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Anybody drive through canada?

post #1 of 17
6/2/10 at 2:17pm
Thread Starter 
Well it's going to be my first time in Canada and we'll be driving from Toronto to Montreal and then Montreal to New York in early august. I was wondering if there are any suggested stops along the way to break up the driving? I think we're going to be driving straight to these destinations, so we're not looking for any overnight stops. Any help would be appreciated.
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post #2 of 17
6/2/10 at 2:26pm
There is not much to see between Toronto and Montreal.

You'll be taking the HWY 401 for most of the trip. About 5 hours into the trip you can veer north and see Ottawa but that will add about 3 hours of driving to your trip.

You can also stop in Kingston but there is not much to see there except for the penitentiary.
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post #3 of 17
6/2/10 at 2:27pm
Kingston is about half way between Toronto and Montreal and is a nice historic town. Quaint downtown with a good selection of restaurants and bars. I went to university there and loved it.
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post #4 of 17
6/2/10 at 2:37pm
I've only driven around out west (Sask, Alberta, and Manitoba), but I have to say the roads were unbelievably bad. Full of potholes.
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post #5 of 17
6/2/10 at 2:39pm
The more time you stop yourself from getting to Montreal, the less time you have in Montreal. What I'm trying to say is, Montreal is the place to be.
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post #6 of 17
6/2/10 at 2:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tattersall View Post
Kingston is about half way between Toronto and Montreal and is a nice historic town. Quaint downtown with a good selection of restaurants and bars. I went to university there and loved it.

If you're going to stop in Kingston, try and catch a tattoo. Very impressive.
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post #7 of 17
6/2/10 at 3:43pm
Once you leave Ontario and enter Quebec, signs are mostly in French. I would strongly recommend a GPS. It's easy to get lost approaching Montreal and in Montreal driving can be confusing.
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post #8 of 17
6/2/10 at 10:33pm
You tell quickly when the 401 ends and Autoroute 20 begins, Quebec roads are nowhere near as nice.
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post #9 of 17
6/3/10 at 12:26am
Have you been to Niagara Falls? If not, it's only a short detour south of Toronto.
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post #10 of 17
6/4/10 at 4:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Piobaire View Post
If you're going to stop in Kingston, try and catch a tattoo. Very impressive.


On the calf, no?
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post #11 of 17
6/4/10 at 1:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flieger View Post
On the calf, no?

Ironically enough for you, used as I did above, the word is Danish derived. Doe den tap toe.
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post #12 of 17
6/4/10 at 1:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by FLMountainMan View Post
I've only driven around out west (Sask, Alberta, and Manitoba), but I have to say the roads were unbelievably bad. Full of potholes.

It's not really that unbelievable when you consider the weather conditions the roads are exposed to.
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post #13 of 17
6/4/10 at 10:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stazy View Post
It's not really that unbelievable when you consider the weather conditions the roads are exposed to.

Exactly. Although I did the drive from Regina to B.C. back in September and found the roads quite good.
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post #14 of 17
6/4/10 at 10:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sjd View Post
Exactly. Although I did the drive from Regina to B.C. back in September and found the roads quite good.

My theory is that the roads are worse in Ontario and Quebec because of freeze-thaw cycles in the winter. More prairie cities don't plow all the snow away, especially on side streets, because unlike central Canada, there's rarely big thaws and therefore not too much of a chance of it all turning to ice. I like to think that saves the roads a bit.

Toronto - Montreal is a boring drive. Note that a lot of the highway gas stations/restaurants along the 401 are closed for major reno's, although there seem to more open going east than heading west. Pull into a nice town for gas/food instead. Kingston's nice but if you're in a hurry, it's a few miles from the highway to the lake and not self-evident on how to get back. If your destination is downtown Montreal, do not time your arrival between 3 and 6:30 pm. The 10 and 15 can become parking lots during those hours.
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post #15 of 17
6/6/10 at 12:58am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for all the suggestions. It seems like I should just try getting to Montreal as quick as I can. And yes, I already planned on going to Niagra Falls. Since the thread is already here, what are some good places to go to in Toronto? Any particular areas or sites I have to see?
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