Getting Here Car & Ferry

Located at the most easterly edge of North America, Newfoundland and Labrador makes a great road-trip destination. Most auto travellers access the province by Marine Atlantic ferries, which operate between Nova Scotia and the island of Newfoundland. These modern vessels carry thousands of vehicles and passengers to the island every year. 

There is year-round service between North Sydney, Nova Scotia and Port aux Basques, in southwestern Newfoundland. Most days have two sailings – morning and evening – and the crossing takes six to eight hours, depending on weather.

From June to September there is also service between North Sydney, Nova Scotia and Argentia, on the Avalon Peninsula, a 90-minute drive from the capital city of St. John's. This longer trip, about 15 hours, runs three times a week.

From anywhere in North America, arrive in Labrador via Québec highway routes QC 138 and QC 389 that connect with the Québec-Labrador border at Fermont, QC / Labrador City, NL. From there, follow Expedition 51° east along NL 500 to Happy Valley-Goose Bay, then south along NL 510 to Blanc Sablon, QC, to travel on the daily, year-round ferry service (a 1.5-hour trip) at Blanc Sablon, QC to St. Barbe, Newfoundland.

The travel time is about eight hours from Baie Comeau, QC, to Labrador City. Services along the route are very limited, but the terrain is marvellous, rising from the lower reaches of the Québec Lower North Shore to the escarpment that is the Canadian Shield. Crossing from Québec to Labrador moves you from Eastern Time to Atlantic Time (1 hour ahead).

From Labrador City and Wabush to L’Anse-au-Clair, Expedition 51° crosses The Big Land, connecting the west to the south coast, 1,135 kilometres away. The drive east follows the watershed and rivers linking the Churchill River to Happy Valley-Goose Bay and North West River. Further south, you can find historic sites at Battle Harbour, Red Bay, and L’Anse-Amour en route to the Québec-Labrador border to travel on the daily, year-round ferry service (a 1.5-hour trip) at Blanc Sablon, QC, to St. Barbe, Newfoundland.

From the island of Newfoundland, take the Trans-Canada Highway (Route 1), which spans the island from Port aux Basques to St. John’s — 905 kilometres. All highways off Route 1 are paved. Most coastal roads are paved with posted speed limits of 60–100 kilometres per hour. From Deer Lake, travel north via route 430 (the Viking Trail) to the daily, year-round ferry service at St. Barbe to Labrador via Blanc Sablon, QC. During peak season, the ferry runs several times each day, and the crossing takes less than two hours. The trip is a great opportunity to spot icebergs, whales, and birds, so keep a lookout while you’re on board. There’s a switch in time zones as you cross between the provinces; be sure to double-check crossing times (the schedule on the website uses Newfoundland Time for all departures).