Driving routes between Ottawa and Wasaga Beach

[patvetzal]

It's on the Irondale River, and it's one of the better rest stops along the way.

Seldom get out that way anymore but with dogs or kids its a rain or shine stop....

[line052]

Go thru Alqonquion Park, on Hwy 60, very senic and might get to see some moose or deer.

[Fox]

Go thru Alqonquion Park, on Hwy 60, very senic and might get to see some moose or deer.

Do you know what this will do to his time?

I tried that trip once, it took forever, my grandpa suggested it but he grew up in Whitney, just outside the park so he drove that just to feel like he was 20 again.

[rf2]

So I took the route through Renfrew, Bancroft, Denbeigh, Orillia. It was great - much better than the 401 - 400. We made it there in 6.5 hours, and this included several stops for food, washroom breaks, changing baby diapers, etc. all things considered, it was much faster and more enjoyable. The family we were traveling with thought that it took too long (they had never driven to Wasaga before), and thought the other route would have been better. They returned the day before us, and decided to take the 400 - 401 route. They made it home in 9 hours.
We took the northern route back, and again, it took us 6.5 hours. It would have been quicker, but we had to drive through a torrential downpour from Bancroft to Ottawa. In Renfrew, it was pouring so hard, that the visibility was equivalent to a winter blizzard. It was crazy.

[HaroldH]

Driving time aside, I found that when our kids were young the smaller roads were much better for minor emergencies such as pee breaks. We usually packed a lunch not to save money as much as to enable us to stop at roadside picnic spots and let the kids burn off some energy. Can't do that very well at the ONroutes!

[patvetzal]

Next time take the North route thru Bancroft and stop at the post office park. It's about 1/2 mile longer but there is lots for the kids to do. Or go north another 300yds, grab coffee from Timmies, then go north another 200 yds to the park on the river. More for adults and pets and peace.....

Honk as you pass our driveway and our patriotic beavers...

[Fox]

Good to hear you enjoyed the drive.

I am from KW and living just south of Ottawa, I have driven every single route possible to get to and from SW Ontario, the 401 is my least favourite and generally takes longer.

The biggest problem with me is the cost of sporting good stores, ha ha, best to travel after work on Friday and have them closed the whole way.