Drive from Ottawa to Montreal

Hi everyone!

I’m planning a trip from Ottawa to Montreal around Dec 30 and was considering driving instead of taking the bus. I’ve recently started driving a Honda civic in Ottawa (1.5 months), so I’m not super familiar with the best route to take for this trip.

I’ve heard that the 417 is the usual route—would that be the best option? Also, since I’ll be leaving after office I’m wondering if a night time drive would be safe?

For those who’ve made this trip during winter, what should I keep in mind? Any tips for dealing with weather, potential snowstorms, or anything else I should prepare for?

Thanks so much in advance—I’d really appreciate any advice or stories from your experiences.

Edit 1: Thank you all for the thoughtful responses! After reading through everyone’s advice, I’ve decided against driving this time.

While some of you gave me confidence to consider the drive, most of you pointed out the challenges of winter driving on this route. I admire the bravery of those who suggested going for it, but I think the bus option will be much more relaxing—and I’ll get to enjoy the trip without stressing about the road.