Montreal to Quebec City to Charlevoix
The St. Lawrence from French cities to rolling hills.
Following the north shore of the St. Lawrence, this route moves from the bilingual buzz of Montreal through the walled old capital of Quebec City and into the rolling Charlevoix countryside — a UNESCO biosphere of farms, fjords and painterly hills. Come in early autumn for the foliage.
Flying in? This route starts in Montreal — pick up wheels at the airport.
Rent a Car in MontrealBest Time to Drive
September to October for foliage; December to February for winter magic.
How Many Days
2-3 days with a Quebec City overnight.
Where to Stay
One night inside Old Quebec, a second in Baie-Saint-Paul.
Drive this route
A rental car, stops to sleep and roadside cover.
Pick up a rental at Montreal and drive the full route at your own pace.
The route, stop by stop
- 1
Trois-Rivieres
140 kmHalfway coffee and riverfront stretch on the St. Maurice.
- 2
Quebec City
250 kmWalk the fortified walls, Dufferin Terrace and Quartier Petit Champlain.
- 3
Ile d'Orleans
290 kmA short bridge to cideries, farms and river views around a pastoral island loop.
- 4
- 5
Charlevoix coast
500 kmRolling farmland and whale-watching departures at the Saguenay fjord.
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Continue Planning Your Trip
Bilingual metropolis of culture and cuisine.
Walled Old World capital on the St. Lawrence.
Pedestrian ski village in the Laurentians.
