Sault Ste. Marie Airport (YAM) serves the Ontario city of Sault Ste. Marie, sitting at the eastern end of Lake Superior along the St. Marys River, directly across the international border from its twin city of the same name in Michigan. A rental car is the practical way to explore this border region, whether heading into town, crossing to the American side, or setting out on the popular Lake Superior Circle Tour that loops the entire lake through both countries. The airport is a modest regional facility a short drive from the city, with rental counters run by international and local companies, and pickup is generally quick given the manageable passenger volumes here.
From YAM, downtown Sault Ste. Marie and the International Bridge connecting to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, are only minutes away, making a same-day border crossing straightforward for those with the right documentation and a rental agreement that permits cross-border travel. Heading west, the Trans-Canada Highway follows the Lake Superior shoreline toward Wawa and beyond, a scenic but genuinely long-distance route favored by Circle Tour travelers, with the nearest major town, Wawa, roughly two to two and a half hours away. Heading east, the highway leads toward Sudbury, a journey of a few hours through the rugged landscape of northern Ontario.
Driving is on the right throughout Canada, and while the main highways around Sault Ste. Marie are well maintained, this is genuinely northern terrain, with long distances between services and forested, sometimes hilly stretches along the lakeshore. Winter here is serious: heavy lake-effect snow off Lake Superior is common from November through April, and while Ontario does not legally mandate winter tires as Quebec does, they are strongly recommended and worth requesting from the rental company for any cold-season trip. Fuel stations are frequent in Sault Ste. Marie itself but thin out considerably on the long lakeshore stretches heading toward Wawa, so keeping the tank well topped up before a Circle Tour leg is essential planning.