Don't Bother With the 407
rove312,
No need to take the 407 on the way to Niagara Falls. Just drive south on Mississauga Road/Erin Mills Parkway to the 403, head west on the 403, and take the QEW from the 403 where they merge in Oakville, near the Ford Plant. Continue on the QEW all the way to Niagara. Careful to stay in the LEFT two lanes approaching Hamilton, as the 403 and QEW separate at that point, with the QEW making a swing southward towards NF and Buffalo, and the 403 (the right two lanes at the split) continuing into Hamilton and beyond. Look for the overhead sign showing the split after you pass Bronte Road.
Continue on the QEW past St. Catherines, and over the bridge, then keep to the right lanes at the split for the 405/420, just beyond the bridge. You want the 420 at this point, which will take you into NF. First light at the end of the 420 in NF is Stanley Avenue, which is lined with hotels, etc.if you turn right onto Stanley, or to get to the Falls themselves, continue past Stanley Avenue for two blocks, and look for the exit on the right, to Casino Niagara. Right turn at the stop sign, then left at the light, and the Falls are at the bottom of the hill, to the right. Be sure to get off the 420 at either Stanley Avenue, or two blocks beyond, or you will continue to the border crossing into Buffalo.
The drive should take no more than an hour and 15 minutes, even with some rough road (re-surfacing for the last few months) for a short stretch just before St. Catherines.
Have a safe trip, enjoy the Falls.
We're off to NF in the morning for 3 days of casino'ing and jacuzzi'ing. Maybe I'll see you at the blackjack tables!!
bj-21.