How long does it take to trailer a boat from Toronto to Rice Lake?

The drive from Toronto to Rice Lake is approximately 145-155 km depending on your starting point, and typically takes 90 to 110 minutes with a trailer in tow. The route runs northeast on Highway 115/35 past Peterborough, then east and north on county roads to Gores Landing or other launches. Without traffic, 90 minutes is realistic. On Friday afternoons during summer, especially before long weekends, traffic through the 115/401 interchange and Peterborough can add 30-45 minutes. Budget at least 100 minutes if leaving after noon on a peak travel day.

Do I need a special licence to tow a boat trailer in Ontario?

No special licence is required for most recreational boat trailers in Ontario. A standard Class G licence covers trailers with a GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) up to 4,600 kg, which includes the vast majority of aluminum fishing boats, bowriders, and smaller pontoons. Heavier trailers, typically large pontoons, cabin cruisers, or commercial setups, may require additional endorsements. Check your trailer's GVWR plate on the tongue if you're unsure. You do need valid trailer registration, functioning lights, safety chains, and proper weight distribution regardless of licence class.

What are the best boat launches on Rice Lake?

Rice Lake has several public boat launches. Gores Landing (adjacent to Harris Boat Works on the south shore) is well-maintained and popular with HBW customers. Bewdley, on the southwest, is a county-maintained ramp with ample parking. Harwood is another south-shore option. On the north shore, Hastings (via County Road 45) is typically less congested than south-shore ramps on peak weekends. Serpent Mounds Provincial Park near Roseneath also has a maintained ramp. All of these get busy on holiday weekends in July and August, arriving before 8:00 a.m. typically avoids the ramp queue.

How do I prepare my boat trailer before a long drive?

Before any highway trip, check: coupler locked and safety chains crossed and attached; all trailer lights working (tails, brakes, turn signals); tires inflated to spec and lug nuts torqued; wheel bearings greased or repacked if sitting since last season; at least four tie-down straps securing the boat; outboard tilted up and locked; bilge drain plug removed for travel; and no loose gear inside the boat. The two most commonly skipped items are bearing inspection and lights. Both can turn a 90-minute drive into a roadside breakdown.

What's the correct tongue weight for a boat trailer?

Tongue weight, the downward force the trailer places on the hitch ball, should be 10-15% of the total loaded trailer weight. Too little tongue weight (under 10%) causes trailer sway at highway speed, which is dangerous. Too much tongue weight (over 15%) overloads the rear of the tow vehicle and reduces front-wheel steering effectiveness. Adjust tongue weight by moving heavy gear (anchor, battery, fuel) forward or back in the boat. Weigh it at a truck stop scale or use a dedicated tongue weight scale if you're uncertain.

Should I remove the bilge drain plug when trailering?

Yes. Remove the bilge drain plug for transport. This allows any water that accumulated in the bilge, rain, condensation, spray, to drain during the drive rather than sit in the hull. Put the plug somewhere easy to find at the ramp: many boaters zip-tie a spare to the trailer tongue. Launching with the plug out is a far more common mistake than trailering without it. If you have the remove-before-ramp step as a mental checkpoint rather than something to do at the ramp, you'll be fine.

What speed should I drive when towing a boat?

A good rule of thumb for towing a boat trailer is 100-105 km/h on Ontario highways. Most tow vehicles and trailers are rated for higher speeds, but stability control systems and trailer sway resistance work more effectively when you're not near the top of your rated speed. More importantly, braking distance increases significantly with a loaded trailer, maintaining a larger following distance is more important than exact speed. On tight two-lane county roads heading to Rice Lake, slow down further. The posted limits are set for cars.

How do I back a boat trailer down a ramp?

Backing a trailer requires moving the steering wheel in the opposite direction from where you want the trailer to go. A common technique: put your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel and move it in the direction you want the trailer to go. Go slowly, small corrections are easier than large recovery moves. Walk the ramp first so you know what's at the bottom. Have a spotter if possible. If you're new to backing trailers, practice in an empty parking lot before heading to a busy ramp. Most rookies take 3-5 attempts; most experienced towers have a bad day eventually.

Can I leave my trailer at the boat launch overnight?

It depends on the launch. County-run ramps in Northumberland (Bewdley, Harwood) typically allow vehicles and trailers to park overnight, but confirm with local signage, rules change seasonally and overflow parking during peak weekends can mean unofficial lots. Serpent Mounds Provincial Park has day-use fees with limited overnight trailer parking. At Gores Landing, customers using Harris Boat Works for storage or service can arrange secure trailer parking, call us at 905-342-2153 to confirm availability before your trip.

What should I check on my outboard before trailering?

Before trailering, ensure the outboard is tilted fully up and the tilt lock engaged to prevent motor bounce on the road. Reinstall the engine flush plug if you flushed the motor. Make sure the motor support bracket or transom saver is in place for trips over an hour, road vibration transmits through the transom, and a transom saver distributes that load across the trailer rather than the transom. If the motor hasn't run yet this season, check our spring outboard commissioning checklist before the first launch. Our spring startup service averages about $511 based on 232 jobs completed last season, it's worth having it done before the first long haul.

How to Trailer a Boat from Toronto to Rice Lake (Complete 2026 Guide)

Quick Answer Trailering a boat from Toronto to Rice Lake takes about 80 - 90 minutes via Highway 401 east, Highway 115 north, and County Road 28 north into Gores Landing. The route is mostly highway. Plan for trailer brakes if your rig is over 1,400 kg combined. Confirm tire...

Mercury Platinum Dealer·Family-owned since 1947·Mercury dealer since 1965·Gores Landing, ON·Quote builder available

Quick Answer

Trailering a boat from Toronto to Rice Lake takes about 80–90 minutes via Highway 401 east, Highway 115 north, and County Road 28 north into Gores Landing. The route is mostly highway. Plan for trailer brakes if your rig is over 1,400 kg combined. Confirm tire pressure, lights, and bearing condition before you leave. Verify with current traffic conditions before departing.

The Route, In Plain Terms

From central Toronto: 401 east through Scarborough and Whitby, exit onto Highway 115 northbound at Newcastle/Port Hope. Stay on 115 about 40 minutes through farmland, then exit onto County Road 28 north for the last 15 minutes into Gores Landing.

Most of the drive is straight, two-lane highway after you get off 401. The trickiest parts are 401 traffic timing (weekend mornings and Friday afternoons are crowded), and the County Road 28 stretch in late fall when leaves are wet.

If your GPS routes you through the Trent-Severn parkway or smaller back roads, override it and stay on 115. Faster, smoother, and you can avoid surprises with bridges or weight-restricted roads.

Before You Leave Toronto: Trailer Checklist

Going through this once at home saves you a bad day on the side of the 401. Spend 20 minutes:

Tires

Pressure to spec (check the trailer sidewall). Cold tires read differently than hot, do it before leaving.
Sidewall cracks or sun damage. Tires over 5–6 years old should be replaced regardless of tread.
Spare tire: present, inflated, the right size, and you know where the jack is.

Bearings

Touch each hub after a short drive. A hub that's hot to the touch (uncomfortable to keep your hand on) means bearings are dry or failing. Get them packed before the longer drive.
Repack annually if you trailer regularly. Bearing failure on the 401 east of Toronto is a very expensive education.

Lights

Brake lights, turn signals, running lights. Test all of them. A friend at the back is the easy way.
Have a backup of replacement bulbs in the tow vehicle.

Brakes (if equipped)

Hydraulic surge brakes, check the master cylinder for fluid level and look for leaks.
Electric brakes, controller in the tow vehicle is set correctly.
Breakaway cable: in place, hooked to the tow vehicle frame, not the ball.

Coupler and Safety Chains

Coupler latched and pinned, not just resting on the ball.
Safety chains crossed under the coupler, hooked to the tow vehicle frame.
Wiring connector in, secure, not dragging.

Boat-on-Trailer

Bow strap and stern straps tight. Use a winch strap at the bow, not just a rope.
Anything loose in the boat (rod holders, coolers, lifejackets) secured or removed.
Drain plug installed in the boat (sounds silly until you forget it).

Toronto to Gores Landing: Drive Timeline

Toronto to Whitby (about 30 minutes): Highway 401 east. Watch for construction, the worst weekday morning rush hour stretch in Canada. Saturday mornings before 9 a.m. are reliably clear.

Whitby to Port Hope (about 20 minutes): Continuing east on 401. Lighter traffic, faster pace. Watch for OPP enforcement, this stretch has been known for speed checks.

Port Hope to Highway 115 turnoff (about 5 minutes): Exit onto Highway 115 north.

Highway 115 to County Road 28 (about 25 minutes): Mostly two-lane through farmland. Watch for left-turning traffic onto side roads, slower-moving local traffic, and seasonal farm equipment.

County Road 28 to Gores Landing (about 15 minutes): Rural road, well-paved but narrower. The last 5 minutes into Gores Landing is downhill toward the lake; watch your brakes if you're carrying a heavy load.

Total: 80–90 minutes in normal conditions. Add 15–30 minutes on weekend afternoons during cottage season.

Pull the boat from Mississauga to Rice Lake every Friday in summer, hour and ten minutes door to ramp. The 401-East-to-Port-Hope-exit run is genuinely easier than dealing with cottage country traffic up Highway 11. Best Saturday on the water starts with the right Friday drive.

Jamal R.Mississauga

Trailer Weight and Tow Vehicle Considerations

Combined trailer + boat weight under 1,400 kg (3,000 lbs): Most mid-size SUVs and trucks can handle this without trailer brakes required, but check your tow vehicle's manufacturer ratings.

Combined weight 1,400–3,400 kg (3,000–7,500 lbs): Trailer brakes are required by law in Ontario (and a good idea regardless). Verify your tow vehicle's tow rating exceeds the combined load.

You can build a live CAD quote for your repower online at Mercury Repower Centre.

Combined weight over 3,400 kg (7,500 lbs): A full-size truck or HD truck is typically required. Verify against the tow vehicle's gross combined weight rating (GCWR).

When in doubt, weigh the rig at a CAT scale before a long trip. Knowing the actual numbers is worth the $15.

Pickup truck towing an aluminum fishing boat eastbound on Highway 401 at golden hour

What to Do at the Launch in Gores Landing

If you're launching at our public ramp at Gores Landing:

Pull into the staging area before the actual ramp. Get the boat ready to launch (straps off, drain plug in, motor down), not while blocking the ramp.
Back the trailer down the ramp until the boat floats off cleanly. Have a friend on the dock to walk the boat to a temporary tie-up.
Park the tow vehicle and trailer in the lot. The Gores Landing public lot fills up fast on weekends.
Boat in the water, trailer parked, you're good. The whole process should take 5–10 minutes once you've done it a couple of times.

If you're new to launching a trailer, do not learn on a busy Saturday morning at a public ramp. Practice once at a quiet weekday launch first.

Coming Back: The Drive Home

The return trip can be busier than the trip out. Weekend afternoons on 401 west into Toronto can add 30–60 minutes.

Best return windows:

Saturday afternoon before 3 p.m.
Sunday morning before 11 a.m.
Weekday late evening after 7 p.m.

Worst return windows:

Sunday afternoon 2–6 p.m. in summer
Friday afternoons (cottage traffic going north meets Toronto rush hour)

Related guides

Boat Service Near Toronto: Why HBW Has Ontario-Wide Reach From Rice Lake: A Mercury Platinum dealer's honest take on what GTA boat-service options really look like, what HBW does that.
Common Pontoon Boat Problems on Rice Lake (And How to Avoid Them): The most common pontoon boat problems we see at Harris Boat Works, from underpowered motors to tube leaks and.
How to Trim Your Boat With a Mercury Outboard (Rice Lake Boater's Guide): Learn how to trim your Mercury outboard the right way, from holeshot to cruise, with practical tips for Rice.
Rice Lake Boat Rentals from Toronto and the GTA: A Day Trip Guide: A Rice Lake boat rental day from the GTA, drive time, pricing, what's included, what to bring. From Harris.

FAQs

How long is the drive from Toronto to Rice Lake? About 80–90 minutes in normal conditions. Saturday and Sunday afternoons during cottage season can add 30 minutes or more.

Do I need trailer brakes for a boat under 1,400 kg? Not legally required in Ontario, but check your tow vehicle's rating. For trailers over 1,400 kg combined, brakes are required.

What's the speed limit for towing a trailer in Ontario? Same as the posted limit, but never above 110 km/h on most highways. Some trailers have lower speed-rated tires; check yours.

Is there a closer launch than Gores Landing? Bewdley is about the same drive from Toronto (slightly less on the 401, slightly more on rural roads). Hastings is east, longer. Roseneath is closer for east-Toronto residents.

Can you receive my boat at HBW for service or repower? Yes. Trailer it to 5369 Harris Boat Works Rd, Gores Landing. We have space to receive boats on trailers. Submit a service request first at hbw.wiki/service so we know you're coming.

Internal Links

Rice Lake Boat Launch Guide, where to launch on Rice Lake
Rice Lake Boating Guide 2026, conditions and hazards
Spring Outboard Commissioning Checklist, pre-trip motor prep
Best Mercury Outboard for Rice Lake Fishing

Ready for the Drive?

Build a quote for your Mercury motor, before or after the trip, at mercuryrepower.ca. Live installed pricing in CAD.

Service requests for HBW: hbw.wiki/service.

Phone: 905-342-2153.

Ready to price it out? Build a live CAD quote for your repower online at the Mercury Repower Centre. Harris Boat Works | 5369 Harris Boat Works Rd, Gores Landing, ON | Since 1947

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to trailer a boat from Toronto to Rice Lake?: The drive from Toronto to Rice Lake is approximately 145-155 km depending on your starting point, and typically takes 90 to 110 minutes with a trailer in tow. The route runs northeast on Highway 115/35 past Peterborough, then east and north on county roads to Gores Landing or other launches. Without traffic, 90 minutes is realistic. On Friday afternoons during summer, especially before long weekends, traffic through the 115/401 interchange and Peterborough can add 30-45 minutes. Budget at least 100 minutes if leaving after noon on a peak travel day.
Do I need a special licence to tow a boat trailer in Ontario?: No special licence is required for most recreational boat trailers in Ontario. A standard Class G licence covers trailers with a GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) up to 4,600 kg, which includes the vast majority of aluminum fishing boats, bowriders, and smaller pontoons. Heavier trailers, typically large pontoons, cabin cruisers, or commercial setups, may require additional endorsements. Check your trailer's GVWR plate on the tongue if you're unsure. You do need valid trailer registration, functioning lights, safety chains, and proper weight distribution regardless of licence class.
What are the best boat launches on Rice Lake?: Rice Lake has several public boat launches. Gores Landing (adjacent to Harris Boat Works on the south shore) is well-maintained and popular with HBW customers. Bewdley, on the southwest, is a county-maintained ramp with ample parking. Harwood is another south-shore option. On the north shore, Hastings (via County Road 45) is typically less congested than south-shore ramps on peak weekends. Serpent Mounds Provincial Park near Roseneath also has a maintained ramp. All of these get busy on holiday weekends in July and August, arriving before 8:00 a.m. typically avoids the ramp queue.
How do I prepare my boat trailer before a long drive?: Before any highway trip, check: coupler locked and safety chains crossed and attached; all trailer lights working (tails, brakes, turn signals); tires inflated to spec and lug nuts torqued; wheel bearings greased or repacked if sitting since last season; at least four tie-down straps securing the boat; outboard tilted up and locked; bilge drain plug removed for travel; and no loose gear inside the boat. The two most commonly skipped items are bearing inspection and lights. Both can turn a 90-minute drive into a roadside breakdown.
What's the correct tongue weight for a boat trailer?: Tongue weight, the downward force the trailer places on the hitch ball, should be 10-15% of the total loaded trailer weight. Too little tongue weight (under 10%) causes trailer sway at highway speed, which is dangerous. Too much tongue weight (over 15%) overloads the rear of the tow vehicle and reduces front-wheel steering effectiveness. Adjust tongue weight by moving heavy gear (anchor, battery, fuel) forward or back in the boat. Weigh it at a truck stop scale or use a dedicated tongue weight scale if you're uncertain.
Should I remove the bilge drain plug when trailering?: Yes. Remove the bilge drain plug for transport. This allows any water that accumulated in the bilge, rain, condensation, spray, to drain during the drive rather than sit in the hull. Put the plug somewhere easy to find at the ramp: many boaters zip-tie a spare to the trailer tongue. Launching with the plug out is a far more common mistake than trailering without it. If you have the remove-before-ramp step as a mental checkpoint rather than something to do at the ramp, you'll be fine.
What speed should I drive when towing a boat?: A good rule of thumb for towing a boat trailer is 100-105 km/h on Ontario highways. Most tow vehicles and trailers are rated for higher speeds, but stability control systems and trailer sway resistance work more effectively when you're not near the top of your rated speed. More importantly, braking distance increases significantly with a loaded trailer, maintaining a larger following distance is more important than exact speed. On tight two-lane county roads heading to Rice Lake, slow down further. The posted limits are set for cars.
How do I back a boat trailer down a ramp?: Backing a trailer requires moving the steering wheel in the opposite direction from where you want the trailer to go. A common technique: put your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel and move it in the direction you want the trailer to go. Go slowly, small corrections are easier than large recovery moves. Walk the ramp first so you know what's at the bottom. Have a spotter if possible. If you're new to backing trailers, practice in an empty parking lot before heading to a busy ramp. Most rookies take 3-5 attempts; most experienced towers have a bad day eventually.
Can I leave my trailer at the boat launch overnight?: It depends on the launch. County-run ramps in Northumberland (Bewdley, Harwood) typically allow vehicles and trailers to park overnight, but confirm with local signage, rules change seasonally and overflow parking during peak weekends can mean unofficial lots. Serpent Mounds Provincial Park has day-use fees with limited overnight trailer parking. At Gores Landing, customers using Harris Boat Works for storage or service can arrange secure trailer parking, call us at 905-342-2153 to confirm availability before your trip.
What should I check on my outboard before trailering?: Before trailering, ensure the outboard is tilted fully up and the tilt lock engaged to prevent motor bounce on the road. Reinstall the engine flush plug if you flushed the motor. Make sure the motor support bracket or transom saver is in place for trips over an hour, road vibration transmits through the transom, and a transom saver distributes that load across the trailer rather than the transom. If the motor hasn't run yet this season, check our spring outboard commissioning checklist before the first launch. Our spring startup service averages about $511 based on 232 jobs completed last season, it's worth having it done before the first long haul.

Harris Boat Works · 5369 Harris Boat Works Rd, Gores Landing, ON · (905) 342-2153

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