I'm going to be driving from Lockport, NY to Barry's Bay, Ontario in a few weeks.

I'll be going over the Lewiston/Queenston bridge.

I hope to leave real early in the morning (4 or 5AM) to avoid the QEW/427/401 problems around Toronto during rush hour.

Anything else I should know about the rest of the trip?

I'm assuming it's still early enough in the fall/winter that there won't be any huge snow problems, is that correct?

Also, is there cell phone coverage the whole way? What do you do in case of a breakdown, etc?

Thanks
Steve

 

Actually the first winter storms are hitting northern ontario now. Less than an inch of snow, but its there. In a few weeks there could be snow north of toronto. Barrys Bay may be out of the snow belt though, its farther from the great lakes.
Rush hour is anytime after 7am driving from Oakville into Toronto, so you may still hit some slow spots. Im guessing thats at least a couple hours drive from you keeping border delays in mind.
As for cell phone coverage, most highways are ok, but there are areas up near algonquin park that are spotty.

 

Steve,

You say you are leaving in a few weeks for Barry's Bay. In a few weeks you are likely to hit snow. Shouldn't be a problem on the main highways as they are salted and in the north you will probably see a mixture of salt and sand. Last winter we seen our first snowfall on November 16 in Bobcaygeon when only 1 inch fell and the temperature was 30 F. That brought out the salt and sanders and bad drivers. In a couple of days it was all gone again so it can be a hit and miss situation. I have a cottage in Bobcaygeon about 70 miles north of Oshawa and often when we get rain here along the lakeshore they get snow. It's farther north and about 800' above sea level and colder. Later in the mid winter months drifting on north south routes can be a problem especially in open areas not protected by trees. The prevailing winds are from the west.

John

 

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

I plan on leaving about 4:30AM, so I should clear the Toronto metro area by about 6:30 or so.

I'll be going in the HHR and have the Bridgestone Blizzaks on for the winter by then, just in case I run into snow.

Thanks
Steve

 

Tune your radio to AM680 and they have traffic reports every ten minutes on the ones, :01, :11 etc. They will let you know of anything up ahaed and what to expect through the metro area. I have them on whenever I am going into or through Metro.

 

Barry's Bay.......beside Algonquin Park. What roads are you taking to get there? When are you going? I just drove back from Bobcaygeon, pouring down rain and 50 F.

John

 

John:

I used Google maps to plot a route.

One of the routes takes QEW to 401 to Hwy28 to Hwy62. This takes 5hr 17min.

The other route they suggest is QEW to Kings Hwy400 to Kings Hwy11 to Hwy60. This route takes 5hr 41min.

These two routes are widely spread on the map. Do you have a suggestion?

I like to see new scenery, so I may take one route there, the other back.

I'll be leaving on Nov 10th and returning on Nov 12th.

Thanks
Steve

 

Steve,

You haven't got a lot of time (couple of days). The farther east and north you drive the nicer it gets. The one route up the 400 is a bit of a bore until you are north of Lake Simcoe. Maybe consider the more direct route taking the 401 to Trenton and north on 62 right to Barry's Bay. Then ask the locals about the other 2 alternatives. I ride day trips out of Bobcaygeon on my motorcycle on Hwy 28 in the Bancroft area and it is nice too. That would be my two choices of the three getting east and north asap.

I bought a Gold Mist 09 LS w/2.2, 5 speed Getrag in June intending to replace our aging Chev Tracker but I like the HHR so much I retired it on the last trip to do garage duty at our condo in Bobcaygeon for the winter. The winter salt and sand in the north really does take it's toll on a vehicle especially the blast from the sand. Can't wait to hear about your trip.

John

 

I just did a fall tour drive from Toronto to Peterborough then down through Trenton on HWY 62. It was a great drive, much more interestesting than the HWY 400. The smaller towns and countryside were beautiful.
However in bad weather (snow) those smaller roads will be slower and more difficult. And I dont think you would enjoy the scenery and small towns as much.
Keep in mind that winter driving anywhere can be treacherous.

 

hope you have a good drive..border cross at lewiston is great..not too busy..border guards are great..have change ready for the bridge(2 bucks)for a car i think..if u smoke..BRING EM!!..smokes here are pricey..7.50$ to 11$ a pack..yes no kiddin..leave your booze at home..ours is WAY better!!!!!!dont even buy the duty free stuff..most of it isnt even Canadian even if it looks like it is..mind you drinkin and drivin laws have changed..now its.05 and your in deep..thats all of 1 or 2 beers so pace yourself...100kms/hr..is slow on our hwy..its the limit but the local popos dont touch ya even up tp 120 or so on major hwys(400 series,QEW)DONT WORRY BOUT A THING.(o.k maye a moose).its no different here than most of your northern states..heck we are more south than a few of the states..get off MAPLE/ONTARIO/CHRISTY street exit about 20-25 min across the bridge(watch for constuction)its a mess after the bridge..stay in your left lane goin through ST CATHERINES ON..coulple of nasty pop up on ramps on right due to construction..anyway that exit,come left towards the escarpment..go right at lights..brings you in to GRIMSBY ont..great small little town..main drag 30 seconds long..lots of great food if ur hungry..if u have any more questions message me..im a long time truck driver in Ontario and u will be goin right by my house...i live in Grimsby can u tell??try to plan on comin through after 9 am or so..traffic across from the bridge to Toronto is a ***** to say the least at rush hour..to save time..since your goin north anyway..take the 407 east..its a toll road but they will just mail the bill to your house..no transponder neccesary for out of state plates but you will still get the bill..traffic still sucks a little but moves..if u opt out for the 403/401 combination u can use the HOV lanes on the far left if u have more than 1 person in the car..starts up on the 401 after the 403..if u get in em..stay in em..or ya get a ticket for jumpin over the marked line..