Highways in Canada

[Loco101]

Originally Posted by Dengler Avenue

Are table rocks different from table lands? I know that the Neebing - Nipigon Corridor is famous for the former. There’s even a gorge in Ouimet. (Unfortunately I was driving on TCH through Ouimet at 11 pm so I missed all that. I was preoccupied with the thought of getting to Marathon - Heron Bay so I could check out Pukawaska NP the next day.)

I know that this was already answered but those two areas are quite different. I've been to both and liked them equally. I've also been to Pukaskwa NP and love it there.

[Loco101]

Originally Posted by TorontoDrew

I just did a count for Ontario, I counted roughly 48 crossings, 34 are with Quebec mostly south of Ottawa on small side roads only 1 in the west with Manitoba, the rest are with Minnesota, Michigan, and New York.

Did you get the private logging road (with public access) that goes from Cochrane to near La Sarre, QC?

There are also a couple of farming roads North of Lake Temiskaming that cross and I've been on them.

[craner]

Not sure what thread I should ask this but I guess this is as good as any.
Going to be visiting eastern Canada in July, flying into Montreal for 3 nights and then on to QC and then the Maritimes.

My question is:
Driving from Montreal to QC, should we take Autoroute 20 or 40 ?

Thanks in advance.

[GreaterMontréal]

Originally Posted by craner

Not sure what thread I should ask this but I guess this is as good as any.
Going to be visiting eastern Canada in July, flying into Montreal for 3 nights and then on to QC and then the Maritimes.

My question is:
Driving from Montreal to QC, should we take Autoroute 20 or 40 ?

Thanks in advance.

Good question, you should avoid taking the A-25 (tunnel L-H Lafontaine), major construction zone, the MTQ will refurbish the tunnel , 4 year project. The impact on traffic will be important, 1,500 fewer vehicles per hour. More people will take the Jacques-Cartier or the Samuel de Champlain bridges. The traffic on the A-20 just before and after the A-20/A-30 interchange should be epic. The A-40 is the best option as of now. You should leave Montréal in the morning.

If you have the time and you're not in a rush, you could cross the river in Trois-Rivières, then take the A-55 southbound. 30km more kilometers and then take the A-20 eastbound towards Quebec City. You'll be 1h from the bridges. When you enter Quebec City, take the Route 136 (boulevard Champlain), great views.

[FrAnKs]

Originally Posted by craner

Not sure what thread I should ask this but I guess this is as good as any.
Going to be visiting eastern Canada in July, flying into Montreal for 3 nights and then on to QC and then the Maritimes.

My question is:
Driving from Montreal to QC, should we take Autoroute 20 or 40 ?

Thanks in advance.

A20 is busier with more open views and is more straightforward. A40 is a bit more curvy and "natural" and scenic, especially when approaching Québec City.

[Djeffery]

Part of it probably depends on where in each city you are going to be. I know I took the A40 one time on our way to the east coast, just to be different, and it seemed like we would never get there.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Djeffery

Part of it probably depends on where in each city you are going to be. I know I took the A40 one time on our way to the east coast, just to be different, and it seemed like we would never get there.

But less busy, and prettier, especially near QC, like FrAnKs said.

[Djeffery]

Yes, for sure, more trees on the north shore are nicer to look at than the fewer trees on the south lol.

[le calmar]

A40 is definitely more boring, but I seem to recall you get some nice views as you approach Quebec City. As a bonus can also get off the highway and drive on Chemin du Roy (oldest road in Canada) through some old villages.

[Dengler Avenue]

I remember liking the view of Lac St Pierre when I first drove on A40.

I won’t recommend A55 though: super-2 then *gasp* a traffic light!

Also, craner, are you gonna take A85/Rte 185? I’ve been waiting for people to take and post pictures of the construction site (for twinning).

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by Djeffery

Yes, for sure, more trees on the north shore are nicer to look at than the fewer trees on the south lol.

I also find that in recent years the areas adjacent to the A20 between Montreal and Quebec City have up a lot more around certain towns and cities, with auto dealerships, fast food places, furniture warehouses, etc. replacing what used to open farm fields.

So I too prefer the A40 - for this and other reasons already cited.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by GreaterMontréal

. When you enter Quebec City, take the Route 136 (boulevard Champlain), great views.

This is a good suggestion. I also like entering the city via Boulevard Laurier-Chemin St-Louis-Grande-Allée, which is all the same road but changes names several times.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Acajack

I also like entering the city via Boulevard Laurier-Chemin St-Louis-Grande-Allée, which is all the same road but changes names several times.

The first time I visited QC was on my honeymoon, and we stayed at the Chateau Frontenac. We travelled down le Grande Allee to reach the old walled city. We arrived in the early evening about 7-8 PM. It just happened to be St Jean-Baptiste Day. It was quite an experience driving down the street, especially that section just before the walled city where all the street front cafes are located........

I had no idea when I made the reservation that it was going to be St Jean Baptiste Day.

[craner]

Thanks for all the info guys - much appreciated. Very excited to make this trip.
In QC we are staying on Ile D’Orleans (just FYI).

Dengler - from QC we are heading south to Maine and then back up into NB that way so unfortunately wont be able to see the twinning of A85/185 - sorry.

[Nashe]

Originally Posted by Dengler Avenue

Also, craner, are you gonna take A85/Rte 185? I’ve been waiting for people to take and post pictures of the construction site (for twinning).

I was through there a few weeks ago and it's still under heavy construction. I did see half a dozen large-format dump trunks and loaders working, but it appears to drag on. There were a couple of places where the road took a sidestep to go around busy sections, but overall, the existing 2-lane is still very passable. (Though rough)

[Dengler Avenue]

I’m aware of the detour near Rivière Verte for segment 2 and near St Honoré de Témoscouata for segment 5. Dragging on? What do you mean? Like people slacking off?
At least I’m glad they’re working even through winter.

@craner: Staying on Île d’Orléans? That sounds fun. I’ve driven the entire island twice, once in late December and once in late August. And aww okay. I wish you would have been able to check out A20 between Lévis and Rivière-du-Loup though. That part of Quebec has a very strong Maritime feels to it, very different from Quebec City and points west.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by craner

Thanks for all the info guys - much appreciated. Very excited to make this trip.
In QC we are staying on Ile D’Orleans (just FYI).
.

If you're staying there it's even easier to take A-40. (Though the other route isn't bad or inconvenient either.)

[Franco401]

What sections of A-85 are currently underway? Nothing is scheduled for completion this year according to Wikipedia.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by Dengler Avenue

I’m aware of the detour near Rivière Verte for segment 2 and near St Honoré de Témoscouata for segment 5. Dragging on? What do you mean? Like people slacking off?
At least I’m glad they’re working even through winter.
.

Not to mention that winter highway construction in that part of the world is no walk in the park.

[Dengler Avenue]

Originally Posted by Acajack

Not to mention that winter highway construction in that part of the world is no walk in the park.

Oh yea I know. Having been through one in Cambridge, ON for good 4 years, I’m just surprised that you guys do work even in winter too.