Newfoundland Road Trip: 7-Day Itinerary from Halifax (Gros Morne to St. John’s)
Newfoundland is close to Halifax on the map and a world away once you’re there: fjords and the exposed mantle of the Earth in Gros Morne, icebergs drifting past fishing towns, and St. John’s colourful streets at the end of the road. Seven days is enough for a satisfying first loop if you plan the long drives well.
This itinerary flies you from Halifax to Deer Lake for Gros Morne, then drives east through Twillingate to St. John’s, where you fly home. We also cover the ferry option from Nova Scotia, when to go for icebergs and whales, and car rental tips. Ferry details come from Marine Atlantic, park details from Parks Canada, and drive distances from OpenStreetMap routing, all checked October 20, 2026. We don’t quote prices; they change too often.
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In this guide
Fly or ferry from Halifax
Fly: YHZ to Deer Lake or St. John’s
Halifax Stanfield lists year-round non-stops to both ends of this trip:
| Route | Airlines (per Halifax Stanfield) | Peak frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Halifax – Deer Lake (YDF) | Air Canada, Porter | 1x daily each |
| Halifax – St. John’s (YYT) | Air Canada, Porter | 4x daily (Air Canada), 2x daily (Porter) |
Flying into Deer Lake and out of St. John’s (an “open-jaw” trip) means you never backtrack across the island. Search Halifax–Deer Lake and St. John’s flights with multi-city dates.
Ferry: North Sydney to Port aux Basques or Argentia
If you’d rather bring your own car, Marine Atlantic runs two routes from North Sydney, Cape Breton:
| Route | Crossing time (Marine Atlantic) | Season |
|---|---|---|
| North Sydney – Port aux Basques | About 7 hours | Year-round, daily |
| North Sydney – Argentia | About 16.5 hours | Seasonal: June 19 to early October in 2026, up to three times a week |
Marine Atlantic’s current passenger schedule shows Port aux Basques sailings at 11:45 and 23:30 daily, and it says Argentia is about 90 minutes from St. John’s. Schedules change, so check the booking engine for your dates.
The ferry adds a lot of driving. By OpenStreetMap routing, Halifax to North Sydney is about 407 km (roughly 5 hours), and Port aux Basques to Deer Lake is another 266 km (about 3.3 hours). Allow at least two extra days each way compared with flying. A popular combination is to sail to Port aux Basques and return from Argentia in summer, so you cross the island only once.
7-day Newfoundland road trip itinerary
This plan assumes you fly Halifax–Deer Lake and St. John’s–Halifax, with a one-way rental car.
Day 1: Fly to Deer Lake, drive to Rocky Harbour
Pick up your car at Deer Lake and drive about 69 km (under an hour) to Rocky Harbour, the main base inside Gros Morne National Park. Stop at the Rocky Harbour Visitor Centre for park passes and trail conditions.
Day 2: Western Brook Pond
Parks Canada describes Western Brook Pond as a fjord reached on foot. A moderate 3 km trail (about 45 minutes) leads from the parking lot to the dock, and the boat tour lasts about 2 hours with live interpretation. Tours run mid-May to mid-October and depend on wind and weather, so book ahead and keep the day flexible.
Day 3: The Tablelands and Woody Point
Drive about 72 km (roughly an hour) around Bonne Bay to the south side of the park. The Tablelands are, in Parks Canada’s words, a rare outcrop of the Earth’s mantle pushed skyward half a billion years ago. In summer, Parks Canada guides lead a two-hour Tablelands walk. Finish at the Discovery Centre near Woody Point, which sells park passes and is the start of the Lookout Trail.
Day 4: Gros Morne to Twillingate
This is the big driving day: back through Deer Lake and east to Twillingate on Notre Dame Bay. Deer Lake to Twillingate is about 360 km (around 4.8 hours) by OpenStreetMap routing, so allow most of the day with stops.
Day 5: Twillingate and Iceberg Alley
Twillingate is one of the best-known iceberg-viewing spots on the island. Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism lists it among the places in Iceberg Alley where you can watch from shore or a tour boat. Out of iceberg season, it’s still a lovely spot for coastal walks and lighthouses.
Day 6: Twillingate to St. John’s
Another long drive: about 444 km (roughly 6 hours) to St. John’s. If you’d rather split it, Gander is about 112 km from Twillingate, or detour to Bonavista (about 302 km from St. John’s) if you have an extra day.
Day 7: St. John’s, then fly home
Spend the morning on Signal Hill or at Cape Spear, wander downtown, then return your car at St. John’s airport for your flight back to Halifax.
Route and driving distances
Distances and times are estimates from OpenStreetMap routing (OSRM), checked October 20, 2026. Real driving times are longer with stops, weather and wildlife on the road.
| Leg | Distance | Approx. driving time |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Lake – Rocky Harbour | 69 km | 50 min |
| Rocky Harbour – Woody Point | 72 km | 1 hour |
| Deer Lake – Twillingate | 360 km | 4.8 hours |
| Twillingate – St. John’s | 444 km | 6 hours |
| Deer Lake – St. John’s (direct) | 638 km | 8.1 hours |
| Port aux Basques – Deer Lake (ferry option) | 266 km | 3.3 hours |
| Argentia – St. John’s (ferry option) | 133 km | 1.7 hours |
| Halifax – North Sydney (ferry option) | 407 km | 5.1 hours |
Gros Morne highlights
- Season: Parks Canada lists Gros Morne’s peak season as May to October. In 2026 the Discovery Centre opened May 15 to October 12, and the Rocky Harbour Visitor Centre is open year-round with reduced off-season hours.
- Guided programs run from June to the end of September, with the fullest schedule in peak season (July 1 to September 1 in 2026), according to Parks Canada.
- Park passes are sold at the visitor centres, including the Discovery Centre.
- Western Brook Pond boat tour: pets aren’t allowed on the boats, and departures depend on wind and weather.
For more road-trip ideas in the region, see our Atlantic Canada road trips.
Want something shorter first? Our PEI road trip itinerary has 3- and 5-day loops from Halifax via the Confederation Bridge and the Wood Islands ferry.
Planning to hike? See our guide to the best Gros Morne National Park hikes.
When to go: icebergs, whales and park season
- Icebergs: Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism says icebergs are most plentiful in April and May but may be locked in sea ice, so it suggests late May and early June for the best viewing. The further north you go, the longer the season.
- Whales: the province says humpback whales return between May and September.
- Gros Morne: peak season is May to October, with full guided programs in July and August.
- Ferry to Argentia: only in summer (mid-June to early fall), so plan a later trip if you want to sail one way.
For icebergs and whales together, aim for June. For the full Gros Morne program, warmer weather and the Argentia ferry, aim for July or August.
Car rental tips for Newfoundland
- Book one-way early. A Deer Lake pick-up and St. John’s drop-off saves a day of backtracking, but one-way availability and fees vary by company and season. Compare one-way rentals on DiscoverCars and confirm the fee before booking.
- Taking a rental on the ferry? Check your rental agreement first; not every company allows it.
- Expect long distances between services. Fill up when you can on the long drives between Gros Morne, Twillingate and St. John’s.
- Watch for moose, especially at dawn and dusk.
- Read our car rental at Halifax airport guide for age, licence and insurance basics. Most of it applies in Newfoundland too.
What to budget for
We don’t quote prices because they change constantly, but these are the main costs to price before you go:
- Flights Halifax–Deer Lake and St. John’s–Halifax, or the ferry and fuel if you drive.
- A one-way rental car, including any one-way fee and insurance.
- Fuel for roughly 1,000 km or more of driving on the itinerary above.
- A Parks Canada pass for Gros Morne.
- The Western Brook Pond boat tour (prices are set by the operator, Bontours).
- Accommodation in Rocky Harbour, Twillingate and St. John’s, which can book up in summer.
- Travel insurance if you’re visiting from outside Canada. Compare plans with VisitorsCoverage.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Closer to home: our Cabot Trail road trip itinerary is the classic Nova Scotia drive, and it’s on the way to the ferry at North Sydney.
- Want more of the Maritimes? Our 7-day Nova Scotia road trip itinerary loops from Halifax to Peggy’s Cove, the Bay of Fundy and Cape Breton.
- More routes from YHZ: cheap flights from Halifax.
- Starting your trip in the city? Halifax airport to downtown.
Newfoundland road trip essentials
Hand-picked tools we’d use ourselves. Always check current prices and terms before you buy.
- Flights from HalifaxCompare non-stop and one-stop fares. Search flights →
- HotelsFind a base in St. John’s. Compare St. John’s hotels on Trip.com →
- Car rentalCompare rental cars at Deer Lake and St. John’s airports. Compare on DiscoverCars →
- Travel insuranceMSI covers little outside Canada. Compare plans → or get a TuGo quote →
- Stay connectedLocal data from the moment you land. See Airalo eSIMs →
- Airport transfersPre-book a ride if yours isn’t included. Book with Kiwitaxi →
More trips from Atlantic Canada: all Moonlight Travel guides.
FAQ: Newfoundland road trip
How do you get from Halifax to Newfoundland?
Fly or take the ferry. Halifax Stanfield lists year-round non-stop flights to St. John’s and Deer Lake on Air Canada and Porter. Marine Atlantic sails year-round from North Sydney to Port aux Basques (about 7 hours) and seasonally to Argentia (about 16.5 hours).
Is 7 days enough for Newfoundland?
Seven days is enough for a first loop covering Gros Morne, Twillingate and St. John’s if you fly into Deer Lake and out of St. John’s. The island is big, so expect two long driving days.
When is the best time for icebergs in Newfoundland?
Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism suggests late May and early June for the best iceberg viewing. Icebergs are most plentiful in April and May but may be locked in sea ice.
When does the Argentia ferry run?
Marine Atlantic runs North Sydney–Argentia seasonally, mid-June to early fall, up to three times a week. In 2026 the season ran June 19 to early October. Check Marine Atlantic for next year’s dates.
Is Gros Morne open year-round?
Yes. Parks Canada says the park is open year-round, with peak season May to October and guided programs from June to the end of September.
Sources: Halifax Stanfield International Airport, Marine Atlantic, Parks Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism and OpenStreetMap routing (OSRM), checked October 20, 2026. Schedules, seasons and park hours change; confirm before you travel.
Featured photo: Western Brook Pond, Gros Morne National Park. Photo: Mykola Swarnyk via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (licence).
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