A Road Trip from Barnstable to Westport: How Long Will It Take?

If you're planning a road trip from Barnstable, Massachusetts to Westport, Ontario, you might be wondering how long the journey will take. The answer depends on a variety of factors, including which route you choose, the time of day you set out, and the level of traffic along the way. Here's a closer look at the fastest and slowest routes, the distance of each route, and the estimated time it will take you to travel it.

The Fastest Route

The fastest route from Barnstable to Westport takes you north through Vermont and along the eastern edge of Lake Ontario. To get onto this route, you'll take I-495 north from Barnstable until you reach I-93 north. Then you'll take I-93 north all the way up to the border crossing at Highgate Springs, Vermont. Once you cross into Canada, you'll follow highway 15 north through Montreal and Ottawa until you reach highway 401, which you'll then take all the way west to Westport.

This route is the fastest because it avoids major cities and most toll roads, and it cuts straight across the narrowest part of Lake Ontario. The total distance along this route is approximately 730 miles, and it should take you around 12 hours to drive it. Keep in mind that this estimate assumes light to moderate traffic, and you can expect longer delays during peak travel times.

The Scenic Route

If you're looking to enjoy the sights and sounds of New England and eastern Canada, you might prefer to take a more scenic route that winds through the Adirondack Mountains and along the St. Lawrence River. To get onto this route, you'll follow I-495 north from Barnstable until you reach I-90, which you'll take west to Albany, NY. From there, you'll pick up I-87 north and follow it all the way up to the border crossing at Champlain, NY. Once you cross into Canada, you'll follow Route 36 along the shore of Lake Champlain until you reach Route 202, which you'll take north through Quebec and Ontario until you reach Westport.

This route is slower than the previous one, due to more traffic and slower speed limits on some of the roads. The total distance along this route is approximately 900 miles, and it should take you around 16-17 hours to drive it. However, you'll get to see plenty of natural beauty and charming towns along the way, so the slower pace may be worth it.

Traffic Patterns

As previously mentioned, the estimated driving times for either route can vary depending on traffic patterns. During peak travel times, such as holiday weekends or rush hour on weekdays, you can expect much longer delays than you would during off-peak times. To give you a sense of how much time traffic can add to your journey, here are some estimated driving times for both routes during peak and off-peak times:

Route	Time without Traffic	Time with Traffic
Fastest Route	11 hours	14-15 hours
Scenic Route	15 hours	19-21 hours

Conclusion

Whether you choose the fastest or the most scenic route from Barnstable to Westport, Ontario, you can expect a long drive with plenty of sights to see along the way. Be sure to factor in traffic patterns when estimating your driving time, and plan to make stops along the way to stretch your legs and enjoy the scenery. Safe travels!