See new sights on a road trip from Ottawa to Montréal

Day trip ambling: the morning drive from Ottawa or Gatineau

Turn your drive to Montréal into a day trip by setting out early. Pack a picnic breakfast or pick something up on your way to the southern end of Gatineau Park. The 360 km² park and some of its hiking routes stretch down to Hull on the Québec side of the Ottawa River. 

Take the forest-lined Gatineau Parkway to the welcome area near Pioneers Trail and find your perfect breakfast spot among the trees and fresh air.

• From Gatineau Parkway, continue to Route 148 via Autoroute 50 (de l’Outaouais).
• The 50 winds past farmland and along the Du Lièvre River near Buckingham, Québec.
• From here, you can opt for the scenic route and follow the 148 east.

Riverside roaming on route 148

A two-lane highway, sometimes called “the old highway,” the 148 roams through small towns such as Thurso, Papineauville and Plaisance.

• Parc national de Plaisance (SÉPAQ): turn south to explore marshes and waterways.
• Patrimoine et Chutes de Plaisance: turn north to see iconic waterfalls.
• Enjoy sweeping views of the Ottawa River and rolling farmland until you reach the outskirts of Hawkesbury, about 10 km inside Ontario.

On the Ontario side, Highway 174 follows a similar riverside path before merging into Highway 17. Stop at Beckett Creek Bird Sanctuary east of Cumberland for birdwatching, then continue on for a helping of poutine at Landriault Snack Bar in Alfred, the self-proclaimed French fries capital of Canada.

Montebello moments

Whether you’ve taken the 148 or the 50 from Gatineau, you’ll want to take a break in Montebello. 

• Admire the upscale-rustic facade of the Fairmont Le Château Montebello resort hotel
• Step back in Québec history at the Manoir Papineau National Historic Site. 
• Get your gourmet chocolate fix at artisanal chocolate factory Chocomotive (located in the historic Montebello station)
• Sample try Fromagerie Montebello’s cheeses, and grab a six-pack at microbrewery Les Brasseurs de Montebello.

Another option near Montebello, especially if you want to make your kids’ day: take a turn north to the 323 up to Parc Oméga, a 12 km safari that is home to wolves, bison and other animals, and also features a suspension bridge and short hikes in the woods, a restaurant and café, and a new immersive night forest-walk experience combining projections, sound and light effects.

Three scenic options towards Montréal

Option 1: Ontario route

Drive east on Route 148, Highway 50, or Highway 17 to Hawkesbury, Ontario, then merge onto the Trans‑Canada Highway toward Montréal.

• Stop for lunch by the river in Hawkesbury.
• Visit Beau’s Brewing Company in Vankleek Hill for organic microbrews.
• Explore Vankleek Hill Vineyard, the historic Higginson Tower, or pick up homemade preserves at Pickle Patch Farm.
• For a glimpse of history, visit L’Orignal Old Jail, one of Ontario’s oldest jails.

Option 2: Scenic Québec route

Head to Grenville, Québec to connect with Route 344, a slow and scenic riverside road.

• Stop at Parc national d’Oka, known for its sandy beach and nature trails. (Check current entry fees on the park website.)
• Visit Vignoble d’Oka, a local winery, before continuing your leisurely drive.
• Take the seasonal Oka–Hudson ferry for a quick water crossing adventure before approaching Montréal.

Option 3: The northern route via the Laurentians

Take Autoroute 50 through the rolling Laurentians south of Saint‑Jérôme, then head south on Highway 15 through Laval to Montréal.

• Families can stop at Laval’s Cosmodome, Canada’s premier space science centre.
• Extend the route north to visit mountain towns such as Val‑David, Sainte‑Agathe‑des‑Monts, or Mont‑Tremblant for year-round outdoor activities.
• On your return, stop in Wakefield for dinner and a walk across the town’s covered bridge.

Unwind in the West Island

If you’re coming into Montréal on the Trans-Canada highway, you’ll drive through Rigaud.

• Explore Parc Chartier‑De Lotbinière or Parc Municipal De Rigaud for green space and forest trails.
• Continue toward Hudson, Québec for a beachside stroll or farmers’ market stop.

For an alternate route through the West Island, dip down to quaint Saint-Anne-de-Bellevue after you cross the bridge. There you’ll find a riverside boardwalk and marina, parks, restaurants, ice cream shops and boutiques. Drive along Rue Lakeshore towards Beaconsfield to see the Saint-Lawrence River. Head back up to the 40 or take the 20 towards historic Lachine and into the city. Now it’s really time to explore the sights and streets of Montréal.