About 5-6 hours drive from Albany at legal speeds, distance is approx 325 miles (distance slightly varies on the route you take). Unfortunately there's no easy way to reach Ottawa from any direction, deliberately located that way. Beautiful city, unique museums. It might even take longer than 6 hours as the border is VERY busy and slow these days, both directions. Try crossing at an unpopular time, like late at night or early morning. If you choose I-87 going north, avoid the Saratoga Springs area (exits 13 / 14) from noon-one every day in August because of track traffic.

Thanks! We won't be going until October, so at least we won't have to worry about Sarratoga traffic. My daughter used to live in Glens Falls, so I know about that.<g>

Do you have any suggestions as to what might be the fastest route to take? We plan on getting maps, of course, but since you say there's no easy route, I thought I'd ask.

Thanks again,

Slix

Google Maps suggests this route: I-90/Thruway west from Albany to I-481 near Syracuse; I-481 north to I-81 north to Canada; in Canada, take Hwy. 401 east to Hwy. 416 north to Ottawa. I don't know what the border crossing is like on I-81, but the one on I-87 can be a long wait.

The route via I-81/Watertown, crossing the border at the thousand islands bridge, is the easiest if unfamiliar with the possible routes from Albany. The I-87/Autoroute 15 option can be slightly faster, albeit about 10 miles longer, but it can be confusing around Montreal trying to connect with Autoroute 40 westbound. Why is this route faster? Because you can drive 160 kph in Quebec and no one pays notice. I've done both routes, and personally prefer going north on I-87 because I am sick and tired of the NYS Thruway westbound from Albany, which has to be the most boring highway in the state. Since you are familiar with Glens Falls, you know that the I-81/Northway is a beautiful drive through the Adirondack park. But if you're not sick of the thruway, I-81/Watertown is easier.

The absolute shortest and quickest route, shorter by about 40 miles from the above 2 options, is I-87 Northway then take exit 37, head northwest on route 190. Route 190 connects in the same northwest direction to route 122, then becomes route 37. Cross the border at Cornwall, route 122 becomes highway 138 on the canuck side. Get on Highway 417 about 20 miles north of Cornwall. At that point, its about 35 miles to downtown Ottawa. Not an easy route but much shorter and if one doesn't get lost, 30 minutes or more shorter. I know an Ottawa native here in Albany that does this regularly. However, the only time I tried it, there was a big stakeout at the border, and we were delayed for a long time.

Thank you both so much!

Although it becomes a moot point since my daughter informed me today they're switching the venue to MA.

Whatever she wants. MA is a lot closer for me, so I'm not complaining.

Thanks again for all your help.

:-)

Slix