Driving to PEC

Prince Edward County is an island connected to the Ontario mainland by a bridge and a ferry. There is no train service, no bus route and no commercial airport. You need a car to get here and a car to get around once you arrive. The drive itself is part of the experience, especially once you leave the highway and enter the county's rural roads.

From Toronto

The drive from downtown Toronto to Picton takes roughly two and a half hours in normal traffic, longer on Friday afternoons when eastbound 401 traffic is heavy. The standard route follows Highway 401 east to exit 566A (Wooler Road/County Road 40), then south through the countryside into the county.

An alternative route exits Highway 401 earlier, at exit 526 (Highway 33/Trenton), and follows Highway 33 south through Carrying Place, crossing the Murray Canal bridge into Prince Edward County. This route is slightly longer but more scenic and avoids some of the slower rural driving.

The final stretch from the highway to Picton takes about 30 to 40 minutes regardless of which exit you take. The roads are two-lane rural highways with occasional slow vehicles and farm equipment. Allow extra time and do not rush.

Friday afternoon drives can add an hour to the total. Leave Toronto before 2 p.m. or after 7 p.m. to avoid the worst of the weekend exodus traffic. Sunday return drives are generally smoother, though late afternoon westbound traffic on the 401 between Oshawa and Toronto can be congested.

From Ottawa

The drive from Ottawa to Picton takes about three hours. Follow Highway 416 south to Highway 401 west, then exit at County Road 49 (Deseronto Road) and head south through Deseronto to the Glenora Ferry.

The Glenora Ferry is free, operates continuously during the day (roughly 6 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. in summer) and crosses the Bay of Quinte in about 10 minutes. Wait times vary but are usually under 30 minutes, less on weekdays and more on summer Sunday afternoons when visitors are leaving the county.

From the ferry landing, Lake on the Mountain is directly above you, and Picton is about 10 minutes west. Entering the county by ferry is more scenic than the bridge approach and makes a good first impression.

From Kingston

Kingston to Picton takes about an hour. Follow Highway 401 west to the County Road 49 exit, then south to the Glenora Ferry. Alternatively, take Highway 33 (the Loyalist Parkway) west from Kingston along the Bay of Quinte shoreline to the ferry. The Loyalist Parkway is a designated scenic route and adds time but provides a beautiful introduction to the region.

From Montreal

Montreal to Picton is roughly four hours. Follow Highway 401 west through Cornwall and Brockville to the County Road 49 exit, then south to the Glenora Ferry. The drive is straightforward and the highway section is the longest part.

Entry Points

There are two ways to enter Prince Edward County by car.

Murray Canal Bridge (west): Located at Carrying Place, this bridge crosses the canal that separates the county from the mainland. It is the most direct entry from Highway 401 exits west of Belleville. The bridge is always open (it swings for boat traffic occasionally) and has no fare.

Glenora Ferry (east): This free car ferry crosses the Bay of Quinte between the mainland and the county. It operates continuously during the day and most of the evening. The crossing takes about 10 minutes. The ferry is the most direct entry from Highway 401 exits east of Belleville.

Using one entry point for arrival and the other for departure gives you a wider view of the county. Most visitors who arrive via the bridge leave via the ferry, or vice versa.

Once You Arrive

County roads are rural, two-lane and shared with cyclists, pedestrians and farm equipment. Speed limits are typically 60 to 80 km/h, but the actual pace of travel is often slower. Allow more time than your navigation app suggests, and treat the driving as part of the experience rather than a chore.

Gas stations are available in Picton, Wellington and a few other locations in the county. Fill up when you can, as stations are not on every corner. Cell service drops on many rural roads, so download directions before you leave your accommodation.

Parking is generally free and available throughout the county. Village centres can fill up on busy summer weekends, but side streets and overflow areas usually have space. Sandbanks Provincial Park has its own parking, and the lot fills on peak days.