bardo1

Our family is planning to go to Quebec City and surrounds for a week for our family summer vacation.

Flying DC to Portland non-stop is about $1200 less (total) than flying to Quebec City (with a layover in Montreal or Toronto).

The savings are significant enough that I am considering going the Portland route - including staying in Portland the first night to be fresh for the 5-1/2 hours drive.

I am getting push-back, however, from DW who feels that the drive would be SO boring and desolate that it justifys both the increased budget and the layovers going and returning.

We have no first hand knowledge of what lies between these two cities and need first hand knowledge. The input of "strangers", we agreed, will be the decinding factor.

What can we expect along this route???

http://tinyurl.com/2vv8bx

Cassandra

Haven't done it but would expect it to be pretty tedious -- there are little lakes and hills here and there, but it's pretty rural, not exactly straight-through.

But maybe some Mainiacs can recommend reasons to do it that way.

Cimbrone

I'm a little familiar with the area around Augusta, ME. Lots of pine forests.

I think travel through rural areas--farms, forests, small towns--is anything but tedious. I'm guessing it's lovely along this route. If I were traveling, the drive would be half the fun.

Cassandra

I have spent a fair amount of time between Portland and Augusta, and it's certainly nicer than the northern NJ turnpike or anywhere around the DC beltway. I like the little towns, but I'm not sure 5 1/2 hrs. of it wouldn't wear me down, especially if things stretch out between towns and the terrain starts to flatten.

I guess the issue is what DW would consider "boring and desolate."

AlexA

Well, I've driven from Montreal to Portland, and from Montreal to Quebec City. I think the drive from Portland through Maine is very pretty, but not exactly quick.

Also, keep in mind that border crossings have become much longer that they used to be, and people who travel with children often get more scrutiny (because of the concern about non-custodial parents and others bringing kids in or out of the US).

In the summer, border crossings may exceed 1-2 hours. You'd think major crossings get all the traffic, but some smaller ones are understaffed and if you are at a crossing with only noe agent on duty, and there's a line, and someone in fromt of you has problems with their ID...well, you get the idea.

I'm not sure this is the best idea, especially with kids for a trip of only one week.

wliwl

This is exactly the sort of plan my H would come up with. Sigh.

$1200 is a lot, buy by the time you stay overnight, and spend the gas it chips away at it a bit.

We did that drive a long time ago. I recall thinking that the rural part of Quebec was SO MUCH tidier than the US side. LOL

Anyway, Portland is kind of fun too.

nfldbeothuk

What are the prices like to Burlington, instead of Portland?
It's not a lot shorter, but my idea is that the VT-PQ route is less likely to provoke "look, another 10,000 pine trees" from someone who doesn't enjoy long drives!

xxx30

Take the "Arnold Trail"(google it) and save some time to get useless in Eustis.

aucho53

burlington might be an option for you as well....how about plattsburgh? they have a newly opened airport you could check if there is service there.


Layla

basingstoke2

Burlington could be a good idea. The driving time to Quebec is almost an hour less than Portland. I have left Burlington at 3 pm, driven to Montreal for dinner and returned to Burlington before midnight. Another alternative to Portland could be Albany, NY. The driving time from Albany is about the same as from Portland. From Albany it is a straight shot up the thruway to the border, with good highway to Quebec. The northern part of the NY Thruway is quite nice.

Cassandra

Paging bardo1 for reactions?

AdobeH

How about flying into Bangor Maine, Northwest airlines has a commuter I believe, plus others fly into there.

lolly

We drove the opposite way last summer from Quebec City to Freeport Me. We crossed the border at Jackman. The wait was short (15 min. max.) The road from QC to the border was just like driving through a forest - pine trees. The road from Jackman to Solon was amazing. It is listed on the map as a national scenic byway. After that you take I95, not really scenic but not terrible. We enjoyed the drive but it was July.
Lolly

bardo1

I shared this (and the same question on the Canada forum) with DW - it looks good after all. We had no idea what to expect and she was imagining ALL forests with no places to stop for coffee, etc. We will going via Portland. Thanks to all.

vivi

Is it easy to take a rental car from the US into Canada and back?

aucho53

Hi Vivi,

you have to double check with the car company but for the most part there shouldn't be a problem. However, don't just assume you're OK because it might be against their policy.

Also, if you plan on dropping it off at a different city other than where you picked it up there might be fees so double check that also if it applies to you

Layla

goingconcern

You might also want to look into Manchester, New Hampshire to fly into then you can hop on the Interstate 91 and head North. If time is a factor this would be quick but with many beautiful areas off the interstate it would not be the most desirable or scenic. The route through Jackman would be 2 way traffic for the most part and don't forget about watching for moose on the roads.

shaz60

The drive is not bad if you like trees. Once into Canada it is mostly woods, woods, woods, tiny village with 12 houses and a church. Woods, woods, woods, village, etc. Very pretty but not many places to stop until you get close to Quebec. I'd do it to save 1200.

katebird

I live in southern Maine. The drive to Quebec City is nice, the best part being when you leave the turnpike and head north to Jackman, past The Forks, along the Kennebec River, stop and go rafting. It is beautiful. And make the most of your night in Portland, it's a cute coastal town with lots of great pubs and restaurants. I guess I'll take boring and desolate over $1200 in extra airfare. Remember Maine's motto is, "the way life should be" and we don't think it should be boring, quiet, beautiful and relaxing yes, boring, NO.

Phinn

Portland ME has a number of attractions including a superb interactive children's museum, and some great restaurants. Google Washington Post recommendations from last year!