Driving to Nova Scotia via state side!

[motherof4]

Hey guys!

We are planning on going to Nova Scotia in August, to my husbands hometown of Oxford, which is close to Amherst. We normally drive through canada on trans canada highway, we normally drive straight through because we are anxious to get there, this year we are taking two days. Was wondering if anyone here has gone via the states, crossing over in Cornwall, if so how long would it take, route to take and is it longer than going through canada? Just thought I would change the trip up a bit, my hubby is a bit nervous about going a different way. and unless I have a detailed plan of action. he won't even consider!

 

[highland3]

We're heading that way this Saturday. I'm born and raised in Truro and living near Ottawa.

I've taken the trip through the n/e U.S. and love it.

We'll cross at Johnstown (near Prescott). This border crossing is never busy 9in either direction) and the Customs folks seem to be friendlier and easy going.

From there we'll head east until we pass the north end of Lake Champlain, then head south to Burlington, VT and the Montpelier, VT. here you jump onto U.S.-3 which takes you all the way to Maine!!!!

It's a beautiful drive, which takes you through the Green Mountains and the White Moutains. It seems like every time you come around a curve, a new valley opens up. There are lots of small town and great camping and motels. If you stop in New Hampshire, there is no sales tax!!!

We'll be taking the ferry from Bar Harbor, Maine to Yarmouth, N.S. It's expensive, but cuts off a lot of driving as we want to visit the south shore. You can also head north from Bangor, Maine into New Brunswick, and pick up the Trans Canada and head through N.B. to Nova Scotia.

We'll even be coming back through the states, but no ferry ride that time.

If you have any questions, ask away. We'll be leaving early Saturday and stopping the 1st night in New Hampshire.

 

[BizziBee]

We always drive the Canadian way. Dh and his Mom used to go the American way once in a while, but, it was always longer.

Near Amhurst? Dh's family is from there, Springhill Jct, and River Herbert! We were out last year, so beautiful!

Enjoy your trip!

 

[motherof4]

How did you guys make your routes? Everytime I use mapquest etc, it always gives me the canadian way? I'm assuming because it is the fastest!
We looked into using the CAT ferry, will cost us around $500-800 depending on which one we take, either from Portland or Bar Harbour, too expensive!
My husband is from Oxford, which is close to River Herbert and Springhill Junction! I know going through the states is alot more scenic, as a kid that's the way we went, and it was beautiful!

 

[highland3]

I remembered travelling most of the route with my parents when I was a kid. Then, when I moved to Ontario, I experimented around ad found Hwy-3.

I still do it up on Mapquest in order to figure out how far we can go in a day. That way we can book camp sites. I just do the trip up in sections, that way I can ensure I get the general routes that I want (My town to Ogdensburg, NY, Ogdensburg to Burlington/Monpelier... and so on.

 

[motherof4]

CAA said that they can make up trip tiks for me, using HWY 2? I will call them tommorrow to set up. Do you think it will take 3 days instead of 2? It really doesn't matter, we are on vacation, but we have campsites booked for PEI for a Monday, and we leave a Thursday, so I need to plan accordingly!

 

[highland3]

Arghhh... my memory failed me!!! They are absolutely right, it's Hwy-2.

 

[Diamondintheruff]

It's on our list to drive out there next summer so keep us informed. Hope you have a great drive!

 

[CanadianGuy]

Several mapping sites will do multiple points on your trip route.

You can say for example.. Barrie to Montepelier Vt, and then Montepelier, Vt to Oxford, NS

Or you could go Barrie to Buffalo to Boston to Oxford, NS



Knox

 

[dennise]

It's great to see all of you "almost" local people out there. My daughter and family lived in Amherst until two weeks ago, now they live in Oxford. SIL's family is from Springhill and my husband has family there. I work in Truro, NS. How about all of that? Nice to see so many from this area using this board. I think its great.

 

[motherof4]

Hey, thanks guys, for all the info. I used mapquest and it worked, before I guess I was just using border cities and they would just keep re routing me back to Canada. It looks to be a longer route by 3-4 hours, Hubby says whatever I think! Campgrounds in Vermont (state parks) want a 2 day minimum! Any great places to camp that you know of, and if we do it in two days, where is the half way mark, were thinking three days and staying near Montpelier Vt, first day then Bangor Maine 2nd day, so much info on lodging etc? Husband really doesn't want to camp, and have to set up each day!
Decisions, decisons!

 

[surfer_ed]

Let me know how long it takes. We do the drive every year since I am a Haligonian.

This year I am not looking forward to it because DS is only 6 months and doesn't like the car.

Might leave Oakville in the afternoon, go as far as Montreal and then try to make Fredericton the next night.

 

[highland3]

We got back last night.

The driving went slower than planned. I'm a first-time pop-up camper owner and didn't drive as fast as usual (not even hitting the speed limit sometimes ).

On the way east, we crossed at Prescott, Ont at 10:00 am and camped overnight in Jeffereson, N.H., arriving there at 6:00pm. We left Jefferson at 8:30 am and arrived in Bar Harbour, Maine by 3:00 pm.

There were lots of stops at touristy spots, lunch and potty breaks along the way.

On the return trip we drove from Fundy park in N.B. to Ellesworth, Maine in about 6 hours. Ellesworth to North Conway, N.H. only took about 5 hours and was a slow drive the the world of antique shops.

North Conway to home... 7 hours with only two meal breaks.

Good dreive, minimal construction.