We leave this coming Friday for a week at Alwaki. We chose this week due to the added day off for us because of the Labor Day holiday here in the US. Not thinking/oblivious I didn’t factor in Canadians also celebrating the same holiday.
Here’s the question: Is Friday before Labor Day a heavy traffic day heading north on the 400? “My guess is yes†Or the fact that school is back in session make a difference?
Can I leave Friday early afternoon which would put me at the 400N around 7:00 pm? Or is that traffic suicide? Or should I work all day, try to sleep and leave home Saturday 2:00 am, be at Temiscaming 10:00 am? Ugh......
It'll still be very heavy then but just past peak. Ot'll ease off some past the Barrie cut off for the 400but barring accidents it should move close to the limit. Be ready for a slow haul thru Toronto till just past Barrie.
Quote from: puckster_guy on August 26, 2018, 02:37:58 PM
It'll still be very heavy then but just past peak. Ot'll ease off some past the Barrie cut off for the 400but barring accidents it should move close to the limit. Be ready for a slow haul thru Toronto till just past Barrie.
Hey Puck, will the holiday make it worse than normal, or should I expect just normal 400 traffic to Barrie? Also, are you saying hitting the 400 near Vaughn at 7:00pm is just past peak? Would it be better at 8:00pm?
Ya it should be much easier then. It's the last long weekend here till thanksgiving. Roads will be extra busy.
here is my two cents
Or should I work all day, try to sleep and leave home Saturday 2:00 am, be at Temiscaming 10:00 am? Ugh..
On one hand I'm jealous that you (and Mr. Rhybak) get another shot at living that Kipawa experience this year; on the other hand I'm not envious of you having to deal with Labour Day traffic...no matter what time of day it is....
That 400 North from Vaughn to Orillia is going to be a zoo!
(http://i65.tinypic.com/11b216t.png)
maybe so, but after sitting in traffic for a possible 2 extra hours, the end result will be well worth it.
I just took a peek at Google maps, does anyone have any experience taking the 407 ETR all the way east to Route 12 north, then to 169 and connect to Route 11 at Washago just north of Orilla? Any chance that it would be less Jammed? The mileage looks about the same.
My 2 cents... it is all cottage country... on Friday afternoon of last long weekend of the summer... any route you take during peak driving time is going to have some congestion.
I'm with Rhybak - work the clock so that you go through Toronto / 400 later in the day (after 7/8pm), and maybe even break the drive into two and stay someplace half way.
Greg, staying half way is not a bad idea. Thanks
Quote from: T-Bone on August 27, 2018, 09:20:38 AM
That 400 North from Vaughn to Orillia is going to be a zoo!
The price that must be paid for a week in paradise! 8)
We'll be heading that way too. We usually leave NE Ohio around 4 in the morning Friday, we still see traffic at Barrie, but it only gets worse as the day goes on. We usually stay at Alwaki labor day week, missed last year unfortunately. Always love Alwaki and Brian's hospitality. We'll be on Hunter this year in cabin owned by extended family.
The price that must be paid for a week in paradise! 8)
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I guess, but teetering on not worth it when it's at its worst.
I mean, really...how the heck CAN'T the logistics and transportation people in the government figure this out? It's always been an issue as far back as I can remember...late-80s or so. Maybe they consider it an acceptable risk or accident rate given the volume of traffic.
What is most puzzling is there rarely seems to be an issue of an accident or construction...just stops and starts. More than anything it's just a dangerous stretch of highway. I'm looking at an alternative next year where we head-up through Detroit/Windsor and try to head north out of Guelph. I like your Rt. 12 alternative Hodgey...seems viable.
Safe travels...
Buy a plane and fly in
Quote from: RHYBAK on August 28, 2018, 09:19:26 AM
Buy a plane and fly in
I've looked into flying to North Bay to avoid the hassle.
What do you care Mr. Rhybak....you have maybe 5-hours door to door to get to Kipawa. Double it...and account for that melee north of Toronto...it's not hard to see how/why it's frustrating.
I remember a guy up on Kipawa from Pittsburgh that had a float plane...flew into Corbeau Lodge on weekends...only 4-hours take-off to touchdown. Said it was the only way to go...and I now appreciate what he meant by that.
Alternative solution...leave about Noon on Thursday to avoid the Friday logjam...
Its a long weekend, traffic will suck Friday and Sat. Its been a few years, but I did that 400 drive on a Sat of a long weekend before and I cant say it was any better than a Friday. Although if you leave at 2:00 am it should be fine.
Also, I don't recommend Hwy 12 as an alternative, at least for the Friday. Single lane each way, some traffic lights and small towns, and it will be one long line of frustrated drivers. I have a cottage east of hwy 12 and have crossed 12 a few times and the cars were just crawling.
I like the plane idea, but realistically, skip sleep or suck it up and endure. You may have an hour or 2 of traffic, but if you know what to expect and figure you cant do anything about, no need to stress over it.
but I sure do not feel sorry for you, I wish my concern was traffic delays for my 2nd Kipawa trip of the year. I am jealous.
Good luck and enjoy.
You are correct T-Bone. What do I care.
I am 5 hours door to door.
Good guess.
I'll be leaving at 4 A.M. Wednesday morning and on the water fishing by Noon with a cold one nestled in my Yeti beverage cozy, hopefully calling for some assistance with the net.
Of all the things in my life to stressed about, this isn't one of them for sure!
8) 8) "My wife and I Saturday in our boat, heading to Alwaki"
I can't wait to leave even with the prospects of traffic issues everywhere. My post was focused on getting opinions on what would be my best option with what is at hand.
Having crunched the information I have the following plan, which scraps the idea of overnighting in Timiskaming. I will leave after work "2:30p" Friday and drive as far as I can and overnight wherever that maybe. Both my wife and I have to work Friday unfortunately. My hope is to make it to Orilla or further north and stop for the night. Get up early Saturday and finish the rest. Hopefully in the water by 9:00 am at Kipawa dock Saturday.
Just asking for information and not saying I will do it, but what is taking Route 27 North off of the 407 ETR like to Barrie? I would rather spend an extra hour or two slow poking my way up 27 to Barrie if it is a viable option?
Hwy 27 goes through a whole bunch of little towns I believe...? Max speed is 50 then 30 in the towns. You're a gluten for punishment if you go that route...
here's an idea; I used to do this when I worked at the border:
Work my full day up to 4 pm or 8 pm. Take a good nap. Leave Sarnia at midnight and be in North Bay by 6 am. The wife and kids slept the whole way (no Pee breaks needed then) I bought a coffee at midnight and one in Vaughn. I got home to sleep a couple of hours and then I was good to go. Sometimes I rarely saw a car north of Vaughn.
You could time it so you're leaving time in PA coincides with arriving at the Kip dock in time for the Alwaki shuttle. Have a nap in your cabin for a couple of hours and then chillin time. No driving stress. The wife could nap while you're driving or read??
Hate to stress you even more Hodgey1 BUT and I mean a big BUTT
This is a long weekend for both U.S. and Canada.
You are going to be screwed at the border, along the QEW from Niagara etc.
leave at 7 P.M. and drive.
Drive to no end except for coffee stops.
Park in the IGA parking lot and nap till the store opens.
You, your wife, your truck and your boat ,rent a space on a Hercules cargo plane from your local air force base up to the North Bay air force Base then drive from there.
Good Luck.
Quote from: limacharley on August 28, 2018, 11:57:53 AM
The wife could nap while you're driving or read??
All good info LC. What if I nap and I get her to drive? ::)
All good info LC. What if I nap and I get her to drive? ::)
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That's never happened at my end so that concept is foreign to me.
Quote from: limacharley on August 28, 2018, 03:39:29 PM
that's never happened at my end so that concept is foreign to me.
Me also! Little chance of my wife driving my truck, let alone pulling a boat. ;)