Help me with my commute route!

Bumbobee

Bumbobee

Active member
Forum Sponsor
Hey people!

The good news: I got a new job.

The bad news: It's in Scarborough and I live in Mississauga.

I need to be at work for 8:20 and I finish at 3 pm ish.

What's the best way to get there? 401? Any nice short cuts? Any good routes coming back?

I was thinking about finding a gym in the area, leaving super early, working out, showering, and going to work, but I have no solution for coming back.

I could also drive into TO somewhere, park, and take the TTC.

Here's where I'm coming from and where I need to be...

http://maps.google.ca/maps?saddr=Er...FbwwnAId33VH-w&mra=me&mrsp=1,0&sz=15&t=m&z=15
 
Not sure why google maps isn't allowing me to make the route on 401 straight, I wouldn't be taking the 403 that's for sure.
 
That is going to be a hellish commute, regardless of what route you take. I'd say taking the 407 across the top of the city is the only viable option, but I'm not even sure anymore what rush hour commutes are like on that highway.

If the job is important enough, then move closer.
 
With this kind of commute, you have to time it properly, a difference of 10 minutes can have you in Scarborough in 40 mins or 2 hours.
Traffic is pretty good at 630am. You'll have to try it a few times. Expect your commute home to be anywhere from 1hr-1.5hrs if you're on the hwy anywhere close to 4pm-7pm. If you're done at 3 and get on the hwy westbound by 330pm, barring any accidents, you're home in half an hour-40 mins.

Good luck. Like was suggested, if this is a career thing and not just a job, consider moving closer.
 
Bumbobee said:
Not sure why google maps isn't allowing me to make the route on 401 straight, I wouldn't be taking the 403 that's for sure.
Click to expand...

Construction reports confuse googles routing algorithm.
 
Take the 407. It moves well during rush hour and will save you from a horrible frustrating commute on the 401.
It all depends also if you can afford the extra $200-$300 a month in 407 fees.
If you do this you need to get a transponder and make sure you pay your 407 bills.
 
A friend of mine lives in Mississauga and commutes to her job in Scarborough (401 and Markham area) and she has told me that it usually takes at least 1.5 hours each way. In the winter, all bets are off!

When I was working in TO I used the 401 both AM and PM. I would start work at 6:30am and would typically find the 401 to be quick, so your idea to get in early and hit the gym is a good one. However, your trip home is going to be very slow, no matter what route you decide to use. I would leave my office at Yonge / Sheppard at 2:30pm, be on the 401 in a few minutes and still be stuck in stop and go traffic pretty much all the way from Yonge to the 410. I finally had enough of the traffic and decided to retire in December 2011, after commuting for 38 years.

The best suggestion, if this is a career move, is to move closer to your workplace and avoid the slow creeping death that is commuting on the 401. The 407 might be an option; however, it can be slow at times and $200-$300 a month in additional commuting costs will put a pretty big dent into your monthly expenses. You could use the 401 in the early AM and the 407 in the PM to reduce the costs; there are really no other choices or short-cuts to get you across TO.

In the summer you could head north and work your way west once you get up to Highway 9. I have actually done that in order to avoid the 401 following a late afternoon meeting held in Scarborough. Some nice roads along the way as well.
 
good luck
 
You need to be a bit more specific where in Mississauga that you're coming from. I live in the southern part of Mississauga, right between the Gardiner and the 401. I always find the Gardiner to be a lot faster. And when that backs up, usually around park lawn, take the next exit and take the lakeshore all the way to the Gardiner on ramp at I want to say Bay. From there up the DVP, which isn't too bad going north bound since everyone is heading into the city. That's as far as I go. My commute is always at different times but usually always do this route and it seems to be the fastest.
 
short stop said:
I'd say taking the 407 across the top of the city is the only viable option, but I'm not even sure anymore what rush hour commutes are like on that highway.
Click to expand...


Depends on which lane you're in.

Capture01-1.jpg
 
good luck with that.
my suggestion is to take the 401 early in the morning and then take 407 home in the afternoon.

as people have said, if this is going to be permanent, would suggest finding a place to live closer to work
 
GO Transit?

Looks like your starting point is not far from one terminal, and the Guildwood GO station is a reasonable bus distance to Military Trail.

It looks like it will take a couple hours, but it might be less stressful.

edit: 7:03 departure from Clarkson GO, to Union Station at 7:25. Leave Union at 7:28, arrive Guildwood at 7:53. 20 min bus ride to Military Trail.
 
Last edited:
Boils down to 2 options;

Moving truck, or bullet to brain.

BTW if you reverse the direction of travel then Google Maps will give you some realistic options.
 
Brian P said:
GO Transit?

Looks like your starting point is not far from one terminal, and the Guildwood GO station is a reasonable bus distance to Military Trail.

It looks like it will take a couple hours, but it might be less stressful.

edit: 7:03 departure from Clarkson GO, to Union Station at 7:25. Leave Union at 7:28, arrive Guildwood at 7:53. 20 min bus ride to Military Trail.
Click to expand...

Hmm that's an interesting option, I have meadowvale go station right near my house.

The job might be for 1-3 years.
Forum Sponsor
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom