Moncton to Riviere-du-Loup
525 km through the Saint John River valley — New Brunswick's backbone route into Quebec
Route Overview
The Trans-Canada from Moncton runs northwest through New Brunswick's interior, following the Saint John River valley through Fredericton and on to Edmundston near the Quebec border. It then crosses into Quebec and continues to Riviere-du-Loup on the St. Lawrence River. This is a pleasant drive through Acadian forest and river valley farmland, and the cultural transition from English to French Canada happens gradually along the way.
The highway is divided freeway for most of the route. Services are regular throughout New Brunswick. The Quebec section is also well-serviced.
Moncton to Fredericton (180 km)
The Trans-Canada runs northwest from Moncton through Oromocto to Fredericton. The terrain is forested and rolling. Oromocto is a military town (CFB Gagetown, one of the largest military training areas in the Commonwealth) about 30 km east of Fredericton.
Fredericton
New Brunswick's capital (population 65,000). A university town on the Saint John River with a compact, walkable downtown. The Beaverbrook Art Gallery has an unexpectedly strong collection including a Salvador Dali. The Green, a riverside park, is good for a leg stretch. Full services. Fuel up here as the next major city is Edmundston, about 275 km northwest.
Fredericton to Edmundston (275 km)
The Trans-Canada follows the Saint John River valley north through Woodstock, Hartland, Florenceville-Bristol, and Grand Falls. This is one of the most pleasant drives in New Brunswick. The river is always nearby, the towns have character, and the valley is agricultural — potato country. New Brunswick is one of Canada's major potato-producing provinces.
Hartland Covered Bridge
The longest covered bridge in the world at 391 metres. It crosses the Saint John River and is still in active use. You can drive through it. Built in 1901 and designated a National Historic Site. The bridge is just off the Trans-Canada and takes 5 minutes to visit.
Grand Falls / Grand-Sault
A bilingual town where the Saint John River drops over a 23-metre waterfall and through a narrow gorge. The falls are visible from a park in the centre of town. The gorge walk is short and worth doing. Fuel and basic services available.
Edmundston
Population 17,000. A predominantly francophone city near the Quebec border. This is the heart of the Madawaska Republic, a cultural region that straddles the NB-Quebec border. Good restaurants and full services. Last major New Brunswick stop before Quebec.
Edmundston to Riviere-du-Loup (70 km)
The Trans-Canada crosses into Quebec and becomes Autoroute 85/20. The highway descends from the highlands to the St. Lawrence River at Riviere-du-Loup. This town sits on the St. Lawrence and is a major junction point — Highway 20 continues west along the south shore toward Quebec City and eventually Montreal and Ottawa. The St. Lawrence is impressively wide here and you can see the north shore across the water.
From Riviere-du-Loup, the Trans-Canada continues through Quebec to Ottawa, where the Ontario corridor begins on Highway 17. For the first Ontario section, see Ottawa to North Bay.
Quick Facts
- Highway: 2 / 85 / 20
- From: Moncton, NB
- To: Riviere-du-Loup, QC
- Distance: 525 km
- Drive Time: ~5 hours
- Fuel: Regular stops
- Cell: Good throughout