Thunder Bay Forum: Driving from Southern Ontario to Thunder Bay

Next week we are driving our motorhome from Southern Ontario to Thunder Bay, planning on going through Michigan, Sault Ste Marie and then Trans Canada over to T Bay. Some suggestions have been to stick with a better road across Northern Michigan to Duluth, then up to T Bay from there, therefore avoiding #17 in Ontario. On Google Maps this adds over one hour to the trip... Can anyone comment on road and driving conditions for either route? Also, fuel and rest stop frequency? Any advise would be greatly helpful. Thx, ken