Towing on Highway 5 | Ontario Towing
Towing on Highway 5 is available 24 hours a day from Ontario Towing. Autoroute 5, also called the Autoroute de la Gatineau, is a short but critical highway connecting the Hull sector of Gatineau to the recreational areas of Gatineau Park, Chelsea, and Wakefield. Its southern end provides direct access to the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge, which crosses the Ottawa River into downtown Ottawa. Thousands of commuters and weekend travellers use this highway every day.
If you break down on the A-5, call Ontario Towing at (613) 619-4545. We serve the entire Ottawa-Gatineau region including this highway.
The Bridge Highway
What makes Autoroute 5 unique in the region is its direct connection to the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge. Every morning, Ottawa workers who live in Gatineau cross the bridge and hit the A-5 heading north. Every evening, Ottawa residents heading to Gatineau Park, Chelsea restaurants, or Wakefield attractions use this highway going the same direction. The southern section widens to six lanes across the bridge, but it narrows to four lanes once you are past Hull.
Bridge traffic creates a bottleneck at the southern terminus. During peak hours, vehicles back up from the bridge onto the A-5, causing rear-end collisions and overheated engines in stop-and-go traffic. This is one of the most common areas where we get calls.
Gatineau Park and Weekend Traffic
Autoroute 5 is the gateway to Gatineau Park, one of the most popular outdoor recreation areas in the National Capital Region. On weekends, especially during fall colours season, the highway fills with day-trippers heading to hiking trails, ski hills, and scenic lookouts. The added volume on a highway that was designed for moderate traffic creates slowdowns and increases the chance of breakdowns.
The section north of Chelsea toward Wakefield passes through hilly, forested terrain with curves and elevation changes. In winter, this stretch gets icy quickly because it is shaded by dense forest on both sides. Ski traffic heading to Camp Fortune and Edelweiss adds to the winter volume on this route.
Our Highway 5 Towing Services
Ontario Towing provides flatbed towing, roadside assistance, jump starts, tire changes, fuel delivery, and lockout service on Autoroute 5. We also handle accident recovery on the highway itself and on the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge approach.
If your vehicle breaks down on the A-5 and you need it towed across the bridge to a shop in Ottawa, we handle that seamlessly. We do cross-border tows between Gatineau and Ottawa every single day.
Breakdowns on the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge
Breaking down on the bridge itself is a worst-case scenario. There is nowhere to pull over safely, traffic is heavy, and the wind off the Ottawa River makes standing outside a vehicle dangerous. If your vehicle stalls or breaks down on the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge, stay inside with your hazard lights on and call Ontario Towing immediately at (613) 619-4545. We will coordinate with bridge authorities and get to you as fast as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you reach me on the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge?
Yes. We respond to breakdowns on the bridge and coordinate with bridge authorities to safely access and remove your vehicle. Call (613) 619-4545 and stay inside your vehicle with your hazard lights on.
Do you cover the A-5 all the way to Wakefield?
Yes. Ontario Towing provides service on the full length of Autoroute 5 from the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge through Hull, Chelsea, and up to Wakefield. Call us and tell us your location.
I broke down coming back from Gatineau Park. Can you tow me home to Ottawa?
Yes. We regularly tow vehicles from the Gatineau Park area and Autoroute 5 across the river to destinations in Ottawa. We give you the full price before dispatching so there are no surprises.
Is the A-5 dangerous in winter?
The northern sections of Autoroute 5 through the Gatineau Hills can be treacherous in winter. The hills, curves, and shaded road surface create icy conditions that catch drivers off guard. Ontario Towing responds to ditch pullouts and winter accidents on this highway throughout the season. Call (613) 619-4545.