Best Road Trips from Montreal to Quebec City

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There’s a certain je ne sais quoi about the stretch of road between Montreal and Quebec City, and it’s certainly been one of the highlights of my trips to Canada over the years. One moment you’re cruising past rolling fields dotted with red barns, the next, you’re hugging the banks of the mighty St. Lawrence River. Or you are weaving through storybook villages that feel like they have taken you back in time. It’s never a dull moment.

The landscapes in this province are endlessly varied. And the best part about it is that with your own wheels, you’ve got pole position to them all.

If you are wondering whether taking a road trip from Montreal to Quebec City is worth your time, here are five reasons to sway you into taking the plunge:

1. Freedom to stop as often as you want – When doing this road trip, you don’t have to stick to a strict schedule. So, if you want to stop at a waterfall, tiny cafés, or just a random lookout that catches your eye, you can do that until your heart’s content.
2. Greater variety of scenery – Taking the highway might get you to Quebec City quicker. But the winding riverside routes and hidden backroads through forests and farmland will introduce you to a side of the province many tourists don’t see. You’ll also be able to hit up some of the great hikes in Quebec, too.
3. Better cultural perspective – Quebec has a unique cultural heritage. The more French-Canadian villages, maple syrup farms, and old churches you drive to and visit, the better perspective you’ll gain about it.
4. Seasonal colours – The colours of nature come into full effect all year round on this road trip. Whether it’s from the beautiful flowers in the spring, the long summer days, the fiery autumn leaves, or the winter snow, you’ll be in for a visual treat.
5. Tourist-friendly – As Quebec is a popular tourist destination, you’ll find the infrastructure for travellers to be pretty good here. Overall, there are plenty of accommodation and food options available to suit all budgets.

When going between Montreal and Quebec City, it doesn’t have to be just about getting from A to B. Instead, if you have some time up your sleeve, why not commit to soaking up the journey, discovering places you didn’t even know existed, and enjoying the sense of adventure that makes travel such an enriching experience?

If you don’t have your own set of wheels, I can highly recommend DiscoverCars; it’s my go-to platform when I need to rent a car. They will help you to compare prices, company reviews and have a fab customer support system. Plus, they offer insurance packages too.

Road Trip 1 – The Classic Dash (2 days)

Road Trip 2 – The St. Lawrence Meander (3 – 4 days)

Road Trip 3 – The Mountain & Village Loop (4 – 5 days)

• From: Montreal
• To: Quebec City
• Total Distance: ~155 miles / 250 km
• Days: 2
• Top Road Trip Stops: Trois-Rivières, Drummondville, Old Quebec City

If you’re tight on time but still want to squeeze a bit of adventure into your trip, the Classic Dash is the way to go. This route follows Autoroute 20 and is quick and direct. Or, at least, as quick and direct as you want it to be.

En route between Montreal and Quebec City, you’ll cruise through small-town Quebec. A fabulous place to break up the drive is with a stop in Trois-Rivières, where you can enjoy a beautiful riverside walk. You can also grab a bite to eat in Drummondville. This is where I splashed the cash and treated myself to a delicious lobster pasta at Restaurant Le Chalumeau, which absolutely slapped.

Overall, the road trip is short and sweet, and you’ll be strolling Quebec City’s cobblestone streets within two days. It should suit families wanting to spend some quality time together on a long weekend in Montreal or backpackers who don’t have too much wiggle room on their schedule.

Road Trip Highlights

• Fast, easy driving on Autoroute 20
• Riverside charm in Trois-Rivières
• Local eats in Drummondville
• Exploring Old Quebec City
• Perfect short trip for busy travellers

Day 1: Montreal to Trois-Rivières (1.5–2 hours)

Finish off your Montreal itinerary with one last coffee and bagel before hitting Autoroute 20 east. The drive is smooth and easy, and you do not have to rush.

At Drummondville, you can enjoy a quick snack or check out the Village Québécois d’Antan, which is a living museum and historical village that showcases what life was like in Quebec in the 19^th century.

By late afternoon, you will roll into Trois-Rivières. There you can choose to wander the Old Town’s riverfront streets, which have some notable, colourful murals and lovely cafes.

This small city has just the right mix of culture and chill vibes to keep you engaged with it. If you choose to stay overnight here, make sure you head to the St. Lawrence for fabulous views of the sunset.

• Best Stops: Drummondville, Old Trois-Rivières, St. Lawrence Riverfront
• Where to Eat: Le Buck Pub Gastronomique, 1425 Rue Notre Dame Centre, Trois-Rivières
• Where to Stay: Hôtel Oui Go! ($$), Auberge du Monde ($), The Urban Corner in the Heart of Old Trois-Rivières ($)

Day 2: Trois-Rivières to Quebec City (2 hours)

The second day’s drive is fairly short in distance, so feel free to take your time.

You can choose to cruise along the St. Lawrence with rolling farmland on either side. Alternatively, swing through Cap-de-la-Madeleine, where you should find its historic basilica to be of interest.

As you edge closer to Quebec City, you’ll notice the vibe shifting markedly. The cobblestones, fortifications, and a skyline crowned by Château Frontenac will be polar opposites to what you experienced on the journey there.

• Best Stops: Cap-de-la-Madeleine, Old Quebec, Plains of Abraham
• Where to Eat: La Buche, 49 Rue Saint-Louis, Quebec City
• Where to Stay: Monsieur Jean – Hôtel Particulier ($$$), Auberge de la Paix Quebec ($), Auberge Jeunesse LouLou’s Backpacker Hostel ($)

• From: Montreal
• To: Quebec City (via Route 138)
• Total Distance: ~210 miles / 340 km
• Days: 3-4
• Top Road Trip Stops: Trois-Rivières, Deschambault-Grondines, Portneuf, Old Quebec City

The Classic Dash is more suitable for those who don’t have much spare time available. However, the St. Lawrence Meander, on the other hand, is about slowing down and taking it a lot more of the province.

Instead of the highway, you’ll hug Route 138, which traces the curves of the St. Lawrence River through a string of picturesque villages. Between them, they accommodate plenty of farmers’ markets, historic churches, small museums, riverside lookouts, and an untold number of spots where you can purchase freshly baked bread or maple treats.

This route is definitely one for the wanderers and those with a curious eye. Don’t be surprised if you arrive to where you’re staying in Quebec City with a camera roll hundreds of photos heavier or a car full of pastry crumbs. Take this as your warning.

Road Trip Highlights

• Riverside views along Route 138
• Quaint villages like Deschambault-Grondines
• Farmers’ markets and local bakeries
• Historic churches and hidden lookouts
• Exploring Old Quebec City

Day 1: Montreal to Trois-Rivières (2 hours)

Leave Montreal sometime after breakfast and make your way onto Route 138. This road follows the St. Lawrence, as it winds past miles of farmland and several small villages.

There are plenty you can stop at, including Berthierville, which is home to the Gilles-Villeneuve museum. If you are a fan of motorsports, you should find this interesting as it explores the history of the Villeneuve family within the sport.

End the day at Trois-Rivières, where you can explore its Old Port, snap some murals, and grab dinner in town.

• Best Stops: Berthierville, Old Trois-Rivières, St. Lawrence Riverfront
• Where to Eat: Le Sacristain, 300 Rue Bonaventure, Trois-Rivières
• Where to Stay: Les Suites de Laviolette, an Ascend Collection Hotel ($$), Mini studio – Old Trois-Rivières near the water ($$), The Oasis of the Nomadic Citizen (CITQ) ($$)

Day 2: Trois-Rivières to Deschambault-Grondines (1.5–2 hours)

The second day provides a fabulous opportunity to enjoy Quebec’s quaint charm. This could involve rolling through Portneuf’s farmlands, stopping to taste cheese or cider, and checking out the historic stone church in Deschambault-Grondines.

You’ll find the latter to be a lovely place, as the locals are friendly, and its narrow streets and sweeping river views give it a real timeless feel.

• Best Stops: Portneuf, Fromagerie Alexis de Portneuf, Deschambault-Grondines
• Where to Eat: Café Bistro L’Envol, 111 Rue de l’Église, Deschambault-Grondines
• Where to Stay: Manoir Des Curiosits (in La Pérade) ($$), Donnacona (Near Deschambault) ($$), Auberge de l’Ouest ($$)

Day 3: Deschambault-Grondines to Quebec City (1.5 hours)

As it’s only a 90-minute drive to Quebec City, day three might be your final leg. If so, why not ease into it with a relaxed riverside drive?

There are plenty of little bakeries you can stop at along the way. (Trust me when I say, the croissants here could rival Paris!) Alternatively, detour into Cap-Santé, where you can enjoy a walk around one of the prettiest villages in Quebec. If you do this, you should roll into Quebec City around mid-afternoon.

• Best Stops: Cap-Santé, Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade, Old Quebec
• Where to Eat: La Buche, 49 Rue Saint-Louis, Quebec City
• Where to Stay: Monastère des Augustines ($$$), QBEDS Hostel ($), La Belle Planete Backpacker Hostel Downtown Quebec ($)

Day 4 (Optional Detour): Quebec City to Île d’Orléans (30 mins each way)

If you want to keep the road trip vibe going, consider a quick trip to Île d’Orléans. Just a short drive from Quebec City, this island offers a slice of rural paradise floating in the St. Lawrence.

You’ll pass through rolling fields, vineyards, berry farms, and roadside stands selling jams, cider, and chocolate-dipped strawberries in summer. You may want to rent a bike to explore them, if you don’t fancy driving the 67 km loop around the island, as parking can sometimes be an issue.

Also, the island is a foodie heaven, so you might feel inclined to get your sweat on to burn off a couple of those excess calories. It’s all about balance, right?

The best part about coming here is that you can stay at Île d’Orléans until quite late, as it’s only 30 minutes away from where you’ll be staying.

• Best Stops: Sainte-Pétronille lookout, Cassis Monna & Filles (blackcurrant winery), Chocolaterie de l’Île d’Orléans
• Where to Eat: La Goéliche, 22 Chemin du Quai, Sainte-Pétronille
• Where to Stay: Same accommodation as the night before

Grab Yo' Self a Rental Car!

One of the best ways to travel off-the-beaten-path is to hire your own wheels. If you can convince a few mates to join you, it can actually be pretty affordable… and bloody good time!

Check Rental Car Prices

• From: Montreal
• To: Quebec City (via Laurentians & Eastern Townships)
• Total Distance: ~280 miles / 450 km
• Days: 4-5
• Top Road Trip Stops: Mont-Tremblant, Magog, Sherbrooke, Old Quebec City

If you believe that a classic road trip should involve a mix of mountains, lakes, charming villages, and wonderful experiences, then consider taking the mountain and village loop.

Starting your trip in Montreal, you’ll head north into the Laurentians, where Mont-Tremblant offers excellent hiking, gondola rides, and scintillating alpine vibes. Then, swing east toward the Eastern Townships, where Magog and Sherbrooke tempt you with beautiful vineyards, compelling farmers’ markets, and the opportunity to swim in some idyllic lakes.

This route is perfect for more adventurous travellers who want to experience a European-style getaway without having to leave Canada. There are tons of things to do in Montreal, so it really depends on how slowly you want to travel and explore. By the time you roll into Quebec City, you’ll have a belly full of local wine and cheese, and sensory overload from all those mountain views.

Road Trip Highlights

• Hiking in Mont-Tremblant
• Vineyard tours in the Eastern Townships
• Swimming in Lake Memphremagog
• Exploring Sherbrooke’s murals
• Old Quebec’s cobblestone streets

Day 1: Montreal to Mont-Tremblant (1.5–2 hours)

Leave the bustle of Montreal behind and head north into the Laurentians. The road quickly swaps skyscrapers for rolling forested hills, which should instantly lift your soul.

Spend the afternoon exploring the Mont-Tremblant village. You can also hike one of the local trails or take a gondola to soak in sweeping mountain views. At night, take the opportunity to get involved with the lively après-scene.

• Best Stops: Mont-Tremblant National Park, Mont-Tremblant Village
• Where to Eat: La Savoie, 115 Chemin de Kandahar, Mont-Tremblant
• Where to Stay: Sommet Des Neiges ($$), Entire rental unit in Mont-Tremblant ($$), AX Hotel ($$)

Day 2: Mont-Tremblant to Magog (3–4 hours)

On the second day, you’ll make your way deeper into the Eastern Townships.

You’ll cruise through farmland and forests, the colours of which are nothing short of magical. There’ll be plenty of chances to stop at cideries or farm shops along the way to experience the best of local produce.

When you get to Magog, a good way to familiarise yourself with your surroundings is to stroll the waterfront. You can also choose to go for a dip into Lake Memphremagog (heads up, the water is pretty cold!) or cycle along one of the local trails.

• Best Stops: Valcourt (small town charm), Lake Memphremagog, Magog waterfront
• Where to Eat: Microbrasserie La Memphré, 12 Rue Merry Sud, Magog
• Where to Stay: Manoir des Sables Hôtel & Golf ($$), Entire apartment in Magog ($$), Entire rental unit in Magog ($$)

Day 3 (Optional Extension): Magog & The Wine Route (Eastern Townships)

Instead of rushing out, and especially if you are a fan of a nice drop of red or white, you may want to linger in the Eastern Townships. As you are in Quebec’s unofficial wine country, you can choose to follow the Brome-Missisquoi Wine Route to any of the 20 vineyards that are dotted through its rolling hills and near its pretty villages. 

At them, you can take your pick of crisp whites, ice wines, cider tastings, and roadside farm stands that even have cheeses to match. This detour is tailor-made for oenophiles and foodies and is one you can actually stretch out for a couple of days or more.

• Best Stops: Domaine du Ridge, Vignoble de l’Orpailleur, Dunham village
• Where to Eat: Pinocchio Restaurant, 469 Rue Principale O, Magog
• Where to Stay: Same accommodation as the night before

Day 4: Magog to Sherbrooke (1 hour)

There is not much driving involved on day four, so it gives you plenty of time to explore. Probably the best place to do this is Sherbrooke. It is known for its famous outdoor murals, but it also has several lovely parks and green spaces you can stroll through, and some excellent cafes.

As it’s a student city, you can expect the vibe here to be a lot more laidback and relaxed. The nightlife is quite buzzing, too.

• Best Stops: Sherbrooke Murals, Parc Jacques-Cartier, Marché de la Gare
• Where to Eat: Antidote FoodLab, 35 Rue Wellington N, Sherbrooke
• Where to Stay: OTL Gouverneur Sherbrooke ($$$), Île de Garde B&B, Condo Centre-ville Sherbrooke ($$)

Day 5: Sherbrooke to Quebec City (2.5 – 3 hours)

Finish your loop with the scenic drive north. Make a brief stop at Windsor, where you can enjoy a lovely riverside walk. Alternatively, take in the previously mentioned highlights of Drummondville and Trois-Rivières before rocking up to Quebec City.

• Best Stops: Windsor, Drummondville, Trois-Rivières
• Where to Eat: La Buche, 49 Rue Saint-Louis, Quebec City
• Where to Stay: Hotel Clarendon ($$$), HI-Quebec- Auberge Internationale de Québec ($), Room in Quebec City ($)

Even if you have plenty of experience driving in Canada, there are some things you should know about the routes you might take when heading from Montreal to Quebec City.

One of the first things you should be aware of is that most of the road signs are in French (albeit usually with English translations). If in doubt, it’s worth using Google Maps or Waze to help you navigate your way.

As it’s a big city, traffic leaving Montreal can be heavy during rush hour. So, if you intend to leave on your road trip to Quebec at that time, you will need to factor that into your planning. 

Fuel stations can be few and far between, so it’s worth filling up long in advance of you needing to. Similarly, toilets can be scarce in the more remote areas, so take the opportunity to go whenever you can.

Lastly, if you are driving in winter, make sure you have snow tyres. It is illegal not to carry them in Quebec in the snowy months.

Renting a Vehicle

If you are visiting from overseas and want to do a road trip, there is a good chance you will need to hire a car. Thankfully, this is pretty easy to do, especially if Montreal is your starting point.

Most travellers pick up their vehicle at Montreal-Trudeau International Airport or downtown Montreal. At both and various other locations in the city, you’ll find a mix of big-name brands like Hertz, Enterprise, and Avis alongside local outfits.

To rent a car, you will need to present an international driver’s licence (in English or French) and your passport. Additionally, if you are under the age of 25, you will most likely be charged an extra fee.

My go-to company for renting cars is DiscoverCars. They are a platform that allows you to compare multiple car rental companies, prices and reviews. They also offer insurance packages. I can highly recommend them 🙂 Check Car Rental Price

Like the rest of Canada, you’ll be driving on the right-hand side of the road in Quebec. This may present a problem for you if you are from the UK, Australia, New Zealand, or some parts of Africa and the Caribbean, who do so on the left.

You should also recognise that speed limits are posted in kilometres per hour and not miles, with the maximum limit being 100 in most cases.

Also, there are a couple of other things you should be aware of when driving in Canada. Firstly, in Montreal, you can’t turn right on a red light, although you can do so elsewhere in the province of Quebec (unless signed otherwise).

Be warned, too, that the police don’t mess around here. If they catch you breaking any speeding laws or find that you are driving while over the drug or alcohol limit, you could find yourself facing a steep fine or worse.

Insurance in Quebec

It doesn’t matter if you are driving your own wheels or a hired vehicle; car insurance is mandatory in Quebec.

Most rental companies include basic coverage. However, this often comes with high excess fees that can sting if you’re unlucky. Therefore, for your own peace of mind, you might want to upgrade to a fully comprehensive policy.

If you are looking for a provider, one good option is RentalCover.com. They offer fully comprehensive insurance with roadside assistance. Therefore, you won’t need to stress if you experience any bumps, scrapes, or breakdowns on your trip.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

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Got questions before you hit the road? No worries! Here are the answers to some of the most common questions travellers ask me when planning a drive between Montreal and Quebec City.

So, there you have it! I hope this guide has helped you decide on which route is the best for you to take when doing a road trip from Montreal to Quebec City.

I think all of these routes are great to go on and would encourage you to take one on the way out and another on the way back, if you eventually intend to return to your starting point.

Before you start your trip, it’s worth pre-booking your overnight accommodation as you will be heading to some remote places. You should also pack fully prepared for the Quebec weather, and most of all, remember to enjoy every minute of your adventure!

Oh, and don’t forget to check out DiscoverCars for the best deals on rental cars.