Eastern Canada Road Trip – The best Itinerary for an Epic Road Trip

Without a doubt, Canada is not only the second-largest country in the world but also home to some of the friendliest people, the cleanest cities, the most beautiful landscapes, and the best maple syrup. The country’s endless expanses, glittering lakes, and high mountains emit a feeling of peace and freedom. An Eastern Canada road trip offers the perfect combination of vibrant cities and a glimpse of the country’s great outdoors. Along the journey, you will explore multicultural cities, hike in national parks, drive through charming little towns, admire the famous Niagara Falls, and much more. With the biggest airport in Canada, Toronto is the ideal starting point for touring Eastern Canada, especially if you are arriving from New York City. But if you are flying to Montreal or want to start the road trip somewhere else along the route, that is perfectly fine as well.

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Quick Facts about Canada

Capital	Ottawa
Languages	English & French
Currency	Canadian Dollar (1 CAD = 0.76 USD)
Population	37.6 million
Best time to visit	Summer & Fall (June – October)

How to get around and when is the best time for an Eastern Canada Road Trip?

In my opinion, the best option to explore Canada’s East at your own pace is to rent a car. Even though there are some good train connections in Canada between the main cities, a rental car allows you to be more flexible and explore not only the big cities but also the great outdoors. If you are starting your route at the airport or train station of Toronto or Montreal, it should be no problem to rent a car. There are also many online car rental options, so you can easily book the car before arriving.

In general, summer is the best time for outdoor activities in most parts of Canada. Especially in the regions of Ottawa and Quebec City, it can get really freezing in October and November already. Therefore, I would suggest avoiding the months from November to April if you want to do a lot of outdoor activities on your road trip.

Eastern Canada Road Trip Route

There are many different options for an Eastern Canada road trip. Below you can see the route and places that I have included and can recommend. As for me, I started in Toronto and drove clockwise. Since most international flights are arriving in either Toronto or Montreal, I would suggest starting in one of these cities and choosing the direction that best suits you.

2-Week Itinerary for an Eastern Canada Road Trip

1. Toronto

The best way to start your road trip is to spend around 3 days in Toronto – Canada’s largest city. The metropolis with the unmistakable CN Tower is located directly on Lake Ontario and offers great attractions for its visitors every season. Take a stroll at the colorful harbourfront on Lake Ontario, and enjoy the wonderful views from the top of the CN Tower. Do not miss visiting the government buildings, the many boutiques in the Eaton Center, and the Rogers Centre. In the evening, I would suggest taking a short boat trip to the Toronto Islands. The view of the Toronto Skyline at sunset is breathtaking! If you need more inspiration on things to do and see in Toronto, then make sure to check out my ultimate Toronto Bucket List or book a Toronto Downtown walking tour.

2. Niagara Falls

Once in this part of Canada, you don’t want to miss the opportunity to visit Niagara Falls, a truly impressive natural phenomenon. They consist of three separate waterfalls: the Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls, and the Bridal Veil Falls. From Toronto, it takes you less than 2 hours to the waterfalls. For this short drive, I would recommend taking the route via the historic and picturesque little village of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Once arrive at Niagara Falls, it is worthwhile to walk up the Skylon Tower to enjoy the view from the top! If you want to get as close as possible to the waterfalls, you can also book a Maid of the Mist boat tour (be prepared to get wet).

3. Collingwood/ Tobermory

The small port town of Collingwood, which is located on South Georgian Bay on Lake Huron, can be reached after another 2.5 hours. Even though Collingwood is a small place itself, the surroundings have something to offer to everyone. You can either relax at the beach, rent a bike, or go hiking in the Blue Mountains. In winter, they are the perfect place for winter sports. When in Collingwood, I would suggest visiting Tobermory as well. Tobermory is the “scuba diving capital of the world” as many shipwrecks lay in the surrounding waters. Even though it’s a small city, there are several things to do in Tobermory. In the East is the Bruce Peninsula National Park and to the north is the Fathom Five National Marine Park. As you can see – a paradise for outdoor lovers!

4. Algonquin National Park

The next stop along the road trip is the charming town of Huntsville – the gate to the famous Algonquin National Park. You can reach Huntsville after a 2-hour drive from Collingwood. An overnight stay can be planned here so that you can take a rest and visit the park the next morning. The Algonquin Provincial Park amazes with its spectacular landscape and is a true outdoor paradise in Eastern Canada. Especially in autumn, the park shows its full beauty through the changing leaves and the deep sun that glitters on the lakes. With over 2,400 lakes and countless trees, Algonquin is the largest national park in the province of Ontario. Many hiking trails with different levels of difficulty and beautiful viewpoints invite you to go hiking and enjoy the great outdoors. During summertime, it is also possible to go mountain biking or rent canoes.

5. Ottawa

The next stop on the route, which you will reach after 3.5 hours, is Ottawa – Canada’s capital. On the way to the city, you will pass many small lakes and stunning landscapes. Ottawa has a charming and nostalgic flair and owns many beautiful parks, trendy restaurants as well as numerous interesting museums. Separated by the Ottawa River, English is spoken in one half of the city and French in the other. The best places to visit are the Parliament Buildings on Parliament Hill, the National Gallery, the Rideau Canal as well as the ByWard Market. Take part in a Hop-On Hop-Off Guided City Tour to explore the best Ottawa has to offer. If you are interested in Canadian history, culture, and politics – Ottawa is the place to go!

6. Mont Tremblant

It only takes about 2.5 hours from Ottawa to Mont Tremblant. The Maurice region extends from the banks of the Saint Lawrence Stream to the heart of the subarctic forest. Thanks to the beauty of nature, the area offers a variety of outdoor activities. In summer, you can go horse riding, swimming, hiking, or canoeing in the Mont Tremblant National Park (check out this list of activities). The ski area is also one of the best in Canada and attracts many visitors during the winter. In my opinion, Mont-Tremblant is the perfect place to enjoy the great outdoors and to take a rest before exploring the next two cities along the road trip.

7. Quebec City

From the beautiful surroundings of the Maurice region, you will then drive to Quebec City, the capital of the province of Quebec (3-4 hours). Quebec City is one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in North America and emits a European charm. I would recommend taking a nice stroll through the old town and enjoying a typical French dinner in one of the cozy restaurants. Moreover, you should visit the magical Chateau Frontenac – the city’s landmark and UNESCO-declared jewel of the Heritage of Humanity. If you have more than one day in Quebec City, a trip to the Ile d’Orleons in the St. Lawrence River and a stop at the Montmorency Falls (which are even higher than Niagara Falls) are worthwhile as well. There is also the possibility to do a whale-watching tour a bit further north of Québec City – a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

8. Montréal

On your way to Montréal (about 2,5 hours), you will pass many small villages of the province Québec with a wonderful French flair. Montreal is the largest city in Québec and 3.8 million people from all over the world make Montréal a melting pot of different cultures. In addition to the outstanding gastronomy, numerous museums, and festivals, Montréal is home to the most important sights from the old and new world. The historic old town (Vieux-Montréal) and the lively center with its modern business districts invite you to take a walking tour.

The Basilique Notre-Dame-de-Montréal from 1829, which is located in the heart of the old town, is a true masterpiece of architecture. Make sure to walk around the former port, which has been fully restored, as well. You will see, spending one day in Montréal will never get boring! And if you rather want to spend time in nature than in the city, don’t worry! There are several hiking options near Montréal that are just perfect for outdoor-seekers.

9. Kingston

Driving from Montreal to Kingston – the last stop on this epic road trip – takes about 3 hours. The charming city of Kingston has about 137,000 inhabitants and is located directly on Lake Ontario. Kingston is especially popular among students because of the famous Queen’s University (psst: I was studying there for one term). But the city is much more than a student city and, therefore, counts as a well-known tourist destination in summer. Especially recommended is a walk in the newly constructed Lake Ontario Park, from which you have a beautiful view of the lake. The city in Eastern Ontario is also popular for its countless cute restaurants, cafes, and little shops in the old town. Kingston is the perfect place to take a little rest between the two turbulent cities of Toronto and Montreal.

10. Back to Toronto

From Kingston, it will take you about 2.5 hours back to Toronto – the starting point of your journey. Whether you are choosing to stay in Toronto for another couple of days, continue your trip, or end your Canada road trip there, I hope you enjoyed (or will enjoy) touring Eastern Canada as much as I did!

Need more road trip inspiration? Maybe my list of the 10 best European campervan routes can help 🙂

I hope you enjoyed reading about my route for touring Eastern Canada! Let me know about your plans and/ or experiences in Canada in the comments down below.

And don’t forget to save this post for your next trip!