New England & Atlantic Canada Grand Loop
Boston → Portland → Acadia → Bay of Fundy → Halifax → Cape Breton → PEI → Québec City → Montreal → White Mountains → Boston
Portland→Acadia→Fundy→Halifax→Lunenburg→Cape Breton→PEI→Québec City→Montreal→Burlington→White Mountains→Boston
16 daysSummerModerateMid-range12 segments14 stops
A 16-day road trip through the rugged coastlines of New England and the Maritime provinces of Canada. From the colonial streets of Boston to the French charm of Quebec, cross 4 national parks, 2 countries, and 1,800 miles of lighthouses, lobster shacks, and North Atlantic scenery.
☀️ SummerModerateMid-Range16 days
12 segments 14 landmarks 38h 15m📏 2070 km
Day-by-Day Plan
1 / 16
Boston: Cradle of Liberty
Day 1 Activities
- Walk the Freedom Trail from Boston Common to Faneuil Hall
- Tour the USS Constitution at Charlestown Navy Yard
- Cannoli crawl in the North End
- Sunset view from the Bunker Hill Monument
StayOmni Parker House or Beacon Hill boutique hotel
MealsBreakfast: Flour Bakery + Café / Lunch: Union Oyster House / Dinner: Giacomo's North End
← swipe between days →
Route Segments
1
Boston → Portland
🕐 2h📏 110 mi
2
Portland → Acadia
🕐 3h📏 175 mi
3
Acadia → Fundy
🕐 3h 30m📏 150 mi
4
Fundy → Halifax
🕐 2h 30m📏 150 mi
5
Halifax → Lunenburg
🕐 1h 30m📏 70 mi
6
Lunenburg → Cape Breton
🕐 5h📏 300 mi
7
Cape Breton → PEI
🕐 4h📏 200 mi
8
PEI → Québec City
🕐 6h📏 360 mi
9
Québec City → Montreal
🕐 3h📏 160 mi
10
Montreal → Burlington
🕐 2h📏 95 mi
11
Burlington → White Mountains
🕐 2h 45m📏 140 mi
12
White Mountains → Boston
🕐 3h📏 160 mi
landmarks
🗺️
Plan This Trip
Affiliate links — we may earn a commission📍 Freedom Trail
📍 Portland Head Light
📍 Cadillac Mountain
📍 Beehive Trail
📍 Bay of Fundy Tides
📍 Hopewell Rocks
🧡
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New England & Atlantic Canada Grand Loop
Boston → Portland → Acadia → Bay of Fundy → Halifax → Cape Breton → PEI → Québec City → Montreal → White Mountains → Boston
Segments12
Landmarks14
Distance2070 km
Duration38h 15m
Day-by-Day Plan
1
Boston: Cradle of Liberty
- Walk the Freedom Trail from Boston Common to Faneuil Hall
- Tour the USS Constitution at Charlestown Navy Yard
- Cannoli crawl in the North End
- Sunset view from the Bunker Hill Monument
Stay
Omni Parker House or Beacon Hill boutique hotel
Meals
Breakfast: Flour Bakery + Café / Lunch: Union Oyster House / Dinner: Giacomo's North End
2
Boston to Portland: Lobster Coast Road
- Morning drive up I-95 to Portland (2h)
- Visit Portland Head Light at Cape Elizabeth
- Explore the Old Port district and waterfront
- Brewery crawl on Industrial Way
Stay
Portland Harbor Hotel or Press Hotel
Meals
Breakfast: Tatte Bakery Boston / Lunch: Duckfat (Portland) / Dinner: Eventide Oyster Co.
3
Portland to Acadia: Coastal Maine
- Scenic drive up Route 1 through Camden and Rockland
- Short hike at Camden Hills State Park
- Arrive at Bar Harbor and stroll the Shore Path
- Seafood dinner overlooking Frenchman Bay
Stay
Bar Harbor Inn or Acadia Cottage rentals
Meals
Breakfast: Luke's Lobster Portland / Lunch: Camden deli picnic / Dinner: Stewman's Lobster Pound
4
Acadia National Park Full Day
- Sunrise at Cadillac Mountain (reservation required)
- Hike the Beehive Trail loop
- Drive Park Loop Road with photo stops
- Whale watching cruise from Bar Harbor
Stay
Bar Harbor Inn or Acadia Cottage rentals
Meals
Breakfast: Jordan Pond House popovers / Lunch: picnic at Sand Beach / Dinner: Geddy's Pub
5
Acadia to Fundy: Cross-Border Adventure
- Morning drive to St. Andrews by-the-Sea, NB
- Lunch and stroll in St. Andrews historic district
- Cross into New Brunswick and explore Fundy coastline
- Sunset at Cape Enrage lighthouse
Stay
Algonquin Resort St. Andrews or Fundy National Park cabin
Meals
Breakfast: Bar Harbor cafe / Lunch: The Red Herring (St. Andrews) / Dinner: Cape Enrage cliffside dining
6
Bay of Fundy: World's Highest Tides
- Walk the ocean floor at Hopewell Rocks at low tide
- Hike Fundy National Park coastal trails
- Visit the Fundy Parkway interpretive center
- Evening kayak tour of the tidal basin
Stay
Fundy National Park oTENTik or Alma nearby inn
Meals
Breakfast: St. Andrews B&B / Lunch: Alma Lobster Shop / Dinner: Tides Restaurant
7
Fundy to Halifax: Lighthouse Route
- Scenic drive through Annapolis Valley
- Wine tasting at a Gaspereau Valley vineyard
- Arrive in Halifax and explore the waterfront
- Evening at Alexander Keith's Brewery
Stay
The Westin Nova Scotian or Prince George Hotel
Meals
Breakfast: Fundy cabin / Lunch: Annapolis Valley bistro / Dinner: The Bicycle Thief
8
Halifax to Peggy's Cove & Lunenburg
- Sunrise photos at Peggy's Cove lighthouse
- Explore Mahone Bay and its three churches
- Walking tour of Lunenburg UNESCO Old Town
- Dinner at a waterfront seafood restaurant
Stay
Lunenburg waterfront B&B (Sail Inn or similar)
Meals
Breakfast: Halifax farmers market / Lunch: Peggy's Cove food truck / Dinner: Fleur de Sel (Lunenburg)
9
Lunenburg to Cape Breton
- Long scenic drive through central Nova Scotia
- Stop at Canso Causeway to watch the tides
- Arrive on the Cabot Trail
- Acadian supper in Cheticamp
Stay
Cape Breton Highlands lodge or Cheticamp inn
Meals
Breakfast: Lunenburg B&B / Lunch: Truro farm stand / Dinner: L'Abricot (Cheticamp)
10
Cabot Trail Full Day
- Hike the Skyline Trail at sunrise
- Whale watching tour from Pleasant Bay
- Scenic drive through Cape Breton Highlands
- Sunset at Meat Cove lookout
Stay
Keltic Lodge or Cabot Trail cabin
Meals
Breakfast: Cheticamp bakery / Lunch: picnic at Skyline Trail / Dinner: The Dancing Moose Cafe
11
Cape Breton to Prince Edward Island
- Morning drive to the Confederation Bridge
- Cross into PEI and explore Cavendish
- Visit Green Gables Heritage Place
- Red cliffs sunset at Cavendish Beach
Stay
Cavendish resort or Charlottetown boutique hotel
Meals
Breakfast: Cape Breton B&B / Lunch: PEI Lobster Supper / Dinner: Sims Corner Steakhouse
12
PEI to Québec City: St. Lawrence Valley
- Morning explore of Charlottetown
- Long drive across New Brunswick (Trans-Canada Hwy)
- Enter Quebec and follow the St. Lawrence River
- Arrive at Old Québec and evening ramparts stroll
Stay
Fairmont Le Château Frontenac or Old Québec hotel
Meals
Breakfast: Charlottetown cafe / Lunch: Edmunston NB stop / Dinner: Aux Anciens Canadiens
13
Québec City Discovery
- Guided walking tour of Old Québec
- Visit Montmorency Falls (higher than Niagara)
- Explore Petit-Champlain district shopping
- Dinner in a traditional Quebec bistro
Stay
Fairmont Le Château Frontenac or Old Québec hotel
Meals
Breakfast: Paillard bakery / Lunch: Bistro Le Sam / Dinner: L'Initiale or Le Saint-Amour
14
Québec City to Montreal
- Drive the Chemin du Roy along the St. Lawrence
- Stop at Trois-Rivières for lunch
- Arrive in Montreal and explore Old Montreal
- Poutine and bagel tasting tour
Stay
Hotel William Gray or Old Montreal boutique hotel
Meals
Breakfast: Quebec City B&B / Lunch: Trois-Rivières café / Dinner: Garde Manger or Schwartz's Deli
15
Montreal to Burlington: Lake Champlain
- Morning explore of Mount Royal Park
- Cross into the US at the Champlain border
- Island-hop through Lake Champlain Islands
- Craft beer tasting in Burlington
Stay
Hotel Vermont or Burlington lakefront inn
Meals
Breakfast: St-Viateur Bagel Montreal / Lunch: Alburgh VT farm stand / Dinner: Hen of the Wood
16
Burlington to Boston via White Mountains
- Drive the Kancamagus Highway scenic byway
- Short hike at Franconia Notch (Flume Gorge)
- Lunch in Portsmouth historic district
- Final drive to Boston and trip conclusion
Stay
— (trip concludes in Boston)
Meals
Breakfast: Burlington cafe / Lunch: Portsmouth Lobster Pound / Dinner: —
Route Segments
| # | From | To | Transport | Duration | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston | Portland | car | 2h | 110 mi |
| 2 | Portland | Acadia | car | 3h | 175 mi |
| 3 | Acadia | Fundy | car | 3h 30m | 150 mi |
| 4 | Fundy | Halifax | car | 2h 30m | 150 mi |
| 5 | Halifax | Lunenburg | car | 1h 30m | 70 mi |
| 6 | Lunenburg | Cape Breton | car | 5h | 300 mi |
| 7 | Cape Breton | PEI | car | 4h | 200 mi |
| 8 | PEI | Québec City | car | 6h | 360 mi |
| 9 | Québec City | Montreal | car | 3h | 160 mi |
| 10 | Montreal | Burlington | car | 2h | 95 mi |
| 11 | Burlington | White Mountains | car | 2h 45m | 140 mi |
| 12 | White Mountains | Boston | car | 3h | 160 mi |