museum
Canadian Automotive Museum
Museum celebrating Canadian motoring heritage with a collection of rare Canadian-built cars in Oshawa.
1 km · about 5 min drive
Ontario, Canada · North America
Oshawa is worth a stop: 15 minutes from Whitby, 1km from Canadian Automotive Museum.
Oshawa is a city located in Ontario, Canada. With a population of 175,383, it is an important destination in North America.
On a road trip, Oshawa sits in Canada, where you drive on the right. It's in the America/Toronto time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Oshawa to your route.
Oshawa is a city in Ontario, Canada, on the Lake Ontario shoreline. It lies in Southern Ontario, approximately 60 kilometres (37 mi) east of downtown Toronto. It is commonly viewed as the eastern anchor of the Greater Toronto Area and of the Golden Horseshoe. It is the largest municipality in the Regional MunicipalityRead more
of Durham. The name Oshawa originates from the Ojibwa term aazhawe, meaning "the crossing place" or just "a cross".
Founded in 1876 as the McLaughlin Carriage Company by Robert McLaughlin, and then McLaughlin Motors Ltd by his son, Sam, General Motors of Canada's headquarters are located in the city. The automotive industry was the inspiration for Oshawa's previous mottos: "The City that Motovates Canada", and "The City in Motion". The lavish home of the automotive company's founder, Parkwood Estate, is also located in the city.
Once recognized as the sole "Automotive Capital of Canada", Oshawa is now considered to be an education and health sciences hub, although General Motors still plays a significant role in the city's economy. After having been closed for about two years, the Oshawa car assembly plant reopened in 2021, when the first Canadian-made Chevy Silverado was completed. GM invested C$1.3 billion into plant retooling. Prior to reopening, GM said that the site would continue to be used for autonomous vehicle testing and production of vehicle stampings and other sub-assemblies.
Post-secondary institutions and a satellite family medicine program in Oshawa include Durham College, Trent University Durham, Ontario Tech University, and Queen's University Lakeridge Health MD Family Medicine Program. Key labour force sectors include healthcare, retail trade, and educational services. In 2016, Oshawa was the sixth best place in Canada to find full-time employment based on data from StatsCan.
Downtown Oshawa is identified as an Urban Growth Centre in the Government of Ontario's Places to Grow initiative. More than 5,000 people work and more than 2,400 university students study in the downtown core. The downtown is a prominent centre for entertainment and sporting events (Regent Theatre and Tribute Communities Centre), food (50+ restaurants and cafes), and culture (The Robert McLaughlin Gallery and Canadian Automotive Museum). Oshawa is home to a Regional Innovation Centre and offers start-up facilities for entrepreneurs and small businesses. Co-working offices are also located in the downtown area.
Compare prices across Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, and more. Select your dates to see availability.
Pick your must-haves once: provider links open pre-filtered. Each filter lists which sites it applies to.
Compare before you book!
Prices can vary significantly between platforms. We recommend checking at least 2-3 sites to find the best deal for your stay in Oshawa.
Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Oshawa.
Oshawa offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
Plan your road trip to Oshawa with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Oshawa as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.
Oshawa is located in Ontario, Canada, North America. The coordinates are 43.9001 latitude, -78.8496 longitude.
Oshawa has a population of approximately 175,383 people, making it a city in Canada.
Add to your itinerary
Start planning your road trip with Oshawa as a destination. Create a custom route and discover more amazing places along the way.
Start Road TripDiscover destinations like Tinder
Swipe through stunning destinations near Oshawa. Save your favourites and add them to your trip.
Essential numbers in Canada
CAA roadside assistance: 1-800-222-4357. Winter tyres mandatory in Quebec December–March.
Full driving guide for Canada7 notable places within an hour's drive.
museum
Museum celebrating Canadian motoring heritage with a collection of rare Canadian-built cars in Oshawa.
1 km · about 5 min drive
racetrack
Canada's premier road course near Bowmanville, Ontario, with dramatic elevation changes and a storied history including 1960s-70s Formula 1.
22 km · about 25 min drive
landmark
Canada's largest zoo spanning 287 hectares with over 5,000 animals organized by geographic region.
28 km · about 35 min drive
museum
Canada's largest museum of world cultures and natural history, topped by Daniel Libeskind's dramatic crystalline extension.
51 km · about 60 min drive
landmark
Soaring 553-metre communications and observation tower that defines the Toronto skyline.
52 km · about 60 min drive
landmark
Toronto's spectacular aquarium at the base of the CN Tower with a stunning underwater tunnel and 20,000 aquatic animals.
52 km · about 60 min drive
landmark
Canada's premier amusement park near Toronto with over 200 attractions including 17 roller coasters.
56 km · about 65 min drive
Other places to explore near Oshawa.
Create your perfect itinerary with our calendar-based planner. Add stops, discover attractions along the way, and share your trip with friends.
Start Planning