I'm out in Virginia and driving to Ely would suck up about 22 hours (of precious vacation) each way driving straight through...not to mentions suck the life outta ya so you need a rest as soon as you get there.  I routinely fly into MSP as Jimbo mentioned and get a rental car unless my sister is going, then she picks me up in Duluth on her way up from Wisconsin.  I pack all my own gear and food, except perishables and none of it is dehydrated backpacking fare.  I usually have 2-4 in my crew and usually  can get all that into checked luggage, usually 4-6 bags going and 3-4 returning depending on crew size.  I use canister stoves instead of white gas and have no problems on the airlines with them.  I'm usually into MSP by 9:00 AM and can get into Ely by early afternoon, pick up perishables and hit the water the next day.  I rent canoes from an outfitter and hit Quetico through Prairie Portage most often.

pd