Automotive

Driving on 401 from Markham to Mississauga ( New in City) - how bad is traffic?

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  • Sep 10th, 2014 8:24 pm
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Newbie
Sep 6, 2014
1 posts
Richmond Hill, ON

Driving on 401 from Markham to Mississauga ( New in City) - how bad is traffic?

Hi everyone,
I really need your help on this...I'm new to the city and I need to commute from Richmond(16th Ave/Leslie St) to Mississauga(UTM). If I need to get there by 5pm or 6 pm, how long does it usually take? Is it good enough if I leave an hour ahead or I need more time? I have been monitored traffic using Google Map but it seems like traffic is always jammed around that time... Also, I never drive on highways before so I'm quite nervous. Anyone has some tips for driving on 401(or just highways in Toronto in general)?
58 replies
Deal Fanatic
Nov 25, 2010
6254 posts
3216 upvotes
Abbottabad
if money is a non issue i would take 407.
Deal Expert
User avatar
Jul 30, 2007
33234 posts
21163 upvotes
Toronto
you are better off using the 407 if you can afford it.

Routine bottleneck:
404SB - finch to 401 junction - that's easily 10-15 minutes drive/wait right there
401 WB - Bayview to Allen; Dufferin/Keele to 427/Airport; Dixie to Hurontario - that's probably another 1 hour drive on a typical day. 2x + worse if there is an accident or snow storm
Banned
Sep 29, 2012
1269 posts
95 upvotes
Toronto
401 during rush hour. Good luck.
Save. Save. Save.
Spend. Spend. Spend.
Deal Addict
Feb 6, 2012
1170 posts
242 upvotes
Set aside 2hrs to get there by 5 or 6pm. It'll take 30mins go get back

I would glad the 407 , it'll save you time and your sanity
Deal Addict
Oct 29, 2010
4475 posts
811 upvotes
If you have a 407 transponder, it will probably cost you ~$6-8 each way on the 407 and like said above, you can use it one way and go back using free ways once traffic is gone. That's what i usually do.
I drive to work at 6am so there is no traffic and when i go home at 4:30pm i use the 407 to get back.
Deal Expert
User avatar
Jan 7, 2007
21264 posts
6247 upvotes
Poormond Hill
Since you have never driven on the highway, I suggest you leave early to avoid the rush.
A life spent making mistakes is not only more memorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.
Jr. Member
May 1, 2012
134 posts
30 upvotes
Richmond Hill
16th / Leslie to Mississauga, and you need to reach there by 5pm (meaning rush hour), save yourself the insanity and take the 407.

If u take the 404 SB then 401 WB at that time of the day, I would allocate no less than 2 hours. On a good day, it may take you 45 minutes to 1 hour. Any accident, rain or snow, and it's easily double that time.
Deal Expert
Feb 24, 2007
15169 posts
2743 upvotes
Make a voodoo doll (and some very long pins) of Mike Harris every time you decide to use #401 at any time. Good luck at UTM.
Deal Guru
Feb 9, 2009
12381 posts
11307 upvotes
I always take 407, not worth the stress. Depending on the time (usually after 7:30 these days) you can take the 401 back. All the stop and go will kill your gas mileage too, better off using 407 and pay for it..
Banned
Sep 29, 2012
1269 posts
95 upvotes
Toronto
sandikosh wrote: Since you have never driven on the highway, I suggest you leave early to avoid the rush.
Given how slow it is during rush hour, he or she is better off using it during rush hour because it's like driving in a parking lot.
Save. Save. Save.
Spend. Spend. Spend.
Deal Expert
Feb 24, 2007
15169 posts
2743 upvotes
PartnerSolutions wrote: Given how slow it is during rush hour, he or she is better off using it during rush hour because it's like driving in a parking lot.
There is no longer a rush hour traffic on #401 as heavy traffic volume begins at ~6:00AM and does not seem to diminish until about ~21:30. I just wait to see what will happen during the impending Pan Am Games next July?? :lol:
Deal Fanatic
User avatar
Aug 10, 2011
9598 posts
2225 upvotes
Somewhere
Lord have mercy on your soul.

May the Gods be gentle on your behind while you're slowly penetrated anally by a massive, above average length and girth phallus. Which would still be a more positive experience than the commute you're facing.

God bless.
:confused:
Deal Fanatic
Apr 20, 2011
7747 posts
2750 upvotes
ON
You have pretty much the worst commute possible. Enjoy :)
Deal Expert
Feb 24, 2007
15169 posts
2743 upvotes
For someone who has not driven on a super-busy highway/interstate your skills will be placed to a test very quickly. Get used to inordinate number of heavy trucks and very aggressive drivers. Do some mediation prior and after each trip. Consider car pooling with someone from Markham to UTM as it alleviate a lot of stress.
Deal Fanatic
Dec 24, 2005
5853 posts
1695 upvotes
eldiablo wrote: Make a voodoo doll (and some very long pins) of Mike Harris every time you decide to use #401 at any time. Good luck at UTM.
yes - it's Mike Harris's fault OP is chosing to live 60 km away from work.
Deal Fanatic
Nov 11, 2008
8976 posts
2827 upvotes
OP, take 16/rutherford to 400, then 400 down 401, and then to Mississauga. You'll save about 25 minutes from your drive.
Deal Expert
Feb 24, 2007
15169 posts
2743 upvotes
ssainani wrote: yes - it's Mike Harris's fault OP is chosing to live 60 km away from work.
mahhh please. Go away...you Robot.
Deal Addict
User avatar
Mar 30, 2010
4020 posts
3221 upvotes
Greater Toronto Area
it'll take you an average of two hours to go from markham -> mississauga, and then another two hours on your way back. total about four hours commuting time.

i take the 407 daily to go from mississauga -> markham and back, and each trip only takes me around 22 minutes @ 130 kph cruise (highway time).
Deal Addict
User avatar
Jan 4, 2009
4190 posts
5288 upvotes
on the links!
I've been doing Scarborough bluffs to Brampton City Centre 5 days a week for the past 9 years.

- listen to 680news traffic every 10 minutes (on the ones).
- morning rush is usually much better that evening rush.
- 407 will keep you sane. Not trying to scare you but I've been rear ended twice on the 401 and was a witness to a fatal collision. The only worries on the 407 are speeding tickets, which is something you rarely experience on the 401 during rush

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