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Driving from Toronto to Ottawa on Friday...401/416 or Highway 7?

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Sr. Member
Oct 9, 2011
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EAST YORK

Driving from Toronto to Ottawa on Friday...401/416 or Highway 7?

I've done this trip many times before and have taken 401-416 every time. However, this is going to be the first time I'd be driving it during a Friday before a long weekend. What's more, I'd be leaving around 6-6:30, which on Friday is still more or less the heart of rush hour. Should I just stick to Highway 7 and make my way across? I know the speed limits are lower, but I've driven many remote, 80-90km/h roads in Ontario and I have no problem being alert, going 100-110, and passing cars if it's a one lane road. Google Maps shows that the distance is shorter by at least 50km as well. Can anyone suggest what would be the best way to take? My friends told me that it'd be at least 5-6 hours to get to Ottawa by the 401 on a long weekend Friday
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Nov 12, 2011
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Niagara-on-the-Lake
I'm interested in this too. My plan is to take 7 around 2pm
Deal Expert
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Jun 12, 2007
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London
hwy 7 is great for scenery but can be brutally slow as you have to slow down when passing through small towns.

Also:

you can get caught behind a long line of cars being held up by a slow truck. (you might not be worried about passing, but the 8 drivers queued ahead of you might be)

Its a pain in the but after dark
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Nov 30, 2009
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Toronto
Regardless of which way you go, you'll still get there in the same amount of time. I would just take the 401.
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Niagara-on-the-Lake
What are the chances hwy 7 will have less traffic than the 401/416?
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Jul 23, 2009
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Ireland
Do 401. Once you get out of Ajax it's not that bad.
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Niagara-on-the-Lake
If taking the 401 on Friday from Niagara, would it be best to take the 407 to bypass the Toronto traffic? I've done the drive multiple times on the 401 but never on a long weekend.
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May 10, 2005
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Stock R wrote: 401. I've done this drive a bazillion times. The rest stations and wider highway makes all the difference.
+1
Highway 7 is slow, especially on Friday nights and the weekends when all the farmers are out for dinner and shopping.
The 401 may be congested a bit getting outt of the GTA but at least you are moving and it clears up a bit farther East..
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Jun 5, 2012
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NEPEAN
I place highway 7 as one of the worse roads in Ontario! (born/raised in PTBO and live in OTT now -I must have driven it 200 times). From Toronto I'd definitely take the 401. I do know people who've, from PTBO, have gone down to Cobourg to take the 401 instead of the 7. Its accident prone, very slow and usually contains multiple Police traps.
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Jul 10, 2014
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Snow Road Station, O…
Whatever you do though this weekend, note that the OPP with their helicopter will be patrolling the COBURG/Napanee corridor all the way to the Cornwall area in unmarked cars....they will clock you before you even see them
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Feb 16, 2008
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401, without a doubt.
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Nov 30, 2009
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OP let us know how the trip was!
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Mar 12, 2009
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Ottawa
Velvetsmack wrote: I place highway 7 as one of the worse roads in Ontario! (born/raised in PTBO and live in OTT now -I must have driven it 200 times). From Toronto I'd definitely take the 401. I do know people who've, from PTBO, have gone down to Cobourg to take the 401 instead of the 7. Its accident prone, very slow and usually contains multiple Police traps.
That's interesting. Got a cottage about 45 min past Perth so Ive driven hwy 7 close to 1000 times. Never seen an accident. Rarely ever see a cop. It is slow tho. Jebus.
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Niagara-on-the-Lake
Took the 401 route. Started in Niagara falls and got to Ottawa in 6 hours straight. There was stop and go from Pearson to Oshawa. Saw like 3 cops the whole way.
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Dec 2, 2007
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If you're worried bout traffic take the 407 from Burlington to Markham cut back to 401 (will cost you though) but you'll bypass most of the congestion...7 is nice but slow as others have stated
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Jul 23, 2011
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Lindsay
Unless you are going on a weekday in the winter or 4:00 am....401/416 all day long...no question
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Lindsay
LostInTruth wrote: Regardless of which way you go, you'll still get there in the same amount of time. I would just take the 401.
disagree

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