Driving thru Labrador & Quebec or not?

[wbmgolfer]

Hi all, we are planning a trip to the Maritimes, leaving from SW Ont in early Sept. Planning on doing Newfoundland and if we do, should we hop over to Labrador? If we do, timing should be around mid October. If we get to Labrador, would you drive home thru Labrador & Quebec or head back via the ferries?
What would the roads and weather be like in mid to late October thru Labrador & Quebec? We would be driving a 25’ Sunseeker MH.
Thanks, Bill

[Go UK]

We thought we would do the same thing about 5 years ago. Taking the shorter ferry ride to Labrador. We were told to bring as many gerry cans of gas as we could because there were no gas stations and expect a long slow drive because they were still building the road to no where. Things might have changed but I doubt it. The ferry might not be as busy in October. We went in the summer and had to book our return trip when we booked our initial trip, our you could park in the standby line which was a 20 hour wait. It is a big ferry but considering absolutely everything is ferried on and off the island it can get crowded. Still, we had a great time.

[wbmgolfer]

Thanks for the reply. Think we will take the ferry back to NL & NS.

[Go UK]

Probably best. The only thing I would do differently if we did it again would be to get a sleeper on the ferry return. We boarded around 1am and the 6 or 7 hour trip seemed like 18. One interest thing we found was that if you wanted to rent a car you would have to do it months in advance so they could have one on the island for you. Looking forward to some pictures. Cheers

[itat]

I've heard Newfoundland's summer only lasts for about 2 weeks! It'll be over before you get there!

Hope you have a great trip. It's a beautiful part of the country.

[johnnyslick]

I would check with places that you plan to stay at first as I found many places closed early in September.

[amblt]

Originally Posted by wbmgolfer

Hi all, we are planning a trip to the Maritimes, leaving from SW Ont in early Sept. Planning on doing Newfoundland and if we do, should we hop over to Labrador? If we do, timing should be around mid October. If we get to Labrador, would you drive home thru Labrador & Quebec or head back via the ferries?
What would the roads and weather be like in mid to late October thru Labrador & Quebec? We would be driving a 25’ Sunseeker MH.
Thanks, Bill

I would expect cooler weather, maybe even slight possibility of early freezing until you get further south in Québec, but the fall colours would be amazing.

Good luck

[BobHanke]

We toured the Maritimes with a RV tour group. Then went from PEI through New Brunswick to the St. Lawrence and down to Niagara Falls. The main highway through Quebec was worse than Newfoundland.

[mecd]

Newfoundland summer is shorter than most provinces, but you get at least 2 and maybe 3 months with a half on either side of July & August. Travelled to that part of the world from NS with work and even had good weather later in September. But, will admit that campgrounds tend to close earlier mainly due to locals packing up after Labor Day. The weather varies from year to year depending on patterns. Remember one winter when they golfed all winter long in St. John's as there was no snow. Enjoy your trip as it is a very unique place. Don't drive at night because of the moose population - not pretty results. Get off the beaten path without the RV and see the rural life and meet the locals. Lot's of history in the Province. Gros Morne NP is a must and need a few days to do it justice - couple of inland boat tours included. Drive to Bonavista, Grand Bank, Cape St. Mary Bird Sanctuary, and not to overlook St. John's and St. Anthony. Enjoy your trip.

[rlocicero]

Originally Posted by wbmgolfer

Hi all, we are planning a trip to the Maritimes, leaving from SW Ont in early Sept. Planning on doing Newfoundland and if we do, should we hop over to Labrador? If we do, timing should be around mid October. If we get to Labrador, would you drive home thru Labrador & Quebec or head back via the ferries?
What would the roads and weather be like in mid to late October thru Labrador & Quebec? We would be driving a 25’ Sunseeker MH.
Thanks, Bill

We did the Canadian Maritimes in September and early October one year. The only problem we had is that up in Canada the campgrounds start to close October 1 there are campgrounds available, but do you have to be careful look for them. Other than that, I would highly recommend the trip. It was one of the best trips we have a took.

[Jim in Halifax]

Originally Posted by rlocicero

We did the Canadian Maritimes in September and early October one year. The only problem we had is that up in Canada the campgrounds start to close October 1 there are campgrounds available, but do you have to be careful look for them. Other than that, I would highly recommend the trip. It was one of the best trips we have a took.

Yes most CG's close thanksgiving weekend in October in Canada

[Ontherock]

Some close earlier so better to call and check beforehand. And remember - our Thanksgiving is usually the second weekend in October!

[HESN22]

Just chiming in ... A friend of mine has recently done the drive to NFLD through QC and LBDR ... said the road was great and would highly recommend vice expense of ferry ... we were discussing our trip and he said we would have no problem with our rig ... 36CJTS pulled by F250 ...

[Murbella7]

With that landscape to feast on, go for it, even if you have to swim or hitch hike back.

[Go UK]

If the Labrador road is good, I'd take it. Then jump on the Port aux-Basques ferry. Even being later in the season you should get some advice about the need to book the ferry in advance https://www.marineatlantic.ca . One other thing that I remember about being in the north part of Quebec outside the more touristy areas was the lack of English spoken, even the travel/attraction brochures had no English on them. Maybe that has changed too.

[rfaitz]

We drove through Quebec last August. Their roads are NOT GOOD.

[Wandering]

We took the ferry to Labrador from Newfoundland and drove up to Mary’s Harbor in our Forester in July. About 100 miles one way. Very pretty drive and the historic sites are great. Both the paved and gravel roads was pretty rough at times. Not great in a motor home but we survived with only a broken bike rack. Sure wouldn’t want to do the whole 775 miles on the Trans Labrador Highway tho.

Newfoundland was absolutely amazing and many nights we just camped along the sea. This web site was very helpful. Enjoy!

http://www.newfoundlandlabrador.com/

[NewRVrsFlorida5659]

Originally Posted by mecd

Newfoundland summer is shorter than most provinces, but you get at least 2 and maybe 3 months with a half on either side of July & August. Travelled to that part of the world from NS with work and even had good weather later in September. But, will admit that campgrounds tend to close earlier mainly due to locals packing up after Labor Day. The weather varies from year to year depending on patterns. Remember one winter when they golfed all winter long in St. John's as there was no snow. Enjoy your trip as it is a very unique place. Don't drive at night because of the moose population - not pretty results. Get off the beaten path without the RV and see the rural life and meet the locals. Lot's of history in the Province. Gros Morne NP is a must and need a few days to do it justice - couple of inland boat tours included. Drive to Bonavista, Grand Bank, Cape St. Mary Bird Sanctuary, and not to overlook St. John's and St. Anthony. Enjoy your trip.

How do you cross over from Gros Morne National park onto Labrador, Is there a ferry like from Nova Scotia to Newfoundland

[Jim in Halifax]

Originally Posted by NewRVrsFlorida5659

How do you cross over from Gros Morne National park onto Labrador, Is there a ferry like from Nova Scotia to Newfoundland

Ferry to Labrador from Newfoundland

To get to Labrador from the island of Newfoundland, take the ferry that runs from St. Barbe on the island’s Great Northern Peninsula to Blanc Sablon, on Québec’s southernmost coast, right next to the border with Labrador. During peak season, the ferry runs several times each day, and the crossing takes less than two hours. The trip is a great opportunity to spot whales and birds, so keep a lookout while you’re on board. There’s a switch in time zones as you cross between the provinces, be sure to double check crossing times (the schedule on the website uses Newfoundland Time for all departures).

[NewRVrsFlorida5659]

Do you know if ferry allows 25' rv towing a small mini on dolly?