Home to an extensive road network and a multitude of attractions and services, Québec by the Sea is an ideal destination to explore on a road trip. However, to make the most of your adventures, it’s crucial that you plan your itinerary carefully. Travelling by car, motorcycle, van or RV, whether your own or a rental, will give you the freedom to stop wherever and whenever you want during your trip to our regions!

As the media relations manager for Le Québec maritime, I’ve been building customized itineraries for the media since 2007. This aspect of my job has led me to develop a method that facilitates my work as well as my own travel experiences. Below, I share my tips and tricks with you so that you can easily create your own itinerary in our regions.

Step 1: Decide when you’ll be travelling

Every season has its advantages when it comes to travelling in the maritime regions of Québec! Since not all tourism businesses are open year-round (nor do they offer the same activities and services), the season you choose for your visit will greatly influence your options in terms of activities and accommodations. When you travel will also impact how long it will take you to get from place to place.

Step 2: Choose your destination(s)

First, establish which sites and attractions you most want to visit during your trip. This will determine which regions, towns or villages you’ll want to add to your itinerary. Our website offers several road trip ideas, some of which focus on specific themes. Don’t hesitate to use them inspire your trip! In addition, you’ll find lots of useful information on the websites of the regional tourism associations and national parks found in our regions:

• Tourisme Bas-Saint-Laurent
• Tourisme Gaspésie
• Tourisme Côte-Nord
• Tourisme Îles de la Madeleine
• Parks Canada
• Sépaq (Québec’s national park network)

Step 3: Determine the length of your trip

To visit the maritime regions of Québec, you’ll probably need to factor in at least one day’s travel to get there and another to get back, depending on your departure point. To help you calculate how long it will take you to reach the “gateways” to our regions, refer to the distance chart below:

So, depending on the number of vacation days you have, you can now figure out how many days and nights you’ll be able to spend in our regions. The road trip ideas available on our website will give you a good idea of how much time you’ll need to get from place to place, whether you choose to visit just one of our regions or combine visits to several of them in a single trip.

Step 4: Take distances into account

Québec by the Sea covers a vast territory of 280,000 km² (108,000 sq. mi.) and includes 3000 km (1900 mi.) of coastline. You’ll therefore need to decide how many kilometres or miles you want to cover per day on your road trip. Knowing that the main roads in our regions are Route 132 (in Bas-Saint-Laurent and Gaspésie on the south shore of the St. Lawrence), Route 138 (in Côte-Nord on the north shore) and Route 199 (in the Îles de la Madeleine), you can use Google Maps (or another mapping app) to locate points of interest and see how far they are from each other. You’ll have to make some tough choices (you can’t see everything in a single trip!), but it’s best to be realistic and make the most of the places you do visit. Many people prefer to plan a day’s drive and then spend two nights in the same location to give themselves a full day in one area. This is actually a very good idea, especially if you’re planning to go hiking or on a sea excursion since these activities are somewhat weather-dependent.

Step 5: Book early to avoid disappointment

Check availability and book your travel and accommodations early, especially if your itinerary includes any flights or ferry crossings. In addition, be sure to rent your vehicle in advance, if applicable. This is the best way to solidify your plans and avoid disappointment.

Step 6: Take the time to fine-tune your itinerary

Once you’ve established the basics of your trip, it’s time to do some further research by consulting the websites of the tourism businesses or destinations you want to visit. This will give you a chance to fine-tune your itinerary as well as jot down ideas for restaurants or other activities, depending on the time you have available. Building your itinerary will take time, but it’s a worthwhile investment since your research will allow you to learn more about your destination and make informed choices. It can also come in handy once you’re there, when you’re chatting with the locals!

Tips from a pro:

• Create a rough draft of your itinerary that includes your must-do activities and the number of nights you’ll need at each location based on travel distances, opening hours and the duration of activities.
• Leave some free time in your schedule to allow for spontaneity and improvisation, which won’t be possible if you’ve planned every minute of your trip.
• Plan to drive no more than 350 km (215 mi.) a day, so you’ll have time to enjoy your meals and do some activities.
• Schedule stops along the way to stretch your legs as well as explore a village on foot, for example, or stop to take photos.
• Have a plan B for weather-dependent activities!

You’re now ready to create your own itinerary for your road trip in the maritime regions of Québec. Be sure to visit our website for inspiration and bon voyage!