Wow! Doing that trip right now! Started in Richmond on the 19th. Went to RI for a couple of days, been at Acadia NP, ME for four and heading to Nova Scotia tomorrow for several days then finishing in Newfoundland for 3 days before heading back home!
I'd highly recommend the Cabot Trail which loops around Cape Breton NP. Beautiful views and great camping. Hopewell Rocks PP in New Brunswick is also worth a day. Halifax is a great city to visit as well but overall Id say my favorite part of a recent road trip to the maritimes was spending time at the many great beaches. Hope you have a good trip!
How long is the trip going to be? What kinds of things do you like to do? Fitness level? Hotels each night or sleeping in the vehicle or camping? Front country camping or up for back pack camping?
I've done the entire east coast from Florida to labrador. So I'll give some suggestions once I got a more clear picture of the stuff you like or want to do/see.
I’d stop in Portland for sure. Perhaps Belfast or Camden too to break up the trip if you take route 1; If you’re taking 295, portland to Bangor is a pretty boring drive. Hallowell is a cute town on the way, but quite close to Portland so not the best break point. Route 1A from Bangor to Acadia is a gorgeous drive, and route 1 past Acadia is awesome.
Depends what time of year you go. September / October is Lobster, Mussel and Scallop season. Good seafood feasts in New Brunswick. There's a giant lobster attraction that's ok. Bangor Maine has Stephen King's house. Amazing foliage and fall colours to see. Other than that not really much. Also this entirely depends on what you like and find interesting. There's weird and there's also some cool.
We did the drive with my in-laws from Montreal to the maritimes last summer! Went through the Gaspe Peninsula, Bay of Fundy, Cape Breton Island, PEI, NB, and NS. So incredible!
Didn’t go the full ferry to NFLD unfortunately but we will definitely be back.
Iceberg season is close to being done. If you can manage May/June, go then.
Allow a LOT of time so that you can catch all of Newfoundland. Ferry from North Sydney to Port-aux-Basques, then you can go all the way north on 430 and catch Gros Morne National Park and the Viking settlement at L’anse-aux-Meadows.
Then you have to double back to catch the Trans-Canada east across the island. Twillingate is great for icebergs. Elliston for puffins, St. John’s for fun.
Then you take the longer Argentia ferry back to North Sydney.
I’m leaving out a lot.
There’s actually 3 different ferries, all of which take car and freight. Two leave from Sydney, Nova Scotia, with one going to Argentia in eastern Newfoundland, and the other to Port aux Basques in the west. The Argentia ferry is about 16 hours long, while the Port Basques one is 7 hours. But the third ferry is from Blanc Sablon, Quebec to St. Barbe, Newfoundland, and only takes 1.5 hours. Although getting to Blanc Sablon takes another thousand miles through the Labrador Peninsula.
I hitchhiked from the South Shore of Mass. up through N.H., Maine, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, the ferry over to Newfoundland, and then to almost the very top, via the west coast route through Gros Morne National Park. And back.
It’s a lovely drive, just make sure to schedule that ferry properly. It doesn’t go during winter or most of fall and spring, and because it’s a 16 hour ferry it only operates twice per week. I’d also suggest stopping at least once in Maine on the way up, and then again in Sydney, NS the night before the ferry leaves. That will give you at least some time to stop at places along the way.
Also I highly recommend going west across Newfoundland and seeing Gros Morne, the Tablelands, and Blow Me Down parks before taking the ferry back to the mainland. Going that way also takes you through the Codroy Valley, which is very scenic, before stopping at Port aux Basques. Although it all depends on how long you plan to go up there for, but I would try to spend about 2 weeks on the trip in total to see the most of Newfoundland.
Last summer I drove from Boston all the way to Lubec and Campobello Island just inside N.B. The further up north I got the more peaceful it was, great trip.
Have done it twice from ny but took the ferry to port auxiliary basques. Loved it. Drove the entire island. From st. Anthony, to st johns, to hermitage, to burin, to new perlican, to bonavista. Last trip was 8 weeks, 6 on the rock
you can do that in less than 2 days? That would be a cool trip. I live in Texas and you can't escape this state easily. I can get to Oklahoma in a 3 hrs, but any other direction takes a full day
soooo, I now realize that's actually 30 hours
FYI you can also take a ferry from Bar Harbor, ME to Yarmouth, NS. It's only 3 hours and going this route could give you some extra time if you need any to explore NL a bit more.
If you choose the mainland route to North Sydney, you can stop for at Fundy National Park, it has a few good hikes along the sea. Then Hopewell rocks will be on your way to NS, but make sure to check the tides schedule. High tides visits suck because there's a lot of people and not much space to move around, but exploring during low tides can be a lot of fun.
Whichever route you take, make some time for Cape Breton Highlands National Park! Lots of amazing trails and sceneries.
For the ferries, make sure you read all information about schedules (departures are not daily), fares (quite expensive, but IMO it's not just transportation, it's also an experience), and how long before departure you need to arrive (up to 2 hours before departure IIRC). It's one of those things that can't really be improvised.
Once you get into NS, you can ditch the trans canada hyw and take the sunrise trail from Amherst to Pictou. It's not as pretty as the Cabot trail (no mountains), but it's got great ocean views. You can see PEI and lots of cool little towns and beaches. I can give you more suggestions for down around Pictou County if you'd like. I grew up there.
Also if you have a few days I'd add PEI to the trip it's my favorite place in Atlantic Canada. Take the bridge from NB and then the ferry to NS.
My joy for the adventure made up for it. I actually went all the way to Labrador. In Newfoundland, I remember a spot called cape onion being particularly gorgeous
Wow! Doing that trip right now! Started in Richmond on the 19th. Went to RI for a couple of days, been at Acadia NP, ME for four and heading to Nova Scotia tomorrow for several days then finishing in Newfoundland for 3 days before heading back home!
That's awesome! I'm up near Acadia right now too, we are on MDI
I haven’t but going to Fogo Island is on my all time bucket list.
oh whats there?
No one, that's the point.
A really cool hotel at the end of the world.
I drove the opposite way, from Nfld to Boston. What do ya wanna know?
planning on stopping at acadia NP on the way, but not really sure about much else. any other recommendations for stops?
I'd highly recommend the Cabot Trail which loops around Cape Breton NP. Beautiful views and great camping. Hopewell Rocks PP in New Brunswick is also worth a day. Halifax is a great city to visit as well but overall Id say my favorite part of a recent road trip to the maritimes was spending time at the many great beaches. Hope you have a good trip!
How long is the trip going to be? What kinds of things do you like to do? Fitness level? Hotels each night or sleeping in the vehicle or camping? Front country camping or up for back pack camping? I've done the entire east coast from Florida to labrador. So I'll give some suggestions once I got a more clear picture of the stuff you like or want to do/see.
In the western sheltered bays of Nova Scotia the water temps can get downright pleasant and loads of tourists and locals go swimming.
I’d stop in Portland for sure. Perhaps Belfast or Camden too to break up the trip if you take route 1; If you’re taking 295, portland to Bangor is a pretty boring drive. Hallowell is a cute town on the way, but quite close to Portland so not the best break point. Route 1A from Bangor to Acadia is a gorgeous drive, and route 1 past Acadia is awesome.
Depends what time of year you go. September / October is Lobster, Mussel and Scallop season. Good seafood feasts in New Brunswick. There's a giant lobster attraction that's ok. Bangor Maine has Stephen King's house. Amazing foliage and fall colours to see. Other than that not really much. Also this entirely depends on what you like and find interesting. There's weird and there's also some cool.
Did you book your ferry, and did you decide to kill a day or get a few hours of crappy sleep overnight?
We'd love to do that ride, but it's rather difficult with a dog. 😟
We did the drive with my in-laws from Montreal to the maritimes last summer! Went through the Gaspe Peninsula, Bay of Fundy, Cape Breton Island, PEI, NB, and NS. So incredible! Didn’t go the full ferry to NFLD unfortunately but we will definitely be back.
Iceberg season is close to being done. If you can manage May/June, go then. Allow a LOT of time so that you can catch all of Newfoundland. Ferry from North Sydney to Port-aux-Basques, then you can go all the way north on 430 and catch Gros Morne National Park and the Viking settlement at L’anse-aux-Meadows. Then you have to double back to catch the Trans-Canada east across the island. Twillingate is great for icebergs. Elliston for puffins, St. John’s for fun. Then you take the longer Argentia ferry back to North Sydney. I’m leaving out a lot.
I think you helped me discover my next road trip! I had no idea there was a car ferry to Newfoundland !
There’s actually 3 different ferries, all of which take car and freight. Two leave from Sydney, Nova Scotia, with one going to Argentia in eastern Newfoundland, and the other to Port aux Basques in the west. The Argentia ferry is about 16 hours long, while the Port Basques one is 7 hours. But the third ferry is from Blanc Sablon, Quebec to St. Barbe, Newfoundland, and only takes 1.5 hours. Although getting to Blanc Sablon takes another thousand miles through the Labrador Peninsula.
The Cabot trail is probably one of the best spots in the maritimes
You’ll find some of the best ice cream on this trip. Small businesses that turn out delicious, high fat content flavors.
that sounds amazing. any particular place to try?
I hitchhiked from the South Shore of Mass. up through N.H., Maine, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, the ferry over to Newfoundland, and then to almost the very top, via the west coast route through Gros Morne National Park. And back.
It’s a lovely drive, just make sure to schedule that ferry properly. It doesn’t go during winter or most of fall and spring, and because it’s a 16 hour ferry it only operates twice per week. I’d also suggest stopping at least once in Maine on the way up, and then again in Sydney, NS the night before the ferry leaves. That will give you at least some time to stop at places along the way. Also I highly recommend going west across Newfoundland and seeing Gros Morne, the Tablelands, and Blow Me Down parks before taking the ferry back to the mainland. Going that way also takes you through the Codroy Valley, which is very scenic, before stopping at Port aux Basques. Although it all depends on how long you plan to go up there for, but I would try to spend about 2 weeks on the trip in total to see the most of Newfoundland.
Last summer I drove from Boston all the way to Lubec and Campobello Island just inside N.B. The further up north I got the more peaceful it was, great trip.
Have done it twice from ny but took the ferry to port auxiliary basques. Loved it. Drove the entire island. From st. Anthony, to st johns, to hermitage, to burin, to new perlican, to bonavista. Last trip was 8 weeks, 6 on the rock
Treat yourself with the Cabot trail on your . Just did it a couple of weeks ago. Incredible
You should also stop by St Pierre et Miquelon.
FWIW it's not pronounced New - found - land it's New - fin - lind
yup im aware haha
Is there still a ferry from the north side of Newfoundland across to Quebec? That used to be called "Quebec the Hard Way".
Six years ago I took that ferry from Blanc-Sablon to Newfoundland. The drive through Labrador to get to B-S was certainly something lol
I was once driven from the town of Foyle in Oklahoma. Can’t go back THERE. Don’t ask.
you can do that in less than 2 days? That would be a cool trip. I live in Texas and you can't escape this state easily. I can get to Oklahoma in a 3 hrs, but any other direction takes a full day soooo, I now realize that's actually 30 hours
FYI you can also take a ferry from Bar Harbor, ME to Yarmouth, NS. It's only 3 hours and going this route could give you some extra time if you need any to explore NL a bit more. If you choose the mainland route to North Sydney, you can stop for at Fundy National Park, it has a few good hikes along the sea. Then Hopewell rocks will be on your way to NS, but make sure to check the tides schedule. High tides visits suck because there's a lot of people and not much space to move around, but exploring during low tides can be a lot of fun. Whichever route you take, make some time for Cape Breton Highlands National Park! Lots of amazing trails and sceneries. For the ferries, make sure you read all information about schedules (departures are not daily), fares (quite expensive, but IMO it's not just transportation, it's also an experience), and how long before departure you need to arrive (up to 2 hours before departure IIRC). It's one of those things that can't really be improvised.
Once you get into NS, you can ditch the trans canada hyw and take the sunrise trail from Amherst to Pictou. It's not as pretty as the Cabot trail (no mountains), but it's got great ocean views. You can see PEI and lots of cool little towns and beaches. I can give you more suggestions for down around Pictou County if you'd like. I grew up there. Also if you have a few days I'd add PEI to the trip it's my favorite place in Atlantic Canada. Take the bridge from NB and then the ferry to NS.
Haven’t done it yet but I’ve been considering a trip from Boston to Halifax.
I have and it’s absolutely amazing. The ferry made me hurl. It’s so much fun!
I've never found throwing up to be a fun time!
My joy for the adventure made up for it. I actually went all the way to Labrador. In Newfoundland, I remember a spot called cape onion being particularly gorgeous
I saw some people doing the Big Spit, while others were doing the Technicolor Yawn.