The Best Road Trips to Take in Quebec

Road trips are a fantastic way to see many different places within one region or country. Quebec has many impressive and breathtaking routes showcasing the province's natural beauty. To learn more about the best road trips in Quebec, look below!

A Word on Getting Ready For Your Trip: Car Maintenance, Laval

Before you go on your road trip, there are a few things you need to sort out first. You will need to pick and choose a route, which we can help with below! And then, you will need to ensure your car is up to the trip.

The best way to ensure your car is ready for the trip is to schedule car maintenance in Laval before you leave. You can organize your regular, scheduled maintenance around your trip or book a visit a week or so before you go.

If you have been getting regular maintenance checks, there isn't anything to worry about. A maintenance check will give you peace of mind before you leave. And it should avoid any issues while you're on the road. You wouldn't want to get halfway through your trip and suddenly need significant repairs to your vehicle in a region you don't know.

Gaspé Peninsula

When people speak of Quebec, they often remark upon the province’s old-world architecture and European feel. Indeed, Quebec City is a popular tourist destination. But if you were to travel to the city and not leave, you'd miss out on the stunning sights of the Gaspé Peninsula, a 250km stretch of land bordered all the way around by the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

This road trip follows coastal Highway 132 and offers scenic views of the entire coastline. It starts in Quebec City, which has UNESCO World Heritage Site status and is the only walled city north of Mexico! From here, you head out of the city to your first stop in Rimouski. This leg of the journey is around 4.5 hours.

Day three takes you slightly inland to Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, and on day four, you will reach the city of Gaspé. On day five, an hour's drive will take you to Percé, a coastal spot with remarkable wildlife, and then on day six; you will reach Carleton-sur-Mer. From here, you can end your weeks-long journey with a trip back to Quebec City.

You can complete the journey in one week, but you can stretch it out to spend more time at each of the destinations and really experience them.

Must-See Attractions Along the Route

Along this route, there are plenty of must-see attractions that you should take the time to see. These include the following.

• Musée National des Beaux-Arts du Quebec, Quebec City. With more than 40,000 pieces, you'll surely have an exciting time exploring the art.
• The Changing of the Guard at the Citadelle, Quebec City. Inspired by London's daily tradition, you can watch the Royal 22e Regiment’s soldiers in signature red uniforms and bearskin hats.
• Look for grey and harbour seals in St Lawrence Estuary rocks in Rimouski.
• Check out the lighthouse museum. Located in La Martre, Musée des Phares even has an exhibition on shipwrecks.

Local Delicacies to Try

As part of maritime Quebec, it's no surprise that many local delicacies include seafood. Check out locally sourced flavours and dishes, including smoked, salted fish, lobster, red deer venison, and emu meat.

Outdoor Activities and Adventures to Try

• Dog sledding: While in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, why not try dog sledding? All you need to do is head south on Route 195 to the village of Saint-Vianney.
• Hiking: While in Gaspé, you can head to the Forillon National Park for a day of hiking along the start of the International Appalachian Trail.
• See a colony of Northern Gannet birds: In Parc National de I'lle-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé, you can see the famed Percé rock, a limestone sea stack recognised by UNESCO, along with the world's largest colony of Northern Gannet birds.
• Sailing: In the shallower waters of Bais-des-Chaleur, Carelton-sur-Mer, why not spend a day on the picturesque beaches and sailing in the pristine waters?

Charlevoix Region

Considered one of the most picturesque regions within Quebec, a road trip around the Charlevoix region is an unbeatable experience. The area straddles the St. Lawrence River and is left relatively unspoiled. It is a designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Popular stops in the region include Baie-St-Paul, a village on the river with several art galleries to visit. La Malbaie is also a popular area to stay on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River. You should also make a point of seeing the Saguenay Fjord and the village of Tadoussac.

Must-See Attractions Along the Route

There are many must-see stops in this region. Below are some of our favourites.

• Saguenay Fjord is located in Tadoussac and is home to several species of whales.
• The Tadoussac Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre.
• Musée d'art Contemporain de Baie-Saint-Paul for some cultural exploration.
• Take a ferry to Isle-aux-Coudres, cycle the coastal roads, or indulge in the apple-based local delicacies.
• For those interested in stargazing, the Observatoire astronomique de Charlevoix offers visitors a unique opportunity to learn about the night skies.

Local Delicacies to Try

The Charlevoix region is known for its local producers that make incredible cheeses, foie gras, and craft beer. You can find it on local farms, straight from the source, and it is used throughout regional restaurants.

Outdoor Activities and Adventures to Try

• Hiking and kayaking in the Parc National des Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Riviere-Malbaie.
• Whale watching and Fjord tour in Baie-Sainte-Catherine. You'll see several species of whales and the stunning landscape of the region from the water.

Route des Navigateurs

Stretching along the south shore of the St. Lawrence River, the Route des Navigateurs is full of quaint villages, beautiful natural landscapes and cultural attractions. It is a popular road-tripping route in Quebec, and stops include river islands and towns.

Notable stops include Lévis, which is often a starting point and is a city in eastern Quebec that is located just across the river from Quebec City. Here you can admire the Quebec skyline and explore local attractions.

Rimouski is a larger city along the route, which is home to a historic lighthouse and has a rich history that you can learn more about while there. You should also enjoy the coastal trails in Saint-Luc and take a boat out in Rivière-du-Loup to admire the landscapes from the water.

Must-See Attractions Along the Route

On the Route des Navigateurs, there is plenty to do and see. Below are some of the most recommended sights to add to your trip.

• Visit Montmorency Falls, just outside of Quebec City. This is a natural wonder and is even taller than Niagara Falls. It has a suspension bridge that allows you to see the waters from various angles.
• Visit Canyon Sainte-Anne, an impressive gorge with a suspension bridge for viewing.
• Visit the Témiscouata Museum to learn about the region's history.
• Visit Musée Maritime du Quebec to learn all about the heritage of the St. Lawrence River. It has exhibits on everything from shipbuilding to maritime traditions in the area.
• Stop at the Pointe-au-Père Lighthouse in Rimouski and climb to the top for incredible panoramic views of the region.

Local Delicacies to Try

Along the Route des Navigateurs, you will find several opportunities to try delicacies local to Quebec. You can try out unique poutine toppings, like pulled pork and smoked meat, maple taffy, apple products from the local apple orchards, and even local apple cider.

You should also try locally-produced cheese. Quebec is renowned for its cheese, and you'll also find local bread to try them with. And for dessert, try a traditional Quebec sugar pie or Tarte au Sucre.

Outdoor Activities and Adventures to Try

• Try the AirCANYON at Canyon Sainte-Anne and experience the views from 90 metres in the air.
• Hike the trails of Parc National du Lac-Témiscouata.
• Go hiking in the Bic National Park, a coastal park full of impressive wildlife, rugged cliffs, and beautiful beaches.

Eastern Townships

Located between the St. Lawrence Lowlands and the American Border, the Eastern Townships is a historical administrative region of Quebec comprising several picturesque towns and ski resorts. In contrast to other parts of Quebec, the Eastern Townships blend French culture with English heritage.

There are many beautiful places to stop in the Eastern Townships. Known for its rolling hills, stunning countryside and historic buildings, you'll find lots of beauty there. Popular destinations in the region include Magog, a great place to start a road trip, as well as Sherbrooke, the largest city in the Eastern Townships and Knowlton, a quaint village known as the heart of the Eastern Townships.

Must-See Attractions Along the Route

In the Eastern Townships, you'll find plenty of incredible things to do. Some must-see attractions include the following.

• The Benedictine monastery, L'abbaye de Saint-Benoît-du-Lac located in Magog.
• Brome Country Museum to learn all about the heritage and history of the Eastern Townships.
• The Haskell Free Library and Opera House which straddles the Canada-America border and allows visitors to look at books and attend events in both countries.
• The Chocolate Museum in Bromont, where you can learn all about the history of chocolate!

Local Delicacies to Try

Like other parts of Quebec, there are many locally produced cheeses you should definitely get your hands on in the Eastern Townships. If you can tour a local cheese producer's facilities, even better! And to go with the cheese, you'll be glad to know the Eastern Townships is also home to many vineyards and wineries.

You should try out a Quebecois meat pie, a mixture of ground meats, prices, and onions in a flaky crust pastry.

For seafood lovers, the Eastern Townships are still located close enough to the lakes and rivers to offer a range of smoked trout, salmon, and whitefish, usually prepared using local, traditional smoking methods.

Outdoor Activities and Adventures to Try

• Skiing and snowshoeing in Mont-Orford National Park.
• Skiing, golfing, and hiking in Owl's Head while taking in the panoramic views of Lake Memphremagog.
• Mountain biking the trails of Parc du Mont-Brome

Laurentian Mountains

A road trip in the Laurentian Mountains will take you through some of the most incredible parts of the province. It's full of charming towns, stunning natural beauty and year-round activities that are enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.

Key parts of the Laurentian Mountains to consider for your road trip include Tremblant Village, located at the base of Mont-Tremblant and perfect for those looking for a range of apres-ski activities. You could also stop in Mont-Sainte-Anne, located close to Quebec City and a renowned ski resort.

For those looking to explore the wildlife in the area, the Laurentian Wildlife Reserve covers a vast part of the mountain range and is excellent for visitors who want to enjoy camping, hiking and fishing. And you should visit Mont-Laurier, often called the Capital of the Upper Laurentians, which serves as a gateway to the region and is perfect for snowmobiling, fishing, and ATV riding.

Must-See Attractions Along the Route

• Hike or bike along the Le P'tit Train du Nord, which runs for 230km and gives you incredible views of the entire region.
• See the sights in Mont-Tremblant National Park. You can hike trails, kayak or canoe, and watch the wildlife, including moose and beavers.
• Take a ride on the panoramic gondola in Mont-Tremblant resort town.
• Visit the Christmas-theme amusement park, Village du Père Noel, in Val David for fun for all the family.
• Visit Omega Park to see the wildlife up close in a drive-through safari. You can observe everything from elk to bison to wolves.

Local Delicacies to Try

• Wild berry products are abundant in the Laurentian Mountains due to the many wild berries you can find across the region. Try local jams, jellies, and desserts made with them.
• Wild game is also popular due to the wildlife in the region. Local cuisine features lots of wild game meats, including venison, wild boar and duck.

Outdoor Activities and Adventures to Try

As a haven for outdoor activities and recreation, the Laurentian Mountains are the perfect place to road trip for those looking to ski, hike, fish, snowboard, camp, ride ATVs, and much more. You'll be hard-pressed to stop in a place within this region that doesn't offer at least some of these activities!

Final Thoughts

The regions listed in this article make for some of the most stunning road trips in the province of Quebec. With incredible landscapes and many activities, you will surely have an excellent time, whichever you choose.

Ensuring your car is up to the job on a road trip is essential. You don't want to be stranded and looking for maintenance and repair services while in remote parts of the region. Ensure you have professional technicians look over your car before you leave. They can confirm you have everything from the right tire type to enough oil for your trip before you go!

Book into our vehicle service department in Laval before you leave.

Ready to get started? Get in contact with Desmeules Chrysler now.