Are you planning a Toronto to Halifax road trip for the summer? We have some tips and a road trip itinerary for you. Whether you are traveling for a family vacation or a romantic getaway, you’ll have plenty to do between Toronto to Halifax.
You’ll drive through 4 of the Canadian provinces: Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.
In this post, we’ll share with you our favorite spots and a few tips, but first, here are a few things to keep in mind before your Toronto Halifax road trip or Nova Scotia road trip.
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Summary of Your Toronto to Halifax Road Trip Itinerary
14-Day Toronto to Halifax Road Trip Itinerary
The Toronto to Halifax drive is about 1,700 km one-way (3,500 km round-trip). There are many things to see along the way, so planning a road trip for at least 2 weeks would be ideal for enjoying it.
🌦️ PRO-TIP – The weather in Canada varies a lot, even during the summertime. Eastern Canada can be rainy a lot, so we might have to adjust your Toronto to Halifax drive schedule and activities. One day can be super warm and sunny, while the next day is chilly and rainy all day. You’ll want to pack the right gear and clothes. Flexibility is key, especially if you are planning to do some camping and hiking.
Traveling to Canada? Get your Canada Road Trip Guide for Families
DAY 1: Toronto to Thousand Islands
The drive from Toronto to Thousand Islands is 318 kilometers. Plan accordingly to avoid traffic as much as you can when exiting Toronto.
Start driving east outside Toronto into ON-401E for 106 kilometers.
Make a stop at Port Hope. Port Hope is a small town by Lake Ontario that has a nice municipal beach and some coffee shops. East Beach would be a good spot for the kids. There is a nice sandy beach and a playground.
Primitive Designs is also a cool roadside attraction. The retail gallery imports exotic antiques from around the world, and they have a 26 feet tall Transformer robot.
After a few hours in Port Hope, drive the remaining 200 kilometers to reach 1000 islands.
DAY 2: Thousand Islands
Note: The Thousand Islands is part of Parks Canada National Park. A daily Parks Canada pass is required.
The Thousand Islands is an archipelago of 1,864 islands at the Canada-US border. The archipelago stretches for about 80 kilometers. It is pretty much halfway between Toronto and Montreal. In Thousand Islands, you’ll get to explore castle ruins, watch beautiful sunsets and do plenty of outdoor activities.
Start your day at Landon Bay. There are a few hiking options, but the Garden Loop Trails and the Lookout Trail would be two great options.
- The Garden Trail is an easy and accessible trail in the forest where you’ll walk through wetlands and near a beaver dam.
- The Lookout Trail is a short but uphill trail. It ends at the top of the hill, where the view of the bay is spectacular.
After a morning of hiking, head to Joel Stone Heritage Park to enjoy the water for the afternoon. There is a sandy beach as well as a splash pad. The kids will have fun for hours.
If you have an extra day in the 1000 Islands, you might want to visit Boldt Castle. Boldt Castle is located on Heart Island on the US side and is only accessible by boat. You can also splurge on a helicopter tour above Boldt Castle.
»» Get your tickets to the Helicopter Tour above Boldt Castle
DAY 3: Thousand Islands to Montreal
The drive from Thousand Islands to Montreal is 289 kilometers. Plan for a full day of driving if you plan on stopping at a few different places. Also, be aware that you might hit traffic in Montreal.
Make sure to stop at Upper Canada Village (106 kilometers east of 1000 Islands). It’s a heritage park where you’ll learn about a 19th-century village in Upper Canada operated.
Note: You may also want to add a detour to Ottawa, the capital of Canada, before Montreal.
DAY 4: Montreal
Montreal has a lot to offer, from museums to parks.
Start your day in Mount Royal in the heart of the island. There are enough activities and trails to keep you busy for a few hours.
You might want to grab coffee and lunch at Smith House or Mount Royal Chalet.
Now that you are filled and full of energy make your way to the Montreal Biodome. You’ll walk through a rainforest, a polar area, the Laurentians mountains, and many more biospheres. There are more than 4,000 types of animals and plants, from lynx to penguins.
At night, you’ll want to head to the Old Port and ride on the Grand Roue de Montreal.
»» Get your tickets to the Montreal: La Grande Roue de Montréal Entry Ticket
DAY 5: Montreal to Quebec City
The drive from Montreal to Quebec City is about 230 kilometers. Drummondville is a good mid-point stop.
You’ll want to stop at Madrid 2.0, a cool roadside attraction where your kids will see dinosaurs. There is also a gas station and a fast-food court.
If you are not in a hurry, Village québécois d’Antan is a great activity for the family. Similar to Upper Canada Village, this historical park depicts life in Quebec during the 19th century.
Then, before crossing the Quebec Bridge, you might want to stop at Parc des Chutes Chaudière for a quick hike by the waterfalls.
DAY 6: Quebec City
Quebec City is a beautiful town that needs to be visited at least once. It has a European charm and a unique vibe to it. Whether it’s a freezing cold winter weekend or a warm summer vacation, you’ll have plenty to do in Quebec City. Old Quebec City and its Petit Champlain Quarter will transport you to Nouvelle-France, while the Baie de Beauport offers a nice beach to relax.
Start your day on Old Quebec City Walking Tour. You’ll wander in tiny cobblestone streets and feel like you were transported to Europe. You’ll want to stop at Château Frontenac, take the funicular down to Quartier Petit Champlain, and make your way to Place Royale.
»» Get your tickets to the Old Quebec City: 2-Hour Grand Walking Tour
After a morning exploring the lower town, you can have a picnic at the Abraham battlefield and take a guided tour of the Citadelle de Québec. You can then walk up to Grande-Allée for a snack in one of the restaurants.
If you still have some energy, head to Bois de Boulogne. There are nice trails, a beautiful view of the river, and also a kids’ playground.
DAY 7: Quebec City
For your second in Quebec City, you’ll want to explore a bit outside the fortification walls.
Start your day hiking the stairs of Montmorency Falls. To get to the falls, it’s a 20 minutes drive from Old Quebec. There is also a beautiful and well-maintained bike trail that starts in the Port of Quebec (or Domaine Maizeret) that leads to the waterfalls. On top of the waterfall, you’ll have a beautiful view of the city and of Ile d’Orléans.
If you don’t feel like planning too much, you can also go on a guided tour of Montmorency Falls and Ile d’Orléans.
»» Get your tickets to the Quebec City: Montmorency Falls & Ile d’Orleans Half-Day Tour.
Then, get back in the car and cross the bridge to reach Ile d’Orléans. There are many orchards, wineries, and restaurants to stop at. Most of them are super kid-friendly. Our favorite ones are Cassis Mona & Filles for cassis wine tasting and ice cream and Vignoble Ste-Petronille for wine tasting and beautiful views.
If time allows, you may want to stop at Baie de Beauport on your way back to Old Quebec for a swim in the river. There is a nice sand beach with a kids’ playground, a spray pad, and some paddleboards and kayak rentals.
DAY 8: Quebec City to Rivière-du-Loup
The drive from Quebec City to Rivière-du-Loup is 208 kilometers, and it’s along the St. Lawrence River.
We recommend driving on Route 132 (instead of the main highway) to enjoy the views of the river and the quaint little towns in between Quebec City and Rivière-du-Loup.
You’ll want to stop at Bertier-sur-Mer, Saint-Jean-Port-Joli, St-Roch-des-Aulnaies, and Kamouraska.
DAY 9: Rivière-du-Loup to the Bay of Fundy
The drive from Rivière-du-Loup and Fundy National Park is a little more than 500 kilometers. It will be a long driving day for the kids, but there are a few stops to do along the way.
The first stop would be in Temiscouta. Lake Temiscouta offers a great beach and swimming lake. There is also a beautiful bike trail, Le Petit Témis. The trail actually goes from Rivière-du-Loup to Temiscouta-sur-le-Lac.
Near Woodstock, NB, you might want to stop at the Water Wizard waterslides if it’s a warm and sunny day.
DAY 10: Bay of Fundy
If you want to see what real wilderness is, head to the Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick. It is probably one of your last stops before reaching Halifax, so take your time of exploring Fundy National Park. It’s also a great place to camp in Canada.
There are lots of hiking trails along the Bay of Fundy coastline. Laverty Falls trail is a good hiking option. It’s a 4.5 kilometers out-and-back trail that leads to a waterfall.
Bennet Lake is great for kayaking and canoeing. It also has a small beach to swim in. Point Wolfe has an authentic New Brunswick-covered bridge. Hopewell Rocks is another must-see.
It also has the highest tides in the world.
DAY 11: the Bay of Fundy to Halifax
The drive from Fundy National Park and Halifax is 345 kilometers.
Moncton is a great first stop to do along the way, with plenty of family-friendly activities. Kids will like Magnetic Hill and Centennial Park.
Then if you are interested in paleontology, Joggins, why not take a road trip to Nova Scotia? It’s about 10 minutes from Amherst, NS, and has large fossil cliffs with an interpretation center.
Your last stop before reaching Halifax should be Victoria Park in the town of Truro. There is a beautiful waterfall and forest right in the middle of the town.
DAY 12: Halifax
Halifax, Nova Scotia, is a beautiful harbor city and the biggest town in Atlantic Canada. There are many things to do in and around town.
Start your day downtown by the waterfront. It has one of the longest boardwalks in the world. It’s a nice walk with beautiful views. Make sure to stop by the Giant Red Chair and take a few cliché pictures.
Then, head to the Halifax Citadel, a British fortification. The Citadel is now a National Historic Site and offers guided tours. You can also visit the Halifax Canadian Museum of Immigration.
End your day at the Submarine Playground, where the kids will burn off the rest of their energy.
»» Get your tickets to the Halifax: Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 Admission.
DAY 13: Halifax
It’s beach time.
Within a 30-minute radius, you’ll find multiple beaches.
Lawrencetown Beach is popular for surfing. If you want to try surfing, there are a few surfing schools where you can rent wet suits or take lessons. The wet suits are an absolute must-have for this spot.
Crystal Crescent Beach is located in Halifax Harbor. There’s a boardwalk joining the first two beaches. At times, you can easily forget you’re in Canada as this isn’t the normal scenery you’re probably accustomed to in the Great White North.
If time allows, you might want to extend your stay to visit Cape Breton and Saint John.
DAY 14: Head back to Toronto-from Toronto to Halifax Road Trip
It’s time to start your drive from Halifax to Toronto. A long 1,700 kilometers journey awaits.
Traveling to Canada? Get your Canada Road Trip Guide for Families
F.A.Q 14-Days from Toronto to Halifax Road Trip
Where do you stop when driving from Toronto to Halifax?
Great stops along the way from Toronto to Halifax would be 1000 Islands, Montréal, Quebec, Rivière Du Loup, and the Bay of Fundy. Depending on how much time you spend in each place, you can just add a couple of hours to the drive or make it a full 14-day road trip!
How long does it take to drive from Toronto to Halifax?
It takes approximately 20 hours to drive from Toronto to Halifax.
Can you drive from Toronto to Nova Scotia?
Yes, you can drive from Toronto to Nova Scotia. It is a long drive and will take approximately 20 hours, depending on traffic, road conditions, and the number of stops you make. Don’t forget to plan your stops to ensure that you can rest during your journey.
How many days does it take to drive from Toronto to Halifax?
It takes anywhere between 2 to 11 days to drive from Toronto to Halifax. You could make the drive in two days if you drive straight through, but it’s advisable to break up the trip over several days to avoid fatigue and give yourself time to explore the gorgeous area.
Is it worth visiting Halifax, Canada?
Yes! Halifax, Canada, is worth visiting, and it’s one of the most iconic trips we had! Halifax offers an array of history and culture you won’t find anywhere else. With its stunning coastal views and rich culture, we enjoyed exploring this charming city and would recommend a road trip from Toronto to Halifax!
Final Thoughts: Toronto to Halifax Road Trip
A road trip with kids from Toronto to Halifax might be a long drive, with around 3,500 kilometers round-trip. But it offers a variety of landscapes, from city skyscrapers to small fisherman’s villages. The kids will love all the beaches, and parents will enjoy the delicious seafood.
✍🏻 This post was written with the help of Wanderlust With Kids.
We had the chance to sit down with the creator of Wanderlust With Kids and learn more about a single-mom road trip they took on when the boys were 4 years old. They went from Toronto, ON, to Halifax, NS, for a total of more than 3 500 km.
Wanderlust With Kids is a mom with her two boys, aged 5.5 years old, exploring the world one trip at a time. Based in Ontario, the family is already well-traveled. While they like to go to exotic destinations, they also like discovering their own country, Canada.
You can follow their traveling journey on their blog and on Instagram.
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