Go through Riviere Du Loup. The drive from NB/Quebec Border to Fredericton is much faster now. It is all double lane now. Through Maine is smaller side roads with lower speed limits...
Both are similar in travel time. I prefer cutting through Maine (cross from Quebec to maine at Woburn/Coburn and cross from Maine to NB at Calais/St Stephen). The Calais/St Stephen crossing can get busy, but usually only in the summer. This route is much more 2-lane highway, but I find it more interesting and not necessarily slower. Hwy 20 through Quebec is mind numbingly boring.
It has been awhile for me and I think they've done alot to improve the TCH from Edmunston to Fredericton, so maybe that way is a bit faster now.
[edit] just reading the posts above... its been about 7 years since I've made the trip, so the guys probably have a better idea than me.
I've never driven from Saint John to Montreal myself. I made the round trip as part of a group around 20 times by van or bus. Haven't done it in the last 8 years so my memory is a little cloudy. About 90% of the time we went through the States as it was supposed to save a bit of travel time. That was before 9/11/2001, may be different now. I never personally saw much of a difference between the 2 routes. Nice rural scenery via the Quebec/northern New Brunswick route, and the American route you pass through a lot of small towns which I enjoyed. Either way it is something like 12 hours.
I've never driven from Saint John to Montreal myself. I made the round trip as part of a group around 20 times by van or bus. Haven't done it in the last 8 years so my memory is a little cloudy. About 90% of the time we went through the States as it was supposed to save a bit of travel time. That was before 9/11/2001, may be different now. I never personally saw much of a difference between the 2 routes. Nice rural scenery via the Quebec/northern New Brunswick route, and the American route you pass through a lot of small towns which I enjoyed. Either way it is something like 12 hours.
woh..you must be driving a go-cart...should be +/- half an hour around 9 hours. That is staying in Canada route using new highway. But yes, it is a boring drive...You can go pretty quick though, The police are pretty leanient as long as you are under 140...
Done this many times. Maine is usually faster and less busy. As long as you don't mind crossing the border, I highly recommend the "airport route," as I have heard it called, through Maine and back through St. Stephen.
Also, Ganong chocolate has their factory and outlet store in St. Stephen...always a good stop after waiting at the border.
woh..you must be driving a go-cart...should be +/- half an hour around 9 hours. That is staying in Canada route using new highway. But yes, it is a boring drive...You can go pretty quick though, The police are pretty leanient as long as you are under 140...
LOL, well it always seemed like 12 hours, by the end of it I'd be like, are we there yet
I can make it from Montreal to Nova Scotia in 9 hours through the Rivere Du Loup way so ya'll must be grannies.
Stay in Canada, the only single lane highway now is about 45 minutes when you cross over into Quebec until you hit the 20. Only 45 minutes of single lane + not having to cross borders = Epic Win
FYI - there's major flooding right now along the St John river, especially near Fredericton. Not sure if the Highways are affected, but you might want to check.
I have to go to Monton, 1st week in May and I'm considering driving. Flying's such a pain in the arse these days that I wonder if the time saved is worth it. Mapquest tells me 11 hours and with airport time, waiting, possible delays, I wonder.
I have to go to Monton, 1st week in May and I'm considering driving. Flying's such a pain in the arse these days that I wonder if the time saved is worth it. Mapquest tells me 11 hours and with airport time, waiting, possible delays, I wonder.
Alexandria-Moncton 10 hours if you leave very early to avoid Mtl traffic (417-40-tunnel, 20 through Mtl always a bit slow?) Its nice to have a car at the other end....and as you say flying such a pain these days, seems to be 2 hours + at each end of waiting around.
I find a steady 125 Kph safer especially on that short two lane stretch before the NB border. (Been nabbed a couple of times)
I go Canadian route usually, longer but quicker. (Love those Ganongs too though)
I have to go to Monton, 1st week in May and I'm considering driving. Flying's such a pain in the arse these days that I wonder if the time saved is worth it. Mapquest tells me 11 hours and with airport time, waiting, possible delays, I wonder.
Alexandria-Moncton about 10 hours if you leave very early to avoid Mtl traffic (417-40-tunnel) The 401/20 route through Mtl a bit slow?
I usually stick to a steady 125 klicks, especially in the 2 lane part just before the NB border...been caught a couple of times there, ouch!!
Ganongs yum....when I feel like a leasurely drive I sometimes go through Maine just for a change, not in winter though...
Have familly in NB so go quite often.
I have to go to Monton, 1st week in May and I'm considering driving. Flying's such a pain in the arse these days that I wonder if the time saved is worth it. Mapquest tells me 11 hours and with airport time, waiting, possible delays, I wonder.
Stay in Canada, it's faster. I'm in a band and I do the trip to Mtl/Tor about 3-4 times a year. McPhee you should be able to do it in 9-9.5 hours (plus of course gaining an hour for time zone change) if you don't stop too long for eats/gas/restrooms. Mapquest says 11 hours because it doesn't know about the longer double lane that we have now.
BTW - Airline route sucks, it's 1 lane through logging roads and getting stuck behind trucks all the time. I would not recommend it to anyone looking to save time. If you are interested in trying out that new Subaru WRX STI or Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X however, it's a good twisty, up and down road for that.
