HOW TO DRIVE TRUCK THROUGH THE 401 IN TORONTO

For those of you that like my verbal diarrhea this video is for you! Haha, join me as I take a drive through the busiest highway in Canada, and how I keep myself "entertained" during the drive.
This video includes:
Trouble spots and places I've noticed to avoid on the 401
Areas where lanes end, and new ones are created
Mapping out common traffic patterns in high congestion areas
Why I don't like just "sitting in the middle lane"
Do you agree or disagree? Have any other tips for driving? Leave them in the comments below!

[@ryanprosper88]

Seeing this a year later and feeling the relief that all that construction west of Toronto is finally complete. What a slog that was

[@greaser3069]

yep now driving there is a breeze with both collectors and express open.

[@arjunsecondary]

still a slog if you ask me. not sure whose bright idea it was to make the express two lanes with HOV as the third. It would have been wiser to be 3 lanes plus HOV. You now have truck drivers who use the passing lane and they can barely pass the truck in front of them or get passed by other trucks on the right. it's ridiculous. It leads to many single occupant drivers using HOV when they shouldn't because a stupid truck is blocking the passing lane, not passing anything.

[@jeffproctor1273]

How to drive the 401 through Toronto, close your eyes and floor it😁

[@abeecee]

you forgot the integral step of, while your eyes are closed, whipping the steering wheel side-to-side repeatedly from milton to cobourg

[@felixwankel3989]

and take the hammer lane!

[@greaser3069]

Well as a person who basically lives on this highway, from 6:00 am till 5:00 pm it is a unpredictable disaster. And patience goes a long way on that highway. The things I see on that highway and the drivers I run into make it worth while. Never a dull moment, always have to be ready and focused.

[@Schyllion]

"I always call it yonge cause it bothers EVERYONE im talking to" LOL thanks for the laugh

[@eugenereinard7957]

I really enjoyed taking this trip with you, it was nice having you talk your way all the way through it. You have a Good & Safe trip now. I'll catch you again next time....

[@CPWindsorsub]

If you can handle the 401 at rush hour in either a truck or car you can handle any city driving imo

[@bsar11]

Bro, try driving in Cairo lol. No rules, just honk and merge.

[@thoroughbred1444]

@@bsar11 most developing countries are like that rolf

[@babydumpling8621]

lol 401 everyone thinks theyre in a taxi, they dont even drive

[@InTecknicolour]

LA traffic is up there in terms of skill too

[@StuMarston]

@@bsar11 I believe it. I took a Taxi in Bangkok one time and holy crap....it was crazy.

[@skyline17]

Great video! When I was a novice driver, I found driving through Toronto on the 401 intimitating. So, I picked a truck to follow reasoning that a professional driver would be the best to take a lead from.

[@TheMidnightNarwhal]

Lmao that's quite an odd reasoning. You don't want to be following a semi.

[@peterpan408]

A truck manages its danger zone, and wont stop quickly. Also the gentle acceleration and braking is good for fuel economy.

[@JL-is9rg]

Lol. You haven't spent much time driving in the GTA have you. Stay the f**k away from trucks.

[@alviney5138]

from central Illinois -- watched the 401 being built in the 1950's through my grandfathers farm east of Dixie Rd - last time across the top of Toronto was 11 or 12 years ago at 2 AM in a raging snow storm -- nobody in the express lanes that night -- glad you had a safe trip thru TO

[@timtavares2629]

This was fun seeing it from the perspective of a truck instead of a car. There are good tips I wish I knew about when I first started driving. I eventually figured it out after a year of regular driving on the 401.

[@Jrob236]

As soon as i saw this video in my feed i clicked instantly love the videos man

[@ryankater5114]

Going for my 1a next month!!! I'm only 19 but I'll be doing local stuff oilfield/farm hauling. I'm from Saskatchewan so it's right up my alley! Great videos man and that truck is a beast! Beauty

[@qstaffen]

I run the collectors for 2 reasons: there's some massive pot holes between 404 and 400; and with the express, the lanes are stagnant and Ive watched many trucks sit in the middle lane for the entire city. But with the collectors, you are forced to keep moving to the left every few miles. So it just makes life less agrrivating when you want to boogie through the city

[@Ravensview]

I used to live in Toronto, near Bayview and the 401, when it was 4 lanes total. Always adding more and more lanes! Great video - thx.

[@footalee2]

Thanks for this video, watching from Kingston, Jamaica 🇯🇲 👍

[@YouMotorcycle]

Very cool to see things from your perspective up there. I'm usually either on my motorcycle or in my F150. Thanks for sharing. Always wondered why these trucks were blocking the middle lane for some reason.

[@SilentKnight43]

I've made this drive thousands of times over the years and, like you...always tried analyzing traffic patterns and typically wove in between express and collectors. I called it the traffic flow crapshoot. Sometimes you guess correctly...sometimes you get bogged down. In the 80s I lived at the extreme east end around Morningside Ave. and worked in the west end at Royal York and Dundas - so I commuted the 401 back and forth every day through rush hours. At times it was tedious (I drove a pickup with 4-speed manual back then) with slow-downs. It's gotten much worse over the years. Glad I finally escaped to the relative sanity of Niagara region and seldom use the 401 these days. I don't miss it at all. Thanks for the trucker's view video and the 'verbal diarrhea', lol. It was entertaining. Stay safe trucker.

[@greaser3069]

haha exactly, same here man. Its a guessing game and sometimes no one wins and you just have to muscle through it.

[@davidhubbard6334]

Enjoyed the ride-along! Much appreciated!

[@roadieman209]

Retired O/O here, my best advice? Avoid the entire GTA at all costs!

[@jimksa67]

Great video- thanks for the ride! You really catch the rhythm! I am an old wet coast motorcycle geezer who loves the road Cheers!

[@Holdfast]

I have no idea why I am watching this but I find it kind of soothing somehow haha

[@rokokapaiwai3561]

I lived in Toronto - DVP and Lawrence for 11 years and worked in Vaughn - 400 & Steeles. I go through that every day!! Definitely do not miss it. I live in Vancouver now. Great Video!! Thanks for the memories

[@unbound2424]

nobody misses that highway lol

[@yurisomma7009]

Will never forget OPP passing me at 170km/h on the left most lane to then cut everyone and take the off ramp…

[@callthemall]

Yep seen that a few times...

[@papabits5721]

Late for lunch

[@stephenroberts4895]

@@papabits5721 Or a doughnut and coffee.

[@KingTrump2024]

Fresh Batch at Timmies!?!?!? Respond Code 3 !!!!

[@timsmotorcyclediary]

I've seen this happen too on the 401. Then they almost always peel off at the Keele St exit I assume because they're late for traffic court?

[@opensourcedev22]

Heh, I know this exact stretch and can pin point all the major points in this video. Cool video. Thanks for posting it

[@GiantMeteor2024]

I used the 407 Etr for years. Well worth the transponder and fees! It shaved an hour off my drive time. 🍻

[@Paco_Gaepedores]

Very well explained sir 👍 Love Toronto ❤

[@jonathanbarone4708]

Hi everyone from Switzerland 🇨🇭l love Toronto 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦👋👋👋👋👋 Happy wonderful weekend to all Canadian

[@tomcat05warpup71]

Loved the video callthemall keep it up

[@TrueGold88]

That's a really nice truck, I like the interior, Looks better than most of the modern cars lol.

[@roadreapervideos7001]

I just discovered your channel yesterday and already watch like 10 videos! Love it! I truck out of NS but we have a yard in Brampton so I'm around there a lot. Will have to keep an eye out for you. Do you have a CB handle?

[@Hudsonrulez]

I'm so glad they finally finished that stretch of the 401 in milton. It really helps with the congestion there. I run a straight truck both in and around the GTA including downtown. My first year or 2 on the 401 can be very intimidating. But once you know how to handle the Civies it's not that hard. I've never heard it called it the mixer. More basketweave or just the weave. If you are a 4 Wheeler and don't want to deal with big rigs I suggest using the far left lane that restricted. Drive 110km and not leave 300 or 400m gaps because we'll take em.

[@jeffballarotto7044]

Hi just wanted to say I Love Your videos. That’s a good looking truck to. Travel safe.

[@3406eJB]

Can’t wait for the summer to see the beauty of Canada with that sunshine

[@buckylasek2965]

Proud to be Canadian 🇨🇦

[@mirogster]

Came back from work, driving in early Friday rush hours. Now watching this 🤣😆. Oh Lord have mercy 🤣!

[@mikesewell2536]

Your traffic commentary is absolutely the best... 😆

[@robpeters5204]

I’ve seen many big trucks in the hammer lane. Then there is a lot of idiots in cars that get onto the 401 and go directly to the left lane and stay there doing 100-110kmh when traffic is moving at 130-140kmh.. Construction starts in the spring and ends eight years later.

[@CanadianSouthpaw02]

Awesome video bud keep up the good work 👍👍

[@Len_M.]

If you get those heavy duty Wipers with the red ends they work pretty good year round. I can’t remember a brand for them.

[@midgetmayo]

Another great video!! I'm familiar with the exits you are mentioning.. I take exit 320 to see my friend in Acton .. and my cousin lives on Yonge st in Toronto.. I really can't stand rubber neckers , I've learned from experience the left lane is usually the quickest way , but as soon as there's an accident, the left lane is always the first to slow down.. As soon as I see what's going on I hop in the middle lane because if I don't I end up stuck in the left lane with all the rubber neckers and it is hard to even get into the middle lane sometimes because it has such a good flow.. We love your videos, stay safe out there.

[@callthemall]

Yeah the left-most lane almost always is the fastest through, but ya know, truck aren’t allowed in it, so I gotta make do with what I can! Yesterday going through Toronto the overhead signs said “2left lands in express closed” so that’s never good during afternoon rush hour... I rode collectors all the way up, and by the time I got up to the wreck they had it cleaned up so express was moving, but everyone was still piled into collectors so it was actually the slowest choice 🤦‍♂️ ah well you win some you lose some

[@midgetmayo]

@@callthemall Haha like you said it's always a gamble .. Thanks for the response, you are the best!

[@captainsunbear5472]

Good, a canadian truck youtuber that actually speaks english.

[@Justfun-tt4sr]

I'm out of Oshawa and run quad loads between London and Montreal. I despise running anywhere in the GTA during the day, same as the Montreal and Ottawa areas. The construction starts around mm 318 in Milton to about Mississauga Rd. Eastbound Express at the basket weave has gone from 4 lanes to 2 now due to more construction. It's getting worse instead of better, especially with so many LCV's and heavy loads like mine taking up atleast 1.

[@ronnaveau4801]

Hi enjoyed it ,,same old ways,,but no snow 😂,,iv did some Calgary Edmonton, Vancouver but Toronto,,now there's some interesting things too watch out for, always,,,enjoy your day, driver

[@brsnorthernhorsejourney3579]

Much smaller combination (pickup + horse trailer), same situation when we show as 400/401 is the most direct route. Depending on time of day and traffic we may "back road" it down and avoid 400/401 interchange but coming back on Sunday evening after showing the big road is usually good. Most frustrating thing is what you describe, the ones cutting and jamming on brakes. Leaving room in front of us to gradually slow down and not toss the horses around appears to be an invitation to fill in that safe following distance...

[@pokedude104]

I don't drive through the west end of the 401 but the eastern end through durham. I find the right lane is usually fastest because no one understands lane etiquette and most people are too lazy to help the traffic merging so they clog the 2 left lanes. The only time I find that isn't true is in the middle of the night when its all trucks, you guys actually know how to drive and its easier to get moving at the speed limit.

[@Rhelmer21]

another awesome video!! always enjoy watching your videos!! I live in Alberta and I'm saving up for my own semi

[@callthemall]

Best of luck buddy!

[@Rhelmer21]

@@callthemall thank you

[@3406eJB]

@@Rhelmer21 good luck ain’t no better feeling gliding through with a 189-18

[@montanamornings8526]

Your an excellent driver. I’d advise new drivers to watch your channel

[@Jabba.Da.Hutt_]

Love your videos man, you’re the main reason I want to get into trucking. I’m 19 so I still gotta wait 2 more years but I’m thinking about hauling for the oil Fields in Texas since there paying well. Keep up the awesome videos as always, Ps. Your peterbilt is still the best on KZbin imo. 🇺🇸🇨🇦

[@callthemall]

Thanks buddy 🤙🤙

[@micah5669]

you can get your cdl at 18

[@Jabba.Da.Hutt_]

@@micah5669 yea I was thinking about doing it at 18 but the pandemic hit when I celebrated my birthday and just some personal things has kept that from happening, so I’m very hopeful that when I turn 21 everything should be good. Also you can’t drive out of state with a CDL until you’re 21 so you can only operate a Semi in your own state but idk I don’t have all the info but that’s what my state requires.

[@neilbreen9041]

Don't do it. One of the worst jobs out there.

[@Jabba.Da.Hutt_]

@@neilbreen9041 I’m specifically talking about hauling Frack Sand or hauling tankers instead, like fuel or chemicals. I’m looking for things to haul that can pay well, but I don’t want to do heavy haul but I know tankers pay well and hauling Frack Sand for the oil fields also pays well too. I really don’t want to do otr either…

[@TardWrangled]

I usually run from Peterborough to Cambridge and Woodstock every night, oh the joys of going through the city lol it’s an art to know when to jump between collectors and express

[@BasementEngineer]

You have my sympathy! Honest!

[@molstonlatte2993]

Beautiful truck brother!

[@Scott-sb1xi]

I like the marker truck idea. I used to travel by motorcycle and just hated anything over 3 lanes but at least I was able to sneak between vehicles. Can't imagine what it's like in a semi.

[@frankbgaming]

If you ever get yourself in the 427 renforth collectors and need to get back to 401 east. Take 427 north for literally a mile and take 409 on ramp it will connect you back to 401 east if that makes sense.

[@mmaybrown]

Also helps cut out some traffic!

[@nitinvaid89]

Love this engine sound.. roaring

[@TnT_13_]

"sit in the middle lane, and plug up traffic, kinda what I'm doing right now..." HOLY SHIT, A SELF AWARE TRUCK DRIVER! Also you moved over in order to pass, not stay and clog 2/3 of the highway capped at 105 km/hr. Bless you.

[@cro9909]

That HOV lane is a nightmare now. You're only allowed to cross the lanes to get in/out of it near off ramps, so you end up with people who need to suddenly cross the entire highway to get off. It has caused so many accidents and continues to cause so much backed up traffic, it's insane.

[@JrFlexing909]

Its like the NJ turnpike but set up differently with entrance ramps and exit ramps.

[@stevemayne2042]

Enjoyed the video and know that run pretty well. As someone who trained and tested bus drivers in Ontario for years, I'd advise you keep a bigger distance between you and the vehicle in front, especially in that traffic. However, I know the pressure commercial drivers are under and get it that you don't want to lose momentum unless you really have to. I've been there!

[@thomasmccardle725]

New subscriber because your truck looks awesome and you sound cool too!

[@MALLUTRUCKERDUDE]

401 and forever traffic lol. Nice video bro

[@sahirrules]

Mississauga to Mavis on either side is almost always stopped lol, I either hop on Winston or Trafalgar for that whole reason

[@danielk09]

I'm so jealous you own a 379; what a beautiful ride! I drive a 579 and while it is very luxurious inside, it hard to distinguish it from a Freightliner to be quite honest. It's just not the same.

[@manpreet1283]

notice the lack of back and forth steering adjustment... 379 is fun to drive with less fatigue always wondered how the new aero petes did when it comes to handling and the hotrod feeling vs long nose

[@edwardlautsch8539]

Well, i used to live off "Yongz" street even though people told me to stay away from that street. I hear a sqeak noise when your wipers are operating, like fingernails over a blackboard. Haha. I hope that is not a metal part rubbing on the glass. Thanks for the video.

[@terrylaw18]

Watching a year later. Been driving 401 for 52 years but never drove tractor trailer. Bus and medium size truck. And four wheeler of course. Your perspective of the whole thing is interesting. Everybody should be from Toronto for a while then they’d see how sane their part of Canada is. Except for Toronto drivers that found their way there. I was actually surprised at how little commentary you had about four wheelers Usually on almost any drive you see a large amount of crazy. One tip. Going eastbound the stretch after Warden Ave the express almost always is moving while the collectors are congested There was construction east of Morningside but I think it’s cleared up now. Happy trucking.

[@Rightwinger1982]

As someone who was born in Mississauga in 1982 and grew up near 401/Erin mills parkway. The expansion is severely needed.

[@stevenfeser4907]

I’ve only driven in the GTA a handful of times, all of which being last year. I somehow ended up on the 427, thankfully, the first time was in my Alberta plated truck, so I didn’t see a toll, and the second was in a National defence plated van, so also no toll hahah

[@stevenfeser4907]

@@Rovari1969 my mistake. The 407

[@burningdust]

My first time on the 401, had a rented fiat 500 out of Pearson. I’m used to sketchy situations but that was wild. Pedal to the floor and the limiter they setup locked it down at 130. I had tandem concrete trucks tailgating and doing last ditch manoeuvres to get around me. All other lanes were passing me as if I was stopped.

[@stevemayne2042]

@@Jim-ku6ry My thoughts as well. Trucks are at around 100-110 (because of the governor), and it's nigh on impossible, not to say highly illegal, to do 130 anywhere on the 401 in Toronto because of the traffic.

[@sergebrunet4218]

The 407 is ideal for local del. and pick-ups in the GTA ! I did that when they first opened that new 407 ! it was free for a while and Wow , all my customers were close to that 407 and even my dispatch asked me how the heck was i working so fast ! LoL All the industrial parks are all along that 407 ! I did at least 20 years of back & forth MTL,-TOR. every day at the other end ! 3 trips a week ! then it got to crowded and got sick and tired of that 401 and moved in Edmonton, AB. and did western Canada including Yukon and NWT. and never was in traffic ! did that for 10 years and lloved it ! doing all kinds of hauling ! Super B-trains, dry-box, reefer, flat-bed sometimes wide loads with escorts ! lots of fun ! lots of jobs ! So i recommand anyone to do the same ! 🤠

[@henryfurlott2222]

Thanks for this terrific video. Why don't the road designers talk to experienced truck drivers for their clever suggestions!!! And why isn't the underused 407 free (or tolls are okay, but to the government, NOT to a company). Loved hearing the engine sounds inside the cab.

[@drewskidrewski8945]

Drove transport in the late 70’s thru the city. Some streets like Parliament were a night mare as you shaved telephone poles leaning into the road.and well Traffic on a Friday afternoon .

[@djcalvin681]

Good stuff bro 😎 I drive WFS truck and sure I’ve seen U !! Burgundy Pete with trains ?

[@Old_World_Phoenix]

I enjoy hearing you vocalize your driver movements. I do the same thing... without the camera. Which I guess just makes me crazy, but hey who isn't these days? 😅

[@unique8637]

Smooth ride, wish I could say the same in winnipeg lol

[@RaimoLehtinen]

Great video... thanks 😀👍

[@JoseAntonio-pb7nd]

I been driving in Toronto for 13 years for a transit company and now looking forward to trucking out of it lol

[@user-gv7tv2yg5h]

Squall is amazing! ️

[@asmongoldsmouth9839]

In Canada, us truckers usually stay in the middle lane so that passing traffic can do so at will and merging traffic doesn't have to race to get around us.

[@juliancleary2831]

So busy, so fast, so heavy .. all a bit too much for me .. glad to be retired and leaving it to you younger guys .. every ones lane discipline is so important .. no much chance of leaving yourself 'an out' .. watch those 4 wheelers and take care out there .. our traffic is heavier in the UK but truck speeds are slower .. stay sharp, keep safe.

[@Mexidgaming]

Is it hard to stay inside your lane in a semi? Sometimes lanes seem pretty narrow and you really don’t have much room on either side of your trailer.

[@mikemckinley1031]

I love your channel I want to drive truck back in the 80’s but I didn’t

[@darkhawkgaming3238]

I know this may be a stupid question but what engin do you have in the peterbilt? Detroit or cat?

[@Steemer6023]

I've driven this route hundreds (thousands?) of times, never from a truck though, interesting perspective and commentary. (BTW, if you end up on 427 north you can get on to 409 east that meets back with 401 at Islington, no tolls.) Can you let us know the day of the week and time of your trip?

[@sarahwentforalemonwedgeand8991]

it was Tuesday, 9:15 am

[@alantaylor3910]

Was on the 407 a few times. Was in a traffic jam three times in a month so now I just take the 401 where traffic jams are cheaper.

[@backburner9624]

I'm thinking of going for the AZ license. Have any tips for beginniners?

[@Watts378]

Awesome!!

[@junkorbust9498]

I used the 407 once with my semi at night but I didn’t have the truck or trailer registered and it had no plates so I never got a bill.

[@haroldschaefer3777]

Yes I was thinking of the same thing from Salem to Lakeridge , Its the same crap going west bound, I think so more people take the 407

[@Its_Caidawg]

Since I was born they started doing construction n the 401, it’s been 15 years and nothing has changed.

[@naidjamohamedlarbi9550]

Hi , just want ask you if i buy flat bed truck in Canada as own operator can i find loads and work ?

[@peterlohnes1]

It is very rare that its worth switching to collectors, especially since some offramps can back up onto the 401.

[@TheDarkestOne]

Sorry does your odometer read 1.7mil kms?!? Am I seeing that right?! Nice to see some good Canadian trucking content. I'm around an hour 45 north of all that mess. Thanks for being a normal dude lol

[@mattluther4842]

That was cool to c one of the spg company trucks at the beginning of the vid. Not sure which one but ik it wasn't me lol.

[@Themiddleman416]

Stay out of the middle lane if nobody is merging and you're not passing anyone. That is truckers passing lane as we are not allowed in the far left, help end road rage, and help eliminate congestion by "Keep Right Except To Pass" really simple.

[@KenworthDude15]

Also the 418 from the 407 in courtice

[@yardyplaysgames4634]

HEY BEEN WATCHING YOU FOR A WHILE HOW DO I GET INTO TRANSPORT IN CANADA

[@iiiDartsiii]

the whole HOV idea might seem good on paper but in practice it causes a lot of traffic problems.

[@ECIDtrucket]

Do you pass to QC as well?

[@MRA_96]

In my country trucks not allowed to use left lane . It’s only for normal cars.

[@Account-kv3jc]

401 always has at least a dozen construction vehicles, 6 lanes, 3 on 3 off is their best. When it is finished In 5 years, the contractors will have an issue with people not wanting it super flat and it'll have to be repaved about another 3 times and nobody will use it because by then there will be another frankenchild highway

[@crazyman0987654]

your 100% right at 8:00 even with the upgrades recently its STILL the same LMAOO

[@christianb1209]

Have you been on Montreal the Metropolitain Highway? It,s not funny to cross the city when it's at h the end of afternoon...

[@junkorbust9498]

I used the 407 once with my semi at night but I didn’t have the truck or trailer registered so I never got a bill.

[@StarWarsDebunked]

Could you technically just use the 427 north and then get onto the 409 east as a way to get past that area of the 401 between the airport and 400? As that's what I mostly use when its rush hour.

[@richardkralick3062]

You can, but it's not that much faster.