9‑Day Road Trip from Toronto to St. John’s

Day 1: Toronto to Niagara Falls

Morning: Depart Toronto early and head west on the QEW, stopping for coffee in **Burlington**. Enjoy a short stroll through the historic downtown before hitting the highway.

Afternoon: Arrive at the iconic Niagara Falls. Take a walk along the promenade and capture the powerful waterfalls from the Canadian side.

Evening:
** Dine at a waterfront restaurant and watch the illuminated falls during the spectacular night light show.

Day 2: Niagara Falls to Ottawa

Morning: Cross the **Rainbow Bridge** for a quick view of the U.S. side, then continue north on the 401. Stop at **Brock’s Monument** for a brief historic pause.

Afternoon: Arrive in **Ottawa**, check into your hotel, then explore **Parliament Hill**, including a guided tour of the **House of Commons**.

Evening: Stroll along the **Rideau Canal** and enjoy dinner at ByWard Market, sampling local poutine.

Day 3: Ottawa to Montreal

Morning: Depart Ottawa and make a quick stop at **Petroglyphs Provincial Park** for a short hike and view ancient stone carvings.

Afternoon: Arrive in **Montreal**, explore **Old Montreal**, and admire the historic **Notre‑Dame Basilica**.

Evening: Enjoy a dinner of **smoked meat** on Rue Saint‑Laurent and take a evening walk along the **Old Port** for the sunset.

Day 4: Montreal to Quebec City

Morning: Depart for **Quebec City**, stopping at **Montmorency Falls** – a taller cascade than Niagara.

Afternoon: Wander the **Old Quebec** UNESCO district, visiting **Château Frontenac**, **Place Royale**, and the fortified **Citadel**.

Evening: Dine on **tourtière** and explore the **Petit Champlain** district, with its charming lights.

Day 5: Quebec City to Gaspé Peninsula (Mile 0 of Atlantic Canada)

Morning: Drive the scenic **St. Lawrence River** coastline, stopping at **Île aux Coudres** for a short ferry ride and a coastal walk.

Afternoon: Explore **Gaspé** and the iconic **Percé Rock** and **Bonaventure Islands** for a boat tour of the massive limestone formation.

Evening: Stay in a seaside inn, tasting fresh **lobster** and local blueberry desserts.

Day 6: Gaspé to Campbellton (New Brunswick)

Morning: Cross into **New Brunswick**, visiting **Miramichi River** for a scenic riverside drive.

Afternoon: Stop at **Rivière-du-Loup** to walk the **Escarpment** for panoramic views of the St. Lawrence.

Evening: Arrive in **Campbellton**, walk the **Gulf of St. Lawrence** waterfront, and try local craft beer.

Day 7: Campbellton to Port‑aux‑Basques (Ferry to Newfoundland)

Morning: Drive to **Port‑aux‑Basques**, the gateway to Newfoundland. Visit the **Lighthouse** and watch the ferry prepare to depart.

Afternoon: Take the **Marine Atlantic ferry** to **Port‑aux‑Basques**; enjoy onboard meals and views of the Atlantic.

Evening: After disembarking, head to **St. John’s** by car, checking into a downtown hotel.

Day 8: Newfoundland West – Gros Morne National Park

Morning: Drive to **Gros Morne National Park** and hike the **Tablelands** trail for dramatic mountains and fjord views.

Afternoon: Explore the **Western Brook Pond** and take a boat cruise across the pristine lake.

Evening: Return to **St. John’s** for a hearty Newfoundland dinner with **cod** and a local brewery.

Day 9: St. John’s Exploration & Departure

Morning: Walk through **Signal Hill** for panoramic city views and visit the historic **Cabot Tower**.

Afternoon: Explore the vibrant **Bishop’s Landing** and **Harbour Front**, shopping for local crafts.

Evening: Enjoy a final dinner of **Jiggs’ dinner**, then prepare for departure or an extended stay.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Niagara Falls – 2 hrs – $20
• Parliament Hill (Ottawa) – 2 hrs – $15 (tour)
• Montmorency Falls – 1 hr – $10
• Old Montreal (Notre‑Dame) – 2 hrs – $12 (entry)
• Percé Rock & Bonaventure Islands – 3 hrs – $25 (boat tour)
• Gros Morne National Park – 6 hrs – $18 (park fee)
• Signal Hill – 2 hrs – $5 (tower fee)
• Ferry (Port‑aux‑Basques) – 6 hrs – $120 (round‑trip)
• Accommodation (8 nights) – 8 hrs – $800
• Meals & Snacks – 9 hrs – $400
• Fuel & Highway Tolls – 9 hrs – $300
• Total Estimated Cost: $1,735

Tips

If you wish to extend your adventure, consider adding a day in **Gaspé** for a coastal kayaking trip or spending two nights in **Gros Morne** for more hiking. To shorten the trip, skip the Percé Rock excursion and instead explore the coastal towns of **Newfoundland’s Avalon Peninsula**, which will still give you a taste of the province’s natural beauty without the extra drive.