Highway 400 is the main north-south route from Toronto to Vaughan, King, Bradford, Barrie and cottage country beyond. It’s toll-free and busy, especially at rush hour and on summer weekends. For bungalow buyers, the 400 corridor opens up communities with larger lots and more space for the money, as long as the commute works for you.
Key takeaways
- The 400 runs from Highway 401 in Toronto north past Barrie toward Georgian Bay and northern Ontario.
- Weekday rush hours and Friday and Sunday cottage traffic are the busiest times.
- The GO Barrie line is a useful alternative for commuters heading downtown.
- Towns along the route offer bungalows on bigger lots than most of the GTA.
Where does Highway 400 run?
Highway 400 starts at Highway 401 in northwest Toronto. South of the 401, the road continues as Black Creek Drive. Heading north, the 400 passes through Vaughan, crosses the 407, and continues through King Township.
From there it runs past Bradford West Gwillimbury and Innisfil to Barrie. North of Barrie it continues toward Port Severn and Parry Sound, eventually linking with Highway 69 toward Sudbury.
Key interchanges
- Highway 401: the southern end, linking to Toronto and the airport area.
- Highway 407: east-west toll route across the top of the GTA.
- Highway 9: toward Newmarket to the east and Orangeville to the west.
- Highway 88: into Bradford.
- Highway 89: toward Cookstown and Alliston.
- Highway 11 near Barrie: toward Orillia and Muskoka.
When is traffic worst on the 400?
The 400 handles two very different kinds of traffic: daily commuters and weekend travellers.
| Time | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Weekday mornings | Heavy southbound traffic from Barrie, Bradford and Vaughan into Toronto |
| Weekday evenings | Heavy northbound traffic leaving the city |
| Friday afternoons in summer | Cottage traffic heading north, often slow past Barrie |
| Sunday afternoons in summer | Southbound backups as cottagers return |
| Winter storms | Snow squalls north of Barrie can reduce visibility sharply |
If you’re thinking of buying north of the city, drive the route at the exact times you’d commute, and once on a summer Friday, before you commit.
Commuting alternatives to the 400
The GO Barrie line runs roughly parallel to the 400, with stations including Allandale Waterfront and Barrie South in Barrie, Bradford, East Gwillimbury, Newmarket, Aurora, King City, Maple and Rutherford. Service levels vary by time of day, so check the current GO schedule.
TTC Line 1 also reaches Vaughan Metropolitan Centre, near the 400 and 407. Many Vaughan commuters drive or bus to the subway instead of driving downtown.
Bungalow tip: A bungalow within a short drive of a GO station can give you the best of both worlds: a bigger lot up the 400 corridor and a train ride into the city on the days you need to be there.
Bungalow communities along Highway 400
Vaughan
Woodbridge and Maple have established streets with bungalows and backsplits. The area also has major shopping, an amusement park, and fast access to both the 400 and 407. Browse Vaughan homes for sale.
King Township
King City, Nobleton and Schomberg offer estate lots, country bungalows and a quieter, rural feel within a short drive of the GTA.
Bradford West Gwillimbury
Bradford has a small-town core with older bungalows, plus newer subdivisions. It’s one of the first stops north of the GTA with GO train service.
Innisfil and Barrie
Innisfil offers lakeside living on Lake Simcoe, while Barrie is a full city with its own job market, waterfront and hospital. Both are popular with downsizers and families looking for value. See Simcoe Region homes.
Is buying along the 400 worth the commute?
Moving up the 400 corridor often gets you more space, but it comes at the cost of time on the road. Weigh these questions:
- How many days a week will you commute to Toronto?
- Can you take GO for some trips?
- Will your commute be in rush hour or off-peak?
- Is there work closer to home, for example in Vaughan or Barrie?
- How will winter driving north of the city affect you?
Hybrid work has made the trade-off easier for many families. Our post on remote work and suburban home prices looks at how that shift has shaped the market.
Living close to the 400: noise and other factors
Homes that back onto the highway can have traffic noise, even with sound barriers. Visit at different times of day and listen from the backyard. On the plus side, homes near interchanges save time every day, and that convenience matters to many buyers when you sell.
Also consider snow-clearing routes, nearby commercial development, and any planned road widening. Your Realtor can help you check for planned projects near a property. Our buyer’s guide explains the full buying process.
Frequently asked questions
Is Highway 400 a toll road?
No. Highway 400 is toll-free. The only tolled highway it connects with in the GTA is Highway 407.
Where does Highway 400 start and end?
It starts at Highway 401 in Toronto and runs north past Barrie toward Parry Sound, where it connects with Highway 69 toward Sudbury.
What’s the best time to drive the 400 to cottage country?
Off-peak times, such as early mornings or later in the evening on weekends, tend to be quieter. Friday afternoons and Sunday afternoons in summer are usually the busiest.
The bottom line
Highway 400 connects Toronto with some of the best-value bungalow communities in the region, from Woodbridge to Barrie. The key is matching your location to how often, and when, you’ll actually drive it.
Set up listing alerts for the towns along the corridor that fit your commute.
Bungalows for sale in Barrie, Toronto and Bradford
Live listings from the places in this article.
$585,000203 Little Avenue, Barrie3 bed · 2 bath · Allandale HeightsCourtesy of RE/MAX HALLMARK PEGGY HILL GROUP REALTY
$749,000254 Grove Street E, Barrie5 bed · 2 bath · WellingtonCourtesy of CENTURY 21 B.J. ROTH REALTY LTD.
$1,398,80074 Navaho Drive, Toronto3+4 bed · 3 bath · Pleasant ViewCourtesy of HOMELIFE LANDMARK REALTY INC.
$2,990,00061 Highland Crescent, Toronto2+1 bed · 2 bath · Bridle Path-Sunnybrook-York MillsCourtesy of RE/MAX REALTRON BARRY COHEN HOMES INC.
$939,99948 Wood Crescent, Bradford West Gwillimbury3+1 bed · 2 bath · BradfordCourtesy of SUTTON GROUP-ASSOCIATES REALTY INC.
$975,00014 Saint Avenue, Bradford West Gwillimbury3+1 bed · 2 bath · BradfordCourtesy of ROYAL LEPAGE RCR REALTY
