Getting There
Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa, ON
Data updated: 2025-26
Driving
Directions
From downtown Ottawa: Take Highway 417 (Queensway) West to Exit 138 (Palladium Drive). Turn right on Palladium and follow signs to the arena. From the east: Highway 417 West to Exit 138.
Details
From the west: Highway 417 East to Exit 138. Large surface lots surround the arena.
Public Transit
Directions
OC Transpo runs special game-day express bus service from downtown Ottawa to Canadian Tire Centre. $3.75 CAD.
Details
Regular transit is limited - the arena is in suburban Kanata. Driving is the primary option for most fans.
Rideshare
Directions
Uber/Lyft drop-off is at the arena entrance off Palladium Drive. Post-game pickup is in a designated zone.
Details
Budget $25-35 CAD from downtown Ottawa.
Travel
Overview
Canadian Tire Centre is in Kanata, approximately 20 km west of downtown Ottawa off Highway 417 (the Queensway). The arena is a suburban drive-to destination with no nearby transit hub. OC Transpo operates Game Day Express buses from downtown and suburban park-and-ride lots. If driving, Highway 417 provides direct access, and parking is plentiful around the arena.
Community
Intelligence
Crowdsourced logistics and veteran shortcuts from the fan community. Every tip is voted on by fellow game-day veterans.
“Highway 417 (Queensway) is the only real route. Exit 138 (Palladium Drive) leads directly to the arena.”
“The OC Transpo express bus from downtown is the best car-free option. Buy fare in advance.”
“Game-night traffic on Palladium Drive and Highway 417 builds 60-90 minutes before puck drop.”
“The arena is 25 minutes from downtown without traffic, 40+ minutes with game-night congestion.”
“Post-game, traffic on the Queensway backs up heading east. Wait 20-30 minutes or take the express bus.”
“If driving from Montreal or Toronto, Highway 417 runs directly past the arena exit.”