Are you planning a road trip around the Quebec province? Awesome! Here are our recommendations to design a fun Quebec road-trip itinerary from Montreal. Bear in mind that you can spend more days at some of these destinations if you have more time. This itinerary is for 7 days, but as we just mentioned, you could easily transform it into a 10-day, or even 14-day itinerary.
You can easily rent a car from Montreal Airport. Keep in mind however that it might be difficult to find a parking spot inside Montreal, so make sure that your hotel offers a parking option.
Day 1: Montreal
When you arrive in Montreal, you’ll be overwhelmed and no doubt tempted by the plethora of activities on offer. As a global, multicultural metropolis, Quebec’s largest city has activities in store for every single visitor, whatever their interests.
For example, a stroll on the region’s most famous mount will give you an unmatchable overview of the immensity, diversity, and beauty of this unforgettable city. Your walk through the wooded trails of Mount Royal will lead you to stunning viewpoints, while also giving you an opportunity to get some exercise before you sit in your car for hours!
Once you’re back down, hunger may come knocking. It’s time to try Montreal’s local dishes. You can taste typical Montreal-style smoked meat at Schwartz’s restaurant or a memorable poutine at La Banquise, which you will find at the corner of Rachel street and Parc Lafontaine street.
You can end your day with a walk around Montreal’s Vieux-Port (Old Port) and explore the old town, which houses many unique boutiques. If you’re more into shopping malls, you should know that Montreal hides an entire underground city that is like a giant covered market. So, everyone will find something fulfilling to do.
Finally, you will have no problem finding a hotel that meets your standards and budget, as this city offers a wide range of accommodation options.
Day 2: Quebec City
After a 3-hour drive, you will finally reach Quebec City, Quebec’s second-most populated city. Similar to Montreal but quieter, Quebec City is a historical gem that offers many opportunities for discovery.
From the moment you enter the city, you won’t be able to take your eyes off the famous Frontenac castle and its tragically notorious Plains of Abraham. After visiting this historic landmark, you’ll be able to walk toward the oldest neighborhood in North America.
The Vieux-Champlain neighborhood and its royal square will take you back in time with their typical French colonial architecture. A few exhibitions and museums will welcome you in and allow you to really see and understand the difficulties that the first settlers encountered when they moved to the area.
Once again, all this exercise will probably have whetted your appetite, and you may want to find a comfortable, cozy, and welcoming place to relax for a while before getting back to your hotel.
One of the spots best loved by tourists and locals alike is the Claddagh Irish pub. With its varied cuisine and pleasant and charming atmosphere, this pub will introduce you to countless varieties of whiskeys and beers while also offering you a copious and diverse food menu. Exactly what you need to round off your day around a good meal.
Note that you can also add an extra day in Quebec City if you have more time.
Day 3: Rimouski
After Quebec City, continue toward Rimouski, a real wonder of nature. Even the road leading there is a dream painting unrolling in front of your eyes. Once there, you will fall under the spell of this picturesque coastal city.
Close by, in Pointe-aux-pères, you will have the rare opportunity to see and visit the Onondaga submarine. One of the only two submarines that can be visited in Canada, this site will give you an idea of the daily life of submariners, as challenging and dangerous as it used to be.
If you’re the more adventurous type, Rimouski will also delight you. Just a stone’s throw from the city, the Parc National du Bic is a gateway to the beauty of the coastal mountains and the wondrous islands that form the last strip of land before the Saint-Laurent fjord.
If you have a chance to go to Belvédère du Bic, a lookout platform that offers one of the most spectacular panoramic views in Quebec, make sure to take it. All your road trip companions will remember it forever.
To continue your day, you can take a stroll around the bustling Rimouski city center. The center is full of surprising small shops, cafes, and restaurants. You will also have a chance to discover the Rimouski Regional Museum, which is located inside the oldest stone church in eastern Quebec.
Finally, in most of the area’s restaurants, you’ll be able to enjoy a lavish meal of freshly caught seafood. According to the season, you will be able to taste the local flavors of the region and of the Saint-Laurent river.
Note that you can also add an extra day in the city of Rimouski.
Day 4: Percé
Continuing onward, a few hours’ drive will take you to the furthermost point on your itinerary: Percé. This small town is particularly renowned for the Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé National Park.
The truly massive, famous pierced rock is Percé’s main attraction. You can admire it and even touch it if you so wish.
A few daily cruises are available to visitors who want to see it up close, although you need to book early. As part of these guided boat tours, you can also go around Bonaventure Island, which serves as a sanctuary for North America’s largest colony of migrating birds. It hosts the most populous colony of northern gannets.
On the mainland, Percé’s newly opened UNESCO Global Geopark gives everyone a chance to witness 500 million years of geological evolution and to get a rush of adrenaline with its high zipline and glass observation platform.
Beyond these thrilling activities, it’s also the best camping area in Percé for nature lovers. Nearby, you’ll find several restaurants that will serve sumptuous seafood dishes that will take your taste buds on a journey. This small town also houses a brewery known throughout the world that produces unique beers. Go to the Pit Caribou brewery and try its local beers.
Note that you could also spend an extra day in the city of Gaspé.
Jour 5: Carleton-sur-Mer
Finally, a few tens of kilometers away from Percé, you will find what I consider to be one of the most beautiful and peaceful corners of the Gaspésie region.
With its friendly, kind, and warm people, Carleton-sur-Mer is a place to relax before setting off on your return journey. The views of the sea from its beaches and from its unique marina will take your breath away. With its long sandy strips along the coast, it’s also a lovely place to swim if you don’t mind the cold too much.
At dinner time, you will probably want to maintain your slower pace of life and watch a magical sunset over the sea. You can do that at the Marin d’eau douce restaurant, which is located on the Carleton-sur-Mer pier.
This gastronomic stop will allow you to fill your stomach with typical dishes from the north-west of the Atlantic Ocean one last time. You will then find your accommodation for the night.
There are a few individual homes called Cabins, and a few Airbnbs that travelers really enjoy. However, check availability in advance, as options are limited and this spot is popular. It’s a good idea to book a few weeks ahead to make sure that you will have a place to sleep.
Day 6: Montreal
🛈 On your last day, you’ll be rested and ready to leave Gaspésie with your head full of images and unforgettable memories. Nevertheless, the hours in the car quickly add up and the journey may feel rather lengthy. Here, you have a few options. You can choose to stop in Trois-Rivières, in Quebec City, or to head straight to Montreal. However, the drive to Montreal takes about 8 hours. So, if you’d rather not cover the whole distance in one go, we suggest you make a stop in Trois-Rivières or in Quebec City on your way to Montreal.
En route, you could stop next to Amqui to stretch your legs and enjoy the natural gems of East Quebec one last time. The Matapédia park is one of the most popular national parks these days for its rich ecosystem and diverse wildlife. With its hiking trails and the other activities it offers, a visit to this park will fill up a chunk of your day and break up your monotonous trip back to Montreal.
The last step of your journey is to endure your last few hours on the road. Thankfully, you can choose a different route from the one you took on the way out and travel on a faster highway that will save you time and energy.
You will first reach Quebec City, then Montreal, the city you started from and your resting place on the last day of your road trip. If you’re not too exhausted after these long hours of travel, you can make the most of Montreal’s nightlife one more time.
Day 7: Departure
That’s it, it’s time to return your rental car to the airport. See you next time!
