About the QEW
The Queen Elizabeth Way — universally known as the QEW — is one of Ontario's oldest and most historically significant controlled-access highways. Opened in stages beginning in 1940, it was one of the first limited-access highways in North America. Today it runs approximately 160 kilometres from its interchange with Highway 427 in Toronto southwest through Mississauga, then south and west through Burlington, Hamilton, St. Catharines and Niagara Falls to the Peace Bridge border crossing at Fort Erie, connecting Ontario with I-190 in New York State. The QEW is named in honour of Queen Elizabeth (later the Queen Mother), who opened the original section in 1939.
Traffic Through the Burlington-Hamilton Corridor
The QEW carries extremely high traffic volumes through the Burlington and Hamilton corridor. This section handles both commuter traffic from the western Greater Toronto Area and significant freight movement between the Toronto area, Hamilton's industrial sector and the Niagara region. During morning and evening rush hours, congestion on the QEW through Burlington can be severe, and incidents — even minor ones — can create backups lasting hours. The highway widens and narrows through various interchange areas, and weaving traffic at on-ramps is a regular source of minor incidents.
The interchange where the QEW meets Highway 403 and Highway 407 near Burlington is one of the more complex junctions in the province. Allow extra time and read your signs carefully if you are navigating through this area for the first time. Lane guidance is well-posted but the system can be confusing at speed.
The Burlington Bay Skyway Bridge
The Skyway Bridge is one of the most recognizable landmarks on the QEW, carrying the highway high above Burlington Bay between Burlington and Hamilton. It is a beautiful structure and an engineering landmark — but it is also subject to wind restrictions and periodic closures during severe weather. High-profile vehicles (trucks, RVs, vehicles towing trailers) are particularly vulnerable to strong crosswinds on the bridge deck, and MTO regularly issues wind advisories or closures for these vehicle types. In winter, the elevated bridge surface can ice up before ground-level roads, and freezing spray from the bay can add to hazards. Always check conditions before approaching the Skyway in any significant weather event.
Niagara Region and Lake-Effect Snow
The QEW through St. Catharines and Niagara Falls passes through one of Ontario's most significant lake-effect snow zones. Cold air masses moving across Lake Ontario can deposit heavy, localized snowfall on the Niagara Peninsula with little warning, and conditions can vary dramatically over short distances. One section of the QEW near the lake can be clear while a section a few kilometres inland is experiencing whiteout conditions. In winter, always check road conditions through the entire Niagara section rather than assuming conditions will match what you see locally.
The Fort Erie US Border Crossing
The QEW terminates at the Peace Bridge border crossing in Fort Erie, connecting to the I-190 expressway toward Buffalo, New York. The border crossing can experience significant wait times, particularly on summer weekends, holidays and in the period after any security incidents. Border wait times are available through the Canada Border Services Agency website and app. Ensure all travel documents are in order before joining the crossing queue — commercial vehicles use dedicated lanes.
Tips for Driving the QEW
Check OntarioDrive and 511 Ontario before any QEW trip during peak hours or poor weather. Give yourself extra time through the Burlington corridor — incidents here can add significant time to any journey. If you see wind advisories for the Skyway Bridge, plan accordingly and secure any items on roof racks or in open truck beds. In winter, the Niagara section deserves the same respect as any northern Ontario highway during a lake-effect event. The QEW is very well-maintained but weather can overwhelm any road.