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hickory · 07-04-2007, 11:34 AM

I am traveling to Nova Scotia from Indiana. What is the best way to get there? I want to avoid NYC, Boston areas if at all possible. Not many roads run East to West in New England states. We will take the CAT ferry from Portland or Bar Harbor, which ever is most convient, depending on our route.
Thanks; Hickory

maxandgeorgia · 07-04-2007, 01:35 PM

I suggest that you use the search tool on the menu bar above for Nova Scotia and find a couple of threads that give good discussion. Enjoy your trip; that's one of my dream destinations. ~G

pmclemore · 07-04-2007, 01:53 PM

If you can spare the time, drive back through New Brunswick rather than taking the ferry. Many sights to see - Bay of Fundy, Hopewell Rocks, Confederation Bridge (to PEI).

and Welcome.

Pat

05ModPod · 07-04-2007, 02:03 PM

Yea while your at it pop north and travel to Montreal, Quebec City then Ottawa,

Do the Toronto tour too....

If you need a place to stay on the way we have lots of space just 20 minutes north of Hwy 7 - at Havelock - east of Peteborough

dwightdi · 07-04-2007, 02:07 PM

You could go up through Port Huron and cross to Canada and then come back at Buffalo or Niagra Falls and take the New York Thruway or the Cherry Valley route to Albany and then cut across thru Vermont and Conn. and connect in north of Boston. Follow the coast up to New Bruswick and then drop into Novia Scotia. We have taken this route. Peggy's cove is too small for a trailer in tow. You could also take the ferry over to Prince Edward Island and the bridge back to the mainland on your return trip. $45 to get on. free to get off. Roads in the north section of Cape Brenen are a bit rough. I popped some serious rivets.

Cracker · 07-04-2007, 04:45 PM

The Cat is a lot of fun - and we've taken it several times from Bar Harbor - but it is expensive - especially if you'll be towing a trailer - and you'll be passing up several nice places on the way up through Maine, then across New Brunswick. Acadia National Park and Fundy Provencial Park (Bay of Fundy) to name two. I've round-tripped the bridge to Prince Edward Island twice - but I've never taken the ferry from Nova Scotia. Sounds interesting!

HowieE · 07-04-2007, 05:02 PM

Now sure where you are in Ind. but get to 80 in Pa. to 81 north, to 84 across NY, Conn and in Mass. Mass Turn Pike to 290 north to 495 to 95 north into Maine.

Unless you it the Mass pike at morning rush hour you will not have any real traffic.

The ferry may be fun but it takes you to an area of NS that has little to offer and you will have to cross to the eastern shore before it gets interesting. If you get to Meat Cove you have reached the end of the road.

Definitely go to PEI, if on your way home take the ferry on and the bridge off.

I will blow through on my way to Newfoundland this year but will look for you.

tinhutjohn · 07-04-2007, 09:17 PM

We've done the trip to Nova Scotia a couple of times, once with my 85 year old mother in law. in the 74 Airstream. She had a ball.
If you came into Ontario at Port Huron, driving north to Lansing Michigan and then east on 69 you'd avoid the Detroit metro area. At Port Huron ake 403 east in Ontario to the 401. This takes you through Western Ontario which is a pretty drive. If you have lots of time, get off 401 and follow Hwy 7 through Ontario until you get near Ottawa, the capital of Canada where there are many things to see. This wanders through all the small villages and towns of Ontario (and some larger ones) You probably could spend a whole week there and just dent the surface. Home of the RCMP musical ride, etc.
From there I'd continue east on the 401 to just before the border of Quebec. Quebec is a lovely province and an experience with a different culture. The Quebecois are great welcoming people and you will enjoy them immensly however you do not want to drive through metropolitan Montreal, so I recommend cutting back into New York State and re-entering Quebec east of Montreal. You will cross the Eastern Townships of Quebec which remind me of pictures of Switzerland with the little villages, churches etc tucked in the creases of the rolling hills. At this point you can head south into Maine and head for Bangor which will bring you out north of the Boston-New York congestion. I would recommend the wonderful drive up the Maine coast to New Brunswick and then along the south coast of New Brunswick to Nova Scotia. Don't miss the South Coast route from Halifax to Yarmouth and then north on the other coast of Nova Scotia to Anapolis Royale. One of the seven natural wonders of Canada is the Cabot Trail that circles Cape Breton Island. I wouldn't recommend dragging the A/S as it is very steep and you don't need the added anxiety. We camped at Cheticamp which is in the heart of Acadian Nova Scotia. Look for hooked rug art work just south of Cheticamp. There is a superb National Park just north of Cheticamp and we camped there and left the trailer there while we did the Cabot Trail.
Definitly go to PEI. It is a strange little world unto it's own, that is fast losing it's unique nature due to the bridge, but still worth the visit.
If you are flush with travel time you should also try Newfoundland. The Irish roots of the Newfoundlander run deep and the music and fellowship are amazing. Kiss the cod.
Hope you enjoy your trip.
Sarge
London Ontario Canada

05ModPod · 07-04-2007, 09:46 PM

PS...Strongly recommend the 407 toll road if you are not stopping in the Toronto area.

You can then pop down to the 401 at Pickering or Ajax - and run through Whitby Oshawa area much faster than #7 - #7 is a pretty drive from East of Peterborough through to Ottawa. If you like a slow drive most of it is 2 lane - meaning one lane each way

However they have increased the number of passing sections. (Nothing like the Interstates...or even your B roads) Canada home of big country and small roads

If not going to Ottawa and still want to run on the Canadian side the Loyalist Parkway is a nice scenic drive along the 1000 Islands - St. Lawrence River.

Cross over at either Ivy Lea Bridge - into Vermont or further along at Cornwall - or travel all the way through Montreal and cross into New Brunswick.

Warning - Quebec roads are a dito of Michigan roads

Big Potholes!! They can eat up a 34fter

And the signage is hmm just like Detroit. You pretty much guess where you will end up

So many routes to choose from - wish I was going with ya....safe travels..

Steve & Susan · 07-05-2007, 04:34 AM

Hey Hickory - will you be pulling your AS to NS? If so, be sure to check out the proces for the ferry from ME to NS - we did and decided to drive the whole way - lots o' bucks

! You'd better take lots o' bucks for gas - last time we were there it was over $5 a gallon.

We've made the trip three times, I-90 to I-495 to I-95.

Twice we took 95 to Houlton ME and crossed into NB and then over and down to NS, the other time we took I-95 to Bangor ME and across Route 9 - crossing into NB in Calais then up the coast on Highway 1.

If you go the northern route, be aware that once into NB and until you get to about Moncton, cell-phone coverage is spotty if it exists at all. The ride either way is beautiful and lonely - not too many folks going either way.

Be sure to stop at Tim Horton's for lunch and get a can of their fine-grind coffee for your supply - we LOVE it! And if you make it to Halifax, take the Harbour Hopper trip - it's a gas! Ribbit, ribbit, ribbit!

Oh, and have a SAFE trip.

Chuck · 07-05-2007, 08:12 AM

A friend of ours took the Cat over from Bar Harbor with his Airstream...1400 bucks, round trip.

Wayne&Sam · 07-05-2007, 08:39 AM

How ever you go, see PEI.

Cracker · 07-05-2007, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck

A friend of ours took the Cat over from Bar Harbor with his Airstream...1400 bucks, round trip.

Wow! Are you sure that was from Bar Harbor - and not Portland??? I knew it was expensive but, unless you're just flush with big bucks, and/or ga-ga for a trip on the Cat, that would be awfully hard to justify! Summer before last we took the Cat over from Bar Harbor, without our car, stayed at a nice hotel, had a guided tour of Nova Scotia, dinner and theater, for about $175 for the two of us. The Canadian dollar is almost par now but even two years ago it was about 65 cents on the dollar - which would have made our trip in today's dollars about $292.

Chuck · 07-05-2007, 01:19 PM

That's what they said. at least, I thought it was Bar Harbor; didn't think that the CAT went to Portland. I know the slow ferry goes to both. wouldn't make any difference for me, anyway.

oh, and you wouldn't be "ga-ga". you'd be "garGOO".

romap · 07-05-2007, 03:33 PM

Was in Portland a couple of weeks ago, the CAT runs from there too.

dufferin · 07-05-2007, 04:40 PM

if you're coming to PEI send me an MP. I am lliving there. Though I'll be in Montreal til end of july may be more.
On PEI there is a provincial park on the beach with beautifull sunset on water. It's on the west part of the island. Close to the lighthouse. BTW if you come around the august 10 they start to fish lobster and you can buy them from the fisherman 3 minutes by walk from the camp.
In Nova Scotia we love the south shore.

Cracker · 07-05-2007, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by romap

Was in Portland a couple of weeks ago, the CAT runs from there too.

Yeah - this is the first year for Portland. The "Blue Nose" ferry use to run from Portland. Much slower - but a lot more time to enjoy the trip - and you could go out on the deck. Not possible with the Cat at 55 mph - except for the aft deck where you can watch the twin rooster tails from the jet propulsion pumps! It was also worthwhile booking a cabin on the Bluenose - but I don't think cabins are available on the Cat. This is a "new" Cat from the one we took several years back.

RedSHED · 07-05-2007, 06:39 PM

I rode my bike to Nova Scotia & PEI from the OH/IND border when I was in college. Lots of hills & narrow roads the way we went. Even now, 20 yrs later, I'd rather ride those particular roads than pull a trailer.

Sorry, not much help...

BDandTTs · 07-06-2007, 08:06 AM

Here are the current Cat Ferry prices for TV and trailer. Most of us would be looking at $400 to $500 one way from Bar Harbor. There are a few discounts available for round trip travel, early or online booking, etc.

If the image does not attach, here is a link to the website Portland and Bar Harbor, Maine to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia - CAT Ferry

myboyburt · 07-06-2007, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BDandTTs

Here are the current Cat Ferry prices for TV and trailer. Most of us would be looking at $400 to $500 one way from Bar Harbor. There are a few discounts available for round trip travel, early or online booking, etc.

If the image does not attach, here is a link to the website Portland and Bar Harbor, Maine to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia - CAT Ferry

We would be in the over $500.00 each way group with our 25' Excella and Ford 150. We come in at about 48 feet when we are towing "The Tube".

There is an NEU Caravan being planned for 2008 to Nova Scotia and PEI. Current thinking is it will be two weeks in length and will include the 2008 Region 1 Rally (in PEI). Should be a blast! I have taking my Airstream on the CAT on my life list of adventures, maybe I can figure a way to do this next year......