, a Category 1 instrument landing system, Canada customs and flight service stations, YYB welcomes and accommodates a wide range of aircraft, from light trainers to large "heavies" like the Boeing 747 and Antonov 124.
Known as the "Gateway to the North," North Bay is at the crossroads of highways, railways, air routes, and fiber-optic networks. These connections enable movement of people, goods, and raw materials. Our strategic location provides businesses with a competitive edge, offering close proximity to major centers, available lands, accessible markets, and a high quality of life.
Distances to other centres
| Centre | Kilometers | Miles | Driving Time |
| Toronto | 345 | 214 | 3 hours |
| Ottawa | 357 | 222 | 3.5 hours |
| Montreal | 555 | 345 | 5.5 hours |
| Buffalo | 490 | 306 | 5 hours |
| Detroit | 683 | 427 | 7 hours |
| New York City | 770 | 478 | 8 hours |
| Chicago | 1144 | 715 | 11 hours |