Toronto to Ottawa gas cost
About 4.5–5 hours via Highway 401 east and Highway 416 north. No tolls on the main route.
Quick answer: driving one way from Toronto to Ottawa takes about 32 litres of gas in a compact car and about 41 litres in a mid-size SUV. At $1.90 per litre, that's an estimated $60 for a car and $77 for an SUV. Enter a different price below to update the costs.
Costs use a typical Toronto gas price.
Estimated gas cost by type of vehicle
| Vehicle | Fuel use | Litres | Est. one way | Est. round trip |
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These are estimates based on 450 km and typical combined fuel ratings. Your actual cost depends on your car, speed, traffic, weather and the price you pay at the pump.
Splitting the cost
Driving is often the cheapest way to make this trip with friends or family. In a compact car at $1.90 per litre, a round trip costs about $120 in gas. Split four ways, that's around $30 per person, which is often less than a one-way train ticket between the two cities.
Where to fill up
You'll drive most of this trip on Highway 401, where gas prices can differ by several cents a litre from one city to the next. On a full tank, picking the cheaper stop can save a few dollars.
Good places to stop:
- Kingston, a little over halfway, with plenty of stations and food just off the 401.
- Brockville, the last larger town before you turn north onto Highway 416.
- ONroute service centres along the 401, which are convenient but often charge a little more than stations in town.
Tolls on the way
The standard route, Highway 401 east to Highway 416 north, has no tolls. If your GPS sends you onto Highway 407 ETR to get around Toronto traffic, you'll be billed by licence plate, which can add a noticeable amount to the trip. Set your map app to avoid tolls if you'd rather skip it.
Driving this route in winter
Eastern Ontario gets regular snow and freezing rain from December to March, and the open stretches of Highway 416 can see blowing snow. Cold weather, winter tires and slower speeds all raise fuel use, so budget roughly 15–25% more gas than in summer. Check road conditions on Ontario 511 before you leave, and keep your tank above half in case of closures.
How to spend less on gas
- Keep to the speed limit. Driving at 120 km/h instead of 100 km/h can use noticeably more fuel.
- Leave Toronto before 7 a.m. or after 9 a.m. to avoid stop-and-go traffic on the 401.
- Use cruise control on the long, flat stretches of the 401 and 416.
- Check your tire pressure and take off empty roof racks or cargo boxes before you leave.
Common questions
How much gas does it take to drive from Toronto to Ottawa?
The drive is about 450 km. A compact car using 7 L/100 km needs about 32 litres, a mid-size SUV about 41 litres, and a pickup truck about 56 litres.
Can I make it on one tank?
Most cars can. A car with a 50-litre tank using 7 L/100 km can go about 700 km, so you'd arrive with fuel to spare. Larger trucks and SUVs may need a stop, especially in winter.
Are there tolls between Toronto and Ottawa?
The main route along Highway 401 and Highway 416 has no tolls. Highway 407 ETR near Toronto is an optional toll road; you can avoid it by staying on the 401.
How long is the drive from Toronto to Ottawa?
Usually about 4.5 to 5 hours without major traffic. Leaving Toronto at rush hour or driving in winter weather can add an hour or more.
Is there a shorter route?
Highway 7 through Peterborough and Perth is a little shorter in distance, but it's mostly two-lane road through towns, so it usually takes longer than the 401 and 416.
Other trips
For any other trip, use the trip fuel cost calculator: enter your route and your car to see the estimated cost with today's gas prices.