Buffalo, Minnesota to Thunder Bay: Road Trip Guide & Distance

311.5 miles 501.3 km · straight line
373.8 miles estimated 601.6 km · driving distance
7h 31min estimated drive time
$36 - $44 estimated fuel cost
~1h 8min flight time
43° NE bearing direction

How far is Buffalo, Minnesota from Thunder Bay?

The distance from Buffalo, Minnesota to Thunder Bay is 311.5 miles (501.3 km) as the crow flies. Thunder Bay is located NE of Buffalo, Minnesota. By car, the driving distance is approximately 373.8 miles, taking about 7h 31min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 8min. Buffalo, Minnesota is in Minnesota, United States, while Thunder Bay is in Ontario, Canada.

This is a solid day of driving. Be sure to take breaks every 2-3 hours to avoid driver fatigue, and plan your meals ahead of time. Heading East means you'll be driving into the sunrise if you start early. Keep your windshield clean for the best visibility. Keep in mind this route crosses international borders. Don't forget your passport, and check current border crossing times and vehicle insurance requirements.

Coordinates come from public place data for Buffalo, Minnesota and Thunder Bay. The driving distance is estimated from straight-line distance with a road-factor model, so confirm the route in your navigation app. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.

How to Get from Buffalo, Minnesota to Thunder Bay

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 7h 31min $36 - $44 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 8min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~9h 1min $30–$56* Budget
Train ~7h 8min $45–$131* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Buffalo, Minnesota & Thunder Bay

Quick Facts

Buffalo, Minnesota
45.17°N, 93.87°W
America/Chicago
283m elevation
Thunder Bay
48.38°N, 89.25°W
America/Toronto
199m elevation
Explore more routes from Thunder Bay

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 104 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 26 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 79.9 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · Driving distance estimated using road factor coefficients