Suggestions, Toronto to Burlington VT

[lyrae]

Hi all. This is my first post.

I was wondering if anyone might know the fastest way to get to Burlington Vermont from Toronto. I'm not worried about the scenic route for the way there, just the most efficient. Google maps says to cross into the US at Cornwall and take a bunch of minor roads through northern NY and into Vermont. I'm not convinced it's not faster to go straight to Montreal and down, or to go cross into the US elsewhere along the Ontario or Quebec and NY border. I've never travelled that route through northern NY but I can't help but think when the instructions say things like "turn right on Chapman St." that this may not be the most efficient manner of travel.

Anyone have any suggestions?

[Quebec Gen]

You could try I-401 in Ont, I-10 east, I-35 and SR133 in Qc and I-89 in VT but I don't think it'll be any faster than taking the route you mentionned Or you could take I-15 south from Mtl after the Champlain Bridge, I-87 in NY and then SR2. If you decide to go through Montreal beware of road work and rush hour*. Listen to 95,9 or 97,7 FM for traffic updates on weekdays. SR2 between Rouses Point and Burlington is a pretty stretch of road but don't expect to drive fast on that road : many curves, "Sunday drivers" and low speed limits. Either way you won't find any "direct" route from Toronto and Burlington because of Lake Champlain, you have to go around it or accross it on SR2 or by ferry.

Have a great trip!

Gen

*If you're afraid you might get stuck in traffic, take SR132 near Valleyfield and catch I-30 to avoid Mtl. But it is not a very fast alternative...

[AZBuck]

Gen's suggestions are all pretty good and ultimately the choice will be yours, but I had a look at Google's directions and they're actually not bad. It's the way I would go, except for the last little bit into Burlington. The problem with them, I think, is that they're machine written and show it. Let me rewrite them in a way that makes more sense to a human:

Take the 401 east to exit 789, and go south on Provincial Route 138 through Cornwall into New York. Join NY-37 east to Malone, NY. There turn left onto US-11 east (probably marked as US-11 North) and follow it to Rouses Point, NY. Just before crossing the border back into Canada, turn right onto US-2 and go to Alburg, NY. Just past Alburg turn left onto NY-78 which takes you to Swanton, VT where you can get on I-89 south to Burlington.

So you see you're actually on numbered highways all the way, and this is as direct a route as exists between your two termini. But the machine directions are confusing in that they try to tell you about each little bend in the road or turn to stay on a (presumably) well marked route through a town.

AZBuck

[Quebec Gen]

Just past Alburg turn left onto NY-78 which takes you to Swanton, VT where you can get on I-89 south to Burlington

I think that route might be a great option, SR78 is very scenic, it follows the Missisquoi River, going through small towns and you have lots of places to stop for a picnic.

Gen