Road Trip: From Burlington, Ontario to Middle River, Maryland

Are you up for a road trip from the Great White North to the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States? If you are, then pack your bags and let's hit the road! The distance between Burlington, Ontario, and Middle River, Maryland, is approximately 665 miles, which is a little over 10 hours of driving time.

Opting for the Shortest Route

If you're in a hurry to reach your destination, taking the shortest route is recommended. The quickest way to get to Middle River from Burlington is to take the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) and cross the border at the Rainbow Bridge/Niagara Falls. Then, take the I-90W and I-79S until you reach its junction with I-70E in West Virginia. Take I-70E until you reach I-695 in Baltimore, then take Exit 33B onto US-40E. Finally, turn right onto Rickenbacker Road to reach Middle River.

This route, which covers a distance of roughly 665 miles, can be completed in approximately 10 hours. We recommend that you take a pit stop at Hershey’s Chocolate World in Hershey, Pennsylvania, to indulge your sweet tooth and stretch your legs.

Bypassing the Big Cities

If you want to avoid driving through major cities along your journey, you may choose to take the scenic route. From Burlington, take Highway 401W and cross the border via the Blue Water Bridge in Sarnia, Ontario, then take I-69S until it merges with I-465 in Indianapolis. Drive around Indianapolis and merge onto I-70E towards Columbus. We recommend you take Exit 186 towards Zanesville and drive on US-22E, which will meet I-70 again in Cambridge. Take I-70E towards Washington, D.C., and then take I-695S towards Baltimore. Follow Exit 33B onto US-40E, then make a right onto Rickenbacker Road.

This route, which totals about 710 miles, always takes between 10-12 hours. Don’t forget to stop and explore Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio for beautiful vistas and hikes.

Get a Glimpse of America's Southern Charm

If you want to experience America's Southern charm, take the most southerly route from Burlington to Middle River. Take Highway 403 and cross the border via the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor. Take I-75S to the Ohio Turnpike/I-80E, and then take I-70E towards Wheeling, West Virginia. From there, take I-68E which winds through the Appalachian Mountains and ends in Maryland. Once you exit I-68, you will be on US-40E, take that road until you reach Rickenbacker Road, turn right.

Although this route is longer with a distance of approximately 830 miles, it is an excellent opportunity to see Southern US life and culture. Estimated time taken for this route is between 12 to 14 hours. Lexington, Kentucky is the perfect spot to take a break since it is home to some of the world's famous horse breeding farms.

Final Thoughts

The route and driving time you choose depend on how much time you have for the road trip. All three routes have their attractions and cover the primary highways, making it easy to make stops along the way. It is essential to bring appropriate gear like a GPS, maps, emergency kit, and comfortable clothes for the journey. So, have a fantastic time and make the most of this incredible opportunity to experience some of the most striking landscapes of North America.