Like all provinces in Canada, Quebec is in its own ways entirely unique.
Not least the fact it’s a predominantly French speaking province (which already makes it unique within an English speaking country!)
On top of that, Quebec offers so much in terms of history, culture and scenery.
We actually did a Quebec road trip during the winter/spring months, so there was a lot of snow around.
Spending a while exploring as much as we could and capturing the true natural and architectural beauty of this part of North America.
Below I have pulled together our experience to craft what I believe to be the ultimate 10 day itinerary for road tripping Quebec.
Allowing you to see a mix of wonderful cities, national historic sites, spectacular nature and as much of the province as possible!
First up…
If you’re flying into Canada you’re going to need to find a vehicle to rent for your trip.
We’d strongly recommend renting a campervan for this Quebec road trip as you’ve got your accommodation, vehicle and food all in one.
Renting an RV means you can save on other items such as hotels and eating out, but you do need to remember there are other costs involved that you might not have considered, like petrol, taxes and added extras.
When searching for the perfect vehicle for this Canada road trip you’ll want to make sure it has all the amenities and facilities you need to make this road trip perfect.
A great way to find the vehicle that’s just right for you is to use a motorhome rental agency. We love GoSee.
Previously known as Motorhome Republic, it’s one of the largest and most renowned rental agencies in the world so you can rely on them to get you the best vehicle.
This Quebec road trip itinerary starts in Montreal, where there are loads of great RV rental firms. In fact, Canada as a whole has endless RV Rentals so you'll have plenty of choices.
If you would rather rent a car and stay in hotels, we recommend Rentalcars for car rentals or you can check out our guide to the best car rental sites here...
We also have a guide on how to get cheap hotels, to help you keep your road trip costs down.
In terms of convenience, I would suggest starting in Montreal since it’s easy to fly there and you’ll find lots of options when it comes to RV rentals.
We visited in the winter/early spring months and it wasn’t a bad time to visit, it was just super cold and there were some challenges with keeping the van warm.
However, it’s quite charming if you love snow, and want to see Quebec city in the snow (which is a very European style city- the only European style one in all of Canada).
If you'd prefer beautiful fall colours, then go in the autumn since Quebec is famous for its oranges, red and yellows!
And of course summer is a popular month, with great temperatures, but expect higher prices and more crowds.
I’m basing this road trip as if you're starting from Montreal, and the reason I’m doing so is because that is your best location to get a campervan rental. However, you could start from Quebec City direction, if you’ve got your own vehicle and are coming in from New Brunswick!
Canada really is one of the best places to visit anywhere in the world, especially for road trips!
So kick back, relax and enjoy this 10 day Quebec road trip itinerary to really make the most of this beautiful corner of the world.
Montreal is an awesome place to visit, there is so much to see and do in this city, and you will definitely need at least 2 days to see the highlights (if you miss anything, you can always visit more sites on the return of your Quebec road trip!)
This is a bucket list destination for sure, with so many brilliant things to do in Montreal, Quebec.
From world class museums and colourful street art, to cosy jazz bars and renowned music and comedy festivals throughout the year.
The great thing about Montreal is that there’s always amazing things to do no matter what the season, or weather.
Some of our top recommendations include:
If you're looking to see the highlights of Montreal in a short amount of time then check out this guided bus tour or this hop-on hop-off bus tour!
After spending a few days enjoying Montreal, it’s time to get on the road and head to the town of Trois-Rivieres, which is around 140 km away.
This is a super cute little town that offers a lot of charm, and a bunch of great vegetarian restaurants (yay for us!).
It’s the second oldest city in Quebec and one of the oldest industrial cities in the whole of Canada, with traces of the historical local paper industry scattered through the riverfront Borealis museum.
Some of the best things to do in Trois-Rivieres include:
Here's some more information on the best things to do in Trois-Rivières!
During your road trip to Quebec city, you'll likely come across a few other worthy spots to visit.
However, Quebec City is one of the highlights of this road trip so you'll want to spend at least two days here. It's the capital of the Quebec province, but the second largest city.
It doesn’t feel like Canada at all. In fact it feels like a totally different place, in particular a cute European French town and we loved it.
It's easily one of the best places to visit in Canada (at least in my opinion).
With the cobblestone streets, cute cafes and restaurants, and the many historic sights, you’re guaranteed a magical experience in Quebec City.
If you’re not already feeling suitably convinced to visit, it’s worth mentioning that Quebec City is the oldest city in Canada, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its own right.
We have a full guide on what to do in Quebec city, so feel free to pull more information and some things to do from there.
I personally feel like one full day in Quebec city is enough to get an overview of all the sites, however, if you wanted to stay overnight you could treat yourself to a stay in the “castle”.
Some of our favourite things to do in the city include Petit-Champlain, Chaudiere Falls Park, and Old Quebec City. Depending on the time of year, you can also go whale-watching.
To see the best of Quebec city then why not check out this 2-hour walking tour or this sightseeing cruise!
You’ll be taking the slightly longer route to Saguenay from Quebec City, so you can stop at Montmorency Falls.
It’s only a 7.5 mile journey from Quebec City, so not exactly a full day trip, but you’ll want to allow a good few hours to explore and enjoy the area.
The waterfalls are surrounded by the Montmorency Falls Park, and are found at the mouth of the Montmorency River. These falls are 83m tall, 30m higher than Niagrara falls.
There are staircases that allow visitors to view the falls from several different perspectives, and visitors can access both sides of the park via a suspension bridge. To see some of the best views of the park and waterfalls, take the cable car.
If you’re visiting in summer months, the waterfalls give off a yellow glow thanks to the high iron content in the water bed. The park also hosts an international fireworks competition in the winter, with the waterfalls providing a stunning backdrop.
The drive from Montmorency Falls to Saguenay will take you via the Laurentian Mountains, which is one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world dating back to around 1 billion years ago. Once you arrive in Saguenay, you can spend the evening in this charming city.
This city is best known for Saguenay Fjord National Park, which leads to the Saint Lawrence River. Saguenay Fjord is definitely one of the best places to visit in Quebec, and there’s incredible scenery no matter what time of year you visit.
It’s a fantastic place for wildlife or bird watching. You might catch sight of moose, beaver, porcupine and maybe even a beluga whale!
There are also some great museums to visit in Saguenay. The Musée du Fjord has history displays and an aquarium, while La Pulperie de Chicoutimi museum has lots of regional history and is located in an 1800s wood-pulp mill.
You can find out about the 1996 floods at the Musée de la Petite Maison Blanche and there is also skiing available in the winter months.
Some of the other brilliant things to do in Saguenay include:
Here's some more information on things to do in Saguenay if you're interested!
On the evening of day 5 (or after you’ve finished up any sites in Saguenay) make the drive to Jacques-Cartier National Park. This large national park offers a visitor centre, hiking trails, campsites & rustic chalets
Fees are charged at most parks in Canada, so a great way to say money is by buying an annual Parks Canada Discovery Pass. It’s valid for a full 12 months from your date of purchase.
A family/group pass covers up to 7 people in one vehicle and costs $145CAD for the year or an adult pass is $72CAD.
Park daily admission fees can quickly add up, so this pass can pay for itself in as little as 7 days. It’s a fantastic investment if you plan on doing multiple Canada road trips, especially if you’re planning on heading to lots of parks.
On arrival at the national park, find yourself a place to camp overnight. Jacques-Cartier is home to 113 campsites, both primitive and serviced. For maximum tranquillity all of their ‘rustic’ campsites are accessible only by foot or canoe. Des Alluvions and La Bétulaie campsites are accessible by car.
These two campsites also offer ready to camp tents. Simply arrive at the campsite after an eventful day outdoors, and everything will be ready for you for a cosy night's sleep.
Winter camping is permitted at Des Alluvions and Grand-Duc, 500m and 4.5km from the visitor centre respectively. Availability will depend on snow conditions so check weather conditions in advance.
Plenty of the campsites have RV capacity, but on top of this, the De La Vallée RV area offers sites specially designed to accommodate motor homes.
After an overnight camp it’s time for a hike in the morning. There are plenty of amazing hikes to enjoy in Jacques-Cartier.
One of the most popular hikes is the Les Loupes Trail. It’s a 5.9 mile out and back route from the visitor centre. Some other popular trails include Le Scotora, La Croisse, Les Coulees, or if you’re looking for a longer trail, the Le Draveur Nord.
You can actually go on a guided hike in this national park which lasts for around 4-6 hours.
This is a big day of driving, (well, not really if you’re Canadian), but there will be plenty of beautiful sites to see along the way.
The best thing about long driving days is that you’re able to take the time to soak it all in. Having the whole day reserved for the drive means there are no time constraints and you can pull over for a pit stop at any time.
Although a small village with a population of only around 1000, Montebello is a lovely, cute little area surrounded by scenic landscapes. Its rustic charm, local shops and authentic cuisine mean this quaint little village really has something to offer everyone.
It’s the perfect place to spend the evening, grab a bite to eat, and stop for the night after a long day on the road.
Some great places to eat in Montebello include Restaurant Le Bistro Montebello, Napoleon, and Le Cafe Entris Amis.
Depending on how much time you have in Montebello you could enjoy some of the sites.
Some great things to do in Montebello include:
If you fancy really treating yourself, Montebello is home to the world’s largest log cabin, so experience a luxurious retreat at Fairmont Le Château Montebello, and enjoy a good night's sleep, ready for day 8…
This is a self drive safari in your own vehicle, and it’s seriously a super cool experience.
Driving along this 12 km car route, you’ll meet over 400 wild animals, throughout 2200 acres of wilderness. The drive takes around 90 minutes in total!
Within your day ticket, there are plenty of activities included for you to take advantage of during your visit. Activities include the First Nations Trail, the Land of the Pioneers, and the Park House, with extensive dining options.
There’s so much going on at Parc Omega throughout the whole year, and there’s also plenty of seasonal activities depending on which time of year you visit.
Check out their website for more information, and to book your ticket in advance.
Another great thing about Parc Omega is their unique accommodation options. The most interesting has to be huts that allow you to ‘sleep with the wolves’. The huts have large glass windows so you can look out and see the wolves and immerse yourselves in their natural habitat.
If you're short of time in Canada then you can visit this park on a day trip from Montreal but I highly recommend allowing a whole day here and experiencing this place in your own vehicle.
From here, you can head straight on to Ottawa, less than an hour way, and enjoy an extra evening and night there.
Ottawa is actually the capital of Canada, even though most people assume it’s Toronto or Vancouver, surprisingly, it’s not!
Ottawa is actually in Ontario, so we have stepped out of Quebec on this Quebec road trip itinerary! But seeing as the Canadian capital is so close to Parc Omega it would be rude not to pay it a visit.
Whilst there are lots of beautiful buildings to visit in the city, I don’t think you’ll need more than a day here.
Some of the best things to do in Ottawa include:
If you've got a spare 1.5 hours then check out this hop-on hop-off guided city tour or this sightseeing river cruise!
A great luxury accommodation option is the 660,000 square-foot Fairmont Château Laurier, which is now a luxury hotel. The entire hotel boasts period features including stained glass windows, Roman columns, a copper roof, and Belgian marble floor.
If you don’t fancy staying here, just to see the castle is an impressive and beautiful sight!
It’s time to make the drive back to Montreal to either drop your rental car back, or fly onto your next destination. If you’ve got a few days spare, then spend them checking out all the cool things Montreal has to offer!
Likelihood is you won’t have been able to cram it all in at the start of the trip, so take some time to mop up the highlights you missed the first time round.
Yes, especially if you’re travelling in peak season and wanting to stay within the national park campsites. You can reserve all your campsites in advance, and remember that boondocking (wild/free camping) is not legal within the national parks themselves.
You may be able to find places just outside the national park boundaries, but if you park within the national parks, you will be fined and asked to move on.
We recommend Harvest Hosts as an alternative to campsites. With Harvest Hosts, you can stay on farms, wineries, distilleries and many more places for free in exchange for purchasing a product.
Whilst a lot of Harvest Host’s sites are in America, they do have some places in Canada so it’s worth having a look!
For hotels in cities such as Montreal and Quebec City, we recommend using booking.com
It can be especially expensive if you're paying entrance fees to the national parks and historic sites, but buying an annual Canada parks pass will alleviate some of those costs.
If you’re camping in a van/tent then make your own breakfast/lunch and dinner. Or if you’re using hotels/airbnb then try and get somewhere that has access to cooking facilities.
Of course if you opt for some of the more luxury and unique accommodation options we’ve mentioned above, these will be considerably more expensive!
Get yourself a parks canada pass, if you plan on visiting other national parks in Canada, it’s worth the money!
When budgeting for your trip, bear in mind that the RV rental fee alone will not be the only charge you incur for renting a vehicle. There are lots of additional costs when renting an RV, such as fuel, tax, and tolls.
Before you choose your vehicle rental, see how many miles / km are included in the rental. Rentals with unlimited mileage are the best way to keep costs down on your Quebec road trip.
So there’s our ultimate Quebec road trip itinerary!
We hope this has inspired you to embark on a Canada road trip, it really is a truly amazing place.
For the best experience, we'd recommend booking your activities and attractions in advance like this guided bus tour just to ensure you get a spot!
If you have longer than 10 days in Quebec, there are plenty of other destinations you can include in your itinerary like Gaspésie National Park, the Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre, and Forillon National Park.
Honestly, there are so many fantastic places to visit in Quebec Province so what are you waiting for?
If you head off on your own road trip we’d love to hear about it.
Did you use our itinerary?
Did you make any other stops we missed?
We’d love to hear all about it so please drop us a comment below!
Or maybe this road trip through Quebec has inspired you to venture further afield in Canada.
If that's the case then check out some of our other Canada guides:
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