Road trips can be a lot of fun, and there are many things to do along the way! This blog post will give you all the information you need for your next road trip from New York City to Toronto.

We’ll cover everything from where you should stop on the way, depending on the length of time you have to make the trip. You can quickly drive this route in one day, but if you want to enjoy the journey you could split it into two or three days.

Whether you are driving from Toronto to New York or driving from NYC to Canada we have you covered.

 

The best road trip from NYC to Toronto

My family and I have taken this road trip and were pleasantly surprised with how easy it was. There were tons of places to get out and see along the way, and we had lots of breaks to stretch our legs.

The fastest route from New York City to Toronto is Route 81 to Syracuse, Route 90 to Buffalo, Route 190 to Niagara Falls, and Route 405/403 to Toronto.

 

Start in New York City

 

I could talk about all the things you can do in New York City, but this post would be 50,000 words long. So for brevity’s sake I have linked a post about NYC below.

For information on things to do in New York City, check out one of our many NYC posts like this one.

*Drive for an hour and a half.

East Stroudsburg, PA

Your first stop on your road trip should be East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. It’s a quaint town with tons of outdoor activities and is actually the birthplace of TV sitcom icon Lucille Ball to boot!

Delaware Water Gap is a beautiful park and it’s only 3 miles from East Stroudsburg. Bring your hiking shoes and enjoy this beautiful natural area.

*Drive for an hour

Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania

Industrialist Josiah White founded Wilkes Barre as an iron manufacturing center back in 1866 and today hosts events such as its annual Jazz Festival that draw tens (or even hundreds) of thousands from all across the state each year. It is considered to be the oldest jazz festival in the United States.

In addition, many of the restaurants in Wilkes Barre boast menus that are an excellent fusion between traditional Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine and New American fare. Wilkes Barre is a great place to stop for lunch.

*Drive 30 minutes

Scranton, Pennsylvania

The next stop on your road trip should be Scranton, PA. Are you a fan of “The Office”? You will want to make a stop at the fictional home of “The Office.”

Many locations in Scranton have been used for filming throughout the series’ 2007-2013 run. Fans can visit a variety of places like these while taking in all the sights:

Check out Roadtrippers.com to find out what to visit.

 

*Drive for 1 hour

Binghamton, New York

Just a little past the halfway point of your road trip, you will find Binghamton. This lovely little city in upstate New York is home to some world-renowned museums and cultural institutions.

If you need to stretch your legs, head for the Cutler Botanic Gardens, it isn’t large, but a great break for a road trip.

 

*Drive for an hour and a half.

Syracuse, New York

A little further down the road is Syracuse, a city rich in culture and history. It’s home to many iconic landmarks such as Destiny USA (the largest shopping mall on the East Coast) or Carrier Dome where they play Syracuse University basketball games.

The Erie Canal Museum is a must-see if you are in the area. It tells all about the canal’s founding and its importance on the city’s development.

This is about the halfway point and a great place to stay the night if you want to break up the journey.

*Drive for 85 minutes.

Rochester, New York

Rochester is a city with a rich history and heritage.

Nearby, you will find some of the most iconic symbols in the area, such as Mount Hope Cemetary, where Susan B Anthony was buried. The home she lived in can also be found here (Elmwood Avenue)

The National Museum of Play is an excellent stop on a road trip with kids! They will love the butterfly garden, the mini grocery store, and seeing dolls their grandmothers would have played with. Even if you aren’t traveling with kids, it’s a fabulous place to stop!

*Drive for an hour and a half.

 

Niagara Falls, Ontario

 

Niagara Falls is just across the border between New York State and Ontario. The Canadian side is much more built up and has a better view of the falls (in my opinion).

Park your car and walk to the Falls, or if you have longer, take a boat tour of Niagara Falls. The Maid of the Mist tour is probably the most famous, but all of the tours show you the exact same thing on the same route.

The falls are more powerful on the Canadian side (Niagara Falls) than on the US side (the Maid of the Mist tour boat takes you to both sides).

If you want to enjoy the falls more, there are excellent hotels, but they are on the pricier side in Canada.

*Drive for an hour

 

Mississauga, Ontario

 

This city outside of Toronto has tons of shopping, restaurants, and more. If you are heading to downtown Toronto, this is a great place to fuel up and get a bite to eat. (It’s much easier to navigate and park than downtown Toronto.)

*Drive for 30 minutes

 

Toronto, Ontario

If you have made it this far, then congratulations! You’ve officially reached Toronto. What should be your next stop?

The CN Tower is one of those iconic landmarks everyone wants to visit for the first time.

Visit Ripley’s Aqaurium right next door, and learn all about sea life and how to protect it. This was up there with one of the best aquariums we have ever visited!

A lively and vibrant city, Toronto offers many unique places to eat and drink, museums to see, and parks to explore.

Plus, there are many beautiful towns and outdoorsy things to do near Toronto.

 

Related Post: Want to know what to do in Toronto? Learn more here.

 

An alternate route for a road trip from NYC to Toronto

Drive north on 1-87 to Montreal

• Stop in Saratoga Springs for lunch and to visit the spectacular natural springs. Get lunch at Ravenous (you won’t regret it.)
• Stop in Plattsburgh, Vermont for dinner and to see the castle.
• Stop overnight in Montreal.

Check out our post on Montreal to get tips on where to eat, what to do, and where to stay.

Drive West on Route 417

• Stop in Ottawa. Enjoy breakfast in Canada’s capital city, check out the Rideau Canal, and plan ahead to visit the Parliament building. Learn more about what to do in Ottawa.

Take 401 West

• Stop in Kingston, Ontario. Grab a quick lunch at Harper’s Burger Bar and enjoy the beginning of the Rideau Canal.

Ends in Toronto.

This route is double the length of the first one mentioned, but you can see Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto in one road trip. We have done both, and we like to do one on the way there and the other on the way back!

 

No matter which route you choose, you are sure to enjoy the road trip from New York City to Toronto. Make a week out of it, or do it over a long weekend. Make sure you pack your road trip essentials, and have a great trip!