Toronto to Newfounland | GTAMotorcycle.com

Toronto to Newfounland

ScorpionT16

Well-known member
I may be able to get some time of work, though not much and wondering if its possible to do a trip to Newfoundland and back within 9-10 days. With good roads, some sight seeing, and maybe a hike. What would you recommend? I wanted to do the Trans-Labrador Hwy and Cabot Trail, though it may be too far north. Maybe pass through the states as-well. I'd plan on either AirBnB's, or camping.
 
How about Gaspe and Cabot in one trip? Newfoundland via Trans Lab is pretty rushed for such a short time frame while trying to include Cabot.
 
I'd recommend the NY, VT, NH, MA
then up into NB at Calais, then over to NS

not as fast as 401/20 ....but the TC is awful
until you make the turn at Riviere du Loup

could be in N. Nova Scotia in 3 solid days
ferry ride, few days riding in NL, ferry
a few days to get back home

Cabot trail is easy to incorporate into this agenda

the timing of the ferry rides will be a big factor in your planning
 
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I've always had my eye on a ride to Newfoundland but the ferry ride always turns me off the idea. Too long and $$.

I second the idea to cut through the states. Trans Canada is snoresville
 
For that length trip, I'd skip Newfoundland. It costs you two days and mucho dollars for the ferry (if you leave from NS). I'd probably run the entire outside of the maritimes (personally I liked NS infinitely more than NB and PEI) and then wander through the states.

I've never done translab. It may be possible to do translab then NL and then straight home skipping the rest of the maritimes. I think trying to do NL and the other provinces on the same 10 day trip misses out on many things. Make sure your bike is up to the trip, translab and then NL will be hard on it and you want to give it its best shot.
 
All great advise, thanks! Gaspe and Cabot alone look more comfortable in the time and Budget. And wholly molly, I had no idea the ferry was so costly, i'm looking at the site and does the price of transporting the motorcycle include the passenger? Anyone done it that knows how long it takes and overall cost?

Now i'm debating just taking a weekend plus 3-4 days off, and maybe doing a lake Simcoe route or something, or maybe go down to states instead.
 
I had the same time frame last summer 10 days, same general idea
really wanted to get over to NFLD for 2 days of riding

the hassle of making the rest of the itinerary fit the ferry schedule was a pain
never mind the lost time, so I gave up on that and spent the time on NS mainland
plenty to see there

If I were to do it again I'd go through the US one way
take the TC back the other way
a night in Quebec City makes the TC worth while
great food, belle femme
 
I had the same time frame last summer 10 days, same general idea
really wanted to get over to NFLD for 2 days of riding

the hassle of making the rest of the itinerary fit the ferry schedule was a pain
never mind the lost time, so I gave up on that and spent the time on NS mainland
plenty to see there

If I were to do it again I'd go through the US one way
take the TC back the other way
a night in Quebec City makes the TC worth while
great food, belle femme

Interesting, If I plan it i'll do that, though pass by Quebec and stay in Ottawa. I lived in Ottawa for 5 years, and used to go to Quebec, I'm not a fan of the place. It's a beautiful province, though the french part and food doesn't help me, esp being Vegan lol
 
Interesting, If I plan it i'll do that, though pass by Quebec and stay in Ottawa. I lived in Ottawa for 5 years, and used to go to Quebec, I'm not a fan of the place. It's a beautiful province, though the french part and food doesn't help me, esp being Vegan lol

yeah, all that butter would be a no-no :)
Montreal I've had a tough time being anglofone
in Quebec I find them much more accommodating
 
Be aware that touring ocean side around Gaspe will take a lot longer than anticipated.
Lots and lots of small towns reducing speed to 50km/h.
Additionally, the ferry ride to the island is a long one and you will lose a lot of time.
12-14hrs one way.
Once on the island you are going to want to spend a few days.

I have a trip planned from Ontario to QC/NB/NS including Cabot trail in the fall.
Considering one day taking ferry to PEI and bridge back...maybe.
I am expecting that to take at least 7-8 days with some big mileage on the first and last days.
 
Considering one day taking ferry to PEI and bridge back...maybe.

Pay attention to timing on that ferry as well. It's not nearly as big of a problem as the NL ferry but when I was there, the wait for the next ferry was four hours (I rode around to the bridge and back down to the ferry dock and beat the ferry by quite a bit).
 
Two years ago, I left Milton at noon on a Sunday. Almost made it to New Brunswick, and was in Sydney by 7pm Monday night. Jumped on the midnight ferry and was in Port aux Bass at 8am Tuesday. Spent Wed and Thursday night in St. Johns and took the long ferry Friday afternoon back to Sydney. Cabot trail was Saturday. Rode to Saratoga NY and watched a few races with a buddy and back home Monday via Lewiston. The worst ride was by far was the 1stday but if you want to make time, the hwy is the only way. This August, I'm flying to Halifax and renting a car....lol

Cheers!
 
I have taken a road trip to Newfoundland and it is a huge PITA with the ferry in terms of time and $$. If you have never been I would recommend it, but if you are looking to be on the road for 10 or so days I wound't bother. Stay in the mainland and NS and hop on over the bridge to PEI if you've never been there. I would take the Tans Canada Hwy there, but skip off of it when you get to Montreal and hop on Hwy 40 towards Trois-Rivieres and make a quick detour north to "La Mourice National Park". It is about 45 mins north and is a superb ride (I did this in a car and have been meaning to go back on my bike). You can make the loop and come back down to Grand Mere, take a nice scenic route to Quebec city, spend a night and hop back on the TC. Might be too much of a detour for you, but you will really enjoy it! QC is a beautiful province, the people are just pr!cks.
Here is a quick route that I've done up for you. Its something to consider.
https://www.google.ca/maps/dir/46.3...4,-72.879544,42082m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!4m1!3e0
As others have said, head back through the US. Much more scenic and enjoyable compared to the TC and it will be a new ride back for you also :)
 
The Canadian TC route is terribly boring unless you add in some days to go a more northern route.
NL will be tough on a 10-day ride if you want to sight see at all before the ferry so I'd suggest picking a northern route or NL but not both.
If it were me (actually if it were me I'd fly and rent something out there) I'd take the US route and cross over near St Annes then do some great roads all the way to the Cabot Trail taking time to sight-see and enjoy local fare. Take the TC home and if you're not yet in the "Gawd I just want to be home already" mentality on the final days then veer through a northern route.
Have a drink for me at the Red Shoe in Mabou. I got engaged on the Cabot Trail 2 weeks ago.
 
I have taken a road trip to Newfoundland and it is a huge PITA with the ferry in terms of time and $$. If you have never been I would recommend it, but if you are looking to be on the road for 10 or so days I wound't bother. Stay in the mainland and NS and hop on over the bridge to PEI if you've never been there. I would take the Tans Canada Hwy there, but skip off of it when you get to Montreal and hop on Hwy 40 towards Trois-Rivieres and make a quick detour north to "La Mourice National Park". It is about 45 mins north and is a superb ride (I did this in a car and have been meaning to go back on my bike). You can make the loop and come back down to Grand Mere, take a nice scenic route to Quebec city, spend a night and hop back on the TC. Might be too much of a detour for you, but you will really enjoy it! QC is a beautiful province, the people are just pr!cks.
Here is a quick route that I've done up for you. Its something to consider.
https://www.google.ca/maps/dir/46.3...4,-72.879544,42082m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!4m1!3e0
As others have said, head back through the US. Much more scenic and enjoyable compared to the TC and it will be a new ride back for you also :)

Perfect - you could loop north to Rouyn Noranda and across then La Mauricie National Park ...might find the west entrance tricky to find

https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/qc/mauricie

Gaspe Loop is really nice and I regret not doing it sooner ....

woke up to this one morning

v2


We did this

4M_XiL7_w9HRfVs0r91UvoClzS84ZLvXYz63bjW1owxn1k9bMvyEoUxiLmG5t0h_f2M7HQiHKTlFt_e0Zq_0MkR9CUgopHXGM3-8K4I1ENs8bu6UoAlhMcC0zcCYVC6OGraaBKWPraT7H22jCb5ioL6dYM-cn4xW6P5T8ncCYEOoA0gbFQYi_0x8f6MOPLTG04D6bNLJQ8XTdodojYkTPhlKV-Bty8MWpWekfhsCv8F4TVZPo7x72EDB8XLgJ9UXj5HiQmmGcFEBTlHgDbGsqrhPxlHMfCKOOcL_WPH3F_jS33RMuODx_4aFCAIEN2-Qtj9viIq18Xfjwsg6HftQ0jMWAKl7ritX-BKsJ91j8-bxNCEupCi1e1owQO2DY19nZuCk2yu_K1UzHUN9cOZmLJtmepASunSbr2mfUnKAk6nYjcJsqPpk4s56rC_ktgHEgczeD0sDDg9RsdaU24ihtnTpo9y_OUKBaf3KuabYT9PqGl3ag3Lza3wT5EMbIzG7V3kzR8U0I3obIi6So4AhlygzW8tTPIZia39-jz7ctdPy5CxK27fvSOR0L1hfZIPP5_zekzFWEPGbB5wA45ppI1S0EKBMP_1j95PXrgGY=w1190-h620-no


Cabot Trail make sure you check for construction ahead and take a break at Meat Cove for whale watching.

Peggy's Cove is a worthwhile 1/2 hour break.

Do Mount Washington on the way back.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions, La Maurice is nice, I went there last year and was awesome!

Im thinking of doing this from August 1st - August 10th, I'll be skipping Newfoundland due to ferry time and cost. I think 10 days to ride up to NS, do the Cabot trail, Gaspe Loop, the back through Maine and Vermont should be enough time. Did you guys stay at places or camp, I have a Hennessy Hammock I used when i cycled up to Ottawa, are there many trees to pop it up on, or is AirBnB recommended?

Also, i'm still on the bikes stock tires, they probably have around 3-4k tread life, any place in NS I can order tires in advance, or states side to change them?
 
Pro Cycle in Dartmouth https://www.procycleonline.com/

Although, I've found that the last bit of tire wears out faster than the first bit (and worn tires are more vulnerable to punctures), so I'd be inclined to start the trip with new tires.
 
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