Stats:
4222 miles
Left home in the DC area of the USA 9/19 returned 10/2
Stock Ram 1500 Limited with 33 gallon tank 15 gallons spare gas in Jerry cans
Falken Wildpeak AT4W tires
Generation 1 Patriot Campers X3 with full water tank and too much food
Trusty Canine
No bugs of note
Roads of interest driven: Route 109, Billy Diamond (James Bay Road), Trans Taiga North and South ends, Route Muskeg, Route Eastman 1, Route Du Nord
No punctured tires, nor cracked windshield, thankfully!
Temps ranged from 30-40Fs at night with frost in the mornings on a couple days and 50-60Fs during the day
Weather ranged from clear skies, no wind, through to gusts and rain. Plan accordingly.
All info current as of 10/2/25 and road conditions are most likely out of date already YMMV.
Route 109 and Billy Diamond (BD) are fully paved and north of about 400Km on the BD there’s a new surface being put down. Just keep an eye on any dips in the road as they will get your attention. Gas at 381Km on the BD (open 24 hours) was about 1.85/L. Heading out to Chisasibi on the James Bay and Radisson the roads were still paved, but not as smooth. Gas in both Radisson and Chisasibi are about 1.90/L.
Trans Taiga (TT) from 0Km till Brisay (the main section) is practically a 4 lane dirt road that is smoother than the BD! I was easily doing about 50-55 mph on this section. Occasionally there are some washboarded sections that will rattle everything. This entire section could be done with an Outback or Prius. Not recommending a Prius, but the road is that smooth and there were graters all over the place during my time on the road. Till about 400Km you’ll see a lot of the fire damage from the 2023 burns. The gas at Mirage was over 2.50/L and there is nothing you can do about it but smile and say may I have another, because you will on the way back. And be thankful for the cost.
TT north is about 85Km from Brisay to Caniapiscau. This section is like a 2 lane poorly maintained forest service road. You will not be driving as fast as you were on the main section but the scenery is amazing. Lots of traffic from Hydro Quebec staff so this did not have an isolated feel to it. Plan on about 30 mph on this section and about 4 hours out and back.
TT south is 110Km from Brisay to an unnamed gate blocking any further progress. This section starts out nice, but after about 60Km the road turns into a 1 lane road where the TT has set up an auto detailing service for free pin-striping. If you really want to feel remote, go the south route plus you will be even further from Radisson than the north route. The south route is also a very slow road, some sections were in very poor shape, but nothing technical, so plan on spending a full 8-10 hours out and back, just from Brisay! I would recommend a vehicle with clearance to get through some of the bad sections, not suggesting a Prius here, but an Outback *might* work if you are skilled with wheel placement and picking lines. Still, higher clearance would be better. I spent two full days in this area just to enjoy the solitude and disconnect. I only saw 2 Hydro Quebec vehicles zip past, so if you get into trouble, any human will be few and far between. Stay safe and be prepared for a long time between vehicle visits. Or a VERY long walk back to Brisay.
Gas Warning! I filled up at Mirage (open 7:30am-8pm daily) and had 15 gallons in Jerry cans. I used all the main tank and spares and came back to Mirage with about 100KM to spare for range. If you plan to do both ends, take spare gas! Or pick one or the other. I could have done either one with the stock 33 gallon tank but not both. I have read and heard from the staff at Mirage that Brisay will sell gas, but it’s only open during restrictive times, like 7-8am, 12-1pm, etc. I would suggest that you do not plan on getting gas at Brisay, and only use that in the event of an emergency.
Routes Muskeg, Eastman 1 and Du Nord are very well maintained 3 lane dirt roads. Just slow it down when a vehicle is coming the other way to avoid damage from spit up rocks. Especially the semis. Gas stations are more frequent on the roads other than the TT, just fill up whenever to see one and you’ll be fine.
Camping options were plentiful along 109, BD, TT both north and south ends. On BD, Du Nord and until Mirage on the TT there are established Cree camp sites provided by the government. Some have picnic tables, all have fire rings, pit toilets and dumpsters. They do suggest a $5 per night to be put in a mail box, but I’ve seen cans of beer, various currencies, etc in the mail boxes. In my mind it’s a barter system, so I cleaned up the camp site I was in or the campground if I stayed longer in addition to $5. My time and effort I felt made the place better for the next person. Along these roads there are gravel pits that are used to resurface the roads. Most were not in use, and I found these made great one nighters after Mirage. Also the dykes from Hydro Quebec have access roads up to the top of them with turn around spots that would also make good one nighters. I did not see any signs stating camping was not allowed, just don’t block access and ruin it for the next person. Be aware that the Cree have hunting camps along the roads, so if you see a track heading off that may lead to their camps, please respect their land, stay off and leave them be. Take the info you see from satellite imagery with a grain of salt and have multiple back up camping options as what you see in the image may not actually be a viable spot when you lay eyes on it.
Food supplies: In Matagami, Radisson, Chisasibi and Nemaska all have grocery stores if you need supplies. Expect higher costs due to shipping the supplies there. Mirage also has a restaurant as does the gas station at 381Km on the BD.
Critters. I personally did not see any Moose, Caribou, Bear, Wolves (only heard them at Lake Duncan one morning), Lynx, etc. I did see scat along the north and south ends of the TT indicating a stout population of bear and wolf in the area. Plan accordingly. I did have a fox come into camp and cause mayhem, chewing through loops of camp chairs, dragging off door mats, etc. Secure your gear.
In summery the TT is not a technical drive, but it is exhausting in terms of keeping an eye on washboards, oncoming traffic spitting up rocks, etc. The TT is a working road for Hydro Quebec, it’s just open to the public. Talk to the staff at Mirage as they will have great intel when heading further east. Go for the solitude and the mind blowing expanse of untamed wilderness as far as you can get from a town in North America
4222 miles
Left home in the DC area of the USA 9/19 returned 10/2
Stock Ram 1500 Limited with 33 gallon tank 15 gallons spare gas in Jerry cans
Falken Wildpeak AT4W tires
Generation 1 Patriot Campers X3 with full water tank and too much food
Trusty Canine
No bugs of note
Roads of interest driven: Route 109, Billy Diamond (James Bay Road), Trans Taiga North and South ends, Route Muskeg, Route Eastman 1, Route Du Nord
No punctured tires, nor cracked windshield, thankfully!
Temps ranged from 30-40Fs at night with frost in the mornings on a couple days and 50-60Fs during the day
Weather ranged from clear skies, no wind, through to gusts and rain. Plan accordingly.
All info current as of 10/2/25 and road conditions are most likely out of date already YMMV.
Route 109 and Billy Diamond (BD) are fully paved and north of about 400Km on the BD there’s a new surface being put down. Just keep an eye on any dips in the road as they will get your attention. Gas at 381Km on the BD (open 24 hours) was about 1.85/L. Heading out to Chisasibi on the James Bay and Radisson the roads were still paved, but not as smooth. Gas in both Radisson and Chisasibi are about 1.90/L.
Trans Taiga (TT) from 0Km till Brisay (the main section) is practically a 4 lane dirt road that is smoother than the BD! I was easily doing about 50-55 mph on this section. Occasionally there are some washboarded sections that will rattle everything. This entire section could be done with an Outback or Prius. Not recommending a Prius, but the road is that smooth and there were graters all over the place during my time on the road. Till about 400Km you’ll see a lot of the fire damage from the 2023 burns. The gas at Mirage was over 2.50/L and there is nothing you can do about it but smile and say may I have another, because you will on the way back. And be thankful for the cost.
TT north is about 85Km from Brisay to Caniapiscau. This section is like a 2 lane poorly maintained forest service road. You will not be driving as fast as you were on the main section but the scenery is amazing. Lots of traffic from Hydro Quebec staff so this did not have an isolated feel to it. Plan on about 30 mph on this section and about 4 hours out and back.
TT south is 110Km from Brisay to an unnamed gate blocking any further progress. This section starts out nice, but after about 60Km the road turns into a 1 lane road where the TT has set up an auto detailing service for free pin-striping. If you really want to feel remote, go the south route plus you will be even further from Radisson than the north route. The south route is also a very slow road, some sections were in very poor shape, but nothing technical, so plan on spending a full 8-10 hours out and back, just from Brisay! I would recommend a vehicle with clearance to get through some of the bad sections, not suggesting a Prius here, but an Outback *might* work if you are skilled with wheel placement and picking lines. Still, higher clearance would be better. I spent two full days in this area just to enjoy the solitude and disconnect. I only saw 2 Hydro Quebec vehicles zip past, so if you get into trouble, any human will be few and far between. Stay safe and be prepared for a long time between vehicle visits. Or a VERY long walk back to Brisay.
Gas Warning! I filled up at Mirage (open 7:30am-8pm daily) and had 15 gallons in Jerry cans. I used all the main tank and spares and came back to Mirage with about 100KM to spare for range. If you plan to do both ends, take spare gas! Or pick one or the other. I could have done either one with the stock 33 gallon tank but not both. I have read and heard from the staff at Mirage that Brisay will sell gas, but it’s only open during restrictive times, like 7-8am, 12-1pm, etc. I would suggest that you do not plan on getting gas at Brisay, and only use that in the event of an emergency.
Routes Muskeg, Eastman 1 and Du Nord are very well maintained 3 lane dirt roads. Just slow it down when a vehicle is coming the other way to avoid damage from spit up rocks. Especially the semis. Gas stations are more frequent on the roads other than the TT, just fill up whenever to see one and you’ll be fine.
Camping options were plentiful along 109, BD, TT both north and south ends. On BD, Du Nord and until Mirage on the TT there are established Cree camp sites provided by the government. Some have picnic tables, all have fire rings, pit toilets and dumpsters. They do suggest a $5 per night to be put in a mail box, but I’ve seen cans of beer, various currencies, etc in the mail boxes. In my mind it’s a barter system, so I cleaned up the camp site I was in or the campground if I stayed longer in addition to $5. My time and effort I felt made the place better for the next person. Along these roads there are gravel pits that are used to resurface the roads. Most were not in use, and I found these made great one nighters after Mirage. Also the dykes from Hydro Quebec have access roads up to the top of them with turn around spots that would also make good one nighters. I did not see any signs stating camping was not allowed, just don’t block access and ruin it for the next person. Be aware that the Cree have hunting camps along the roads, so if you see a track heading off that may lead to their camps, please respect their land, stay off and leave them be. Take the info you see from satellite imagery with a grain of salt and have multiple back up camping options as what you see in the image may not actually be a viable spot when you lay eyes on it.
Food supplies: In Matagami, Radisson, Chisasibi and Nemaska all have grocery stores if you need supplies. Expect higher costs due to shipping the supplies there. Mirage also has a restaurant as does the gas station at 381Km on the BD.
Critters. I personally did not see any Moose, Caribou, Bear, Wolves (only heard them at Lake Duncan one morning), Lynx, etc. I did see scat along the north and south ends of the TT indicating a stout population of bear and wolf in the area. Plan accordingly. I did have a fox come into camp and cause mayhem, chewing through loops of camp chairs, dragging off door mats, etc. Secure your gear.
In summery the TT is not a technical drive, but it is exhausting in terms of keeping an eye on washboards, oncoming traffic spitting up rocks, etc. The TT is a working road for Hydro Quebec, it’s just open to the public. Talk to the staff at Mirage as they will have great intel when heading further east. Go for the solitude and the mind blowing expanse of untamed wilderness as far as you can get from a town in North America
| Date | Distance (miles) | Camp site |
| 9/19/25 | 421.46 | 43.68723, -75.98421 |
| 9/20/25 | 549.70 | 49.46429, -78.30769 |
| 9/21/25 | 310.13 | 52.39309, -77.24861 |
| 9/22/25 | 310.07 | 53.50375, -77.71820 |
| 9/23/25 | 0 | 53.50375, -77.71820 |
| 9/24/25 | 304.11 | 54.04838, -71.77894 |
| 9/25/25 | 232.45 | 54.14475, -70.23473 |
| 9/26/25 | 0 | 54.14475, -70.23473 |
| 9/27/25 | 0 | 54.14475, -70.23473 |
| 9/28/25 | 335.76 | 53.53849, -74.82213 |
| 9/29/25 | 396.20 | 51.40794, -75.36543 |
| 9/30/25 | 474 | 48.20500, -72.06940 |
| 10/1/25 | 475.48 | 43.69554, -75.97616 |
| 10/2/25 | 412.72 | Home |
| Miles | 4222.08 |
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