Can you drive to Newfoundland?
Newfoundland is a gorgeous northern paradise that lies off of Canada's eastern coast. Although it would make the perfect road trip, you can't get to it by land directly. Fortunately, there are other ways to get there, including the popular and hassle-free ferry.
While you can't drive directly to Newfoundland, there are convenient ferry options. You can take a car ferry from North Sydney (Nova Scotia) to Port Aux Basques or Argentia. There's also a ferry from Blanc Sablon (Labrador) to St Barbe, Newfoundland.
The island of Newfoundland is an incredible destination full of natural beauty, friendly people, and relaxing communities. Read on to learn about the best options for your journey, including when to go and what to do when you arrive.
Can you drive to Newfoundland?
The Canadian island of Newfoundland is a large island off the coast of Canada. It has the most easterly point in North America and is half of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The Gulf of St Lawrence separates the island from Labrador on the mainland.
Although it has no bridge to the mainland, you can take your car on the ferry. Once you arrive, you'll enter a stunning wilderness with gorgeous coastlines and postcard-worthy towns.
Once you're ready to drive on the island, you'll mostly be taking the Trans-Canada Highway with smaller regional highways to the towns and cities. You can even drive to St. Anthony, at the northernmost tip of the island.
You cannot drive directly to Newfoundland from mainland Canada
Unfortunately, road trippers cannot drive directly to Newfoundland from mainland Canada. However, because of the wonderful ferry options, it's easy to bring your car there.
Once you arrive, you'll get on the famous Trans-Canada Highway. This major roadway runs between Port Aux Basques to its capital city, St. John's.
The Trans-Canada Highway is connected to all the major towns on the island. There are plenty of easy to find detours that will take you comfortably and safely to other parts of the island which will make your trip like a stress-free adventure.
Most of the island's main attractions and most visited communities lie on the northern end of the island, including St John's, the island's capital. If you only want to explore this side of the island, a ferry to Argentia is preferable to Port Aux Basque.
You can take a ferry to Newfoundland from Canada
There are a few comfortable ferry options that will bring you to the island. Which one works best for you depends on the season and which side of the island you want to explore.
One popular summer road trip is taking the ferry to Argentia and driving to the capital, St John's, and finally returning to Port Aux Basque by driving across the island on the Trans-Canada Highway. This road trip will cover almost the entire island and allow you to take advantage of both ferry services.
It's important to note that the Argentia ferry is pricier and only open during the summer. You'll have to travel overnight, so make sure you book one of the ferry's comfortable cabins to rest up in.
Marine Atlantic Ferries operates both ferries. You can get the crossing times and prices from their website. The ferries are very popular, so be sure to book them in advance.
There is a third ferry run by the government of Newfoundland and Labrador. It takes you between Blanc-Sablon in Quebec to St Barbe on the northern end of the island. Check their website for timetables and schedules.
Travel time to Newfoundland by ferry will depend on where you start from
Taking the ferry to Newfoundland is very easy and straightforward. However, depending on where you start from, the travel times may vary.
If you arrive in North Sydney, you'll be taking the ferry to Port Aux Basques. This ferry ride usually lasts from six to eight hours long.
Take a look at the table below for a comparison of the most popular travel options to Newfoundland.
| Route | Mode | Time/Distance | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blanc-Sablon-St Barbe | Vehicle ferry | 36 km (1 hour 45 minutes) | $82.25 |
| North Sydney-Port Aux Basques | Vehicle ferry | 180 km (6-8 hours) | $320 |
| North Sydney-Argentia | Vehicle ferry | 510 km (16 hours) | $935 |
| Toronto-St John's | Flight | 2,110 km (2 hours 30 minutes) | $255 |
*Prices calculated at the time of writing for one adult and one vehicle (where applicable), return trip
During the summer, a ferry service also runs from North Sydney to the port of Argentia, close to the capital of St John's. During peak season from July to September, this ferry runs three times per week and takes around 16 hours. So, don't forget to book a cozy cabin in advance.
The quickest ferry is the one from Blanc-Sablon. It is also the furthest port to drive to on the mainland, so even though the ferry ride is short, it won't save you any time. This ferry ride will take 1 hour and 45 minutes to St. Barbe.
Finally, another option is to fly to Newfoundland. Most flights arrive at St John's and once you're there, it's possible to rent a car. If you fly from Toronto, it'll take a little under three hours.
How long does it take to drive to Newfoundland?
Any trip to Newfoundland involves taking a car ferry from the mainland to the island. Although the drive there, ferry crossing, and drive on the island is dependable, you'll need to keep in mind that weather, traffic, and connection times can add some extra time.
If you're driving from the United States, you'll most likely be driving up the East Coast, taking the interstate north of Boston and entering Canada at Calais. Once you cross into Canada, you'll drive to North Sydney to grab the ferry to Port Aux Basques or Argentia in the summer.
Another route for driving is to head north from Quebec City towards Labrador and then heading to Blanc-Sablon to catch the third ferry. This route takes 27 hours in total and covers 2,100 kilometers.
Things to see in Newfoundland
Once you arrive in Newfoundland, there are plenty of wonderful things to see and do. Below are our top highlights to see in this one-of-a-kind destination.
| Name | Recommended Port | Description |
|---|---|---|
| L'Anse Aux Meadows | Port aux Basques | This is the 1000 year old settlement of the Viking explorer Leif Erikson, located on the most northerly tip of the island. The site, thought of as the base for exploring North America, has over 800 Norse objects. |
| Gros Morne National Park | Port aux Basques | There are towering cliffs, mountains, waterfalls, and glacial fjords that make up Great Morne's breathtaking landscape. You can see Moose and Caribou as you walk the trails. If you venture into the alpine highlands, you can witness Arctic Hare and Ptarmigan in their natural habitat. |
| Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse and Museum | Port aux Basques | A visit to this historic lighthouse is a must. Come enjoy coastal trails and wander the headlands and Tuckamore forests with extensive views of the Atlantic Ocean. |
| Western Brook Pond | Port aux Basques | Enjoy this large scenic fjord with boat trips and trails to explore. It's surrounded by vast 600m rock walls. |
| Baker's Brook Falls | Port aux Basques | Come explore beautiful forest trails leading you to the series of waterfalls that make this such a popular tourist attraction as the water cascades over ancient limestone. |
| JT Cheeseman Provincial Park | Port aux Basques | This Provincial Park has glorious forests, rolling hills, a delightful sandy beach, a stunning waterfall and a hiking trail to explore. |
| St John's | Argentia | This Capital City has a beautiful 17th-century citadel called Signal Hill, great restaurants, and hillside hiking trails to explore at your leisure. |
| Quidi Vidi | Argentia | Visit this colorful fishing village surrounded by picturesque cliffs. They make the local beer with iceberg water and there are many artisan crafts and galleries and gift shops. |
| Conception Bay | Argentia | Come see giant icebergs floating down from the arctic circle, scuba dive and see whales underwater, or take a coastal photography tour. |
| Cape Spear | Argentia | See the lighthouse at the most easterly point of the province, with stunning views out to the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean. |
| Bonavista | Argentia | Here you can see icebergs and for wildlife watching, with puffin nesting grounds nearby. The place where Italian explorer Giovanni Caboo first landed in the Americas in 1497. |
| Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve | Argentia | Filled with alpine wildflowers, and home to dozens of bird species. An easy walking trail takes you to a dramatic cliff face, home to over 70,000 birds. |
| Brigus | Argentia | Visit the historic buildings, Victorian buildings in the old town, with its British heritage. It is host to the Blueberry Festival in August with dancing, singing, fireworks, and traditional food. |
| Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve | Argentia | Home to some of the oldest, unique fossilized life forms on earth, some being almost 600 million years old. |
| Iceberg Alley | Argentia | The whole east coast of the island has towering icebergs. The summer months offer an ideal chance to see these incredible wonders of nature, formed over thousands of years. |
| The Northern Lights | Both | Newfoundland is perfect for watching this incredible phenomenon and the best chance to see them is between October and March. Take into consideration that there is no guarantee to see them. |
As you can see, there are plenty of amazing sights to experience on the island. Which port you will arrive at will depend on what you want to see.
You will have a choice on where to arrive on Newfoundland
Depending on what you want to see, you have three arrival points. Getting to any of the sights nearby is easy and hassle-free as long as the weather cooperates.
If you arrive in St. Barbe, you'll be close to the towns of Pigeon Cove and St. Barbe. From here, you can visit the Deep Cove Historical Trail, Ten Mile Lake, The Marjorie Bridge, and the Thrombolites Walking Trail.
Port Aux Basques is another ferry port that serves the mainland. Here, you can explore the Cape Ray Lighthouse, Codroy Valley Wetlands, Grand Bay, Port Aux Basques Marine Excursions, and the popular Harvey Trail.
Finally, in Argentia, you'll be just a short drive away from the capital St John's where you can find comfortable hotels and nice restaurants. Nearby, you can explore Castle Hill, Placenta Bay Cultural Arts Centre, Signal Hill, Quidi Vidi, and the Cape Spear Lighthouse and National Historic Site.
What you need to know about driving to Newfoundland
- Make sure to give yourself a couple of hours during check in at the ferries. This will keep the process stress free and allow you time to organize your things and relax for the voyage.
- Fall is the best season for prices, but you're more likely to get rain or snow on your journey. As always, make sure you check the weather before venturing onto the island.
- Weather also affects the ferry schedules and can cause delays and even cancellations. Double check the ferry company's websites before making the trip to Newfoundland.
- The island is located far north of Maine and experiences very harsh winters full of snow and rain. This weather can frequently cause road closures, so again, check the weather before you make your plans to visit.
- If you're from the USA, UK, Australia, EU, or any other country, you'll need your passport when entering Canada. Sometimes, proof of return journey is needed, based on where you're from.
The easiest way to reach Newfoundland from the mainland is by ferry
As you can see, there are plenty of easy options to drive into Newfoundland via ferry. Just make sure to follow our advice above and consider what you want to see when choosing your arrival point. This way you'll have a safe and stress-free vacation, driving in one of Canada's most stunning areas.
