If you’re still making the drive tonight, leave Edmundston now and head for Campbellton via Route 2 and Route 11; it’s about 4.5–5.5 hours of driving depending on traffic, construction, and how often you stop. This is a straightforward highway run until you get up into the Restigouche region, but don’t let the quiet stretch fool you — fuel up before you leave the Grand Falls side or again near Bathurst if needed, and plan on a simple motel check-in rather than trying to push through anything ambitious. Once you roll into Campbellton, parking is easy downtown and around the waterfront, and you’ll be glad to have the car parked before the last part of the night.
If you have even a little daylight left, go straight to Sugarloaf Provincial Park for a short leg-stretcher after the drive. The main trails are easy to follow, the views over the Restigouche River are classic, and it’s the right amount of effort after a long road day — about 45–60 minutes is enough to reset your legs and get a sense of the town before dinner. In June, the park is usually open into the evening, but check the gate hours when you arrive; admission is typically modest, and the paved access makes it one of the most practical quick stops in town.
For dinner, head to Charlo’s by the River or a similar riverfront seafood diner in the Campbellton waterfront area — the kind of place where you can get a relaxed plate of fish and chips, fried seafood, chowder, or a simple burger without overthinking it. Expect roughly C$20–35 per person, with most kitchens happy to serve late enough for travelers arriving from the road. It’s an easy walk or a very short drive back from downtown, and after you eat, take a slow loop along the Campbellton Waterfront / Restigouche River promenade for 30–45 minutes. The riverfront is nicest after dark when the lights come on and the traffic noise drops off, so keep it unhurried and let the evening settle in before turning in.
Leave Campbellton after breakfast and make this a true Route 299 day: once you turn inland, the road gets narrower, hillier, and much more scenic, so don’t rush it. Plan on about 5–6 hours total with stops, and fuel up before you go because services thin out fast once you’re on the mountain stretch. The best rhythm is a relaxed drive with one quick coffee/petit-déjeuner stop and a proper lunch break along the way rather than trying to power through.
Arrive in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts with enough daylight left to head straight inland to Parc national de la Gaspésie for that first big “you’re really in Gaspésie” moment. Even a short visit here is worth it: the scenery changes fast from coastal town to alpine plateau, and you can do a light walk or just take in the views before driving back down. Expect 1.5–2 hours if you keep it simple, and check the park hours/conditions that day since weather can flip quickly in the mountains even in June. If you’d rather stay low-key, save your legs and wander the waterfront instead, but the park is the signature stop.
Back in town, spend about 1.5 hours at Exploramer on the waterfront — it’s a great first introduction to the Gulf, local species, and the fishing culture that shapes the coast here. Then head downtown for dinner at Le Météore if it’s open, or another well-reviewed bistro/café on the main strip; budget about C$25–45 per person, and aim to sit down around the usual dinner window so you’re not waiting too long. Finish the day with a slow walk on the Promenade du littoral just before sunset — it’s the best way to let the day settle, with sea air, views over the bay, and almost no agenda.
Leave Sainte-Anne-des-Monts early and give yourself the whole morning for Forillon National Park — this is the day’s big payoff, and it’s worth arriving while the light is soft and the trails are quiet. If you head out around 7:00–7:30 a.m., you’ll usually reach the Gaspé area with time to settle in and start exploring by late morning. Plan on about C$9–11 per adult for park entry, and if you’re only doing a short visit, focus on one or two easy viewpoints rather than trying to “do” the whole park. The peninsula roads are scenic but slow, so keep your pace relaxed and expect a little extra time for photo stops and sea views.
After your park stop, head back toward Gaspé and cool off at Haldimand Beach — it’s one of the easiest places in town to let the day breathe a bit. Parking is simple, the beach access is straightforward, and it’s a good 45–60 minute reset before lunch. From there, cruise into downtown Gaspé for lunch at Café des Artistes if it’s open, or another solid café in the core; most lunch plates and coffees land around C$15–30, and it’s the kind of place where you can linger without feeling rushed. If you want a decent backup, keep an eye on the main streets near the harbor and Rue de la Reine, where you’ll find the easiest grab-and-go options and a few spots that stay lively into the afternoon.
Continue along Route 132 to Percé and make the classic stop at the Percé Rock and Bonaventure Island viewpoint area before the light gets too harsh. This is the postcard moment, so give it at least an hour to walk the waterfront, take photos, and just stare at the rock from different angles; if it’s clear, the views across the bay are even better from the roadside pull-offs above town. After that, don’t rush the last leg — ease over to La Vieille Usine de l’Anse-à-Beaufils, where the harbor setting, local art vibe, and seafood-forward dinner feel like a proper finish to a coastal day. Expect around C$25–45 per person and about 1.5 hours if you stay for dinner; it’s the best kind of end-of-day stop because you can park once, eat well, and watch the light fade over the water before settling in for the night.
Leave Percé as soon as you’ve had coffee and a light breakfast, because this is a long westbound day and you’ll want your best light for the first stretch. Aim to be on Route 132 by about 7:00 a.m.; if you’re topping up the tank, do it before you leave town so you don’t have to hunt for fuel once you’re rolling. The road hugs the coast for a while, so even the “boring” parts are pretty, but don’t get tempted into too many extra stops early on if you want to make Edmundston at a reasonable hour.
Your first real pause should be at Centre d’art Marcel-Gagnon in Sainte-Flavie — it’s one of those classic Gaspésie roadside stops that’s absolutely worth the detour. Plan on 45–60 minutes to walk the shoreline, see the famous seaside sculpture installation, and stretch after the long drive from Percé. There’s usually no issue finding parking, and if you want a snack or coffee, this is a good place to reset before the next leg. After that, keep heading west and stop for lunch in Matane or Rimouski; both are easy, practical choices with plenty of diners, seafood counters, and casual restaurants along the main corridors. Expect around C$18–35 per person, and if you want the least fuss, just pick a place with fast service and a decent parking lot so you can get back on the road without losing momentum.
After lunch, make one quick scenic pause near the Miguasha National Park area or a Restigouche River viewpoint if you’re timing is still comfortable — just enough time for a coffee, a photo, and a leg stretch, not a full sightseeing stop. Keep it to 20–30 minutes and treat it like your “last beautiful break” before the inland push. Once you turn off the coast and angle toward the interior, the pace gets more straightforward, so use this final stretch to keep the drive safe and simple: gas up if needed, grab water, and don’t overpack the evening with extra errands.
You should be aiming to reach Edmundston in the early evening if you leave Percé promptly and keep your stops efficient. Once you arrive, do the obvious post-road-trip basics: refuel the car, unload your bags, and keep dinner simple near your final stop — an easy sit-down meal or takeout is ideal after a 9–11 hour drive. If you’re arriving later than planned, skip anything ambitious and just settle in; after a day like this, the best plan is a quiet one.