From fjords & whale routes to historic King's Road and wine country. This sets the “scenic drive” promise: Quebec’s most memorable routes are often defined by waterways—river viewpoints, maritime villages, and places to stop for coastal culture. Photo credit: Pierre Lambert and Claude Parent
Quick Summary
Québec is Canada's biggest province with a whole lot to see. These seven road trip routes bring you to some of its most beautiful wonders and sought-after experiences—from the 300-metre cliffs of the Saguenay Fjord to whale-watching along the St. Lawrence, from vineyards in Brome-Missisquoi to the cobblestone streets of Old Québec. Some trips keep you close to the city; others embrace the full road trip spirit across hundreds of kilometres.
Route Comparison
| Route | Distance | Time | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| New France Route | 56 km (35 mi) | < 1 day | Montmorency Falls, historic farms |
| Fjord Route | 235 km (146 mi) | 1-2 days | Saguenay Fjord, whale-watching |
| King's Road | 280 km (174 mi) | 1-2 days | Montreal–Québec City, historic |
| Wine Route | 138 km (86 mi) | 1-2 days | 21 vineyards, Brome Lake |
| Navigators' Route | 470 km (292 mi) | ~4 days | Lighthouses, kayaking, Bic Park |
| Whale Route | 879 km (546 mi) | 4-6 days | 13 whale species, Tadoussac |
| Gaspésie Tour | 1,231 km (765 mi) | 7-10 days | Percé Rock, Gaspé Peninsula |
The New France Route. Use this image to clarify what “scenic” means here: churches, farm country, and St. Lawrence shoreline stops—ideal for travelers choosing culture and short day drives. Photo credit: Denis Trudel
1. The New France Route (Route de la Nouvelle-France)
Start: Québec City | Distance: 56 km (35 mi) | Time: < 1 day
Experience Québec's history through relics of early settlers. This was once a supply road connecting the capital of New France to the St. Lawrence coast at Côte-de-Beaupré. Drive through communities dotted with old homes and churches, visit farms that sustained them, and see history at multiple museums.
Essential stops: Domaine de Maizerets, Maison Girardin, Montmorency Falls Park, Auberge Baker, Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area
2. The Fjord Route (Route du Fjord)
Start: Baie-Sainte-Catherine | Distance: 235 km (146 mi) | Time: 1-2 days
No, fjords aren't only European. The Saguenay Fjord is one of the world's longest at 105 km, surrounded by 300-metre cliffs. Quirky historic towns line both sides, including some of Québec's most beautiful villages. Go whale-watching in Baie-Sainte-Catherine and enjoy breathtaking landscapes through biking, hiking, and camping. Pick up an audio-guide for town stories.
Essential stops: Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park, Musée de la Nature, Musée du Fjord, Saguenay Fjord National Park
Experiencing Old Quebec. This matters because the King’s Road is a ‘slow travel’ choice: it helps readers decide if they want museum stops and historic towns on the way between Montreal and Quebec City. Photo credit: Camirand Photo
3. The King's Road (Chemin du Roy)
Start: Montreal or Québec City | Distance: 280 km (174 mi) | Time: 1-2 days
This route connects Québec's two biggest cities, dating to 1737 when officials decreed a 'royal road' connecting New France's biggest settlements—the longest road north of the Rio Grande at the time. Follow tracks of stagecoaches and ox-drawn carts past old towns like Repentigny and Trois-Rivières with beautiful churches and local Québécois cuisine. Heritage sites mix with nature until you reach cobblestone streets of Old Québec or Old Montreal. Cyclists: the King's Road is part of the Green Route.
Essential stops: Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade church, Québec Folk Culture Museum, Old Prison of Trois-Rivières, Lake Saint-Pierre
One stop on the Wine Route: Cidres et Vergers Pedneault. A practical decision image: it signals that this drive is about tastings and small-town artisans, so you can plan for reservations, a DD, and a more leisurely itinerary. Photo credit: Asymetric/Finn O’Hara
4. The Wine Route (Route des Vins)
Start: Farnham (1 hr SE of Montreal) | Distance: 138 km (86 mi) | Time: 1-2 days
Bring a designated driver! This path connects 21 vineyards in the Brome-Missisquoi region—including two of Québec's oldest plus newcomers shaking up the scene. Great restaurants, artisans, and outdoor fun await in small towns along the way.
Essential stops: As many vineyards as possible, Brome Lake, Mont Sutton, Centre de Santé Euro-Spa
5. The Navigators' Route (Route des Navigateurs)
Start: Baie-du-Febvre (or Québec City) | Distance: 470 km (292 mi) | Time: ~4 days
Explore historic towns and maritime ports along the southern St. Lawrence River through three regions: Centre-du-Québec, Chaudière-Appalaches, and Bas-Saint-Laurent. Explore historic lighthouses, paddle sea kayaks, picnic along the scenic St. Lawrence. Follow white ship wheel signs; sail-shaped symbols indicate viewpoints worth stopping for.
Essential stops: Centre de la Biodiversité du Québec, Îles du Pot à l'Eau-de-Vie, Musée maritime du Québec, Bic Provincial Park, Pointe-au-Père Maritime Historic Site
6. The Whale Route (Route des Baleines)
Start: Tadoussac | Distance: 879 km (546 mi) | Time: 4-6 days
Thirteen whale species inhabit the St. Lawrence estuary and gulf—inspiring this route. Blue signs with a white whale mark your way along Québec's eastern coast. All the coastal features you'd expect: beautiful vistas, lighthouses, shipwrecks, wildlife viewing, and great seafood. Stop in towns for whale-watching excursions by boat, Zodiac, or sea kayak.
Essential stops: Cap-de-Bon-Désir Interpretation Centre, Daniel Johnson Dam & Manic-5, Pointe-des-Monts Lighthouse, Vauréal Canyon and Falls
Percé Rock, on the Gaspesie Route. This image helps travelers understand the payoff of the longer drive: Gaspésie is where Quebec turns fully coastal—plan extra time if you want ocean viewpoints and outdoor activities. Photo credit: Marc Loiselle
7. The Gaspésie Tour (Le Tour de la Gaspésie)
Start: Montreal or Québec City | Distance: 1,231 km (765 mi) | Time: 7-10 days
A longer road trip from major cities to Québec's easternmost tip. Head east following the St. Lawrence through Eastern Townships and wine regions, touring between small historic waterfront villages and bigger districts like Rivière-du-Loup and Rimouski. Finally meet the Atlantic at the huge Gaspé Peninsula—National Geographic Traveller's '50 Places of a Lifetime in Canada.' Visit awe-inspiring Percé Rock, scuba dive, whale watch, sea kayak, and fish.
Essential stops: Rimouski Wildlife Reserve, Reford Gardens, Exploramer, Bonaventure Island, Gaspésie & Percé Rock Provincial Parks, Chic-Chocs Mountain Lodge
Follow-Up Questions
- Which Québec scenic drive is best for whale watching?
- How long does the Gaspésie Tour take?
- What's the best route from Montreal to Québec City?
- Where can I visit the Saguenay Fjord?
Associated Entities
Saguenay Fjord, Whale Route, King's Road, Gaspésie Tour, Percé Rock, Tadoussac, Wine Route, Brome-Missisquoi, Navigators' Route, New France Route, Montmorency Falls, Bic Provincial Park, Old Québec, Québec City, Montreal, St. Lawrence River, Tourism Québec