Preparing for remote road trip in Quebec

eddie333

eddie333

New member
So I took vacation time next month to do a drive I've been thinking about for almost a year now, which is to go down the length of the James Bay rd (Canadas "Arcticbahn") in eastern Canada. It's the second longest service-free road in North America and the farthest you can drive north on the eastern side of the continent (that's still connected to our road system)

I think I thought of everything and am familiar to long distance road trips (I towed a showcar around the US for years with a 2006 V8 Sport 4Runner). My longest stretch with no gas will be 250miles. I'll be putting a little over 2200 miles on my T4R for the entire trip. The road is in fairly good condition and people drive it with regular cars, but can you guys think of anything in particular I should plan to have with me aside from the usual road trip gear? I will have a spare gas can, tools, etc as well as all my camping gear. Any other thoughts would be appreciated.
 
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Tire plug kit and air compressor. Some sort of communication device like a PLB, Spot, or DeLorme maybe. Shovel and axe. When I'm in the back country in addition to my regular food I keep a Jet Boil and a few dehydrated meals with me for emergencies.
 
Some basic recovery gear(a few straps and shackles), first aid kit, water, waterproof matches, poncho, plastic sheet to lay on ground, some paracord..

have fun and send pics please
 
Your passport and a companion who speaks French. And don't even think about bringing a gun, the border guards will be all over you like white on rice.
 
bring bug spray if it's not part of your regular camping gear :) Some Canadian currency might help too, I'm not sure if credit cards are working reliable there. And not sure if locals are willing to take US dollars.
 
scanny said:
bring bug spray if it's not part of your regular camping gear :) Some Canadian currency might help too, I'm not sure if credit cards are working reliable there. And not sure if locals are willing to take US dollars.
Click to expand...

LMAO.
Credit cars here are way more advanced than in the states. We have chip cards and pay pass which doesn't even work in the states LOL (well NY / PA)... we're pretty sooooophisticated' up in these parts'

Canadian money is basically at par. Places would likely accept it, but it's best to get some canadian money. Watch out tho, it comes in funny colours so it's easy to differentiate, and the new ones are made of a plastic polymer... yes, plastic money... we also have coins for $1 or $2 ("loonies" and "toonies"). Also, we have phased out the penny, ($.01 coin), so every cash transaction should be rounded up or down to the nearest nickel ($.05 coin).

Next, beer is much cheaper in quebec (costco has the best prices) but booze is expensive... well everywhere.

:driving:
 
Assuming you're heading the route Googlemaps just gave me, why don't you hang a right north of Tadoussac on to Route 138 instead... head over to the Trans Labrador Highway... which is truly the most North-Eastern you can get. Endless dirt roads with no fuel stations or cell service. On one leg of the trip you will get a satellite phone "just incase" until you get to the other side. I've run into many Americans on adventure bikes completing this trip. A google search of some ride reports and you will see how much fun it is!

But, even if you don't turn right, enjoy your trip! Careful for Quebec women though... they're wild!!
 
Greg_Canada said:
LMAO.
Credit cars here are way more advanced than in the states. We have chip cards and pay pass which doesn't even work in the states LOL (well NY / PA)... we're pretty sooooophisticated' up in these parts'

Canadian money is basically at par. Places would likely accept it, but it's best to get some canadian money. Watch out tho, it comes in funny colours so it's easy to differentiate, and the new ones are made of a plastic polymer... yes, plastic money... we also have coins for $1 or $2 ("loonies" and "toonies"). Also, we have phased out the penny, ($.01 coin), so every cash transaction should be rounded up or down to the nearest nickel ($.05 coin).

Next, beer is much cheaper in quebec (costco has the best prices) but booze is expensive... well everywhere.

:driving:
Click to expand...

Gentlemen...

It's Canada... Not Abu Dhabi. Contrary to popular belief, we still like you! We have sidewalks, and schools.... And iced cream! The only advice I will give you is never make a right turn on a red... It's illegal! Oh and leave your morals at the border... We don't have them here! Enjoy your trip!
 
This is good advice and I did think of a lot of this. My fiancé speaks French so that should be fine. I go to Quebec a lot, Montreal is only 2hrs from me, and getting Canadian currency was the plan. Depending on how our timing goes I did want to camp along some of those other remote roads as well. My ultimate goal is to jump in the James bay, which is water from the Arctic Ocean, and also to "technically" cross into Nunavut, which occurs once you leave Quebec soil and enter the water. I might see if I can get my T4R to touch the water too.

Should be a good trip for camping and fishing the entire way up. Also the first time I will test out an air mattress in the back of my rig. I'll post pics and details when I get back.
 
dekeman said:
Your passport and a companion who speaks French. And don't even think about bringing a gun, the border guards will be all over you like white on rice.
Click to expand...

I really wanted to bring one of my guns, but the more I looked into the paperwork involved I became so confused I gave up.
 
You can make a right turn anywhere in Quebec now EXCEPT in Montreal.

And yes Quebec girls are wild. Our beer is not diluted with water, it is stronger.

Bring a GPS or a map. No gun that's for sure but a bigass Bowie knife is ok.

And as for credit cards they accept it almost anywhere except with the indians and a thing called DEPANNEUR
( Bodega or small corner store something, that sells stuff )

As for french companion, no need to. Just say ( je ne parle pas bien Francais, can you help me, or Aidez moi )


Have fun and post pics :)
 
Newf4R said:
Assuming you're heading the route Googlemaps just gave me, why don't you hang a right north of Tadoussac on to Route 138 instead... head over to the Trans Labrador Highway... which is truly the most North-Eastern you can get. Endless dirt roads with no fuel stations or cell service. On one leg of the trip you will get a satellite phone "just incase" until you get to the other side. I've run into many Americans on adventure bikes completing this trip. A google search of some ride reports and you will see how much fun it is!
Click to expand...

Been wanting to do this route (and the James Bay Road) since it opened the whole way thru.
 
JerseyMike said:
Been wanting to do this route (and the James Bay Road) since it opened the whole way thru.
Click to expand...

A few friends of mine did the Trans Lab on a bunch of KLRs last summer and loved it. Every year that passes though they pave more and more of it. I would love to do the full loop from here on the Island and back, but don't want to be the only vehicle amongst a load of bikes. Anyone ever interested in that trip let me know. I know Philsey has expressed interest in coming to the island.
 
Newf4R said:
A few friends of mine did the Trans Lab on a bunch of KLRs last summer and loved it. Every year that passes though they pave more and more of it. I would love to do the full loop from here on the Island and back, but don't want to be the only vehicle amongst a load of bikes. Anyone ever interested in that trip let me know. I know Philsey has expressed interest in coming to the island.
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I definitely want to come to Newfoundland someday, it's on my list of places. I almost did it 2 years ago but went to Prince Edward Island instead. Is there a lot of good camping places?
 
eddie333 said:
I definitely want to come to Newfoundland someday, it's on my list of places. I almost did it 2 years ago but went to Prince Edward Island instead. Is there a lot of good camping places?
Click to expand...

Unlimited places to camp! When planning that trip be sure to pm me. Newfies will let you camp on their front lawn if you had to.
 
eddie333 said:
Should be a good trip for camping and fishing the entire way up. Also the first time I will test out an air mattress in the back of my rig. I'll post pics and details when I get back.
Click to expand...


Yes, please post a trip report. I wanted to drive James Bay Road for long time, but still can't talk my wife into it.
 
So I was all set to depart tomorrow, and discovered wildfires broke out and the road is closed and towns we were going to are getting evacuated. So I have 9 vacation days and no trip.

So made the call to drive to Newfoundland instead. Doing highway 389 in Quebec to reach Labrador city and do some remote camping out there. Any of you Canada guys familiar with any area out there?
 
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