Recommended itinerary for an 11-day road trip from Quebec City?

hi everyone, my flight’s all booked (Sept 19–Oct 4), with 1.5 days in Montreal + 1.5 days in Quebec City... then I’ve got 11 days starting from Quebec City for a road trip—what route do you recommend? (I’ve seen these stops come up a lot: Parc Omega, Charlevoix, Tadoussac, Bas-Saint-Laurent, Saguenay, Parc de la Gaspésie, Parc Forillon, Mauricie...) The idea is no more than 2–3 hours of driving per day on average. I’m traveling solo :-( (if you’re in the area around the same dates, hit me up!) 45 years old, I love sports (so I’m hoping to do hikes, kayaking, and other activities, see whales...discover beautiful landscapes). I’m not sure if there are any events in the area during those dates, but I’d also like to meet some people... Thanks in advance for your tips!

Hello,

Your itinerary is very ambitious.

What you're asking for is a lot of work to do well.

And you're heading in many different directions. It’s like if I wanted to cross all of France diagonally, visiting places, and then backtrack to catch my flight—all in 11 days.

I’ve been traveling a lot for 20 years—Canada, Europe, and the United States. I plan everything myself using Google Maps for distances. I create a day-by-day itinerary, as realistic as possible, including places to visit and schedules. I check their websites.

Even accommodation needs to be checked and possibly booked. It’d be a shame to drive 2 hours only to find closed doors. That can happen as early as mid-September outside Montreal and Quebec City.

Yes, it’s a lot of research, but once you’re there, it’s pure joy.

Suggesting visits that wouldn’t be possible on your dates wouldn’t be helpful.

As mentioned in your other post, a car is essential in Quebec and Canada. Traveling by bus or train is impossible with your itinerary. And for most trips, that’s just how Canada is—a country of cars.

In your list, you mention Parc Oméga (near Montreal/Ottawa) and Gaspésie (Parc de la Gaspésie and Forillon).

Watch out—Parc Oméga is west of Montreal, while Gaspésie is east of Quebec City. Trying to do both in 11 days with a limit of 2 to 3 hours of driving per day is impossible, since that would mean thousands of kilometers of travel (Gaspésie alone requires a loop of at least 7 to 10 days from Quebec City).

For 11 days and a relaxed pace (max 3 hours of driving/day), you’ll need to choose between the West (Outaouais/Mauricie) or the East (Charlevoix, Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, Tadoussac, Bas-Saint-Laurent). Since you’re starting from Quebec City, the Eastern loop is perfect—gorgeous and packed with outdoor activities.

Traveling solo? Quebec City is one of the easiest places in the world to break the ice, since people strike up conversations super easily. Here are a few tips:

Stay in youth hostels (with private rooms if you prefer a bit more comfort) or B&Bs. Breakfast in a B&B around a big communal table is ideal for chatting with hosts and other travelers.

Opt for guided activities—a guided sea-kayaking trip or a small-group whale-watching cruise (zodiac) instantly creates connections.

If you arrive in early September, the Western Festival in St-Tite (Mauricie, September 10–19) is an absolute must if you want to experience local culture, country music, and some seriously fun meet-ups (double-check if it fits your exact travel dates)!

hey if you want to go kayaking there’s the Rivière des Mille-Îles north of Montreal where you can rent some. It’s max 30 minutes from downtown Montreal by car. And with a bit of luck you might spot Céline’s old estate—she sold it recently 😎

Thanks Louis for the reply! I’m just looking for advice on the main stops for an itinerary—I’ll handle checking availability and logistics later. I mentioned I’ll have a car...

Thanks Laura for the tips and itineraries—it’s great! In the list of stops I mentioned, those were just notes I took while reading the forum. I didn’t say I was definitely going to follow that route. You’re right, Omega is in the opposite direction, so I don’t think I’ll go there.

Yes, my goal is to stay in youth hostels (dorms, simple and cheap work for me). But when I check Booking.com, I don’t find many options outside Montreal and Quebec City. Are there other websites you’d recommend for finding hostels? I’ll also try Couchsurfing, which I’ve used in the past.

And unfortunately, as I mentioned, I arrive on the 19th, so no festival this time.

Thanks Mathews, I’ll only have the car starting from Quebec City, but I’ll keep that in mind!))

Hey Laurent, Just a quick preliminary question—you wrote “I’ve got 11 days starting from Quebec City,” and it sounds like the car’s already booked from YQB. Is that set in stone? If so, squeezing in Parc Omega could get tricky. I’m guessing your flight ticket is a round-trip NCE/YUL.

As others on the forum have already mentioned, I’d really recommend writing off the Gaspésie for this trip. To enjoy that region properly, you’d want at least 15 days for a loop from Montreal (that loop’s about 2,000 km!).

Another thing (also pointed out by someone else): Parc Omega is west of Montreal, while most of the other sights are east. But don’t worry—you *can* combine everything if you pick up the rental car in Montreal instead of Quebec City!

Here’s a rough itinerary (just a suggestion, of course!): D1 – Arrival in Montreal D2 – Explore Montreal D3 – Finish up Montreal D4 – Pick up rental car in the morning – visit Parc Omega – overnight near Omega D5 – Drive to Parc de la Mauricie – overnight near the park D6 – Parc de la Mauricie – drive to Quebec City D7 – Quebec City D8 – Quebec City D9 – Drive to Charlevoix – overnight in Charlevoix D10 – Parc des Hautes-Gorges (hike the Acropole des Draveurs—if you like hiking, it’s worth it. There’s some elevation, but the view from the top is amazing) D11 – Overnight in Charlevoix – drive to Les Escoumins D12 – Les Escoumins – whale-watching cruise – crossing from Les Escoumins to Trois-Pistoles – overnight at Parc du Bic D13 – Parc du Bic – overnight in the park D14 – Parc du Bic – overnight in the park D15 – Drive back to Montreal – drop off rental car – overnight in Montreal D16 – Return flight to Nice

That’s my take. For Parc du Bic: Parc national du Bic - Parcs nationaux - Sépaq For Hautes-Gorges: Parc national des Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie - Parcs nationaux - Sépaq

I’ll be following your thread—happy planning!

Hey Thebigblue, if we want to get to the Thousand Islands Park, we can go there first by metro and then by bus.

hi Jean-Yves, flight ticket booked, yes I arrive in Montreal, I’ll visit for 1.5 days then bus or train to Quebec City I’ll rent a car for 11 days to explore return to Quebec City, visit the city and I’ll take my return flight from Quebec City (not Montreal)

I’ve taken your feedback into account, so I’ll skip Omega since it’s not on my route

Hey, Since you're arriving in Montreal and leaving from Quebec City for Parc Omega and Parc de la Mauricie, you’ll have to come back! 😛 But that gives you more time to enjoy the rest!!

For Montreal to Quebec City, you also have the option of carpooling with AmigoExpress (Carpooling for Quebec, Canada, and the United States | AmigoExpress) or taking the bus (which will be cheaper than the train—and just about as fast, since the TGV still hasn’t arrived here. We’ve only been talking about it for 25 years! 😄)

Happy planning!

Hey Laurent, When you're in Montreal, I suggest walking up Mount Royal to the belvedere. You’ll get your exercise in and enjoy a breathtaking view of the city. 😊 Ideally, start from the Georges Étienne Cartier statue. If you're there on a Sunday and the weather’s nice, you might catch a tam-tam session. 😉 I’m sure you’ll want to check out Old Montreal. Watch out for tourist traps, but take the time to see the river. You can compare the vibe between Montreal and Quebec City. Speaking of Quebec City, don’t miss taking the ferry to Lévis—the view of Quebec City is amazing, day or night. Then you just take the same boat back. These are just a few suggestions. If you share more about your interests, we can definitely help you out more. To wrap up, there are several Facebook groups for active people in Quebec, for all ages. Usually free. Keep an eye out—you might be able to join locals for hikes in the forest, city walks, etc. Just don’t forget to sign up for the activity. Cheers! 👋 PS: Quebec will be in the middle of an election campaign, so you’ll see lots of signs on poles. Something to watch if you’re into politics. Also, hockey season will have started. Try to catch a game if you want to feel the passion Quebecers have for their national sport. 🏒

Hi Laurent,

To give you an idea of how long it takes to cover part of the route I took (including Gaspésie) and to possibly give you some visit ideas, I invite you to read my travel journal from 2017, "From Toronto to Montreal via Gaspésie" (if you haven’t already).

Happy reading! 😉

Hello to the former members I exchanged with here, and my best to Jean-Yves!

I’m returning to Quebec on September 10th 🙂

Hi Christine! 😊

If you need any tips for planning your upcoming trip in la belle province, just let us know! 👋😉👍

Hi Jean,

Thanks for the suggestion, but my road trip is all set.

Actually, I’m originally coming for the festival 🎪 in Saint-Tite, then I’ll be wandering around for two weeks. I think I’ll need some peace and quiet after the crowd bath 😉😉

I’m going to take the opportunity to revisit some villages I loved and spend a day with a great person I met through an Airbnb (yes, I know... it was quite the topic in my travel journal). But you can find real gems, both in accommodations and with some hosts. I arrive in Montreal on the 10th and leave on the 28th. This’ll be my third trip to your neck of the woods ;-) Cheers, Chris

Hi Jean, Thanks for your advice about the cities—it’s great!

Going to see hockey could be fun (you can book last-minute and it’s not too expensive), but will everything be sold out? As for politics, no thanks! )) And I’ll be there on a Sunday morning, so I’ll keep the tam-tams in mind.

Hey Laurent,

Yeah, it’s possible to catch a Laval Rocket game (they’re the farm team for the Montreal Canadiens).

It’s cheaper and just as fun. You can also get there by metro (that’s where the Rocket play). If you’re going solo, depending on the date, I might be able to join you. Also, there needs to be a game that day. Otherwise, maybe a junior hockey game. Either way, once you’ve got a date for your trip through the Montreal area, let us know.

Cheers 👋🤝

My only evening in Montreal will be Saturday, September 19th, and in Quebec City, I’ll have Friday, October 2nd, maybe Thursday, October 1st.

Hi Laurent,

I checked for games on Saturday, October 19th since that’s when you’ll be in my area (north of Montreal).

Good news—there’s a hockey game nearby! We could go see the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada take on the Val-d’Or Foreurs in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League 😊. The game starts at 4:00 PM. A ticket costs $25 + tax.

If you’re still interested, I could pick you up from Montmorency metro station and we can head to the arena together.

Take your time planning your trip, and let me know if this fits into your schedule—and most importantly, if it matches your interests. We can sort out the details in private.

Also, it’s always best to book in advance to make sure we get good seats. 😉

I hope this answers your questions. If you have any others, don’t hesitate to ask!

By the way, Les Caribous already shared a day-by-day plan with you. If possible, I’d suggest doing the same with your revised itinerary. It’ll make it easier for us to help you add info based on where and when you’ll be 😊

Cheers and happy planning! 👋👋👋

Thanks Jean, I’ll let you know if I confirm the hockey—I’m not sure yet since my time in Montreal (Quebec) will be limited (maybe I’ll stay an extra day there).

I’m in the middle of planning the first part of my trip (I’ll pick up a car in Quebec City):

Quebec City - Charlevoix - Saguenay - Tadoussac.

I’m leaving Quebec City in the morning: - Heading toward Baie-Saint-Paul (I’ll spend the night there). Are there any interesting stops along the way? - In the afternoon, I’ll visit Parc des Grands-Jardins.

- Then, heading toward La Malbaie and Parc des Hautes-Gorges.

If I want to go to Saguenay and Lac Saint-Jean, then head back down to Tadoussac / Les Escoumins, do you recommend taking Route 170 from La Malbaie instead of 381? And should I return via Route 172 on the other side of the river?

For Saguenay/Lac Saint-Jean, I’m looking for a youth hostel or cheap accommodation (dorm-style). Auberge Le Camp de Base in Anse-Saint-Jean (just the dates I want: Sept 22/23). Do you have any other recommendations?

(I found one in the Mashteuiatsh Indigenous community—I’m not sure if anyone has experience there.)

Then, heading down to Tadoussac and Les Escoumins, I’ll be looking for a hostel again—any recommendations?

(After that, I’ll cross to the other side of the St. Lawrence to continue my trip.)

For my stay, I’ll be doing hikes, sports activities like kayaking... maybe the Zoo Sauvage de Saint-Félicien...

Thanks in advance!

I've been to Lac St-Jean a few times. I always took the 381 because I wanted to revisit the "ghost" village of Val Jalbert, which I highly recommend. After that, you can head to Tadoussac via the 172. See my screenshot

Hi, From La Malbaie to reach Lac Saint-Jean, I recommend taking Route 138 (passing through Port-au-Persil, a really charming little village) and then heading up to the lake via Route 170. You can then head back down to Tadoussac via Route 172. For accommodations in the area, I only have one 'Couette et Café' (a B&B for Europeans in Saint-Hilarion—L'AUberg'inn), but I’m sure if you start a discussion with some accommodation ideas, you’ll get plenty of suggestions. Happy planning!

PS: I agree with Bauhaus—it’d be great to "propose" your itinerary in the format Day 1..., Day 2..., etc. That’ll make it easier for us to help you craft a fantastic route! 😏

Your suggestion to take Route 138 is way better than mine.

I recommend taking route 138 and passing through Port au Persil, a really charming little village)

I loved this route and stopping for a long time in Port au Persil: a truly peaceful spot that exudes serenity (it was in September 2014, and the memory is still vivid).

A Quebec specialty: covered bridges (like in the movie *The Bridges of Madison County*). I managed to find 7 of them (I think) near our route. In my opinion, it’s worth making a small detour to admire them and snap a few photos... Just my personal take, of course.

Puma2A

...

Here’s the list of covered bridges in Quebec from Wikipedia:

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liste_des_ponts_couverts_au_Qu%C3%A9bec

hi, Route 381 was also an option to "climb" up to the Lake faster, but I really like 138, which runs along the river—it’s especially pretty in this area!! But it *is* longer to get to the lake, though when you're sightseeing, you’ve got a little time ;P

Thanks everyone for your tips! Yeah, I’m refining the stops (they’re looking great) that I’m planning to make. After that, I’ll check the possible durations to set Day 1, Day 2, etc. Even if you think my timing’s too tight sometimes, nothing’s set in stone—I don’t like being too strict on vacation, and I prefer deciding on the spot whether to speed up or not (so I won’t book accommodations too early—late September shouldn’t be too crowded). I’ll also adjust based on the weather.

Anyway, I’m noting to take routes 138/170. Thanks again!

Hi,

Another interesting "visit" topic: The old lighthouses along the St. Lawrence.

Puma2A

(Just so you know, at the end of September 2014, many accommodations and restaurants were closed.)

...

If you stop by L'Anse-Saint-Jean, here are some great spots: For a place to stay: Maison de Vébron has comfortable, functional, and well-equipped rooms at a reasonable price with self-check-in. 56 rue de Vébron. maisondevebron.com

A cold beer and a good meal at the cooperative brewery La Chasse-Pinte, 417 rue Saint-Jean-Baptiste, L'Anse-Saint-Jean. Chassepinte.com

Excellent coffees, pastries, and bites to enjoy at Brûlerie-Boulangerie Nuances à Grains, 356A rue Saint-Jean-Baptiste, L'Anse-Saint-Jean.

Thanks Louis for the tips! I checked out the Maison de Verbon—they’re at $150 in late September, but unfortunately, I can’t afford that. It’s way over my budget (( I’m traveling solo and looking for budget options.

By the way, has anyone in the same area stayed at this community: https://assi-nipi.com/? They offer tents and dorms for $40. I stumbled upon it online.

Here’s an update on my itinerary—I should mention that the middle part of the trip is flexible. I don’t want to book accommodations too far in advance so I can keep things adaptable (I’ve listed places and activities below, but I probably won’t do everything due to timing, weather, or if I want to stay longer somewhere). So yes, it looks packed, but in the end, I won’t do it all.

Just to clarify, I’m traveling solo and love getting up early to see as much as possible… so I’m planning some hiking, kayaking, sightseeing, parks, and whale watching.

**Day 1:** Arrive in Montreal in the morning, explore the city **Day 2:** More of Montreal **Day 3:** Early departure for Quebec City, pick up rental car in town, then drive to Parc des Grands-Jardins (stop at Montmorency Falls on the way or at the end of the trip, depending on timing). Overnight in Baie-Saint-Paul **Day 4:** Drive to Les Éboulements, visit Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive, maybe Sainte-Irénée beach? // Parc des Hautes-Gorges, hike L’Acropole des Draveurs (5h)… and return to sleep in Baie-Saint-Paul (I’m hesitant because there aren’t many options down there) **Day 5 & 6:** Port-au-Persil, Anse-Saint-Jean, Lac Saint-Jean / Saguenay Fjord, kayaking, Zoo de Saint-Félicien, and the Village historique de Val-Jalbert **Day 7:** Drive back down via Sainte-Rose-du-Nord to Tadoussac or Les Escoumins **Day 8:** Whale watching and crossing the Saint Lawrence **Day 9:** Parc national du Bic (2–3h hike) between Trois-Pistoles and Rimouski **Day 10:** Parc de la Gaspésie? (I saw there are refuges/dormitories in the park—reservations by phone only, according to the park. Has anyone stayed there before?) **Day 11:** ? **Day 12/13:** Kamouraska region, villages like Saint-Roch-des-Aulnaies, L’Islet-sur-Mer, Berthier-sur-Mer, Saint-Michel // Saint-Jean-Port-Joli **Day 14:** Arrive in Quebec City in the morning, return rental car downtown, explore **Day 15:** More of Quebec City, late-night flight

Hi, Check if you can stay overnight in Parc des Hautes-Gorges because during the period you're planning to visit the Acropole des Draveurs, you need to start the hike before 12:00 PM, and the descent from the summit must be done by 3:00 PM at the latest. So, you're better off being there in the morning!

I checked the park, and they don’t offer dorms in the refuge—just camping (and I won’t have my tent)... I also don’t see any cheap options nearby. But if I sleep in Baie-Saint-Paul, I can drive there in the morning for the hike (1 hour away), do the 5-hour hike, and on the way back, visit the little coastal towns.

What’s bugging me is that I can’t find any budget accommodations near Anse-Saint-Jean or Saguenay, so after the Haute-Gorges hike, I’d have to spend a second night in Baie-Saint-Paul just to head back toward Saguenay the next day (losing 1 hour in the evening + 1 hour the next morning).

Affordable accommodations are indeed not easy to find, as you’ve noticed.

There’s a youth hostel in Tadoussac: https://www.ajtadou.com/services-5

Otherwise, for campgrounds, you can sleep in your car—depending on the rental—and use the restrooms/showers, but it’s less comfortable.

Awesome, thanks Claire for the address—I hadn’t seen this one!

Here’s a list of all the youth hostels in Quebec:

https://www.bonjourquebec.com/fr-ca/se-preparer/ou-dormir/auberges-de-jeunesse-et-residences-etudiantes

This info comes from the Bonjour Québec site, which has tons of useful details:

https://www.bonjourquebec.com/fr-ca/se-preparer/ou-dormir?gclsrc=aw.ds&ds_rl=1298156&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22520267218&gbraid=0AAAAA_f6VnqAfFbNxQDrM2b5BcaJwc2k9&gclid=CjwKCAjwtKrUBhAhEiwAr77ZoiEC6fd3_JweQLv42vFALCe_7NGWsUWbJETRRzleDgB--f47TRoBzhoCjbcQAvD_BwE

The hostel Claire suggested is listed on this other site. Quebec Vacances; https://www.quebecvacances.com/fr/hebergement/auberges-de-jeunesse

In the Côte-Nord region, under the name La Maison Majorique – Youth Hostel; https://www.quebecvacances.com/fr/hebergement/auberges-de-jeunesse?_filter_destinations=Côte-Nord

I checked the park and they don’t offer dorms in the refuge, just camping (and I won’t have my tent)... and I don’t see any cheap options nearby

Hi! Check if it’s possible to rent a chalet or cabin—it’s very common in natural parks. During this time, late September, there won’t be many people since most visitors will be back at work

The prices for these rentals are very likely to exceed your budget

Hi, The issue is that accommodations in the parks often require a minimum stay of 2 or 3 nights (except for campsites). But it’s always worth checking! 😉

Hi Laurent, Just wanted to let you know that Montreal and the surrounding area will be hosting the UCI Road World Championships from September 20 to 27, 2026. Downtown Montreal, especially near Mount Royal, is expected to be jammed with insane traffic. In fact, Parc Avenue, east of Mount Royal, will be—or already is—closed for the month. Since you’ll be leaving Montreal just before then, I’d still recommend checking the race route to avoid roadblocks and endless detours. Cheers

Great point, Bauhaus.

If the competitions start on the 20th, traffic disruptions will already be in place well before to ensure everything is ready.

One of the maps: https://services.montreal.ca/cartes/uci

And all the details: https://montreal.ca/actualites/championnats-du-monde-route-uci-montreal-2026-impacts-et-renseignements-115328

Hi! During the World Championships, traffic around Avenue du Parc will be *absolute chaos* (and that’s not just me saying it—it’s the Mayor of Montreal!!). Actually, it’s already pretty bad because Avenue du Parc has been closed for days to set up the stands and everything! Lucky for our visitor—they’re picking up their rental car in Quebec City, so they won’t be affected by these traffic issues. What a lucky break! 😛

Good evening, Thanks for these details. Yes, I arrive on Saturday the 19th in the morning and leave Montreal on Monday morning by transport (bus/train/Amigo... haven’t chosen yet). So I’ll be exploring on foot—I hope it’ll still be manageable to get around that way!

Walking or taking the metro won’t be a problem for getting around. And walking is the best way to visit Montreal.

Have a great trip!

Also, I just checked again for Montreal to Quebec City transfer options on Monday morning: Orleans Express at 7 AM = $77 all-in, 3h15m Jaguaride at 7 AM = $63, 2h50m train at 6:30 AM (but a bit closer to my hotel) = $61, 3h30m

What do you think about Jaguaride?

Both buses leave and arrive from roughly the same spots, so not much difference in the route. The train is closer to my hotel, so it saves time, and the arrival spot is near other things, so that works too.

Since I have a car, I never use these other modes of transport. Jaguaride; never heard of that name. Orleans: very well-known and well-established, like the train. Those would be my picks.

But if the train drops you closer to your hotel and the price you mentioned is very reasonable, then no hesitation.

Hi, Like Stratele52, I’d never heard of Jaguaride before—from what I gather, they offer minivan transportation. As for Orleans Express, the "regular" company, just so you know, the arrival point in Quebec City is Gare du Palais (where Via Rail trains also arrive), and if you leave at 8:00 AM, you can take advantage of the $55 promo. Have a great stay "up here"!

Hi Yes, I know the 8 a.m. route, but it’s too late, so I have to choose between the options I mentioned. Do trains or buses tend to arrive on time? I’m thinking of taking the train with an early departure but closer to my hotel. They all arrive at the same place, so no difference.