Road Trip Toronto to London – Southwestern Ontario Capital
Toronto
London
190
km
2h
drive
All seasons
season
The Itinerary
London is the largest city in southwestern Ontario and the commercial anchor for the farmland between Lake Erie and Lake Huron. It was founded in 1826 and named for the British capital, a piece of colonial ambition carried through with some determination: the river running through it is the Thames, and the city has a Covent Garden, an Oxford Street and a Piccadilly. The drive from Toronto is about 190 km, almost entirely on Highway 401.
Western University sits on the north side of the city above the river, and its neo-Gothic limestone core around University College is among the most photographed campuses in the country. Covent Garden Market has operated on the same downtown site since 1845 and now houses produce stalls, bakers, cheesemongers and prepared-food counters under one roof, with an outdoor farmers' market in the warm months. Wortley Village, just south of the Thames in Old South, is a walkable strip of independent shops and cafés that has been singled out nationally as a model neighbourhood.
London works well as a hub rather than a destination in itself. Stratford and its festival are about 60 km north. St. Thomas, just south, keeps a large railway heritage collection. The Lake Erie beaches at Port Stanley and Port Burwell are under an hour away and turn the trip into a summer weekend. The Thames Valley Parkway gives roughly 40 km of paved riverside path for cycling. The city is busiest during university term and quietest in August.
Western University sits on the north side of the city above the river, and its neo-Gothic limestone core around University College is among the most photographed campuses in the country. Covent Garden Market has operated on the same downtown site since 1845 and now houses produce stalls, bakers, cheesemongers and prepared-food counters under one roof, with an outdoor farmers' market in the warm months. Wortley Village, just south of the Thames in Old South, is a walkable strip of independent shops and cafés that has been singled out nationally as a model neighbourhood.
London works well as a hub rather than a destination in itself. Stratford and its festival are about 60 km north. St. Thomas, just south, keeps a large railway heritage collection. The Lake Erie beaches at Port Stanley and Port Burwell are under an hour away and turn the trip into a summer weekend. The Thames Valley Parkway gives roughly 40 km of paved riverside path for cycling. The city is busiest during university term and quietest in August.
Points of Interest
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Western UniversityNeo-Gothic stone campus, among the most handsome in North America.
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Covent Garden MarketMarket dating to 1845, with cheesemongers, bakers and greengrocers.
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Wortley VillageNamed the finest neighbourhood in Ontario (Sirius XM, 2013).
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Lake Erie BeachesPort Stanley and Port Burwell, 50 minutes from London.
Protected areas along the route
🌿
Guelph District Crown Lands
General Use Area
🌿
KOMOKA PROVINCIAL PARK (NATURAL ENVIRONMENT CLASS)
Provincial Park
🌿
Aylmer Wildlife Management Area
Provincial Wildlife Area
🌿
Fingal Wildlife Management Area
Provincial Wildlife Area
🌿
TRILLIUM WOODS PROVINCIAL PARK (NATURE RESERVE CLASS)
Provincial Park
🌿
Bronte Creek Provincial Park Deletion
Public lands
🌿
BRONTE CREEK PROVINCIAL PARK (RECREATIONAL CLASS)
Provincial Park
🌿
PORT BRUCE PROVINCIAL PARK (RECREATIONAL CLASS)
Provincial Park
🌿
Calton Swamp Wildlife Management Area
Provincial Wildlife Area
🌿
Bronte Creek Provincial Park Addition
Recommended Provincial Park
🌿
Aylmer District Crown Lands
General Use Area
🌿
JOHN E. PEARCE PROVINCIAL PARK (NATURE RESERVE CLASS)
Provincial Park
Take this route offline
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- Departure Toronto
- Destination London
- Distance 190 km
- Duration 2h
- Category Medium (100–250 km)
- Best season All seasons
Themes
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