[luVlee]

Hi everyone,
My girlfriend's birthday is Sept. 29th and Im planning on driving from Montreal, QC to Charlottetown, PE for the weekend. I heard the drive is around 14hrs. I plan on leaving the 28th (thursday) noon and hopefully get there on the 29th (friday) around morning. And then leave Charlottetown, on the 30th (saturday) and be back on the Aug 1st (sunday). Do you think I can do it? I will be driving by myself in my 2004 MCS. Anyone who's done this trip or anything like it over a weekend have any tips for me? Is it safe for the car to do such long trip in such short period? Is the road safe? Is it realistic? How long is the trip going to take actually?
Thanks in advance guys. Wish me LUCK!

[xtremepsionic]

Hi, I haven't driven anywhere near where you're going, but here are some tips anyway, I did 3000km in 5 days back in July.

From my map it looks like your trip will be about 1070km one way, so assuming you average about 100km/h on the highway, it'll take you 10 hours or so. Figure in 30 minute meal time, and a 10 minute break per 2 hours, you're looking at about a 12 hour drive. The car will have absolutely no problem driving the distance, the major factor will be the driver, you!

Looks like you plan on driving in the middle of the night. Make sure you definitely get more than enough rest before hand! And I definitely think you should take a nap at maybe 9-10pm just to refresh a bit so you don't feel totally dead by 2-3am (if it takes you that long to get there). Make sure your high beams are working and put them to use when the situation allows

To be honest I would never drive over night like that, I'd rather leave earlier in the day and drive while there is still sun light, it is way easier to stay awake and alert, plus there are a lot less wild animals on the road usually during day time. But obviously you don't seem to have a choice about the start time of your trip.

Good luck, check your oil, coolant level, tires, bring plenty of water and snacks and use the audio system to keep yourself awake!

[bok]

i just did a similar trip this weekend and it's easily doable if you like driving. I went from Calgary to Brandon MB (roughly 700 miles each way) and back again. Left friday at around 11am, went to a wedding saturday and then turned around and left sunday morning at around 7am and headed back to calgary.

This drive was pretty much straight the whole way and i've done it a bunch before in other cars so it was boooooooooooooring. Not sure about the road that you will be travelling, but it sounds like it will be new to you so it hopefully won't be too terribly boring and it's easily doable to drive that distance or greater in a MINI.


My tips for long drives include:
1) have a lot of music of different kinds
2) stop every 3 hours for gas whether you need it or not, just to stretch your legs
3) when getting gas buy some snacks or drinks
4) if you get tired PULL OVER, this is especially true with night driving. it's better to take an hour power nap than an eternal dirt nap
5) tell some people where you are going and when you plan to be there
6) expect people to think your xeon headlights are the highbeams and blind them accordingly

[neilmimi]

Hi, have done Ottawa to Charlottetown but usually stopped in Fredericton NB overnight. Figure 8hrs driving time from Mtl to Fredericton then another 6-7 hrs from Fredericton to Charlottetown.

The roads are pretty good with one exception....Riviere du Loup until Edmunston.....not a divided highway and lots of construction. Fortuneately you should be through that section during the daytime.....in New Brunswick, the roads are great and wide....max posted speed is 110km/h but you can easily surpass that (if you are willing!). Once you get passed Moncton NB, you are in the tail end of your journey. Fortuneately, no ferries to wait for, you can now take a 13km bridge! Don't think that it's free. They nail you on the way out when you leave the island.

As a previous post says, take snacks, liquids and stop whenever you feel you have to. Music also helps a lot!! The MCS is THE car to travel so enjoy your journey luvlee!!

[luVlee]

Just got back from the weekend trip! It was my girlfriend's birthday so I that's why I made a trip up to PEI for the weekend. She loved the suprise! I had her mom and one of her friend on the surpise and it worked out great!

The drive from Montreal to Riviere du Loup was very flat and boring. Typical straight highway 100km/h max.

Riviere du Loup to Fredericton, within quebec border, the road's windy and one lane, many ups and downs. Once you cross into New Brunswick, the road becomes large and very well paved.

Moncton to Charlottetown, The bridge was loooong!!!! Max speed was 80km/h but I crossed it at 2 am and noone was watching so I crossed it in 120km/h!

Overall, the trip was amazing! Im willing to do more road trips in my mini. It definately turned alot of heads in New Brunswick and PEI. In Charlottetown, everyone stopped to look inside my car.

[bok]

it's kind of amazing after you do that first long trip. People think the MINI isn't a good vehicle for long distance treks, but i find it more comfortable than a lot of other vehicles i have done long stretches in.

hope your girlfriend liked the surprise

[luVlee]

To add a bit more, I enjoyed night driving much more than day driving. I drove during the day on my way back to Montreal and the weather was a bit depressing (low clouds, grey sky, windy) I would have much preferred night driving on my way back. Drive up to PEI was mostly night driving, the roads had no lights at all so I used a lot of high beams. I enjoyed interacting with opposing traffics by high beams (turning off high beam for them and they turn it off for you, if they don't turn off theirs, i flash my high beams to let them know they're blinding me etc...) it kept me awake and I had a lot of fun with it. Also at night, I didn't have much problem passing slow moving 18 wheelers because the traffic was light but during the day it took much more work to pull off a succeful pass. Overall, the drive was amazing, if I do it again, which I will in about a month of two, I will do another night drive. I enjoyed the calmness at night. Thanks for the help guys.

p.s the girlfriend was so impressed with the surprise, she cried at her birthday dinner table. What a great boyfriend I am!! haha just joking...but seriously.

[luVlee]

Hey guys, Im doing another run to PEI in november. I was wondering if I should get my snowtires on before going up. I'll be going up November 9th. I hope it doens't snow then but I don't know what it's going to be like in the woods in NB. Any ideas?

[Ferroequine]

Are you running all seasons or summers? If you're currently running summers, you may want to consider putting the winters on for that.

Summer rubber compound doesn't do so great when you get towards the zero C mark on the thermometer; your handling gets a little squigly, since the tires can't flex the same as they do in warmer temperatures. Winter tires use a softer compound.

[luVlee]

I have all-seasons but my old man told me I should probably look into getting winter tires this winter because they're very worn off. Getting winter tires for the winter was a given. I definately need them for the snowy hills of Downtown Montreal. But I was just wondering if anyone knew the road conditions on the route around the time Im going to be on it. I dont want to have the winters on if there's not going to be snow and I don't want to be on it with the my current all-seasons if it's going to be snow on the road.

I've decided to make a quick visit to Canadian Tire this weekend to pick out new snow boots for my mini. Whether I put them on or not before hitting the road, I'll have to see....

[xtremepsionic]

Oh I dunno, november is definitely late enough that there could be snow storms out east!

I'd rather not risk it, go see your girlfriend in one piece rather than calling her you're in a ditch or hospital!

[luVlee]

point taken. Thanks guys

[chkm8]

Glad you enjoyed your trip through the "Picture Province" NB. As far as snow in November, your guess is as good as mine. Since you are driving through the Northern part of the Province, I'd be a bit hesitant to only having all seasons. The roads are kept well plowed and salted but it's the freezing rain that causes havoc. I'm putting away my Checkmate for the winter tomorrow, insurance off it on Monday. I'm sure going to miss the driving fun, will be anxious to see spring.

Take it easy driving around Fredericton - moose and deer can be your enemy....

Safe travels.

[hammerhands]

Oh, I wish I had been here back in September.

I drove from Quebec City to Miramichi a number of years back, my friend advised me to take I guess it was 108. That's as much fun as can be imagined, there are straightaways and hard corners and I saw maybe four other cars during the whole length of the highway. All there was to see, at the halfway mark are the remains of an old gas station and near the end is a very long and narrow bridge.

If you do that trip again I could not more highly recommend this drive, especially in a Mini.

[luVlee]

Hey guys! Im DOING IT AGAIN in a week!

[bok]

good for you! not sure if the roads are any better in February though, so take it easy hehe

[luVlee]

Yeap, I'll be careful.

[yellowmininy]

Keep an eye out for these folks on your way next week:
http://www.mini2.com/forum/new-york-...15-2007-a.html

[xtremepsionic]

I'm going to do this trip (plus a lot more) this summer too. Too bad, no MINI for me. I'm going from Toronto to Montreal, Quebec city, Fredricton, Charlottetown, Cape Breton, Halifax, back to Quebec city, Ottawa, Hamilton, Niagara Falls. All in 13 days.

Should be fun Wish I could rent a Mini for this trip instead of driving whatever the crap rental cars they have.