Best Stops on a
Newfoundland Road Trip
Every major stop from St. John’s to Gros Morne with drive times and what not to miss at each.
A Newfoundland road trip is one of the great drives in Canada a province-wide journey through dramatic coastal scenery, world-class wildlife, UNESCO landscapes, and the warmest hospitality in the country. Here are the essential stops in sequence.
Road Trip Stops in Sequence
| Stop | Key Experience | Drive from Previous Stop | Stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. John’s | Signal Hill, Jellybean Row, Quidi Vidi Brewery, George Street | Start here | 2-3 nights |
| Cape Spear + Bay Bulls | Easternmost North America + whale and puffin boat tour | 25-30 min south | Day trip from St. John’s |
| Ferryland + Irish Loop | Lighthouse Picnic + Colony of Avalon | 90 min south of St. John’s | Day trip or overnight |
| Trinity + Port Rexton | Skerwink Trail, Rising Tide Theatre, Two Whales Coffee | ~3 hrs from St. John’s | 1-2 nights |
| Bonavista + Elliston | Cape Bonavista Lighthouse, Dungeon Park, free puffins at Elliston | 30 min from Trinity | Day trip from Trinity |
| Terra Nova National Park | Coastal Trail, Newman Sound kayaking | ~1 hr from Bonavista | 1 night or morning stop |
| Twillingate | Long Point Lighthouse, iceberg boat tour, Auk Island Winery | ~1.5 hrs from Terra Nova | 1-2 nights |
| Gros Morne National Park | Western Brook Pond boat tour, Tablelands Trail, Green Gardens | ~3 hrs from Twillingate | 2-3 nights |
| Deer Lake Airport (YDF) | Fly home | 45 min from Rocky Harbour | Depart |
Fly into St. John’s (YYT) and fly out of Deer Lake (YDF) to avoid the 7-hour return drive from Gros Morne to St. John’s. Most rental car companies allow one-way vehicle returns between these airports. Confirm at booking.
What to Book Before You Leave
Five bookings must happen before your trip: (1) Rental car at YYT 3-4 months ahead for summer. (2) Western Brook Pond boat tour weeks to months ahead. (3) Bay Bulls whale tour 1-2 weeks ahead. (4) Ferryland Lighthouse Picnic basket call before driving south. (5) Rocky Harbour accommodation 2-3 months ahead for July-August.
Frequently Asked Questions
Planning Your Newfoundland Road Trip?
Book your rental car first summer inventory at YYT sells out completely.
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