I am looking for our summer vacation.

I am looking for suggestions. I am looking to fly into Boston, spending about 4 nights there, then going to Quebec City (3 nights). I would like to go through Maine. I am just not sure where to stay in Maine (1 or 2 nights). Then from Quebec City, go to Montreal (2-3 nights), then to Ottawa (2 nights), then fly home to Ottawa.

I have already looked at airfare. I am just not sure of how to go from boston to Quebec. does anyone have any suggestions on the best route and where to stop in Maine, etc.

All suggestions are welcome.

A few years back we did a driving trip that included Montreal, Quebec City and Maine. We drove from Quebec City to Bar Harbor. As I recall, it took us most of a day. But it was a very nice drive. We didn't go to Boston on that trip. When we left Bar Harbor, we drove to Burlinton, VT. So I couldn't tell you how long it would take you to get from Boston to Bar Harbor.

Boston to Bar harbor is far...7 hours. I looked it up on mapquest. I should have added that we will be traveling with my 1 year old. So, I want to make shorter trips, just stopping frequently.

" then to Ottawa (2 nights), then fly home to Ottawa. "

?? Please clarify this itinerary. Though I must say that based on the information so far, it is a recipe for frustration and insanity -- 3 or 4 cities, 5 hotels, in less than 2 weeks with a toddler, yikes.

Consider skipping Maine - unless there is some specific thing you want to see. The most direct route Boston to Montreal is thru NH/VT, not Maine. That would save you some driving.


Also, do you mean fly home FROM Ottawa? Otherwise, I share confusion of above poster. If that is the case, I suspect you will find flying into Boston and out of Ottawa to be quite pricey.

Let me clarify; sorry I was not clear to begin with:

Leaving Detroit, fly to Boston...stay 4 nights.

drive to Quebec City...stay 3 nights
drive to Montreal...stay 3 nights
drive to Ottawa...stay 3 nights

Then fly home from Ottawa.

I have priced out air for this itinerary and it is about $350.

My question is, what is the best way to go from Boston to Quebec. Where should we stop for an overnight or 2 nights on the way to Quebec City?

The most direct routes would be through upstate New York I-87 or through Vermont I-89
In Vermont you could stay in Burlington, for example. In NEw yourk you have two great places, Saratoga and Lake Placid.

Unless you want to see the beautiful Maine Coast, it is much quicker to drive from Boston to Quebec City by taking I-93 to I-89 in Concord NH, then take I-89 to I-91 in White River Jct. Vermont, then continue due north into Canada. You may want to stop in the Sunapee New Hampshire area which is a very scenic lake resort town, or somewhere in the Hanover/Norwich/Lyme region which is also a nice area , and about 4 1/2 hours to Quebec City.

I am correcting myself here. The most direct route to Quebec is going to be through Vermont I-89. Stay in Burlington.
from Quebec it is an easy but not interesting drive to Montreal. Ottawa is an undiscovered gem, IMO. I agree about skiping Maine (1 night!). It is not on your way and with 1 year old baby I suggest not trying to cover too many places. If you really want to see Maine in one day take a day trip from Boston.

Am I missing something here?

The fastest and straightest route from Boston to Quebec City is I-93 to I-91, which becomes Autoroute 55 in Quebec, and then pick up Autoroute 20.

I have no idea why people tell you to take I-87 or I-89.

The route through Maine is slower, but if you want to do that, it's pretty scenic. Just takes quite a bit longer.

I know this isn't exactly the itinerary you had in mind, but thought I'd share anyway. A few summers ago, we flew into Boston. After staying there, we drove to Bar Harbor for a few nights and visited Acadia National Park (great place!). Then we drove to Moosehead Lake (near Rockwood, Maine) and stayed in a cabin right on the lake. Our kids still talk about our stay there. From there, we drove to Quebec City for the day (ate at Chateau Frontenac) and then drove through Montreal and into upstate New York. We stayed in Lake Placid (lots of fun), then visited the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown (we're big baseball fans) and then drove back to Boston. It's one of our best vacations ever.

Yup, from Boston to Quebec City take I-93 north all the way until it ends at I-91 in St. Johnsbury VT. Follow I-91 north into Canada.

rkkwan, I corrected myself about I-87. I guess I did not read the above post carefully. This route would be visible only if you travel directly to Montreal and not to Quebec City first. I agree with your proposed route. however, it looks as Tina wants to spend only 1-2 nights and not longer.

My suggestion to Tina; before you buy this inexpensive ticket, make sure to check car rental rates. With one way rental and dropp off in Canada this may cost you a fortune. Good luck!

yeah...i already checked rental car rates. It is really expensive becasue of drop off in Canada and pick up in teh US. I have to rethink the trip. I am not sure what we are going to do now.

If the airfares work in your favor, I'd suggest flying into Boston, spend your time there, then fly into Burlington, Vt. There are lots of Jetblue flights from Boston to Burlington and they seem to be relatively inexpensive, if you book ahead in time.

Drive out of Burlington to Montreal. It's only a couple of hours' drive, if recollection serves me correctly.

Rent the car in Burlington, return the car in Burlington. Hope the fares work in your favor with this option!

When you are in Ottawa, as you are facing the Parliament Buildings, on the right there's a wonderful section of town where people go to dine and it's a wonderfully touristy/local area that is very alive.

Love Canada!

I don't think B6 (Jetblue) flies non-stop from Boston to Burlington.

Only airline that flies that route is Comair (Delta Connection).

rkkwan is correct. It's Delta that flies nonstop from Boston to Burlington.

Jetblue flies the New York - Burlington route.

Tina, how many days you have all together? Maybe you need to concentrate only on Canada. In Canada what cities do really want to visit? Do you need to fly to Boston? Sometime there are less expensive air fares to Burlington, VT or Albany, NY. Would you consider visiting only MA, Maine and/or add New Hampshire on this visit?

Tina, one more question. Did you already purchase your tickets?

No, I did not purchase my tickets. I have to rethink the itinerary. We may just be doing Canada now.