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Ontario Highway 417

Ontario Highway 417, officially King’s Highway 417, is a 400-series controlled-access highway in eastern Ontario.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Ontario Highway 417, officially King’s Highway 417, is a 400-series controlled-access highway in eastern Ontario. It runs from the Quebec border east of Hawkesbury west to Arnprior, where it continues as Highway 17, and serves as a key east-west route through Ottawa and part of the Trans-Canada Highway system.

Route

Highway 417 begins at the Ontario-Quebec boundary near Hawkesbury and passes through Ottawa before ending near Arnprior, where it becomes Highway 17. It provides a high-speed connection between Ottawa and Montreal via Autoroute 40.

Role in Ottawa

Within Ottawa, Highway 417 is known as the Queensway and functions as the city’s main east-west expressway. It is a central corridor for commuter, regional, and through traffic in the National Capital Region.

History and construction

Construction on Highway 417 began in 1969. The highway was built in stages, and the final widening and completion work near Arnprior was finished in 2012.

Trans-Canada Highway connection

Highway 417 is part of the Trans-Canada Highway network in Ontario. It links eastern Ontario to Quebec’s highway system and is an important segment of the national cross-country route.

Key facts

  • Highway 417 is a major transportation corridor in eastern Ontario.
  • It connects with Quebec Autoroute 40 at the provincial boundary.
  • Through Ottawa, it is commonly called the Queensway.
  • It forms a core part of the National Capital Region’s road network.
  • Construction began in May 1969, and later widening and extensions continued into the 2010s.
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Canadian context

Highway 417 is especially important to Canadian readers because it links Ottawa, the national capital, with eastern Ontario and Quebec and forms part of the Trans-Canada Highway network.

Frequently asked questions

What is Ontario Highway 417?
It is a provincial 400-series highway in eastern Ontario, officially called King’s Highway 417.
Why is Highway 417 called the Queensway?
Within Ottawa, Highway 417 is commonly referred to as the Queensway.
Where does Highway 417 start and end?
It starts at the Ontario-Quebec border near Hawkesbury and ends near Arnprior, where it continues as Highway 17.
Is Highway 417 part of the Trans-Canada Highway?
Yes. It is part of the Trans-Canada Highway system in Ontario.
When was Highway 417 built?
Construction began in May 1969, and later sections were completed and widened over several decades.

References

  1. Wikipedia —
    Supports: Route description, official/common names, endpoint locations, Trans-Canada Highway connection, approximate length.
  2. Ontario Newsroom —
    Supports: 2012 widening project near Arnprior and completion details.
  3. The King’s Highway —
    Supports: Historical overview, route role in Ottawa, and construction history.