OT: Drive from Niagara to Halifax through U.S. with Pre-Schooler

[dsneygirl]

Hi everyone,

We're thinking about taking a summer road trip to Halifax over the course of 10 days around the end of July (with our 4-year old boy). Rather than going through Quebec we're tempted to go through the States. In our experience driving to Florida, it seems the US has more rest stops and plenty of exits with gas, fast food etc. whereas in Canada you can drive for a long time without seeing much. Also, there's things like Target, Cracker Barrel and other US-only chains to keep us enthused along the way.

We're thinking about tent camping some nights and doing hotels other nights. I'm wondering if anyone here has any pointers, tips or words of advice to share. I can plan a Disney trip in my sleep but don't know where to start with this trip out east. Now I know how Disney newbies must feel!

 

[Tower]

Just did a quick check on bing.com/maps and the USA is the preferred route for you. You'd enter New Brunswick near Woodstock, taking I-90 to Albany, NY and switching to I-95 to go through Bangor, Maine. You could even take a side trip and head into Boston for part of the day. Sounds like fun!

Since you'd be sticking with the Interstates, you do have more fast food stop options (but are they healthier for you?) and less 2-lane highways to worry about. It seems to be the way to go!
Have a great trip!
P.S. If we were to go to the east coast, since my kids are a little older, I'd take them through the Canadian route, through Kingston to hit the fort and through Quebec to have the kids exprience a bit of the French Canadian ways, then drive home via I95/I90

 

[irisesareblue]

I think you will get a much better opportunity for rest stops and overnight areas on the interstates through the U.S. Quebec has a few rest areas on the Trans Canada going East but not as frequently as the U.S. routes.

One of my favorite places in Maine is Bar Harbor - lots of little shops and campgrounds in that area as well.

You can also take a ferry from Saint John NB to Digby NS if you so choose - it might cut off some driving time and you get to see those famous Fundy Bay tides!

Our girls loved Hopewell Rocks as well and Fundy National Park has great interpretive programs (my hubby loved being the oak tree in their forest presentation - it made for one of our best family memories!) We stayed overnight in one of their "rustic" cabins there - lots of fun.

Have fun planning!

 

[OntFamily]

I've done this trip many times. You can drive through the USA on the way to Halifax, and drive through Ontario/Quebec on the way home (or vice versa !).


It's a fun drive. Have a good time (and bring a portable DVD player).