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planning to drive houton to quebec in march....anyone ever done this? what type of terrain are the roads? straightways, hills, mountains? planning also to rent a vehicle for this road trip, any experiences on different car rental companies...most of them i checked does not allow their vehicles going out of state...also what type of weather should i expect in march going there?
Thank you in advance...this is my first looong road trip hope it goes well with your help.
Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America forum.
The beauty of the trip you've got ahead of you is that you have your choice of terrains. You could do a 'heartland America' route through the Ozarks, then across the farmlands of Illinois and Indiana, cross into Canada around Detroit and then up through southern Ontario to Québec. Or you could do a 'river route' by following the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, seeing Niagara and then following the St. Lawrence into Québec. Or, a third alternative, a 'mountain route' where you first go east to Birmingham, Alabama and then more or less travel northeast along the spine of the Appalachians. Of course, you can also mix and match among the three. So, which of the three alternatives most appeals to you?Quote:
Originally Posted by roadtrpnew
Are you checking their web sites or talking to an agent? I suspect that if you deal with a human you'll find that most, if not all, of the major companies will allow the car into Canada for the proper d'argent. Are you also facing an age problem (under 25)?Quote:
Originally Posted by roadtrpnew
March is perhaps the most unpredictable month of the year, particularly along the Appalachians and in the northeast (southeast of Canada). You could hit anything from warm and sunny to snow or golfball-sized hail. But in general, it will be moving on toward Spring and the trip will be doable. Just allow yourself a bit of time in your schedule for weather related delays, keep and eye on the forcasts, and you'll be fine.Quote:
Originally Posted by roadtrpnew
AZBuck
thank you AZBuck..Quote:
Originally Posted by AZBuck
pretty interesting route...do you recommend yahoo or msn maps in order for me to get directions for those, or should i buy maps then trace routes?
i havent talk to any agents on car rentals, just checking out thier websites and policies. i am not facing any age problem...i havent rented a car for a road trip, i guess there are a lot of insurance i can get, what is the most important one, or least important for that matter.
For this kind of planning, I'd suggest that you get a good paper road map of the US, or better yet of just the eastern US, that you can look over at your own pace and mark up any way you want. Start by just looking at what's between your start and end points. See, in a general sort of way, what's along the three basic routes I outlined. Look for major parks and cities along the way that appeal to you. And then start marking out possible routes. Once you've got a basic route, get the appropriate state maps, or start visiting their websites, or come back here for more detailed suggestions.Quote:
Originally Posted by roadtrpnew
That is really up to you and your circumstances. The first thing I'd do is contact your own insurance company and see if your coverage extends to a rental. Also check with your credit card companies to see if they offer any coverage when you charge the rental on their card. Do you belong to AAA? - I believe they also extend coverage - but I could be wrong - ask them. If you are really devoid of all other coverage, then what you need most, I think, is liability insurance. This covers you for what you do to others, and it's where the huge settlements for 'pain and suffering' come into play. Probably the least important (again - my opinion) is collision coverage. All that would pay for is the damage you do to the rental car - but it's important if you don't want to be responsible even for that.Quote:
Originally Posted by roadtrpnew
AZBuck
Hi Roadtrpnew,
One things that's for sure, when the road gets bumpy, you'll know you're in Quebec!:-) Watch out for potholes during thaw some of them can almost swallow your car! Okay, I'm exagerating a little bit but be careful, especially if you drive a rental.Quote:
what type of terrain are the roads?
As AZBuck said, March is kind of unpredictable, it's not spring yet but it's not winter anymore either. Just make sure your car has all the basic winter equipment and read these Winter Driving Tips.Quote:
also what type of weather should i expect in march going there?
If you are a AAA or a CAA member you can order free maps, itineraries (Triptiks) and guidebooks. Still, I think a good road atlas is a must have for any traveller.Quote:
do you recommend yahoo or msn maps in order for me to get directions for those, or should i buy maps then trace routes
Do you have any specific destination(s) among Quebec? What's the purpose of your trip? Would you like a few suggestions? I lived in Quebec all my life and I know my province very well so if I can be of any help...
Cheers!
Geneviève
Go straight north, and pick up US 66 in Missouri and take it through that state and Illinois. This will run you through the beautiful Ozarks and you'll be by the Lake of the Ozarks and Branson. I suggest spending a night at the Rail Haven or Rest Haven motels in Springfield, Mo., Munger-Moss in Lebanon, Mo., and Route 66 Hotel and Convention Center in Springfield, Illinois. While there, you can check out the new Lincoln Museum and Library, a must stop. You can also have a Cozy Dog, and enjoy a real live 66 Roadhouse at the Curve Inn or George Ranks.
Our first trip on 66, we were blasted by a really nasty snowstorm by Joliet and Pontiac, Il. near the end of March, so like AZBuck said, be ready for anything. We've also seen it at 80 degrees.
Keep on Down that Two Lane Highway and Eat that Cozy? Dog. -- RoadDog
i just registered to be a member of AAA...checked out internet triptik and i want to print detailed maps, but the one showing on my screen is so small, there are 40+ pages to print..any ideas to probably lessen the pages and view on screen with bigger map...btw we are planning in doing this trip for 1 week round trip so im looking for the fastest/shortest route possible...we are visiting a freind in Quebec.
Gen,
I would like to have suggestions regarding places to visit, restaurants near or in Quebec, that is where we plan to go sightseeing and stuff..
Your most efficient route is 2110 miles long. It goes like this: I-10 to Baton Rouge, LA; I-55 up to Memphis,; TN I-40 to Nashville; I-65 to Louisville, KY; I-71 to Cleveland, OH; I-90 to Syracuse, NY; and I-81 to the Canadian border. In Canada, take the 401 freeway to Montréal, and Autoroute 20 to Québec. You will need at least three days each way to make the trip, even with multiple drivers, if you plan on stopping for the evening. That really doesn't leave much time for sight-seeing along the way, or even more than a couple of days in Québec.Quote:
Originally Posted by roadtrpnew
It is the nature of TripTiks to give a moderately detailed picture of the road you're going to be travelling on. They're really not meant to be scalable in the sense that you want. I'd suggest going to (or calling) your local AAA office and asking for their Eastern USA map. That will let you get an overview of your route. They will also be happy to mark the above route on the map if you want. About a week before you leave, ask them to make a TripTik for you and they will not only print out the 40+ pages, but mark your route on them along with marking portions of the road that are under construction or are subject to extra strict law enforcement.Quote:
Originally Posted by roadtrpnew
AZBuck
I assume by "Quebec" you mean Quebec City?? There is so much to do in that area, I don't know where to start! First Quebec is considered a World Heritage City by the UNESCO. Needless to say, traditionnal French architecture and historic sites are everywhere. The most popular historic district is called Le Petit Champlain and is located in the lower city. The final part of the movie Catch me if you can was filmed at La Place Royale. As you walk through the narrow street in lower city, take a look at the multiple murals along the way. Le Musée de la civilisation et la Gare du Palais are worth a visit.Quote:
Originally Posted by Roadtrpnew
For lunch, stop by the Cochon Dingue. The Auberge St-Antoine is a cozy alternative to big hotels and is nestled in a quiet part of lower town. For a unique experience, look for Sous-le-Cap st. It follows the bottom of the cliff of the Cap Diamant for a short distance. I consider that street kind of magical, you feel like you are somewhere in Europe. Even the locals will probably have trouble give you directions to it.:-)
In the upper part of the city, the "main street" is called St-Jean St. The area west of Honoré-Mercier blvd is knows as the "gay village" even though there are not that much gay-affiliated establishments. East of Honoré-Mercier is the Place D'Youville with its free skating rink and the biggest concert hall in Quebec City the Capitole. Its little neighbor, Pointe des Amériques serves tasty pizzas.
On St-Jean St., you can find virtually every kind of boutiques, restaurants and bistros. I particularly enjoy Au Petit Coin Breton (near La porte St-Jean) with its delicious crepes for dinner and savoury sweets for dessert. For lunch, try our famous poutine (French fries with gravy and cheese) at one of the many Ashton fast food restaurants. Ask for a "Spécial with saucisses" (Special with sausages). If you are a reader, stop by Librairie Pantoute. Going up St. Jean St., near the City Hall, you will come into a square. Depending on what is your thing, you can visit the Basilique Notre-Dame, attend a free jazz show at the Clarendon, shop for cigars at la Tabagie Giguère on Buade St.. During the warm season, la rue du Trésor is very lively, I doubt there will be any activity there in March, but you never know!
The Majestic Château Frontenac located at the apogee of Cap Diamant is the most photographed hotel in the world. You can request a guided tour. Don't forget about the magnificient Terrasse Dufferin overlooking the St. Lawrence. On the other shore, you can see the lights of Lévis and distinguish some buildings.
Another main artery is Grande-Allée St. : lots of popular night clubs and restaurants there as well. My favourites are : Cosmos Café (breakfast and dessert), Rivoli (Italian), Parmesan (Italian), Maurice Nightclub (featuring a cigar lounge). Also, Cartier St. is usually a very popular street among tourists. If you head west on Grande-Allée you'll eventually catch a glimpse of the Plaines d'Abraham on your left, towards the St. Lawrence. It is a very popular spot for winter sports like cross-country skiing and sliding. If you are into arts, the Musée de Québec presents different exhibitions. The Hôtel du Parlement (Parliament) is located on top of a hill and looks very imposing and intimidating, but it is definitly a must see on your trip and so are the Citadelle and the fortifications (walls). I believe they even sell a map of all the walls so you can virtually make up your own itinerary
In other parts of town or not far from it, you also have some attractions worth considering :
Promenade Samuel de Champlain (Cap-Rouge) for a scenic walk;
Salons d'Edgar in St-Roch is a very artsy restaurant featuring Tango nights (Sundays);
A visit at the Ice Hotel (Ste-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier) costs 10-14$;
Île d'Orléans, cradle of French America;
Chutes Montmorency
Too bad the Winter Carnival will be over when you get there! I know there will be a film Festival called Festival Images du Nouveau Monde though. Be sure to bring warm clothes on that trip, even though you might think spring is warmer, it is not quite true and the wind coming for the river is usually awfully cold. Since Quebec City absolutely has to be toured by foot, you better be safe than sorry! While looking for a place to park, watch out for restricted resident permits areas. The streets are pretty narrow so when you do parallel parking, be sure you are close enough to the sidewalk or you might get a ticket or get hit by another car.
Hope this helps!
Gen
Here is a quick overview about insurance coveragesQuote:
Originally Posted by roadtrpnew
Mark
triptik route as follows:
i-10, i-12, -1-59, i-459,i-59,i-24,i-75,i-40,i-81,i-66,i-495,i-95,i-295,new jersey turnpike, garden state parkway,new york state pkwy,i-87, quebec,pr15..total miles=1976.9
what do you guys think of this route?
thank you all for all your ideas
The beauty of this route is that it basically follows the Appalachian Mountains, so you should always have a pretty view out the windshield. If you wanted to avoid the traffic around the major cities of the Northeast, you could stay on I-81 up to Scranton, PA and then use I-380 and I-84 to rejoin I-87 well north of New York City, but that's your call. Be sure to avail yourself of some of the parks, sights and caves along the way!
AZBuck
do they close this roads when its snowing? is it a well travelled roads, lots of commuters along the way? i just want to know what to expect...
Besides the unexpected, of course, you can expect that none of the roads that you listed or that I suggested as alternatives will be closed just because it is snowing. In fact, these roads are seldom legally closed. You will be limited only by your own experience with and talent for winter driving should inclement weather occur. These roads are generally well travelled and there will be lots of commuters all the way from south of Washington to north of New York on I-95, the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway and New York State Thruway. That is why I suggested the I-81 alternative which is also a well travelled road but will not be nearly as congested as your stated route.
AZBuck
i used to live in quebec city...i love it
i would suggest taking the highway north of the st. lawrence, the 40...the 20 and 40 are both 4-lane divided highways, but the scenery on the 40 has lots of trees, river shots, etc....the 20 is straight and runs mainly through farmland
of course, the best views are east of quebec city, both north and south of the river, but you don't have time for that
they can get snowstorms there, but you merely have to build a day's grace into your trip, and you should be fine
is montreal quebec the same as the quebec city? i am going to montreal quebec zip code is H31L1...will i pass the farm lands?Quote:
Originally Posted by knip
Quote:
Originally Posted by roadtrpnew
ahh that's different...no they're 5 hours apart
montreal is the biggest city in the province (think state) of quebec....quebec city is the 2nd biggest city and capital of the province of quebec
not to worry...montreal is an outstanding city in its own right
the best way to come up to montreal is either via highway 15 or 138 (canadian side numbers)
highway 15 is a short run from the US border...half an hour or so...you would connect to it via the I-87, crossing the border north of plattsburg
that is a scenic enough drive through new york state, although the heart of the adirondacks would be more scenic...that way would see you get off the I-87 at lake george, taking the 28 and 30 through indian lake, tupper lake, paul smiths, crossing the border on the 30, which changes into the 138 in canada...about an hour to montreal from the border
the 2nd way adds a couple hours to your trip, and is more scenic...if you take the adirondack route, there is an outstanding BBQ joint between saranac lake and lake placid on the south side of the 86...can't remember the name, and am not sure if it's open in winter, so you would be taking your chances
thanks for the clarification knip...
i heard its the maple festival there around that time, thats one of the places we want to visit/enjoy...the other one is the niagra falls i tried researching about those places and niagara falls always comes up...lolz
Actually, Mtl and Quebec City are only 2-3 hours apart but I'm sure you will agree that, even if it was 5 hours long, the trip to Quebec City would still be worth it.Quote:
Originally Posted by knip
If you plan on crossing at Niagara, the fastest way to Montreal is QEW, I-401 through Ontario and I-20 that'll bring you right in the heart of the city. Thaw has already begun here so beware of the potholes both on the freeway and in the city streets. If you tell us more about your interests, I could help you with a few attractions and must-sees. In the meantime, you can take a look at that thread. For Niagara suggestions, try to use the research function on the forum.Quote:
Originally Posted by roadtrpnew
Despite the fact that we usually begin to collect maple syrup at that time of the year, there are no official maple festivals except for the Festival de l'érable de Plessisville and the Festival beauceron de l'érable, both a few hundred miles away from Montreal. Sugar shacking is your best option, although you may have a hard time finding a shack within Mtl, most of them are located in rural areas. You still can make a day-trip to the Eastern Townships or any other surrounding area to find an authentic cabane. Reservations are mandatory in most places (~20$-25$CAD).Quote:
i heard its the maple festival there around that time, thats one of the places we want to visit/enjoy
Here's a link to a sugar shack finder with a clickable map and an interesting article.
However, if you don't have time to go on a day trip, you can still have a taste of typical Quebec sugar shack style food right in the heart of the Plateau at La Binerie Mont-Royal but that doesn't substitute eating tire sur la neige in a real cabane à sucre!
Have a great trip and don't eat too much "tire"!:-)
Gen
Actually, Mtl and Quebec City are only 2-3 hours apart
ooops
i used to do the quebec to ottawa run a lot...THAT was 5 hours...sorry
:)