Driving to PEI This Summer

[staax]

Vacation plans with the girlfriend include taking the Mazda to PEI this July; first real road trip with the car!

Google says it's about 14 hrs which well probably split up into 2 days.

So now I'm planning it out and staying in Canada is apparently the shortest route by only 30 mins mind you.

This includes travelling past Quebec City and then down to Fredericton through Moncton and finally Charlottetown.

I do have the option of crossing the border and driving straight through Maine on the other hand... Perhaps pick up some plastidip at only $6 a can! Haha

Thoughts and opinions? I don't like driving in QC as much as it is thanks to my window tint, but I would have to cross the border twice which may slow me down.

Looking forward to see what numbers I'll get in terms of gas mileage too, mind you with an extra person and another 200-300 lbs in the hatch haha.

[m_bisson]

Once you get up to speed, that extra weight won't make a big difference in fuel economy.

I was planning a similar trip, Nova Scotia instead of PEI. I hope you have fun. I hear the east coast is beautiful.

[frankjames]

Sounds like a great road trip. I'm not going on that long of a trip, but in May I'm driving to Washington DC for the long weekend.

[staax]

Thank you! Yes I do hear the east coast is quite the sight.

Actually had 2 opportunities to go these past 2 years but always couldn't due to work.

Oh and you haven't seen much luggage my gf brings... Thank God I got the hatch :)

[TonyM3H]

Hatch = Awesome road trips =)

[SirWanker]

You'll have a blast!
I did a similar trip back in '93 and it was quite an experience planning & navigating with paper maps.

Common Sense Advice:

tune-up the car prior to the trip

top up fluids
check oil, change if needed
check A/C coolant level
check spare tire, tire jack & associated tools ( small container for lug nuts is advisable)
fresh jug of window washing fluid
put together a first-aid kit ( if you do not have one already)
fresh batteries for the flashlight


a hard copy of your planned route
car power adapters for your cell phone/tablet/laptop
American coins for toll booths if you cut through Maine
nice to have, electric cooler for food & beverages
start planning your music playlist

[staax]

Quite the list Sir!

Appreciate it.

Will definitely be putting the spare in the back just in case, and I doubt I'll be able to control the music... I predict Taylor Swift and Adele the whole way there - shoot me now.

I plan on bringing my little toolkit god forbid I need it, but I like to be prepared.

Hardcopy of the route sounds like a great idea... I rely on technology too much as it is :)

Car will be in tip top shape too. Can't wait to drive around the island!

[lazycro]

Maybe I shall see you, my gf is from PEI we're driving there in July

[kreebs29]

PEI is beautiful! My inlaws live out there, I got engaged out there and so on. My suggestions for you are that you hit up Cavendish. It's a very touristy place to go and has the Cows ice cream store, which is amazing! Then check out the North Rustico boardwalk which gives you a beautiful sight line of the ocean! If you like seafood, try Fishermans Wharf in N Rustico. I could go on but it would be a lot to read. Enjoy the trip! Very jealous!

[staax]

Maybe I shall see you, my gf is from PEI we're driving there in July

Quite possibly! Were leaving either the first or second week of July and plan to stay for about 4-5 days. To play it safe, were likely going to be staying in Charlottetown.

Kreebs, those two destinations are the exact ones my girlfriends father recommended although its been 20 years since he's been there. Have you been to North Rustico recently?

I'm sure well have an absolute blast, and I love ice cream... So well definitely check that place out!

[PearlM3]

I drive to Nova Scotia twice a year and highly recommend driving through the states during the summer. It will be much prettier than Quebec. Just plan to pay for toll highways.

[SirWanker]

speaking of food: http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Restaurants-g155022-Prince_Edward_Island.html

[kreebs29]

staax. I was there 5 years ago but my wife was there last year in the fall. Not much has changed in 20 years so your gf's papa wouldn't be too far off.

[studum]

I drive to Nova Scotia twice a year and highly recommend driving through the states during the summer. It will be much prettier than Quebec. Just plan to pay for toll highways.

Where do you cross the border?

I too drive out east yearly to visit friends. Stay on the shore 20 minutes outside Moncton.

We drove through the US once in 10+ years of making the trip. That one time was such a hassle with the border crossings and the tolls and the traffic that we have not tried it again since. I've always thought about going through the US again, but I wanted to do it when I had time to be a tourist and enjoy the drive rather than just getting there like I normally am.

I've always found staying in Canada and driving up and over the US was easiest for me. If you plan your stops and when you're going to travel through Montreal / Quebec the QC hassle can be minimal. With that said some of the new highway construction over the years has definitely sped the trip up, but at the same time it's not quite as scenic of a drive in places as I remember during my first trips when my dad was driving years ago.

Just watch your speed through QC if you go that way. The hwy patrol love picking off foreign plates, particularly through the more scenic 1 / 2 lane hwy sections between the east side of the St. Lawrence and the NB border.