Hello traveller, we’ve come back alive from our minimally planned East Coast road trip, and I’m here to spill all the memorable moments, some not-so-glamorous moments, and moments that we’d plan differently. Sit tight and buckle up my friend; it will be a butt-numbing long ride in the best way possible, or so I hope.
Note:
This is a repost of the FULL POST broken out by attractions and provinces. If you’re looking for a quick and dirty summary guide with cost breakdowns, click HERE to get in and out with the golden nuggets.
Day One
Starting Point: 35 mins North of Toronto
Duration: 12 days in August of 2023
Transportation: Mazda CX-5 (We call him Bobby)
Destinations: Attractions along the way to PEI, Nova Scotia + Cape Breton Island
Stop 1: Victoriaville, QC
Drive time: ~8 hours. We drove straight through, only stopping at ON routes for bio breaks and stretches. We solely survived on energy drinks, baby tomatoes, celery sticks with ranch, and lots and lots of junk food. I Highly recommend packing snacks! (you probably knew that already.)
Airbnb Tip:
We’d stop in Montreal or Quebec City for the first night, but the Airbnb selections were few; the prices were high because we kicked off the trip on a long weekend. We opted for a downtown Airbnb in a town between the two cities, so there are plenty of things to do within walking distance.
Experience in Downtown Victoriaville:
Quaint! As I lack the vocabulary to describe cute little towns, you will see this often. We arrived at the Airbnb after dark and grabbed a “quick” bite at Cactus – a relaxed, old-school cafe bar featuring Mexican & Canadian pub grub. It took about 20 minutes to get the menu after being seated, and we waited an hour for the food. Call me hangry; I suggest you go elsewhere if other options are available to avoid the unnecessary wait.
Friendly Tip:
Unlikely restaurants in QC will have English menus, especially in non-touristy areas. Some restaurants will have their menu on their website; you can click a button on the phone to translate to English.
We explored the downtown area the next day before leaving in the morning, and I thoroughly enjoyed the vibe this charming little town offered. It’s nothing out of the ordinary, but if you are looking for a place to stop, consider giving Victoriaville a try!
Quote of the day
Ben in Victoriaville, QC, where all we hear is French
Everyone sounds a lot more sophisticated when I don’t know what they’re saying. Everything sounds very important.
Day Two
According to my research, aka Reddit, the drive after QC is quite a bore to sit through because the scenery contains nothing but asphalt and trees on repeat.
Well, I’m here to tell you nothing was a bore! Coming from Ontario, the province of flatlands, the new sceneries and landscapes were a feast for our eyes.
We looked as far as our eyes could see, tracing the outlines of the forest-covered mountains and watching how the clouds loomed over and beyond. We observed how the mountains parted the sky and marvelled at the newly paved winding roads leading us toward the horizon. The sight was nothing short of a photo in a travel magazine or one of those forest-zooming car commercials; we could even be on an episode of Budget Top Gear!
Along the drive, we saw isolated rain clouds showering one area and not the rest. We also caught rainbows and beautiful sunsets while listening to a mix of music, podcasts (My favourite murder, Not 4 Everyone), and audiobooks (Red Rising, Golden Son). The time flew by as we stared at the horizon ahead, driving on the smooth and empty roads with music on the stereo, our smiles wide, the weather swell, and it felt…like the best of Summer days.
Stop 2: Tête D’Allumette – Microbrasserie, QC
Drive Time: ~4 hours from Victoriaville. I planned to stop at this microbrewery because my partner, Ben, is very much of an “alcohol enthusiast.” If drinking is not your thing, don’t worry, you can still stop by for the view. The drive towards the brewery and the brewery itself were gorgeous; there’s even a trail on the property if you are up for it.
This spot is on the way to New Brunswick, about two hours outside Quebec City. They only offer finger food at ridiculously tiny portions with inflated price tags; make sure to bring something to munch on if you are anything like me, unable to enjoy a drink (lemonade) without any food.
Kate LSY 
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