OT- Driving from Toronto to Halifax

[jeannief]

My parents are driving later this week and asked me to get them directions. I know you can go all Cnd. route or through the US, yahoo maps is only giving me the US way.
Anyone done the drive? Favourite routes and stops? My parents are in their early 70's and need to stop overnight at least once, so am looking for suggestions on a break point so I can book them into a hotel.
Sheesh, it's almost worse than worying about the kids!

 

[MikeJ]

We did this drive several years ago, although we were going from London to PEI. Although some of the scenery in the White and Green Mountains if you go the US route is breathtaking, we opted for the Canadian route. We stopped overnight in Quebec City, and did a tour of the old city. Quebec really is the closest you can come to finding a European-style city in North America.

The next day we drove to Riviere-du-Loup and picked up the highway to Edmunston. On the way out we headed east from there and passed through Miramichi and Shediac before crossing the bridge. Instead of going east to Miramichi you can also stay on #2 right into Moncton before turning south towards Halifax. (We did that route on the way home.) On #2, there is the world's longest covered bridge in Hartland and if they want to head a little farther south into Fundy National Park, they can actually walk on the ocean floor at low tide.

If they are at all nervous about driving in the mountains, the Canadian route is probably the better alternative. But either way, they will almost certainly enjoy the scenery and sights whichever route they go.

- Mike

 

[OntFamily]

If they are at all nervous about driving in the mountains, the Canadian route is probably the better alternative. But either way, they will almost certainly enjoy the scenery and sights whichever route they go.

- Mike

You don't have to go through the mountains, when driving through the US. When crossing @ Buffalo, and driving along I-90 East, there is only a few hills (well, one big one when you cross the MA border, but not to bad).


The OP noted that yahoo gave only the USA routing. I find (when leaving from the Western GTA) that driving through the USA is shorter and quicker (which is why Yahoo/Mapquest, etc give the USA routing).

 

[tribus121]

according to goggle maps the Canadian rt is 100km longer but 4 hr quicker which sounds right if you choose the American rt i would recommend 3 days to Halifax ware the Canadian rt can be done in 2 as a previous poster said Quebec city would be a great stopover point

 

[jeannief]

thanks everyone!

 

[surfer_ed]

I have done the drive so many times I have the breakdown of all the milestones to NB. Let me know if you want it. PM me your e-mail it is on Excel.

 

[NAB]

We go though the U.S all the time to go to Cape Breton.

We cross at Kingston. And come back into Canada at St.Stephens. NB

Find the Canadian way to boring and a lot of rough roads.

The U.S. way you to though Lake Placid which is beautiful. We to though New Hampshire , Maine. We love it.

Do you have CAA they will do a trip tic for you and show you the routes and construction points.