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Itinerary · Nova Scotia, NB, PEI
Atlantic Canada Road Trip
A two-week loop through the Maritimes — lighthouses, lobster, and the longest tides on Earth.
- Duration
- 14 days
- Pace
- Easy
- Best months
- Late June – early October
- Suggested cadence
- 2 nights per base
Trip overview
A circular route through three Maritime provinces taking in the Cabot Trail, the Bay of Fundy, and the red-sand coast of Prince Edward Island. Designed for travellers who like their drives short, their dinners long, and their hotels boutique.
- Route summary
- Halifax loop through the South Shore, Cape Breton, PEI, and the Bay of Fundy.
- Ideal traveller
- Slow-travel couples, foodies, photographers, and multigenerational families.
- Recommended season
- Late June through early October — peak lobster July/August, peak colour late September.
- Distance
- ≈ 2,400 km driving + one ferry crossing
- Provinces covered
- Nova Scotia · Prince Edward Island · New Brunswick
- Major stops
- Halifax · Lunenburg · Wolfville · Baddeck · Cabot Trail · Charlottetown · Cavendish · Moncton · Hopewell Rocks · St. Andrews · Fredericton
Route map
Suggested travel flow.
≈ 2,400 km driving + one ferry crossing
- 01
Stop 1 →
- 02
Stop 2 →
Lunenburg
- 03
Stop 3 →
Wolfville
- 04
Stop 4 →
- 05
Stop 5 →
- 06
Stop 6 →
- 07
Stop 7 →
- 08
Stop 8 →
Moncton
- 09
Stop 9 →
- 10
Stop 10 →
- 11
Stop 11 · finish
Fredericton
Route is approximate — pins show major stops only.
Day by day
The full itinerary.
Day
01
Arrive Halifax
Settle into the Muir or the Lord Nelson. Dinner at Bar Kismet on the waterfront.
Highlights
- Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk
- Citadel Hill at sunset
Suggested activities
- Harbour walk
- Pier 21 immigration museum
Photo: Citadel Hill golden hour over the harbourEat: Bar Kismet (small plates), Edna (brunch), Five Fishermen (oysters)Day
02
Overnight
Lunenburg
~140 km · 2.5 hr driving
South Shore
Drive Highway 333 to Peggy's Cove, lunch in Mahone Bay, overnight in Lunenburg.
Highlights
- Peggy's Cove lighthouse
- Mahone Bay's three churches
- Lunenburg UNESCO old town
Suggested activities
- Bluenose II tour (if in port)
- Walk Old Town Lunenburg
Photo: Three churches reflecting in Mahone Bay at dawnWildlife: Harbour seals along the rocky covesEat: South Shore Fish Shack, Salt Shaker DeliCamp: Risser's Beach Provincial Park (oceanfront tent sites)Day
03
Overnight
Wolfville
~180 km · 2.5 hr
Lunenburg → Annapolis Valley
Tidal-flat hikes in Annapolis Royal. Tasting flights at Benjamin Bridge and Lightfoot & Wolfville.
Highlights
- Cape Split trail
- Tidal Bore at Burntcoat Head
Suggested activities
- Winery tasting flight
- Cape Split hike (16 km return)
Photo: Cape Split cliffs over the Minas BasinEat: Le Caveau at Domaine de Grand Pré, Front & CentralDay
04
Wolfville → Cape Breton
Long driving day east on the 104. Settle into the Inverary Resort for two nights.
Highlights
- Bras d'Or Lake views
- Alexander Graham Bell museum
Eat: Baddeck Lobster Suppers (traditional all-you-can-eat)Camp: Whycocomagh Provincial Park (lake views, RV-friendly)Day
05
Cabot Trail
The 300 km loop — Skyline Trail, French Mountain, Chéticamp galleries, and sunset at Cape Smokey.
Highlights
- Skyline Trail sunset
- French Mountain summit
- Chéticamp Acadian galleries
Suggested activities
- Skyline Trail (8.2 km loop)
- Whale watching cruise from Pleasant Bay
Photo: Skyline Trail boardwalk at golden hourWildlife: Pilot whales, moose at French Mountain, bald eaglesEat: Chéticamp seafood chowder, The Rusty AnchorCamp: Chéticamp Campground (Cape Breton Highlands NP, oceanfront)Day
06
Cape Breton → PEI
Ferry from Caribou to Wood Islands, then drive the Points East coast.
Highlights
- Northumberland Ferry crossing
- Points East Coastal Drive
Eat: Lobster on the Wharf, Terre RougeCamp: Brudenell River Provincial Park (RV-friendly, beachfront)Day
07
PEI North Shore
Green Gables, lobster supper, and an evening walk on a red-sand beach.
Highlights
- Green Gables Heritage Place
- PEI National Park red-sand beaches
Suggested activities
- Confederation Trail cycling
- Anne of Green Gables tour
Photo: Red-sand beach at Cavendish, low lightWildlife: Great blue herons in the salt marshesEat: New Glasgow Lobster Suppers (the original)Camp: Cavendish Campground (PEI National Park, oTENTik available)Day
08
Overnight
Moncton
~180 km · 2.5 hr
PEI → New Brunswick
Cross the Confederation Bridge. Overnight in Moncton or nearby Hopewell.
Highlights
- Confederation Bridge (13 km span)
- Magnetic Hill
Day
09
Bay of Fundy
Walk the ocean floor at Hopewell Rocks at low tide; return at high to see the 14 m difference.
Highlights
- Hopewell Rocks at low tide
- Fundy National Park
Suggested activities
- Walk the ocean floor
- Kayak among the flowerpot rocks at high tide
Photo: Flowerpot rocks at low tide, wide-angleWildlife: Peregrine falcons nesting on the cliffsCamp: Headquarters Campground in Fundy NP (oTENTik, RV, tent)Day
10
Saint John & Fundy Trail
Coastal drive west to St. Andrews. Dinner at The Algonquin Resort.
Highlights
- Reversing Falls
- St. Andrews by-the-Sea
Wildlife: Whales on a Bay of Fundy cruise from St. AndrewsDay
11
Overnight
Fredericton
~110 km · 1.5 hr
St. Andrews → Fredericton
Inland drive along the St. John River.
Highlights
- Kings Landing historical settlement
Day
12
Fredericton → Halifax
Long drive back through the New Brunswick interior. Rest day in Halifax.
Day
13
Overnight
Halifax exploration
The Citadel, the Maritime Museum, oysters at the Five Fishermen.
Highlights
- Halifax Citadel National Historic Site
- Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
Eat: Five Fishermen, The Bicycle Thief, Battery Park (Dartmouth)Day
14
Overnight
Depart Halifax
Fly home — or extend two days to Fogo Island in Newfoundland.
Featured destinations
Places included in this trip.
National Park
Cape Breton Highlands NP
The cinematic centrepiece of the Cabot Trail loop.
Explore destination →National Park
Fundy National Park
Tidal coast, oTENTik camping, and salt-marsh kayaking.
Explore destination →National Park
Prince Edward Island NP
Red-sand beaches and dune boardwalks along the gulf shore.
Explore destination →Experiences
What you'll do along the way.
Wildlife
Whale watching from Pleasant Bay
Pilot whales, minkes, and the occasional humpback off Cape Breton.
Food
Lobster supper experience
All-you-can-eat tradition at New Glasgow or Baddeck.
Photography
Skyline Trail sunset
The signature Cabot Trail boardwalk view.
Adventure
Bay of Fundy kayaking
Paddle among the flowerpot rocks at high tide.
Culture
Acadian and Mi'kmaq cultural visits
Chéticamp, Eskasoni, and Membertou heritage experiences.
Camping
Sleep under Canadian skies.
Events & festivals
What's happening while you're there.
Late June · Canso, NS
Stan Rogers Folk Festival
Canso
Late July · Halifax
Halifax International Busker Festival
Halifax
September · Island-wide
PEI Fall Flavours
Prince Edward Island
Early–mid October · Cape Breton
Celtic Colours International Festival
Cape Breton
Travel planning
Everything you need before you go.
Best time to go
Late June through early October. Peak warmth and lobster season run mid-July to late August. September brings smaller crowds and brilliant fall colour through the Cabot Trail and Fundy.
Weather
Coastal and changeable — expect 18–25 °C in summer with fog mornings on the south shore. Always pack a layer; tide-driven micro-climates around Fundy can swing 10 degrees in an afternoon.
Packing
Waterproof shell, layered insulation, sturdy walking shoes, a small daypack, tide tables (download an app), binoculars for whales and seabirds, and a swimsuit for the warmer PEI beaches.
Driving notes
All on paved highways. The Cabot Trail is winding but well-signed. Watch for moose at dawn and dusk on Cape Breton roads. Ferries between Nova Scotia and PEI/Newfoundland require advance booking in summer.
Reservations
Book national-park campgrounds (Cape Breton Highlands, Fundy, PEI) the moment Parks Canada reservations open in January. Boutique hotels in Lunenburg and St. Andrews fill 4–6 months ahead for July/August.
Budget
Mid-range estimate: CAD $250–$450 per person per day for hotels, fuel, ferry, and meals. Camping cuts that to $90–$140. Lobster suppers $50–$75 per person.
Family
Excellent for kids 6+. Short driving days, abundant beaches, gentle hikes. Hopewell Rocks, Green Gables, and the Anne of Green Gables musical are all crowd-pleasers.
Accessibility
Most national park visitor centres, Hopewell Rocks viewing decks, and Halifax/Charlottetown waterfronts are wheelchair-accessible. The Skyline Trail boardwalk is accessible to its final viewpoint.
Pack smart
What to bring.
- 01
A waterproof shell for ocean spray
- 02
Tide tables (download the app)
- 03
Cash for small ferry crossings
- 04
Lobster bib (joking — they provide them)
Travel guides
Read before you go.
Guide
Getting Around Canada
Flights, trains, road trips, and ferries — how to cross the world's second-largest country.
Read guide →Guide
Food & Drink in Canada
Beyond poutine and maple syrup — a primer on regional cuisine, wine country, and dining customs.
Read guide →Guide
Family Travel
Best regions by age, pacing your road trip, ski-with-kids tips, and the family deals worth knowing about.
Read guide →Guide
National Parks Pass
How to use the Discovery Pass, when to book ahead, and the lesser-known parks that rival Banff without the crowds.
Read guide →Guide
Packing by Season
A season-by-season packing list for a country that swings from -40°C in February to +35°C in July.
Read guide →Frequently asked
Common questions.
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