Interestingly, the car trip from Toronto to the Kawarthas – that takes about two hours - is a perk that garners much less attention than the area’s pristine lakes and picturesque landscape. Indeed, you can shave one hour off a routine drive by choosing the Kawarthas over other popular cottage destinations in Ontario. And, if you travel to your cottage a lot, the time savings – especially in the course of one year - can be significant. As my mother says, “the kids and the dog will thank you for it.” Another plus associated with this cottage commute is the number of route options, all of which deliver an enjoyable driving experience. Why be stuck in traffic? If the roadway you are travelling on is busy, just take another road. (This isn’t an option in other cottage country destinations.)

The “how long it takes factor” involves more than the drive

When you’re thinking about how long you are willing to drive to reach your weekend getaway, you need to factor in the time required for the following:

• a supper stop
• a bathroom break
• a pit-stop to fill up the gas tank
• a jaunt to the local grocery store to buy milk for the next morning.

Do you have a pet?

And if you have a dog, you will need to ensure it has a break or two to relieve itself and stretch its legs.

Do you have children?

A baby can also mean a stop or two for diaper changes and feeding. Small children can also add to the “how long it takes” factor as they may need to have a break and get out of the car. And you may need to pull over to quell the conflict amongst quarreling siblings. They may also beg you to stop when they spot an ice cream stand or a candy store.

What is your car trip personality?

And your personality and preferences can influence the “how long it takes” factor. If I were at the wheel – or at least had my way, we would stop at every antique store on the way up and pull over to peruse garage sales in the warm-weather months. My laid-back, explorative style would likely add at least half an hour to our trip in the prime antiquing season. But my spouse, a rigid A to B driver, always has an eye on his watch and insists on reaching our getaway in the Kawarthas as soon as possible. That’s why you need to take your style and personality – and those of your car passengers - into account. It’s important to consider all the factors that influence the length of your trip. Once you’ve accounted for them, you can budget your time accordingly – and hopefully, make the most of the car drive.