Before Ray Kroc became the billionaire behind McDonald’s, he was a traveling salesman. Life on the road made him—and many of his colleagues—keenly aware of which rest stops had the cleanest bathrooms. Kroc believed so strongly in the power of clean facilities that it became a core part of McDonald’s business strategy. When you work on the road, you never forget a clean bathroom.
Spending time on the road with two young children puts the clean bathroom into perspective—especially when you’re a single dad and one of those children is a girl. With my parents living in London and me posted in Ottawa, we’ve logged a lot of miles—especially during COVID. In the early years, when the kids were still in diapers, it wasn’t a big deal. I became very good at changing diapers in the trunk or backseat of my car. But everything changed when my daughter started to grow out of diapers. Nothing is more demoralizing than stepping into a dirty bathroom with a little girl in tow—it feels almost like a betrayal.
From Ottawa, there are two primary routes to London: stick to the 400-series highways all the way, or take the scenic route via Highway 7 to Peterborough, then swing down to Toronto using Highway 115. With those two paths in mind—especially if you’re traveling with young kids—here are the cleanest (and not-so-cleanest) bathrooms you’ll find.
🚽 Overall Best:
Flying J – Napanee
As a general rule, truck stops rarely disappoint. Located just off the 401 at the Napanee exit, the Flying J has everything you need for a proper pit stop: a Denny’s, decent chicken tenders, a large and well-stocked convenience store, and gas prices that are usually lower than other branded stations. Most importantly, the bathrooms are consistently clean, spacious, and equipped with change tables.
If you’re leaving from Ottawa and sticking to the 400 highways, this stop is almost exactly halfway to Toronto. If you’re taking Highway 7, you can add about 20 minutes to your drive by turning south at Highway 41 in Kaladar to reach it.
On a personal note: My dad is a career truck driver and swears by this Flying J.
🚫 Overall Worst:
McDonald’s – Madoc
Ray Kroc would be disappointed. Located at the intersection of Highway 7 and Highway 62, this McDonald’s is the most obvious pit stop on this stretch of road. Unfortunately, the bathrooms are typical for a busy fast-food location—and on long weekends, they get overwhelmed fast. There are often lines, and the facilities are frequently dirty. I generally avoid letting the creatures use the bathroom here unless it’s a true emergency. Also worth noting: there’s no change table in the men’s room.
🛣️ If You’re on the 401 (East of Toronto)
There are plenty of options, especially if you’re willing to venture off the highway into one of the many towns that straddle the freeway. Beyond the Flying J, several OnRoute locations are scattered along the 401. On weekends, they can get extremely busy.
Generally, OnRoutes are clean, accessible, and stocked with the basics. Eastbound, the OnRoutes in Trenton and Napanee are decent, but small, with limited family bathroom options. If you can hold out, the OnRoute in Brighton is your best bet.
Westbound, you somehow have better options. The Port Hope location is excellent—but also the busiest one this side of Toronto.
🛤️ If You’re on Highway 7
This route is about choosing your poisons. You won’t find anything that matches the convenience or cleanliness of the 401. Between Perth and Peterborough, there are a few small towns, gas stations, and Tim Hortons locations, but the bathrooms are hit-or-miss. Most are small, and few have change tables.
Between Perth and Madoc in particular, options are limited. My daughter especially dislikes the bathrooms at the gas stations in Sharbot Lake and Kaladar—she says they’re spooky. This route, especially if you plan to jump on the 407, is faster and more scenic, but it lacks the convenience of the 401.
🏁 West of Toronto
At this point, you’re on the home stretch. There are plenty of stops if you’re willing to leave the highway. The OnRoute in Cambridge and the Ingersoll Travel Centre are both clean, large, and easily accessible. They do get busy, so be prepared. But if you’re traveling with kids, you can’t go wrong with either—they’ll have everything you need, and they’re reliably clean.
On a side note feel free to check out some of my previous blogs at https://dadandhistwocreatures.com/blog/