Driving from Ottawa to Nova Scotia: Distance, Time, Routes, and Stops

The Long Haul: Ontario to the Maritimes

The road distance from Ottawa, ON to Halifax, NS (typical Nova Scotia destination) is approximately 1,350 km (840 mi). Driving time is 15–17 hours of pure driving, best done over two days.

Primary Route: Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 401 → 20 → 2 → 104 → 102)

Ottawa → Kingston → Toronto: ON-401 West (2.5 hrs, 200 km). Option: ON-7/15 via Peterborough for scenery.
Toronto → Montréal: ON-401 East → A-20 East (5 hrs, 540 km). Crosses into Quebec at Cornwall.
Montréal → Québec City: A-20 East / A-40 East (2.5 hrs, 250 km). Scenic: A-138 along St. Lawrence north shore.
Québec City → Rivière-du-Loup: A-20 East (2 hrs, 190 km). End of autoroute.
Rivière-du-Loup → Edmundston (NB): QC-185 / NB-2 (1.5 hrs, 100 km). New 4-lane mostly complete.
Edmundston → Fredericton → Moncton: NB-2 (Trans-Canada) (2.5 hrs, 250 km).
Moncton → Amherst (NS border) → Truro → Halifax: NS-104 / NS-102 (2 hrs, 180 km).

Key Stops & Breaks

Kingston: Fort Henry, Penitentiary Museum, 1000 Islands boat tour.
Montréal: Old Port, Mount Royal, bagels/smoked meat (overnight stop ideal).
Québec City: Old Town (UNESCO), Citadelle, Montmorency Falls.
Rivière-du-Loup: Whale watching (Tadoussac detour +1 hr).
Grand Falls (NB): Gorge, potato country.
Moncton: Magnetic Hill, Tidal Bore, Hopewell Rocks (30 min detour).
Truro: Victoria Park, "Hub of Nova Scotia."

Practical Tips

Winter (Nov–Apr): Add 3–5 hrs; winter tires mandatory in QC (Dec 1–Mar 15); check 511.qc.ca / 511nb.ca / 511novascotia.ca.
Fuel: Fill in ON/QC (cheaper than NB/NS). Long stretches >100 km without services in QC Lower St. Lawrence.
Ferry Alternative: CTMA ferry Montréal → Cap-aux-Meules (Îles de la Madeleine) → Souris, PEI → Confederation Bridge → NS. Scenic, 12+ hrs sailing, not faster.
Fly: YOW → YHZ 1h45m, multiple daily. Drive only if moving goods, touring, or avoiding rental car costs.