Nashua (NH) to Toronto (ON) route query

[amitoj]

Well, it doesn't say anywhere that the route queries have to be within India And given how well travelled TBHPians are, i thought of putting my query here.

OK, so next friday, 8/24, I am planning to drive to Toronto (Pickering to be more specific) from Nashua, New Hampshire. Google maps suggests three routes.
1. I89 - ON401W, crossing into Canada at the northernmost point, Ogdensburg. Distance 551 miles, 10 hours.
2. I90W - ON401W, crossing into Canada at the Thousand Islands Bridge, which is south of Ogdensburg. Distance of 555 miles, 10 hours 2 mins.
3. I90W all the way, via Niagara falls. Distance of 590 miles, 10 hours 19 mins.

I am not too keen on option 3. And leaning more towards option 2. Also, we will be doing "landing formalities" at the border, so we want to avoid Niagara since it is crowded most of the times.

But option 1 seems to be more scenic.

Also, while going, I intend to break the jounrey for the night. So, would be nice to have some decent stay options half way into the trip.

Any suggestions?

[infotech58]

Originally Posted by amitoj

1. I89 - ON401W, crossing into Canada at the northernmost point, Ogdensburg. Distance 551 miles, 10 hours.
2. I90W - ON401W, crossing into Canada at the Thousand Islands Bridge, which is south of Ogdensburg. Distance of 555 miles, 10 hours 2 mins.
3. I90W all the way, via Niagara falls. Distance of 590 miles, 10 hours 19 mins.

among the options you have posted, what you shall try to find out and shall account for in your estimate is the road repair work (to prepare for winters) that starts late Aug/Early Sep on I90 in NY.

I have done Indianapolis-Toronto, and Raleigh-Toronto numerous times and almost all the times crossing the border at Detroit except once when I crossed the border at Niagara and it took fewer than ten minutes (early morning - 6:30 AM).

[amitoj]

Originally Posted by infotech58

among the options you have posted, what you shall try to find out and shall account for in your estimate is the road repair work (to prepare for winters) that starts late Aug/Early Sep on I90 in NY.

I have done Indianapolis-Toronto, and Raleigh-Toronto numerous times and almost all the times crossing the border at Detroit except once when I crossed the border at Niagara and it took fewer than ten minutes (early morning - 6:30 AM).

Good point about road repair work. Any site where i can get latest updates?
And for me crossing the border will be a little difference, since i have to do the immigration formalities for a permanent resident. I guess the fact that you reached there at 6:30 in the morning also helped you in seeing hardly any rush.

[mohit]

I vote option 2. More interstates mean better rest facilities especially when you are with Kiddos. Skipping Niagara is a wise choice. Since you are going to Pickering, you will skip the traffic nightmare called Toronto if you take option 1 or 2.

FYI - both I90 and 401 have a lot of police presence over long weekends and in Ontario, 50KMPH over speed limit = roadside seizure of car and 1 week license suspension. Min fine is $2k. Since you will be driving a red muscle car, be ready for closer scrutiny.

[amitoj]

Originally Posted by mohit

I vote option 2. More interstates mean better rest facilities especially when you are with Kiddos. Skipping Niagara is a wise choice. Since you are going to Pickering, you will skip the traffic nightmare called Toronto if you take option 1 or 2.

FYI - both I90 and 401 have a lot of police presence over long weekends and in Ontario, 50KMPH over speed limit = roadside seizure of car and 1 week license suspension. Min fine is $2k. Since you will be driving a red muscle car, be ready for closer scrutiny.

Oh yeah good rest stops are definitely a priority. Realised on the trip to NYC that not all rest stops are the same!! Plus we might find good cheap overnight stay options in Utica, NY

Whats the speed limit in Ontario btw? 50kmph over would be insane! Who would do that??

Please stop scaring me about the red car thing! I have it from reliable source (the internet ofcourse!!) that there is no truth behind the thought that red cars get pulled over more than any other color cars!!

[mohit]

Originally Posted by amitoj

Oh yeah good rest stops are definitely a priority. Realised on the trip to NYC that not all rest stops are the same!! Plus we might find good cheap overnight stay options in Utica, NY

Whats the speed limit in Ontario btw? 50kmph over would be insane! Who would do that??

Please stop scaring me about the red car thing! I have it from reliable source (the internet ofcourse!!) that there is no truth behind the thought that red cars get pulled over more than any other color cars!!

Chill! I was just pulling your leg.
The speed limit is 100 KMPH and 120 is what I'd do tops on 401. Anything higher is asking for trouble.

Edit: One small route change in case you want to avoid the state highway from Utica to Alexandria - Go to Syracuse using I90 and take I81 from there. Might come in handy if you do not stop at Utica and are traveling in the evening. The whole area is forested and deer are a significant issue.

[amitoj]

Originally Posted by mohit

Edit: One small route change in case you want to avoid the state highway from Utica to Alexandria - Go to Syracuse using I90 and take I81 from there. Might come in handy if you do not stop at Utica and are traveling in the evening. The whole area is forested and deer are a significant issue.

I will definitely be stopping somewhere for the night. I dont want to take the risk of feeling drowsy while driving.

[infotech58]

check this for road updates:
National Traffic and Road Closure Information | Federal Highway Administration

and, please don't go beyond 120 KMPH in Ontario, and do not use a radar detector in Ontario (they'll take it away and would issue you a ticket).

[NinadJoshi]

Originally Posted by amitoj

I will definitely be stopping somewhere for the night. I dont want to take the risk of feeling drowsy while driving.

600 miles is about 9-10 hours of driving tops including breaks. Doubt if that will make you drowsy, unless you are one for afternoon siestas
And as someone said, abide by speed limits on your journey. Your vehicle is a certified cop magnet.

Try this for highway road info: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/trafficinfo/

[amitoj]

Originally Posted by NinadJoshi

600 miles is about 9-10 hours of driving tops including breaks. Doubt if that will make you drowsy, unless you are one for afternoon siestas

Hmmm. Probably on the way back i wont break for the night if all goes well. Another reason for stopping for the night is that the kids get a good night's rest in between.

Originally Posted by NinadJoshi

And as someone said, abide by speed limits on your journey. Your vehicle is a certified cop magnet.

Originally Posted by infotech58

and, please don't go beyond 120 KMPH in Ontario, and do not use a radar detector in Ontario (they'll take it away and would issue you a ticket).

Thanks mate. Will keep it in mind. I dont have a radar detector, so thats one less thing to worry about.

[amitoj]

So, avoid road construction, right?
This is the scene of road construction in the state of New York. Any suggestions?

[vineethvazhayil]

Originally Posted by amitoj

Well, it doesn't say anywhere that the route queries have to be within India And given how well travelled TBHPians are, i thought of putting my query here.

OK, so next friday, 8/24, I am planning to drive to Toronto (Pickering to be more specific) from Nashua, New Hampshire. Google maps suggests three routes.
1. I89 - ON401W, crossing into Canada at the northernmost point, Ogdensburg. Distance 551 miles, 10 hours.
2. I90W - ON401W, crossing into Canada at the Thousand Islands Bridge, which is south of Ogdensburg. Distance of 555 miles, 10 hours 2 mins.
3. I90W all the way, via Niagara falls. Distance of 590 miles, 10 hours 19 mins.

I am not too keen on option 3. And leaning more towards option 2. Also, we will be doing "landing formalities" at the border, so we want to avoid Niagara since it is crowded most of the times.

But option 1 seems to be more scenic.

Also, while going, I intend to break the jounrey for the night. So, would be nice to have some decent stay options half way into the trip.

Any suggestions?

I drove down from Providence to Ottawa in June- went past the Ogdensburg border post either direction. Smooth very little congestion at the bridges. I did not have a constraint of travelling with kids etc. so I chose the non freeway route which is also very scenic as well. You can do one way freeway drive and another through the scenic roads.

[mohit]

Originally Posted by amitoj

So, avoid road construction, right?
This is the scene of road construction in the state of New York. Any suggestions?

Yeah sure! North on I89 - I87 at Swanton - Montreal Via Highway 15 - Highway 20 - 401W - Will take some time thats all

Edit: Actually might not be that bad if you want to skip NY. Its all of 600 miles and you get to practice some French on the way! Stay in Montreal for the night and then take 401 All the way.

[amitoj]

Originally Posted by vineethvazhayil

I drove down from Providence to Ottawa in June- went past the Ogdensburg border post either direction. Smooth very little congestion at the bridges. I did not have a constraint of travelling with kids etc. so I chose the non freeway route which is also very scenic as well. You can do one way freeway drive and another through the scenic roads.

Well, on the way back my parents will be with me. I dont think i can afford to take the non freeway route then either. Besides, return will most likely be from Niagara falls side.

Originally Posted by mohit

Yeah sure! North on I89 - I87 at Swanton - Montreal Via Highway 15 - Highway 20 - 401W - Will take some time thats all

Edit: Actually might not be that bad if you want to skip NY. Its all of 600 miles and you get to practice some French on the way! Stay in Montreal for the night and then take 401 All the way.

LOL. Practice french as in "pardon my french" ? i hope not!
Besides, thats too long and its not as if there is no construction along that route.

[mazda4life]

Originally Posted by amitoj

...that route.

did you try using Bing maps ...I know they track any major repairs that are underway as well as gives a sense of traffic congestion.

I use it more than google maps here in Arizona ( of course apart from GPS which doesnt have live traffic)