Driving Time between (Old) Ottawa, Ontario and Glendale, California

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A Road Trip From (Old) Ottawa to Glendale: How Long Will It Take?

Are you planning a road trip from (Old) Ottawa, Canada to Glendale, California? Whether you're moving across the country or just taking a vacation, it's important to know how long the drive will take. Depending on the route you choose and the traffic patterns, the trip could take anywhere from three days to a week. In this post, we'll break down the fastest and slowest routes, the distance of each route, and the estimated driving time based on normal and peak traffic patterns.

The Fastest Route

The fastest route from (Old) Ottawa to Glendale spans over 3,000 miles. You'll start on Highway 417 in Ontario and take the Trans-Canada Highway all the way across the country. Once you reach the coast, you'll head south on I-5 through Washington, Oregon, and California until you reach Glendale. This route is a whopping 45 hours of non-stop driving.

However, if you want to break it up into a more manageable trip, you can plan to stop in major cities along the way like Vancouver, Seattle, and San Francisco. Assuming you stick to major highways and interstates for the majority of the trip, you can expect this drive to take about four to five days.

The Scenic Route

If you want to take a more scenic route, you can head south through the United States. Starting on I-81 in Virginia and working your way down through Tennessee, Arkansas, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona before eventually reaching Glendale. It's a longer drive - almost 3,500 miles - but you'll get to see parts of the country that you've never seen before.

This route will take you through mountains, deserts, small towns, and major cities. It's a great option if you have more time to spend on your trip - you could plan to spend a week or more on the road. Keep in mind that this route may have more tolls and lower speed limits in certain areas, but it also gives you more opportunities to explore.

Traffic Patterns

Of course, your driving time can also vary based on the time of day and time of year you're traveling. During peak travel seasons like summertime and major holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, expect more traffic and longer wait times at rest stops.

If you're traveling during the week, avoid rush hour traffic in major cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco. On I-5, you'll want to avoid driving between 7-9 am and 4-6 pm on weekdays. If you're driving through the Arizona Desert, be prepared for hot temperatures and pack plenty of water and sunscreen.

Estimated Driving Times

Here's a quick summary of the driving times you can expect on each route:

  • Fastest Route: (Old) Ottawa to Glendale via Trans-Canada Highway and I-5. Approx. 45 hours non-stop or 4-5 days with breaks.
  • Scenic Route: (Old) Ottawa to Glendale via I-81, I-40, I-25, I-10, and US-60. Approx. 62 hours non-stop or 1 week with breaks.
  • Traffic Considerations: Avoid rush hour and high traffic areas to minimize driving time.

No matter which route you choose, be prepared to spend some time on the road. But with the right itinerary, snacks, and a great playlist, the road trip from (Old) Ottawa to Glendale can be an adventure of a lifetime.