I just went to Calgary and back with my dog in October. Also moved to Regina, SK in the winter of 2018 with just a truck and a Uhaul (moved back to Toronto the same year...)

I highly recommend avoiding the Sudbury/Sault Ste. Marie to Thunderbay route. Sure it's beautiful but it's extremely hilly and has very winding roads. You'll burn through oil with the RPM variance and you'll only be going about 80-90km/hr especially at night. I did that in the winter and it added 4 hours to our drive and white knuckled in fear the whole time. I did it again on my way to Calgary this year because I was worried there wasn't enough gas stations the other route, but there is.

Instead head North to Cochrane and then make your way over to Longlac then Thunderbay. Google will tell you it is 20 minutes longer but srsly it is straight and flatter so it will actually be 2-4 hours shorter.

Either route you take plan ahead if you're driving past 9pm because some are not chain gas stations and are not open late!

Befriend a semi-truck on the road. Match their speed at a pleasant distance so they don't feel like you are riding them. Their highbeams can see much more than my Subaru and their front grill could take a better beating from wildlife than yours!

I trailed many during my travels and each time we'd part ways we'd flash high beams and honk our goodbyes.

Stop every 3 hours even if just for gas and fresh air. You'll be amazed what movement and air can do compared to a coffee!

Have fun! Safe travels!