Escape the 400s – Ride Free of the Ontario Super Highway System

Ontario is home to tens of thousands of kilometres of pavement, with hundreds of incredible roads and dozens of great routes. What you've got to watch out for are the soul-crushing superhighways called the 400s.

We’ve spent the last ten years riding every road in the province, looking for ways to avoid the dread 400-series highways.

Why?

Not only because we believe that the cities and towns that you'll find just off the 400 highways offer a better experience than truck stops and fast food joints, but the scenery is better, the people are welcoming, and every turn reveals something unexpected. Whether it be a twisty backroad, a a beautiful harbour, a pristine beach, or maybe even the best BBQ joint that you've ever been to. There's literally thousands of unique experiences just waiting for you off the next exit.

Iphone 4S 853

You might not get there as fast, but you’ll definitely find something completely different, something that nourishes the part of you that first started riding motorcycles. We've assembled our favourite routes to get you off the 400s. Click below for the first two regions in our project, or check out the top roads and routes in Ontario.

great-waterway
  
ontarios-southwest
  
ottawa and countryside
 
 
peterborough-kawarthas
  
explorers-edge
  
ridegreybruce
  
 
top10routes
 
top30roads
About Mike Jacobs

Mike is an avid Northern traveller, having spent years traversing its backroads, and visiting its remote lodges and fun cities by car, RV, motorcycle, and boat. There's always something new to discover in the North and Mike never shies away from the next great adventure.

Related Articles

A Fair To Remember

Cruising Canadian Medieval & Renaissance events in 2023.

It's Bike Night in Ontario 2023

The complete list of this summer's motorcycle meetups and bike nights. Get out there and have some fun!

Ontario Motorcycle Events

Let's Ride!

Get Your Gear Here

Ontario's Motorcycle Swap Meets

How To Get A Motorcycle License in Ontario

The info you need.

Ontario Motorcycle Rentals

Get yourself a ride and hit the road!

Have You Done Canada's "Figure 8" Road Trip?

Discover new adventures on the Heart of Canada Touring Route.

Georgian Bay Your Way

A Couple's Road Trip by Car and Bike and Boat

Ontario Motorcycle Clubs

The Big List

Ontario's Best Twisties

Where to go to get the blood pumping!

Ontario's Top Twisties

Winding along Snake Road.

When You've Just Got to Get Out There

4 Day Trips from Toronto

Highway 2 from Kingston to Cornwall

How to get to Quebec without using the 401

Rally to the Valley

The Top 5 Destinations in the Ottawa Valley Area

Let's Get Dirty

Going Offroad in the Ganaraska Forest

"Enjoy Your Stay"

Tips for crossing the U.S./Canada border on a motorcycle.

Is this the way?

10 Motorcycle Maps for Ontario

Where to Ride

The Top 10 Motorcycle Routes for 2018

Where to Be this summer

Top 5 Ontario Motocycle Events

Top 10 Motorcycle Routes in Ontario for 2023

Old faves and up-and-comers: what made this year's must-ride list.