question on traveling east US

dtdoc · 05-02-2007, 11:51 AM

We have one week -in August. We are flying in and out of Boston. We're renting a car. Is it too much to go from Boston to Niagra Falls, then up to Old Quebec City and back to Boston to return home- Any idea how many hours driving time and other suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

sevenhearths · 05-02-2007, 08:13 PM

It is doable, but you will spend an awful lot of time in the vehicle. Guess it depends on what you are looking to do---- just see the area, or experience it. It would be difficult to really experience all of what you want to accomplish in a week. The best thing that I could advise is to do a driving directions with either mapquest or yahoo, and determine where you want to stop along the way. That should give you a good idea of how much time from location to location--- I just did this for my trip to South Dakota/Wyoming...

I guess questions that you need to ask yourself are, what's most important to do.... what do you want to see and do in Boston, etc. which should help you determine how much time in each location you'll want, and whether all the driving is worth it to you.

Sorry it's not a concrete answer, but I hope that it will help you to map out what's really important and the time you need to spend in each place.

**Captain Larry** · 05-02-2007, 09:46 PM

I agree with Denise's answer -- I think you are biting off too much to chew. Maybe two of the three, but not all three. Each leg of your triangle is a full and rather hard day of driving, so three days of your week is "windshield touring."

Also, I'm sure that crossing the border in a rented car can be done, but there are sure to be a lot of hoops to jump through. They may have special insurance rates for instance, and your personal auto insurance would need to give you a special card indicating coverage in Canada. There is no cost for this, normally, but you need to contact them well in advance to get it.

I spent three days at Niagara Falls, and that was plenty, since I don't frequent the casinos. I was on a cruise that put into both Quebec City and Boston, and I can assure you that one day each is certainly not adequate for those two delightful places.

In an earlier life I spent several weeks in Boston, so I got to know it fairly well. I don't know where you are used to driving, but Boston is probably the worst US city in which to drive. In my experience, the streets are tricky and rough, and the residents drive like true maniacs! I have driven in LA, San Francisco, Chicago, New York, and Washington -- all a piece of cake compared to Boston. But in any big city, my preference is public transportation instead of a private car.

That's really all I can add. Just do your research and make up your own mind. Once you have decided, give it your best shot. Above all, enjoy your opportunity to see more of our great country.

dtdoc · 05-03-2007, 07:58 AM

Where would you suggest we fly into so we could see Niagra Falls and Old Quebec city and do it in a week? Would that be less time on the road between Niagra Falls and Old Quebec?

akatz · 06-27-2007, 12:42 AM

Boston is a great place to visit in the summer. There is so much to do both in the city and in the surrounding areas (Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, Newport, RI, Maine to name a few). I would recommend making a week of it in the Boston area. No need to spend hours in a car when there is plenty at your fingertips.