Driving the 401: London to the GTA

Last reviewed October 30, 2026

For most commuters, especially those heading to offices outside downtown Toronto, driving is the most flexible option. The distance is fixed. The time isn't. Here's how to make the drive as predictable as possible.

The route

1. London to Woodstock (Highway 401 east): open highway through farmland. It's quick in good weather, and the stretch most exposed to snow squalls in winter.
2. Woodstock to Cambridge/Kitchener: Highway 401 continues east. Highway 403 branches off at Woodstock toward Brantford and Hamilton.
3. Cambridge to Milton: traffic builds, especially approaching the GTA.
4. Milton to Toronto: the most congested section at peak times, through Mississauga and into the city.

Timing is everything

• Leave early. Many commuters leave London well before 6 a.m. to get through the Milton–Mississauga stretch ahead of the morning peak.
• Or leave late. If your employer is flexible, arriving mid-morning can avoid the worst of it.
• The return: leaving the GTA before the afternoon peak, or after it, makes a big difference. Friday afternoons westbound can be particularly slow in summer.
• Check before you go: the Ontario 511 app and website show live traffic cameras, incidents, closures and winter road conditions.

Alternative routes

Highway 403 via Brantford and Hamilton

From Woodstock, Highway 403 runs through Brantford to Hamilton and on toward Oakville and Mississauga. It can be a useful alternative for offices in Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville or west Mississauga, or when the 401 has a serious incident.

Highway 407 ETR

The 407 ETR, a privately operated toll highway, runs across the top of the GTA. It can bypass heavy 401 traffic between Burlington/Milton and points east, but tolls vary by time of day, distance and vehicle, and add up quickly for regular use. Check the 407 ETR's toll calculator for your specific trip. Some commuters use it only on the worst days.

Carpooling

The Ministry of Transportation operates carpool lots at many interchanges along the 401 and other highways, so you can meet coworkers and leave cars for the day. Sharing the drive halves the cost and the fatigue. Check the MTO's carpool lot map for locations near London and along your route. Some GTA highways also have HOV lanes that carpoolers can use.

Making the drive easier

• Winter tires are close to essential for this commute. Some insurers offer a discount for them.
• Keep an emergency kit in the car: blanket, scraper, shovel, booster cables, water and snacks.
• Podcasts, audiobooks and hands-free calls make the time feel useful. Many commuters schedule calls for the drive (legally hands-free only).
• Fuel economy matters at this distance. A more efficient vehicle, hybrid or EV can significantly reduce running costs. See commuting costs.
• EV drivers: check charging options along the 401 and at your office. Home charging overnight is the cheapest option.

Where you live in London matters

London has several 401 interchanges along its southern edge, including Wellington Road, Highbury Avenue and Veterans Memorial Parkway. Living in the south or east end can save 15–20 minutes each way compared with the northwest. See best neighbourhoods for commuters.

Know your limits

Long drives in the dark, in winter, after a full workday, are tiring. If you're regularly driving home exhausted, consider the train on some days, an occasional overnight, or adjusting your schedule. Arriving safely matters more than arriving early.

Your first few drives

For the first month, keep a simple log: departure time, arrival time, and where you hit slowdowns. Patterns emerge quickly. You may find, for example, that leaving a little earlier saves far more time in traffic, or that a particular day of the week is consistently worse.