Driving From (Old) Ottawa to Ottawa: How Long Will it Take?

If you're planning on driving to Ottawa, you might be wondering how much time to allocate for your journey. The answer is, of course, "it depends." There are different routes you can take, and traffic conditions can vary depending on the time of day and day of the week. In this blog post, we'll explore some of the fastest and slowest routes from (Old) Ottawa to Ottawa, and estimate driving times based on typical traffic patterns.

The Fastest Route

If you're looking for the fastest way to drive from (Old) Ottawa to Ottawa, you should take the Queensway. This is a major highway that runs through the heart of the city, and it's usually the quickest way to get from one end of Ottawa to the other. The distance from (Old) Ottawa to downtown Ottawa via the Queensway is only about 8 km, and it should take you between 10 and 15 minutes to get there in light traffic.

However, rush hour can be another story. If you're driving during peak commuter times, your travel time can increase significantly, especially if there are accidents or construction or inclement weather. Rush hour traffic on the Queensway can be quite heavy, and you could be looking at travel times of 30 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic conditions.

The Scenic Route

If you're not in a hurry and want to take a more scenic route, you could drive along the Ottawa River Parkway. This road follows the Ottawa River from (Old) Ottawa to downtown Ottawa, and it's a lovely drive with great views of the river and the city skyline. However, it is a slower route; the distance is about twice as long as the Queensway route, and the road is often busy, particularly during summer and on weekends.

In light traffic, you can expect to get from (Old) Ottawa to downtown Ottawa in 20-30 minutes via the parkway route, but during peak traffic hours, it could take you up to an hour. Leaving a little earlier or traveling later could save time.

The Middle Ground

If you're looking for a decent compromise between speed and scenery, you could take the Vanier Parkway route. This road follows the Rideau River from (Old) Ottawa to downtown Ottawa, and it offers some nice views of the water and parks along the way. The distance is similar to the Queensway route, but the Vanier Parkway can often be less congested, especially outside of rush hour.

Travel time on the Vanier Parkway from (Old) Ottawa to downtown Ottawa should take you 20-25 minutes in light traffic. During peak traffic times, it could take around 30-40 minutes, depending on traffic.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the time it takes to drive from (Old) Ottawa to Ottawa depends on the route you choose and the traffic conditions during your trip. The Queensway is generally the fastest route, but rush hour traffic can be heavy and slow you down. The Ottawa River Parkway is a scenic route but can get crowded when the weather is nice. The Vanier Parkway route is a happy medium, with similar distances to the Queensway and a less congested traffic flow. Be sure to factor traffic times when planning your trip, so you know when to set out to make the most of your day in Ottawa.