Toronto-Montreal-Quebec

[browalt]

We are planning a trip starting out in Niagara Falls then traveling to Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and Quebec, Canada. Any advise on roads, campgrounds and things to do? We've never been in that area and we're traveling in a 40' motorhome and towing a Honda CRV. Planning to do this in September. Thanks for any and all advice and information.

[Marc_Bernard]

We spent two weeks at Parc National de la Jacques-Cartier, about 30 minutes north of Quebec City. Great place - tons to see and do.

Review/pics here:

http://nomagichere.blogspot.ca/2013/08/parc-national-de-la-jacques-cartier.html

[Little_Kopit]

soos, there is lots and lots to see in Montreal and Quebec and in between those two without $ for extra gas go Ottawa.

JHMO

🙂

[3_0charlie]

Small clarification... Highway 30 (A30) is not a toll road, only the bridge crossing the St-Lawrence river has a toll. Once crossed over on the south shore, it's smooth-sailing to Highways 10 (Eastern Townships) and 20 (towards Quebec).

[soos]

thanks! we are heading thru that way tomorrow. Will pass thru Montreal, but take the toll road.. we have an extra day so are debating heading to Ottowa for two days.

Sue
PS, that was a great link, thanks. Our toll would be $105. I don't think so 🙂

[CoMoCo]

Soos - we took the Montreal toll road a couple of weeks ago and the toll is $4.60 that is paid when you cross a bridge at the western end of Autoroute 30. Smooth sailing for us! We travelled it on Saturday August 3 and then Saturday August 10 with our 5er in tow.

The Toronto toll road (highway 407) charges per kilometre that is driven plus other charges to enter the highway, plus a fee if you don't have a transponder. It will be expensive depending on how far you travel on it. Here is a link to its website - click on Tolls and Fees at the top for an idea of cost.

[JaxDad]

Sue, if you're going through on a Saturday or Sunday, passing through is no problem.

BTW, there's no such thing as 'rush hour' in Toronto anymore, it's just masses of vehicles 5 days a week.

[Community Alumni]

Definitely take the toll bridge around Montreal, high 30 bypass from Vaudreuil/Dorion to Châteauguay. From there highway 30 will take you the 20 to Quebec City.

There is a major artery (20 east to 15 south) that is currently shut down for construction and the contractor has walked off the job. So it's a mess with the detours.

[soos]

Not to hijack the thread, but we will be driving this route in the next 3 days.

so, we SHOULD take the toll road around Montreal, but should NOT take the toll road around Toronto- just go through it after rush our is over?

thanks!

[TimnJo]

Camping IN Toronto:
http://www.rougepark.com/explore/interest/campground.php

Ottawa:
http://www.ottawacampground.ca/Home.html

[FC]

Niagara Falls area
Wineries
Niagara on the Lake
Drive along the road between Niagara Falls and Niagara on the Lake
View of the Locks
Campground: KOA Lundy's Lane

Toronto;
CN Tower
Hockey Hall of Fame
Casa Loma
Rogers Center ( Blue Jays Baseball)
Campground: Milton heights CAmpground

Kingston Area:
Thousand Islands Boat Tour
Boldt Castle
Fort Henry

Campground: Rideau Acres

Ottawa:
Canadian Parliament Buildings
Museum of Civilization
Air Museum
Governor Generals Home


Montreal:
Old Montreal
Underground City downtown
Mount Royal
Olympic Stadium


Quebec City:
City Tour direct from KOA campground
Old Quebec City
Plains of Abraham
Chateau Frontenac
Side Trip to Ste Anne de Beuapre and Isle de Orleans

Campground: KOA across the river from the city. Easily accessible of highway 20

[michelb]

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).

[almcc]

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!

[63-Coupe]

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

[bsinmich]

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.