It then continues 8 km (5.0 mi) south and west to Hog's Back Road, winding through several residential areas and going past Dow's Lake and Carleton University.

To the north, the road passes Department of National Defence Headquarters, the Ottawa Congress Centre and the Westin Hotel before ending at Rideau Street.

The rear door of the Senate of Canada Building can be accessed from the street as well, after it passes under the Mackenzie King Bridge.

In 1966, rail service was controversially relocated to the new Ottawa Station about 3 km (1.9 mi) southeast in an industrial area in the east end of the city as part of an urban renewal plan, leaving the area on the eastern bank of the canal open for development.

Historically, like other National Capital Commission parkways, Colonel By Drive has been periodically closed to motor vehicle traffic and reserved for active transportation use.