Access to Markets

Kingston's strategic location at the convergence of Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence River and Rideau Canada was one of the original reasons for the development of the city as the first capital of the United Canada's.  Located directly between Toronto and Ottawa, Kingston offers easy access to Highway 401, rail and air services.

Kingston is a major distribution centre between Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and New York with immediate access to markets of more than 130 million people within a day´s drive.  Businesses can locate one facility in Kingston and have ready access to these key markets.   Several transportation and warehousing and distribution companies have recognized this advantage and consolidated their operations into Kingston.

The region within an eight-hour drive of Kingston represents the third largest GDP concentration in North America.

• 25 million people live within an 8-hour drive
• 130 million people within a day's drive
• 30 minutes from the US border

Proximity to Major Canadian Cities:

Proximity to Large US Cities:

Thousand Islands Bridge

Kingston is located within 30 minutes of the Thousand Islands Bridge to the United States, which offers a number of commercial carrier advantages: 

• Gateway to New York State
• Direct access I-81 to all major cities in the Northeast and Midwest United States
• NEXUS/FAST enrollment centre
• Efficient 24 hour border crossings
• Credit cards accepted
• Oversize loads accepted (escort fee applicable)
• Modern duty-free stores
• $10 million in recent improvements
• 24 hour customs clearance
• Short/No wait times

World Class Infrastructure

Kingston is served by excellent highway and rail transportation systems (passenger and freight).  The City is strategically placed on the south side of Highway 401 and offers immediate access from 5 major intersections covering the city from west to east.  This major highway also provides direct access to the 1000 Islands International Bridge and Interstate 81 in New York State.

Via Rail and CN Rail have regular daily service to Kingston for both passenger travel and freight services between major markets throughout Canada. The Kingston Airport (YGK) also offers daily passenger and goods flights into Pearson International Airport.

Highway #401

• Busiest highway in North America
• Kingston exits 611 - 632
• Connects Quebec City with Windsor and services half of Canada's population
• Newly installed high-tech onramps speed the movement of trucks
• Current upgrades include continued widening to six lands from Gardiners Road exit through Highway #15 exit

Kingston Airport

• YGK - Norman Rogers Airfield
• 9+ daily flights from Kingston to Toronto
• Air Canada service
• Private charters available

VIA Rail/CN Rail

• 5th busiest passenger station in Canada; 4th busiest in Ontario
• Kingston is on the express stop between Montreal and Toronto for passenger service
• Freight service available

If you require further information or if you feel there is an error in the information provided, please contact us.