Toronto-Montreal-Quebec

dieharder wrote:
...

Along the way between Toronto and Ottawa, just past Kingston, you'll see an exit (exit 556) for a town called Shannonville. Take a right at the exit and it's a short drive (about a mile or two) to the indian reserve where you'll find the least expensive gas in the entire area by a loooooong shot. Just today I'm seeing prices reported that are 15 cents a litre (57 cents/gallon) less expensive than here in Ottawa. On google maps, I see when you get to the main intersection, take a left and there is a gas station that will have no problem with a rig your size.

I often buy gas there since it's on the route to Sandbanks but if you have a DP, some of the stations sell dyed diesel (although it is clearly marked).

The advice given about the 401 across Toronto has been good, I'll add a couple of comments as we cross from west to east frequently to visit our daughter and her family. Mid morning to mid afternoon is probably the best time to cross avoiding the rush hours and giving some time for the accidents to clear. Staying in the curb lane (third lane from the left) of the express lanes eliminates the need to change lanes going across, In Ontario we have a number of "middle lane bandits" who sit in the middle lane and go slowly, sometimes you can make better time in the curb lane.

Also, Ontario requires all tractor-trailers (including US trucks) to be speed governed to about 105 km. (somewhere around 65MPH) so you will see lots of nose to tail truckers and some "racers going nowhere" between trucks in the curb and middle lanes. It was supposed to improve safety but it may be more dangerous than before!

bsinmich wrote:
WARNING!!! Do not take the E407 toll road around Toronto. They require you to have a transponder for heavy vehicles and can stop you as often as they want with a $250. fine for not having the transponder. It is all electronic billing so there is bo one to talk to about rates. I have fairly good luck taking 401 in the middle of the day. I will be there a week fro toorrow on the 401 and aim for lumch time to go through.

You are not required to have a transponder on the 407 unless your registered gross weight is over 5,000 kg, (Just over 11,000 lbs.) Having said that I would still advise you to just plain avoid it as the toll charges are outrageous. If you are under 5,000 kg. and drove the entire length you bill would be anywhere from $25 to about $34 depending on the day and time. If you are over the 5,000 kg. and have a transponder the toll charge is still almost double that for a light vehicle.

One option for visiting Toronto is to stay at Bronte Creek Provincial Park, electrical hookups only though, and take the GO train into the city. It's about an 8 minute drive from the park gate to the Bronte GO Station and the trains now run every half hour off peak and more frequently at rush hour. GO Transit

WARNING!!! Do not take the E407 toll road around Toronto. They require you to have a transponder for heavy vehicles and can stop you as often as they want with a $250. fine for not having the transponder. It is all electronic billing so there is bo one to talk to about rates. I have fairly good luck taking 401 in the middle of the day. I will be there a week fro toorrow on the 401 and aim for lumch time to go through.

browalt wrote:
Thanks everyone for the replies. I appreciate your help. Sorry to those upset by a duplicate posting in another forum. I tried to delete after posting in the wrong place but I guess it didn't. Thanks to the moderator for closing that topic. I didn't mean to post multiple places.

No problem, many of us have done it in the past. If you ever need help with forum stuff, just send me a Private Message (top right corner). :C

... Eric (Moderator, RVing in Canada & Alaska Forum)

Thanks everyone for the replies. I appreciate your help. Sorry to those upset by a duplicate posting in another forum. I tried to delete after posting in the wrong place but I guess it didn't. Thanks to the moderator for closing that topic. I didn't mean to post multiple places.

All advice and information? Well, as far as the driving itself is concerned, I've only got 2 words... prepare yourself.

I have driven my motorhome on the interstates in Baltimore and DC, and you are travelling through 2 places where I will NEVER drive my motorhome... Toronto and Montreal. White knuckles at their finest.

In Toronto, you'll face a ton of traffic. In Montreal, you'll face a ton of traffic AND a lot of people who treat the highway as their own race track where everyone is trying to get into that one spot that's ahead of the next guy. There is a new toll highway that goes around Montreal to the south - if I ever need to head that direction, that's where I'll be, regardless of cost.

For places to stay, of course, will depend on that amenities you need. You're not likely to find many places where you'll find a cable hookup at the site, for example. In the Ottawa area, just south is a place called Poplar Grove in Greely. Typical small town park where there are some open spaces that you could set up a satellite. Just a left out of the campground and you can be in the heart of downtown in 15 minutes. About a half hour out of town, between Ottawa and Montreal, is a small town called Limoges where you'll find Kittawa campground. Also in Limoges, not far from the campground, is Calypso water park. Not sure whether it's still open in September, and it's quite expensive, but if you'll only be in the area once in your life, you might want to give it a go, if that's your kind of thing.

Along the way between Toronto and Ottawa, just past Kingston, you'll see an exit (exit 556) for a town called Shannonville. Take a right at the exit and it's a short drive (about a mile or two) to the indian reserve where you'll find the least expensive gas in the entire area by a loooooong shot. Just today I'm seeing prices reported that are 15 cents a litre (57 cents/gallon) less expensive than here in Ottawa. On google maps, I see when you get to the main intersection, take a left and there is a gas station that will have no problem with a rig your size.

I remember a few years ago on this forum someone asked about driving through Toronto. They asked if the highway that went through it was a 'good road' or whether it was a 'narrow track that wound its way through the wilderness'!
That road is actually the busiest road in all of North America and Toronto itself is the fourth largest metropolitan area in USA/Canada. It's a huge, clean, cosmopolitan city with many diverse and interesting neighbourhoods. The CNN Tower is well worth a visit, make sure that you go to the UPPER observation deck and don't forget to jump on the glass floor to scare your fellow visitors! There is a great aviation museum at nearby Hamilton,Link which you will go past just before you get to Toronto. It has a great selection of aircraft, including one of only two flying 'Avro Lancasters' in the world. Think B17, but much much better! There is also a WWII destroyer that you can tour down on the waterfront Link. Back in Toronto, if you like castlesCasa Loma is worth a visit.

When we are in Niagara Falls, we use the KOA on Lundy's Lane. It has city shuttle busses at front gate.
Toronto area: Do NOT travel in rush hours 6 to 9 am and 3 to 6:30 pm. Burlington to Oshawa. Mon to Fri. IMHO much worse than Atlanta.
Things to see CN Tower. Camping can't recommend but others will.
Kingston area and east. Thousand Islands and st Lawrence River parks.

Have a good trip

Beverley & Ken

When we visited Quebec we were advised to stay on the south side of the river and take the ferry over to Quebec as the city streets are very narrow. We stayed at the Quebec KOA. Very nice campground with friendly people that directed us to the ferry and parking for the toad. When we got into the city we went to a tour agency and took the standard tour. It's at least a full day to complete the tour. Have a good time. Make sure you see the university area, similiar to the left bank of Paris.