Im thinking about doing this but not sure how easy it will be with 2 small children.
Has anyone else done this journey and is there enough to see on the way, I think its aorund 1000 miles ?
Im torn between 2 weeks in Halifax or spreading it over Toronto and Halifax.
Is there enough to keep 2 children and the inlaws busy over 2 weeks in Halifax.
Im persoanlly going for a reccie (Halifax).

Yes, it is about 1,700 kms or a thousand miles and not a particularly nice drive most of the way. The fastest time for the trip is about 17 hours road time if you are lucky but that's pushing it. I take an extra day and go via the US. However, if you are going to Halifax on a reccie mission that's where you should spend your time. There is lots to do and see and two weeks will fly by. I wouldn't try to cram in both Toronto and Halifax unless you fly between the two. As I said, if Halifax is you main focus then stick to that. Check other previous postings about reccie trips and I think you'll find that they all say that time was always too short. Good luck on you reccie.

Thanks for the reply simon, I must admit I totally agree with you, I was trying to please everyone when the main reason to go is quite a importnant one, I think Ill do the 2 weeks in Halifax. cheers

Probably one of the most important decisions of your life !!! There is lots to do and see in NS so take your time and have a good look around. Check out other threads on similar topics. Best of luck.

It also reduces the risk that after being in Toronto you will question your sanity at wanting to live in Halifax.


<just joking, I think>

Done that drive, once you get past Montreal it becomes lovely, we didn't go the direct route once in NB. We turned north up to Campbelltown, along the north coast then down to Fredricton onto St Andrews up the east coast to Alma and then onto Moncton. Finally onto Halifax after a quick detour to look at the PEI bridge. Took us 8 days, had a great time, got engaged. We took the train back to Toronto

I'm looking at the same journey (for the same reason) at the beginning of June... but minus 2 kids! I thought, drive in 4 hour stints and do Toronto-Ottawa on day 1 and Ottawa-Halifax on day 2...not too rushed.

I did think about crossing Maine but, according to Google, it's no quicker and then there's the reentry to Canada...which could be problematic for me.

You'd be hard pushed to get from Ottawa to Halifax in one go (unless you have someone else doing some of the driving)
I've driven from Toronto to Ottawa before and thats a nice drive once you get out of Toronto, easily done in 7-8 hours I think. I've also been a passenger going from Halifax to Ottawa and that was a LONG drive. We stopped in Moncton NB overnight (to visit a friend) as it was such a long way and not possible to do it in one go without risking the driver falling asleep at the wheel!
Nice drive to do though, and a good excuse to stop at every Tim's on the way for a double double!

Brain-fart - I meant, Quebec, naturellement