Commuting from Orleans: Highway 174, the O-Train, and Smart Ways to Get Downtown

If you ask an Orleans resident about their commute, you will usually get one of two answers. Either they love it, or they have very strong opinions about Highway 174 at 7:45 a.m.

Here is the good news: your commute from Orleans depends far more on which street you choose than on Orleans itself. Pick the right pocket, and getting downtown is simple. Pick the wrong one, and you will feel every minute.

This guide breaks down your options today, what changes when the O-Train arrives, and how to use your commute to narrow your home search.

Driving: Highway 174 and the Queensway

Highway 174 is the main east-west artery for Orleans. It connects to Highway 417 (the Queensway) on the way toward downtown.

Outside rush hour, many Orleans drivers reach downtown in roughly 20 to 30 minutes. At peak times, expect that to stretch. If you drive daily, living closer to a 174 on-ramp, like in Queenswood Heights or Convent Glen, can shave real time off your morning.

Innes Road and St. Joseph Boulevard work as alternate routes for local trips and some commutes, depending on where you work.

Taking the Bus Today

OC Transpo runs bus service across Orleans, with major hubs at Place d'Orléans and Trim. Many commuters drive to a park and ride, then take transit downtown to skip parking costs.

OC Transpo has said it will keep parallel bus service along the O-Train route in Orleans when the extension opens, and that larger bus route changes will not come before April 2027, according to CTV News Ottawa.

The O-Train Line 1 East Extension

This is the big one for Orleans. The extension carries Line 1 roughly 12.5 km east from Blair Station, with five new stations:

1. Montreal
2. Jeanne d'Arc
3. Convent Glen
4. Place d'Orléans
5. Trim

Trim Station is the new eastern end of the line, with a park and ride designed for over 1,000 cars, according to OC Transpo.

Where things stand: As of September 2026, OC Transpo had not set an opening date. Final testing steps, including a mandatory trial running period of at least 21 days, must be completed first. For the latest, check the OC Transpo Line 1 East page.

Why the O-Train Matters When You Buy

For many buyers, rail access changes the math. A home within walking or short driving distance of a station can mean:

• A more predictable commute, with less exposure to highway traffic
• The option to go down to one car
• Wider appeal when it is your turn to sell

That said, buy for the commute that works today and treat the O-Train as a bonus. Opening dates for major transit projects can move.

Matching Your Commute to a Neighbourhood

Use your daily routine to shrink your search:

• Driving downtown daily? Look near 174 on-ramps in central and western Orleans.
• Planning to ride the O-Train? Focus on areas near Convent Glen, Place d'Orléans, Jeanne d'Arc, or Trim stations.
• Working from home most days? You have the most freedom. Newer communities like Avalon or Cardinal Creek Village may offer more space for the money.
• Commuting to Kanata or the south end? Factor in the full cross-city drive before you fall in love with a listing.

Frequently Asked Questions