Road trip QC, Montreal, Mont Tremblant from US

[Frwinkley]

Many thanks to those of you who’ve provided me with great info regarding our trip next summer. Your kindness is greatly appreciated!

We need to be in Montreal July 1, 2 and 3. We would like to add a few nights in Quebec City and a few more in Mont Tremblant. I’d like to avoid as much traffic as possible so I’m trying to figure out if we should do QC first, than Mont Tremblant or the other way around. It looks like it’s not necessary to drive through Montreal to get to Mont Tremblant, but it is necessary to get to QC from there. Number of days is not an issue (yay retirement)!

Since we are driving, I definitely don’t want to do QC last. My original thought was QC first, Mont Tremblant, than Montreal last. I realize that’s a holiday weekend as well. Will getting out of Montreal on the morning of July 4th be terrible?

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[ottawamom]

July 4th in Montreal will not be an issue as our Canadian holiday is July 1. Not as big in Montreal as some other parts of the country. June 24th is a bigger holiday in Quebec City and Montreal. I would plan around those dates instead.

If you go to Quebec City first take the north shore of the St. Lawrence to get to Tremblant. You bi-pass the worst of the city of Montreal doing that.

When and where you go just depends on how much time you have to spend on the holiday and how much time you want to spend in Quebec City and Tremblant.

 

[hdrolfe]

July 1st is the holiday here, so the 4th is a regular work day Can't answer which direction to do as I'm in Ottawa (which you could add to your trip lol, not too far from Montreal and if you are going to Brockville area we're an hour from there...)

 

[Frwinkley]

July 4th in Montreal will not be an issue as our Canadian holiday is July 1. Not as big in Montreal as some other parts of the country. June 24th is a bigger holiday in Quebec City and Montreal. I would plan around those dates instead.

If you go to Quebec City first take the north shore of the St. Lawrence to get to Tremblant. You bi-pass the worst of the city of Montreal doing that.

When and where you go just depends on how much time you have to spend on the holiday and how much time you want to spend in Quebec City and Tremblant.

Our tentative plan is this:
June 25th - overnight on way to Quebec City
June 26th and June 27th - QC (we've visited already once before, thus the reason for only 2 nights)
June 28, 29, 20 - Mont Tremblant
July 1, 2, 3 - Montreal (we've also been there before)
July 4 - Return home

Is there anyway to avoid the Montreal traffic in order to get to Quebec City? Sounds like we can avoid it from QC to Tremblant.

 

[Frwinkley]

July 1st is the holiday here, so the 4th is a regular work day Can't answer which direction to do as I'm in Ottawa (which you could add to your trip lol, not too far from Montreal and if you are going to Brockville area we're an hour from there...)

You've got me thinking now. Maybe we would bypass Brockville and drive directly to Ottawa. We would only spend one night on the way to QC (maybe 2). Can you recommend a good area to stay? We're not really into museums, but love beautiful scenery, walking to restaurants, shopping, etc.

 

[ottawamom]

For Ottawa stay right downtown, Westin or Chateau Laurier. Depends if you want to stay in a historic landmark. Lots of different directions to walk from either of those hotels and there are lots of restaurants in the Market area to choose from.

To bypass Montreal traffic there is a toll road which you pick up just west of the city and it takes the south shore to get around Montreal. No need to drive through the downtown part of the city to get through.



Consult a good map to find it. Google maps doesn't like to send people this way but I've done it many times and find it the best way to go to avoid Montreal traffic. It's 4:45 hours to Quebec City from Ottawa.

 

[hdrolfe]

You've got me thinking now. Maybe we would bypass Brockville and drive directly to Ottawa. We would only spend one night on the way to QC (maybe 2). Can you recommend a good area to stay? We're not really into museums, but love beautiful scenery, walking to restaurants, shopping, etc.

I'd agree with Ottawamom, staying downtown at the Westin or Chateau Laurier would be great, and Ottawa traffic, even downtown, is not nearly close to Montreal traffic so getting to/from shouldn't be a problem. There is plenty down there to walk to, museums yes but lots of other things too, the Market area is nice, the Rideau canal is right there, Major's Hill Park. I am sure you would find a lot to see, and lots of places to eat.

 

[Frwinkley]

Sounds wonderful!

Our original plan has us spending 3 nights in Mont Tremblant. I’m now thinking maybe only 2 nights and 2 in Ottawa. We do love wonderful ski towns in the summer though…

 

[hdrolfe]

Well people from Ottawa do go to Tremblant on vacation so... but we live here so seeing the market and parliment buildings and such isn't a big deal

 

[mommasita]

None of your dates from Montreal to Tremblant will have any traffic except July 1 (holiday, insanity), and 2nd. During the week the traffic up North is light on the 13. The 15 is always a nightmare in my opinion. I should rephrase and say if you leave during rush hour that isn’t wise, but after 10 you should be smooth sailing.

Holy Moly Ottawamom that is a detour! I get it, I have friends in Chats that cross over to avoid it, but I understand people who want to do it.

 

[ottawamom]

Holy Moly Ottawamom that is a detour! I get it, I have friends in Chats that cross over to avoid it, but I understand people who want to do it.

Yes it is a little longer but it has always proven to be much quicker than going through the center of the city. Usually we are heading to the Eastern Townships and onto the States so we have to cross over anyway.

 

[Frwinkley]

Thank you so much for all of the great replies! I am really looking forward to this trip next summer.