Traveling north Friday

[Hodgey1]

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......

[puckster_guy]

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.

[Hodgey1]

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?

[puckster_guy]

Ya it should be much easier then. It's the last long weekend here till thanksgiving. Roads will be extra busy.

[RHYBAK]

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..

[T-Bone]

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!

[RHYBAK]

maybe so, but after sitting in traffic for a possible 2 extra hours, the end result will be well worth it.

[Hodgey1]

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.

[Greg]

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.

[Hodgey1]

Greg, staying half way is not a bad idea. Thanks

[Hodgey1]

That 400 North from Vaughn to Orillia is going to be a zoo!

The price that must be paid for a week in paradise!

[Morrow21]

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.

[T-Bone]

The price that must be paid for a week in paradise!
[/quote]

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... 

[RHYBAK]

Buy a plane and fly in

[T-Bone]

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...