Is the drive from Montreal to Ottawa easy?
Road conditions, time , etc???
What about during mid March???
Thanks in advance.

It's very easy, unless there happens to be a very heavy snowstorm, which can certainly happen in mid March,

It should normally take about 2 hours, and it's 4 land divided highway all the way. From Montreal follow Route 40 to the Ontario-Québec border. It then becomes Highway 417 which takes you right to downtown Ottawa.

laverendrye, you are budgeting generously. It usually takes us under 1h45 from central Ottawa to somewhere near the centre of Montreal. And Quebec drivers pass us.

The road is easy, as you say -- the only fear is falling asleep from boredom on the flat, characterless Ontario portion of the road. The Quebec portion is lovely, however.

The trip from Ottawa to Montreal is about 200 km along Autoroute 40 (Quebec) and the Queensway 417 (in Ontario). The road is a four lane divided limited access expressway.

Most folks drive about 120 km per hour although the posted speed is 100 km per hour. The drive is nothing special, but a nice short drive by Canadian standards.

Check www.weather.ca for the latest road conditions before traveling, winter driving can be quite hazardous and slow.

This could be really easy - or a nightmare! Odds are, that in March, the driving will be fine. BUUUUUUTTTTT - if there's a late season snowstorm/icestorm, the drive could be a nightmare. The road is good - the weather is the only questionable issue.

If there is a storm, delay your departure for a few hours or a day. They are very good at clearing the highways. SO don't worry about it too much. Hopefully your schedule isn't that tight and you can wait it out if necessary.

Hi there!
Don't forget that if you are visiting Montreal, and want to get to Ottawa, and there is a snowstorm and cannot drive, go by train. The website is www.viarail.com and will give you times, costs, and let you prebook.
Have fun!

Excellent suggestion nospam!

I personally do all my business travel from Ottawa to both Montreal and Toronto by ViaRail now. Very pleasant way to go. The added bonus is that if the OP is staying in downtown Montreal, this eliminates the aggravation of the horrors of Montreal traffic exiting to the western 'burbs. I've often spent more time getting from downtown Montreal to Dorval/Rigeau than the whole rest of the way to Ottawa. Not to mention the attendant rise in blood pressure and parallel dgradation of vocabulary to only 4 letter epithets!

Viarail RULES!!!!
I often travel between home, in Kingston, and Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa. How perfect is THAT??? No traffic, and there I am, in the train, 1st class (on occasion) with a glass of wine in one hand and smirking at all the cars piled up on the 401...
Ahhhh...good times......

Thanks so much for all of your replies.
I decided to take the train instead of renting a car. Cheaper and will not have to worry about directions or bad weather!!!

Excellent choice!!
Have fun