The Most Lavish Toronto to Montréal Road Trip
Lifestyle
10 MIN READ
Take in more. Take the perfect road trip.
How long is the drive from Toronto to Montréal?
The drive may only take 5.5 hours, but when on the road from Toronto to Montréal, take in more scenic sites, more sumptuous sustenance, and more stellar stays along your way. We’ve curated the perfect getaway for you and anyone special enough to come along.
1st Stop: Port Hope, Ontario
Drive Time: 1 Hour
You'll be pleasantly surprised by Port Hope's small-town vibe that boasts some of the most charming amenities. There's history to explore, street festivals, musical theatre and events on the water. It’s a city that really has a calling to all types: cultural connoisseurs, outdoorsy adventurers and history buffs.
Once you’re out of the Big Smoke, you’ll probably be craving a different type of metropolitan experience. In downtown Port Hope, Ontario there’s a ton to take in – just cruise around Main Street. Creative types come here for the ambience. The slower pace, wide open spaces and sense of community appeal to big personalities and big ideas. Go shopping locally and be treated to some of the most eclectic textiles, furniture and antiques. Visit Antiques on Queen, Lord Russborough’s Annex, Dwellisimo or Dane & Jute to find your next perfect piece of home décor.
After the drive, you might be feeling a touch peckish. So, why not stop by one of downtown Port Hope’s many epicurean beacons? If you’re looking for a quick pick-me-up, Dreamer’s Café will get you nicely caffeinated. For your sweet tooth, Sugar Dust Bakery or Frosted Flour Co. will set you up with some of the best baked goods around. If you’re more into preserves, pickles and provisions, take a stroll to Food Inspired or Suntree Natural Foods Marketplace.
If shopping doesn’t strike the right chord, there’s plenty of other things to do in Port Hope, Ontario. If the stage is your calling, check out the Capitol Theatre. Deemed a National Historic Site in 2016, it debuted its first play in 1930. For a little bit of fresher air, you’ll want to visit the Port Hope Conservation Area – an excellent place to reconnect with nature. In the fall, you might even be able to witness the salmon running. If modern art is more your thing, go by the Art Gallery of Northumberland. Opened in the 1960s, it focuses on showcasing intellectually stimulating exhibitions and curated visual arts.
Road trip-ready: QX55 safety
When you’re on the hectic 401, safety needs to be standard. Feel confident in the QX55’s secure drive, backed by a full suite of safety and driver assist technologies. It offers features like ProPilot Assist™, Intelligent Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Intervention, Predictive Forward Collision Warning and available Heads-up Display.
It’s this next-generation of safety tech that will make your whole trip one you’re confident in – even when you’re on the highway.
2nd Stop: Presqu’ile Provincial Park
Drive Time: 40 Minutes
Open year round, the weather in Presqu’ile Provincial Park is poised for any adventure you’re ready to take on. Camping, hiking, swimming awaits on the kilometers of sandy beaches and rolling shoreline trails. This petite but picturesque park provides tons of charm as a weekend getaway for families and couples alike.
For the wild-at-heart, Presqu’ile Provincial Park also offers unique ways to see the local flora and fauna. Take a short trek along the 1 km marsh boardwalk trail accessing the largest protected marsh on the north shore of Lake Ontario. You can also visit the nature centre or visitors’ centres to learn more about regional wildlife, and then gaze out at the lake from Ontario’s second-oldest operating lighthouse.
Presqu’ile is also a popular spot for bird lovers. It’s a world-class destination for the spring bird migration, and there are over 330 species of birds recorded in the park. Catch waterfowl in March, as well as warblers and shorebirds in May.
Luckily, with 300 campsites to choose from, you’ll be able to go at your own pace and do the most with your time in the park before retiring for the evening under the stars.
Take a bite out of everything
Quick Stop: The Big Apple, Ontario
A claim to fame as one of this country’s many oversized, roadside monuments, Colborne, Ontario’s Big Apple rarely disappoints. With something for both the young and the young-at-heart, your stop will be jam packed. Grab a delicious sip at the cider brewery. Or, if you’re feeling like bite, there are always sweet treats to be sampled in the maple room, the candy shop or the bakery. You can also tuck in for something more savoury at one of the food trucks or restaurants. For your rug rats, there’s a petting zoo, mini golf, a kiddie train, ping pong, an outdoor picnic area and of course, the Big Apple itself. Claiming to be the largest in the world, “Mr. Applehead” stands 40 feet tall, 38 feet wide and weighs 42 tonnes. They say it can hold nearly 650,000 apples and has sold over 6.2 million pies. Stop by and grab one for yourself.
Road trip-ready: QX55 cargo space
When on the road, what you take with you is just as important as what you bring back. The QX55’s second-row seats fold down to expand your capacities. Also, the rear sliding seats give you the flexibility to expand cargo space while hauling passengers in the back row. The trip from Toronto to Montréal is marked by excellent local shopping. To bring all your finds home, the QX55’s ample 1,531.9 litres of cargo space will not leave you shipping anything.
3rd Stop: Prince Edward County
Drive Time: 50 Minutes
A bastion of natural beauty, agriculture and quaint culinary delights, you have to drop in on Prince Edward County, Ontario. Affectionately known as “The County”, it’s truly a place to take in at your own pace. Whether that’s the bustle of antique hunting on Main Street or the slosh of muddy boots in a vineyard, you’re always encouraged to “do” the County however you please.
On the hunt for culture? Satiate your senses with local music, theatre or art. Performances are always amazing when set in stunning vineyards, heritage theatres or paired with a craft pint at the corner pub. You can also set out on the self-guided art tour: Arts Trail.
Prefer to roll up your sleeves? Get artsy with an in-studio art workshop, volunteer at a vineyard harvest, or learn the local agricultural ways through a bespoke farm experience. Feel like being active instead? Reconnect with nature by running, hiking, cycling, canoeing or fishing around The County’s 800 km of shoreline.
Regardless of how you choose to spend your days, save your nights for some culinary flare at one of Prince Edward County’s top restaurants. As they say, to visit The County is to taste The County. The food around here is so local that they don’t just talk about where came from, but who grew, canned, caught, pickled, preserved, chopped, brewed or fermented it.
Since they don’t have to travel far, the local restaurants have some of the freshest ingredients around. Often inspired by the season, the menus at Prince Edward County’s many diverse, chef-driven restaurants are ever-evolving and changing. If you visit in spring or fall, reserve some time for Countylicious and feast your way through the culinary landscape. Whether at a roadside farm stand, an eclectic vineyard, or a beautifully set table, you’re never far from something delicious in The County.
After a big day out, find the perfect place to catch up on some sleep. When visiting The County, there are so many great spots to rest your head. Choose from bespoke inns, quaint bed and breakfasts, rustic campgrounds and more – for the right mix of culture and comfort.
Road trip-ready: QX55 comfort
When you’re driving luxury, the road can be as relaxing as your stay in The County. With available climate-controlled front seats and heated rear seats, everyone can get to the next destination in comfort.
4th Stop: Kingston, ON
Drive time: 1.25 hours
In just over an hour, the natural and historical wonders of Kingston, Ontario await. Warmly known by locals as the "Limestone City" – a moniker earned for the material used to build many of its 19th-century homes – the city has plenty in store for both travelers and day-trippers.
When you drive into Kingston, its history overwhelms. Its location on the eastern end of Lake Ontario near the St. Lawrence River gave it importance as a trading post and fort for the French in the 1670s. Go exploring at Fort Henry or Kingston’s Royal Naval Dockyard for a little bit of history. Or, if you’re looking to relax by the water, head down to Kingston’s gorgeous shorelines.
There’s no shortage of places to throw down a towel and soak up some rays. Whether you enjoy playing in the sand, swimming, water sports, or just sitting back and basking in some sunshine, you’re sure to enjoy any – or all – of these amazing Kingston waterfront beaches.
5th Stop: Thousand Islands National Park
Drive Time: 45 Minutes
If being on the water is your thing, The Thousand Islands are only a quick car ride or short boat trip from downtown Kingston. Straddling both the Canadian and U.S. sides of the mighty St. Lawrence River, this beautiful area consists of more than 1,800 islands of all sizes.
Formed from the eroded peaks of once-tall mountains, the waterways around these islands can be pleasantly explored aboard sightseeing cruises and private boat rentals. The best place to begin your exploration is Thousand Islands National Park, an unspoiled space of quiet bays and tree-lined granite islands. Rent a canoe or kayak and experience a peaceful paddle, spot some wildlife, and then retire for the night in the park’s cozy cabin lodgings.
Road trip-ready: QX55 technology
With the QX55’s available advanced navigation, you’ll arrive in style and right when you expected. Get real-time traffic information, 3D landmark graphics and seamless turn-by-turn directions.
6th Stop: Upper Canada Village
Drive Time: 1 Hour
Founded in 1961, Upper Canada Village remains one of the largest living-history sites in Canada. Here, visitors can participate in depictions of life in a rural English Canadian village set during the year 1866. Explore homes, functioning mills and trade workshops from the turn of the century.
Located in Morrisburg, Ontario, there are many hotels near Upper Canada Village. Rest up at one of the many replica period-lodgings or quaint inns after a long day exploring the village. Come stay at the Montgomery House, a cozy historic log building that offers convenient and comfy overnight accommodations.
There’s also the McIntosh Country Inn, with a history almost as rich as the area in which it resides. Located in the picturesque St. Lawrence Valley. Deriving its name from the famous McIntosh apples that were first propagated nearby, it’s now a unique destination for vacationers, tourists, and site-seers alike.
If sleeping under the stars is more for you, there are plenty of options for camping near Upper Canada Village. In fact, Upper Canada Campground is a popular summer destination for hundreds of families each year. A nature lover’s paradise, the Bird Sanctuary is filled with abundant wildlife and over 150 bird species.
Road trip-ready: QX55 entertainment
Just because you’re on the road doesn’t mean you should travel without a range of creature comforts.
Standard Android Auto™ and Wireless Apple CarPlay® allow you to turn QX55 into your own mobile home, a hub for many connected devices and applications. Add a Wi-Fi hotspot, active noise cancellation, Interactive Display and an available 16-speaker Performance Series audio system from Bose® into the mix, and the amenities you need are at your fingertips.
7th Stop: Long Sault Parkway
Drive Time: 15 Minutes
There's a perfect spot nestled along the St. Lawrence Seaway for those on the road to Montréal, where you bask in some scenic views. The Long Sault Parkway stretches more than 11 km, connecting a series of 11 islands on the St. Lawrence River, located just south of the 401. It’s a casual place where you can enjoy your day kayaking, walking, or biking.
Three campgrounds and two beaches are also scattered along the route, perfect for families. Plus, the Long Sault Parkway cabins all have breathtaking views. Learn all about this area’s rich history at the Lost Villages Museum.
For the more adventurous, Long Sault Parkway cycling is a must. Because you’re on a bike, you can go at your own pace and find the scenery that draws you in. Enjoy this 10 km point-to-point trail. Generally considered an easy route, it takes two hours to complete and is great for both mountain biking and road biking.
Road trip-ready: QX55 driving
As you traverse the breathtaking Long Sault Parkway and its varied terrain, QX55’s standard Intelligent All-Wheel Drive and standard Drive Mode selector will dial up your capability and confidence to tackle even the most inclement weather.
With Sport, Auto, Eco, Snow and other Drive Modes to choose from, total control over any driving condition is always within reach. Pair this tech with the revolutionary VC-Turbo engine and get where you’re going with the perfect balance of power and fuel efficiency.
Final Destination: Arriving in Montréal
Drive Time: 1.5 Hours
In about an hour and half, you’ll be into a big, busy, exhilarating city, with so much to see and do. There’ll be plenty of long walks and bike rides, picnics at the park, street art hunts and time to discover the city’s many cultural gems.
Prepare for a few surprises along the way. Hop from one music and arts festival to the next, from homegrown tastes to exotic flavours, from the trails of Mount Royal to the cobblestone streets of Old Montréal. One thing is certain, you must eat your way through this city. Take advantage of some of North America’s best restaurants, along with a few more affordable discoveries. No matter your taste, local fare puts an emphasis on fresh market produce, an unintimidating aesthetic (feel like bagels?) and deli cuts of meat (smoked meat, yes please).
For a drink, make your way to the nearest terrasse; a glass of wine is always better with a little sunshine. Whether you’re in the mood for good cocktails, fantastic rooftop patios, or a refined dining experience in Old Montréal, the bars, cafés and restaurants here are ready and waiting.
And of course, you’ll need to trek the urban mountain in the heart of the city. Mont-Royal overlooks the downtown core with incredible vistas in every direction. This expansive city park gives a taste of the outdoors without leaving town. Whether it’s exploring its forested hikes, picnicking in the shade of a tree, or cross-country skiing, every minute you spend on the mountain is either an escape from the city or a sweeping gaze deep into it. As the sun sets, catch the twinkling light show of the Jacques Cartier Bridge.
For culture buffs, take in an exhibition at one of Montréal’s many museums, theatres, and art galleries. The product of rich history, a steady influx of scholars and up-and-coming artists, these cultural hotspots are host to world-class exhibits and inspiring shows that can’t help but shift your perspective.
