New Brunswick is a big place. How long would an average person take to drive across it?
It’s hard to say for sure, but we think it’d take about 4 hours and 20 minutes (240 minutes) if you drive at a steady 50 km/h. Of course, New Brunswick is a big place – there are nearly 400 kilometers between the Quebec border and the Saint John River Valley.
The Atlantic Ocean and the Bay of Fundy don’t divide New Brunswick in two, but our two largest cities: Fredericton and Saint John.
And we’re not just talking about the distance between them – Fredericton and Saint John are separated by more than 150 kilometers of road. The Clyde River, Whiteshell Paper Mill District and Confederation Boulevard are part of downtown Saint John. That’s 65 km.
Moving on, there’s also Sackville to consider, Belledune and Belledune Lakes. It took us 10 minutes to drive from the Belledune Lakes resort to Monkland Mall in Sackville, which is nearly 60 km away.
In fact you can drive from one side to the other in less than for hours if you take the highways. But if you take a route through some remote countryside it’ll take longer.
How Wide is New Brunswick?
New Brunswick’s two largest cities are about 150 kilometers away from each other. If you were to drive from Saint John to Fredericton at a steady 80km/h, it would take you about 3 hours and 20 minutes.
New Brunswick’s northern border is shared with Quebec. The province is bordered by the Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia and the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the east. Prince Edward Island lies just off its southeast shore.
Driving across New Brunswick can take up to 5 hours, depending on where you are. The province’s two largest cities, Saint John and Fredericton (about 150 km apart), are about 100 miles apart while the rest of the province is roughly twice that distance.
New Brunswick is located in Eastern Canada. The province’s northern border with Quebec is shared by the Great Whale River and the Baie des Chaleurs – it’s actually quite a big river.
Tips for Driving Across New Brunswick
The New Brunswick government publishes a map of provincial highways on its website. If you’re travelling on the smaller highways, it’s best to call ahead to find out whether or not you’ll be able to pass through an area.
We’d also recommend bringing along some extra snacks and drink. There are many places where you can stop for food and gas, but these areas are few and far between – especially if there’s bad weather.
If you’re planning on driving during the summer, make sure to check out NB roads before you leave. The province closes highways (including provincial highways) for annual maintenance between October 15 and March 15. You can find more information here.
If you want to rent a car, put it in satellite mode so that you stay up to date on road closures and traffic information. Don’t forget about using studded tires in New Brunswick, especially if you’re visiting in the winter.
