Driving to Newfoundland

[leeaspell]

Has anyone here ever taken the USA route that google will tell you to take, down through Estavan, Minot, fargo, etc. Just wondering if it is actually faster, not including border crossing times.

[SonnyJ]

I've driven Interstate 2 from minot to interstate 75 in michigan a few times,mind you it was just for a-looksee and not to save time.
IMO you will encounter more towns/cities which means slower speed limits,traffic etc. so I don't think its any faster than the trans-can..but it was a nice drive.

[eastcoast]

I have done it 3 times but drove through canada each time, I have heard it's faster to go down through minnesota from winnipeg and go across I 95. I think right to maine and come out in st stephens, I heard it cuts off 12 hours, if I ever drive it again I will probably try it.

[RiverRat]

it is faster going through duluth and coming up to sault st marie. going north is 90km max were you can do 75 mph on the south side. it depends on what you want to do. but by going south you will save 3 to 4 hrs . i have made many trips both ways, when i was not in a rush i would go north every time.Hope this helps.

[Grizzly Adams]

Did it years ago, several times to southern Ontario. Sure beat the winding narrow roads of northern Ontario. 42 hours, non stop in a VW to my in laws house. Weather and road conditions, in the winter, are way better as well. Wide interstate highways right down to southern Michigan. Alternative is to take the Trans Canada to Winnipeg and head south to Fargo. Better than the ****ty roads in Saskatchewan.

Grizz

[leeaspell]

Right to maine is what I was figuring to. What about through north ontario versus down along the lake. When I drove 4 years ago it was slow goin with the hills, semi's and fog.

[hayseed]

How much to fly...vs driving....jus curious...

[blackmamba]

my dad just moved to N.S. he drove down took him 8 days and 1400 in fuel ( driving an avalanche) and i booked a flight for thanks giving and it was 789 + tax return to calgary !!

[leeaspell]

acoording to albertagasprices.com should be roughly $2000 and I put my fuel milage lower than what it actually is. to fly it would be roughly 1800 for me and the mrs, another $1000+ for rental car, then what ever it will cost to put dogs in kennel for 10 days.

[SonnyJ]

Originally Posted by blackmamba

my dad just moved to N.S. he drove down took him 8 days and 1400 in fuel ( driving an avalanche) and i booked a flight for thanks giving and it was 789 + tax return to calgary !!

I made St Johns newfieland in 6 days..

On a FXSTC...

[New Hunter Okotoks]

I have done the trip a few times; through the US where I crossed at Sault STE. Marie and the Trans Canada HWY all the way. The US route is quicker but the scenery sucks. The little towns along the way in the US are very run down and depressing. The scenery from Kenora all the way to the Sault is beautiful especially around the Lakehead. Watch your speed though. OPP can, and will be a long way from the nearest detatchment regardless of time of day.

[600twin]

You should check airline prices more as they are constantly changing , I have driven it 4 times through Canada and it is 4 days to the Avalon.

[recce43]

if you state side to the sault then cut up to quebec is faster if you take the us side all the way to maine you add about 1000 kms on to the tripcause you have to go south then north around the lakes calgary to Gagetown NB is 54 hrs straight driving

[eastcoast]

Originally Posted by SonnyJ

I made St Johns newfieland in 6 days..

On a FXSTC...

each time I did it on a limited budget so it was 3 1/2 days non stop, stop at the gas station use the bathroom,grab something to eat and drink fill up the car and drive for 6-7 hours til the next gas station,and repeat lol.

[leeaspell]

Guess I might be making this drive sooner than I expected. Just found out my mom and grandma are in hospital, mom with with blockages and grandma (90 years old) with stomach and bowel infection.

[RiverRat]

east coast has got it right! calgary to ottawa 31 hours done it 7 times. stop gas, go stop ,eat, gas, **** and go....

[eastcoast]

Originally Posted by RiverRat

east coast has got it right! calgary to ottawa 31 hours done it 7 times. stop gas, go stop ,eat, gas, **** and go....

yeah it sucks but the way I look at it is get the pain over with as soon as possible,all 3 times I did it in the winter too

[Elk Chaser]

3 1/2 days Edmonton to Truro a couple of years ago in December. Just me, my buddy and the dog. We took Hwy 11 in ONTARIO. It started snowing on the ONT / MAN border and did not stop until we were into North Bay the next day. My friend bailed at his house in Navan and I picked up my wife in Borden and we continued east.

Return trip was 3 days Truro to Regina for the New Years party.

I was driving a 1999 F250 4x4 SC with a 5.3 triton. We spent less on gas than what airfare would have cost us for the whole trip.

[Arn?Narn.]

Done it,..4 days to North Sydney then you're on your own.

[leeaspell]

Is there anyway to bypass montreal, or at least some way so I dont have to go through that stupid tunnel

[eastcoast]

Originally Posted by leeaspell

Is there anyway to bypass montreal, or at least some way so I dont have to go through that stupid tunnel

not unless you go through the states.

[Elk Chaser]

Just drive straight and you will end up on the 40 that follows the north shore. You can cross at Trois Riviere or Quebec City or take the ferry at Riviere Du Loup . That highway has been improved and I believe that it is 4 lanes also. Just remember that English is a little more rare on the north shore.