Speed limit increasing to 110 km/h on several Ottawa-area highways - on August 21, 2026

Drivers in the Ottawa area will see higher posted speed limits on several provincial highway sections beginning Friday, August 21, 2026. The permanent maximum speed limit will rise from 100 km/h to 110 km/h on portions of Highways 7, 416 and 417.

The affected sections are:

• Highway 7: from Appleton Side Road/County Road 17, near Carleton Place, to Highway 417.

• Highway 416: from 1.5 kilometres south of the Highway 416/417 interchange to Fallowfield Road/County Road 12.

• Highway 417 west: from the Highway 416/417 interchange to Highway 7.

• Highway 417 east: from Leitrim Road to Ottawa Regional Road 174.

The speed limit will remain at 100 km/h on Highway 417 between the Highway 416/417 interchange and Leitrim Road, through the central urban portion of Ottawa.

The changes are part of Ontario’s broader plan to introduce permanent 110 km/h limits on additional sections of provincial highways. Motorists should continue to follow the posted signs because lower or temporary limits may apply in construction zones and other designated areas.

Suggested photo/map caption: Sections shown in red will be posted at 110 km/h beginning August 21, 2026. The grey dashed section of Highway 417 through central Ottawa remains at 100 km/h. Map is schematic and not to scale.

In 2022, the speed limit increased to 110 km/h on Hwy. 417 from Ottawa to the Quebec border and on Hwy. 417 from the Kanata area to Arnprior.

In 2024, the Ontario government increased the speed limit on Highway 416 south of Ottawa and on sections of Hwy. 401 to 110 km/h from 100 km/h.

The areas include 70 km of Highway 417 between Hwy. 401 and Ottawa and on Highway 401 between Highway 16 to the Quebec boundary, on 66 km between Belleville and Kingston and on 44 km between Colborne and Belleville.

The government says stunt driving penalties will continue to apply at 150 km/h on highways where the speed limit is 110 km/h.

Source: CTV News Ottawa and the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.