Looking to get out of the city for a day or two? Here are some of the best road trips from Toronto, perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer vacation.
While Road Trip Ontario is based in Toronto, we’d be lying if we said we didn’t love that bright lights, big city feel. However, when it starts to get a bit overwhelming, nothing beats that small-town feel, open empty roads and gorgeous nature.
Renting a car is an option if you don’t have a car or have friends with cars. With so many car rental options available in Toronto, it shouldn’t be hard to find one that fits your needs.
Another great option is Park Bus, a shuttle bus service that runs between Toronto and various locations throughout Ontario. Such as Algonquin Provincial Park, Elora Gorge, Bruce Peninsula, Georgian Bay Islands National Park, Rockwood Conservation Area & Rattlesnake Point & Crawford Lake.
Short Road Trips From Toronto
You could easily visit these road trip destinations from Toronto in one day, but if you want to extend your trip, you can always stay overnight.
One-way trip times and distances are listed, so be sure to take into account the return journey when planning your trip.
Niagara Falls
Driving time from Toronto: Approx. 1 – 2 hours
The Niagara region is a popular tourist destination in Canada and is only a short drive from Toronto. The Falls themselves are an impressive sight, but there are also plenty of other things to see and do in the area. Visitors can go wine tasting, explore old fortresses, or take a ride on the Maid of the Mist boat tour.
Niagara Falls are located at the border between the United States and Canada and were formed by three different waterfalls – the Horseshoes Falls (On the Canadian side), the American Falls, and the Bridal Veil Falls (both on the American Side). Over six million cubic feet of water drop fifty meters every minute from Lake Eerie into Lake Ontario.
About 25 minutes from The Falls is the cute town Niagara-on-the-Lake known for its charming streets lined by B&Bs and independent boutiques as well as small bakeries, ice cream shops, and stylish restaurants. The entire Niagara-on-the-Lake area is surrounded by several award-winning wineries making the region one of the top wine regions in Ontario.
Halton Region
Burlington
Driving time from Toronto: Approx. 45 minutes – 1 hour
Burlington, Ontario is a beautiful city located between Toronto and Niagara Falls, in Halton Region. Located on the north shore of Lake Ontario, the culturally lively city of Burlington is an easy day trip from bustling Toronto. The Canadian city is full of fun family-friendly activities, charming alleyways, trendy boutiques, and of course, delicious culinary treats. So finding fun things to do here shouldn’t be too difficult.
As one of the most popular destinations in northwestern Ontario, you’ll find a wide range of activities to do in Burlington. One of the most visited gardens in Canada is not just any garden; it’s the largest botanical garden in Canada. It boasts beautiful landscapes that are divided into different sections and spread across 900 acres of land with over 1 thousand plant and flower species.
Oakville
Located in the beautiful surroundings of the Halton Region and just 30 minutes away from downtown Toronto, Oakville offers so much to see and do. Although it’s often overlooked as a tourist destination, it has much to offer, from a vibrant arts scene to natural scenery waiting to be explored.
The main street of Old Oakville as well as the communities of Bronte and Kerr has incredible mom-and-pop shops, high-end boutiques, phenomenal restaurants with delicious menus and some scenic trails either by Lake Ontario along Sixteen Mile Creek or in Bronte Provincial Park.
Milton
Located in the heart of the Halton Region, Milton isn’t typically the first place that comes to mind when thinking about day trips from Toronto. But it’s definitely worth checking out if you love nature! You could go hiking, relax at a picnic spot or even hit the slopes for skiing!
Durham Region
Driving time from Toronto: Approx. 45 minutes – 1:30 hours
East of bustling Toronto lies the County Durham region, the economic heartland of Ontario. It’s part of the Golden Horseshoe that stretches from Oshawa to the famed Niagara Falls. There are so many things to do in Durham Region! During its fall season, Durham bursts in reds, oranges, and golds or gets its winter warmers on and heads out to discover the city’s snowy period (winter).
It’s a region dotted with charming towns, stunning countryside, rolling hills, and a series of major bodies of water. From exciting things to see and do in Oshawa and Uxbridge to Pickering and Beaverton, there’s plenty to enjoy. One of our personal faves is the cute town of Port Perry where during the winter months you can go ice fishing on Lake Scugog
Wellington County
Driving time from Toronto: Approx. 1 hour – 2 hours
Elora
There are lots of things to do in the Elora area. You can go tubing down the river, hike the Elora Gorge, and swim in the Elora Quarry. There are also plenty of mom-and-pop stores to browse around in and restaurants to dine at. There are lots of art classes available to learn how to paint, draw, sculpt, etc.
Fergus
Fergus is a scenic town with lots of green space and plenty of activities. Visitors come here to enjoy the Scottish festival and games. There are many shops and restaurants in the town. People also go there to see the scenery and take part in various outdoor activities.
Top 5 Road Trip Destinations from Toronto
There are plenty of places to drive near Toronto, making it the perfect city to start a road trip. These destinations provide a beautiful journey as well as fantastic things to do and places to see once you reach your endpoint.
Here are some of the best road trips within 2-4 hours of Toronto.
Muskoka
Driving time from Toronto: Approx. 2.5 – 3 hours
The Muskoka Region has a population of approximately 1 million people. Within Muskoka, there are six municipalities: Town of Huntsville; Town of Bracebridge; Town of Gravenhurst; Township of Muskoka Lakes; Township of Lake of Bains; and the township of Georgian bay.
It has some 1.6 thousand small lakes, several villages, towns, farming communities, lakeside vacation hotels and resorts near golf courses, country clubs, and a marina. It’s one of the most popular cottage destinations in Canada attracting over two million annual visitors.
If you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of big cities and want to get back to nature, then this is the place to visit. However, if it’s currently summer where you are right now then booking a cottage might already be too late.
The Bruce Peninsula
Driving time from Toronto: Approx. 4 hours
The Bruce Peninsula is made up of forests, cliffs, and beaches. It’s great for camping, hiking, and swimming in the summer months. To get to the peninsula, you have to drive through some of the most scenic parts of Ontario. Be sure to stop at Tobermory, one of the prettiest towns in the province, before reaching your final destination.
Algonquin Provincial Park
Driving time from Toronto: Approx. 4 – 5 hours
Algonquin Provincial Park is one of the largest parks in Ontario and is a great place to go for a hike or a canoe trip. The park is also home to some interesting wildlife, including moose, wolves, and bears. There are several campsites in the park, as well as lodges and cabins if you want to stay overnight.
Prince Edward County
Driving time from Toronto: Approx. 2 – 3 hours
Prince Edward County is a beautiful area located on Lake Ontario. The county is known for its wineries, beaches, and quaint small towns. There are also several art galleries and museums to check out. If you’re looking for a place to relax and enjoy some great food and wine, Prince Edward County is the perfect destination.
Lennox & Addington County
Driving time from Toronto: Approx. 2 – 3 hours
If you’re looking for beautiful landscapes, endless nature, and clean lakes, then a road trip to Ontario’s Lennox and Addington County is what you need. From the quaint town of Napanee (the place where musician Avril Lavigne grew up) and Greater Napanee to Bath, Amherst Island and the beautiful Bon Echo Provincial Park
Lennox & Addison County is located in southeastern Ontario, just two hours outside of Toronto and three hours away from Montreal. From Amherst Island in the Great Lakes to Lower Madawaska County Road 41, stretching between the two parks.
More Short Road Trips from Toronto
Toronto road trips mean gorgeous landscapes on your way to splendid towns, cities, and national parks. Picking a spot within a few hours from the city also means you can make several pit stops.
Here are a few more Canadian road trips from Toronto.
Georgian Bay Coastline: Grey County & Simcoe County
Driving time from Toronto: Approx. 3 hours
Grey County
Grey County is one of the best places to go if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of big cities. A little less travelled than other counties and regions make it a hidden gem. Hiking, kayaking, cycling, and fishing are great activities in this region while you enjoy delicious food and drinks. While Owen Sound is the last city in Canada that ended prohibition, the main attraction is The Blue Mountains and the Blue Mountain Resort
The Blue Mountains
Driving time from Toronto: Approx. 2-3 hours
Blue Mountain is located on the shores of the Georgian Bay and is a popular skiing destination in the winter months (the third busiest in Canada) attracting millions of skiers and snowboarders.
Visitors can enjoy the many activities available during summer. Kayaking, caving, hiking, and jet-skiing are some of the things visitors can do while visiting.
The autumn colours are gorgeous and there are many apple orchards for apple picking. You can relax in a Scandinavian spa, go zip lining, or ride the Ridge Runner mountain coaster.
Simcoe County
Collingwood
Driving time from Toronto: Approx. 2-2:30 hours
If you’re planning a weekend ski trip to Blue Mountain the town of Collingwood, a beautiful city known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant arts scene. The city is also home to many great places to eat and shop with a few museums, art galleries and a vibrant art scene.
Wasaga Beach
Driving time from Toronto: Approx. 2-2:30 hours
If you grew up in Toronto, Ontario then going out to Wasaga Beach with friends as a young adult was a rite of passage. Wasaga Beach is a great beach located near Collingwood and is one of the longest freshwater beaches in the world, measuring 14 kilometres along the southern shore of Georgian Bay
Georgian Bay Islands National Park
Driving time from Toronto: Approx. 2-2:30 hours
One of the main draws to Georgian Bay Islands National park is that it is only reachable by boat, making it the perfect place to explore this pristine wilderness and unspoiled beaches. This park was one of the inspirations for the Group of Seven.
Kingston
Driving time from Toronto: Approx. 2 – 3 hours
Kingston is another great option for a Toronto road trip. It’s located on Lake Ontario and is full of history. Visitors can explore Fort Henry, visit the Kingston Penitentiary Museum, or take a leisurely stroll through Confederation Basin Park.
Frontenac Provincial Park
Driving time from Toronto: Approx. 3 hours
Located just north of Kingston is Frontenac Provincial Park. The park offers many activities including hiking, camping, fishing, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, bird watching, biking, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice fishing.
There are over 200 campsites available at Frontenac Provincial Park. Each site includes electricity, water hookups, fire pits, picnic tables, and grills. If you’re more of the glamping type, there are also cabins available for rent.
Ottawa
Driving time from Toronto: Approx. 4 – 5 hours
The capital of Canada, Ottawa is a beautiful city located along the Ottawa River in Ontario, Canada. Ottawa is a great city for a road trip and weekend getaway because there are tons of things to do starting with taking a tour of Parliament Hill. The National Capital Region is home to Canada’s Parliament, where you can learn about Canadian history and politics.
If politics bore you then you can explore the Byward Market. Located just north of downtown Ottawa, this historic market features hundreds of vendors selling everything from fresh produce to antiques.
You also don’t want to miss the Rideau Canal – This canal was constructed in the early 1800s to connect Lake Ontario with the Ottawa River. As the longest skating rink in the winter and a scenic boating journey in the summer, it’s a popular tourist attraction.
Montreal
Driving time from Toronto: Approx. 5 – 6 hours
Toronto is a great city, but Montreal is a unique destination with its hip French influence found in its food, culture, and nightlife. With so many things to do including visiting the famous Notre Dame Basilica, taking a tour of Old Montreal, strolling through many beautiful parks and gardens, take a boat ride along the St Lawrence River.
If you’re looking for a day trip from Montreal, consider going to Quebec City. The Chateau Frontenac is a must-see, and you can spend the afternoon exploring the cobblestone streets of Old Quebec.If you’re looking for a romantic weekend away, Montreal is the perfect destination. And if you’re looking for a family vacation, Montreal is the ideal location.
Final Thoughts: Plan Your Road Trip From Toronto
There are plenty of great scenic drives near Toronto, making it the perfect city to start a road trip. Whether you’re looking for a short weekend getaway or a longer vacation, there are plenty of options to choose from. So what are you waiting for?
