10 Best New York to Montreal Road Trips Reddit Travelers Recommend in 2026

Traversing the historic travel corridor between America’s greatest metropolis and Canada’s premier Francophone cultural hub, the road trip from New York City to Montreal covers approximately 370 to 450 miles of dynamic northeastern topography. Departing the soaring skyscrapers of Manhattan, motorists can choose from a rich spectrum of scenic routes—from high-speed mountain interstate corridors cutting through the Adirondack wilderness to peaceful river byways lined with Gilded Age estates, covered bridges, and lakeside vineyards.

Yet deciding how to travel between New York and Montreal depends entirely on your vacation goals. Whether you want a fast weekend getaway with scenic mountain pullouts or an immersive week-long itinerary winding through the Catskills, Vermont’s Green Mountains, or the Thousand Islands, savvy travelers know that each route delivers a distinct personality. On traveler communities like r/nyc, r/montreal, and r/roadtrip, drivers constantly trade itineraries, border crossing wait times, and scenic detours. Here are the 10 best New York to Montreal road trips Reddit travelers recommend in 2026.

1. The Adirondack Northway Direct (Interstate 87 via Lake George)

Canada Street bustling in the resort village of Lake George, New York.

The most direct and popular driving route between New York City and Montreal, this 370-mile route follows the New York State Thruway and Interstate 87 (The Adirondack Northway).

North of Albany, I-87 transforms into a designated scenic highway, cutting straight through the 6-million-acre Adirondack Park. Pause at Lake George to stroll the historic lakeside promenade, cruise past the Ausable Chasm canyon, and take in the sheer cliff faces of Poke-O-Moonshine Mountain. Cross the international border at the 24-hour Champlain / Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle port of entry, continuing directly on Autoroute 15 into Montreal.

Reddit commuters recommend this route for its unmatched speed and reliability, completing the journey in roughly 6 to 6.5 hours while still delivering dramatic mountain windshield views.

2. The Hudson Valley Historic & Cultural Byway (Route 9 & Taconic Parkway)

Scenic overview of the historic Hudson River Valley in upstate New York.

For travelers who appreciate Gilded Age estates, Revolutionary War history, and farm-to-table culinary indulgence, trading the interstate for the Hudson Valley corridor is a quintessential road trip experience.

Departing NYC, cruise along the tree-lined, commercial-vehicle-free Taconic State Parkway or Route 9. Stop in Hyde Park to tour the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Springwood estate, explore the bohemian boutiques and Victorian architecture of Rhinebeck and Hudson, and visit Olana State Historic Site for panoramic vistas of the Hudson River. Rejoin I-87 north of Albany toward Montreal.

Redditors recommend stopping at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in Hyde Park for lunch, booking restaurant reservations well in advance.

3. The Green Mountains & Vermont Route 100 Run

Panoramic view of Killington Peak and the Green Mountains in Rutland County, Vermont.

Widely celebrated as one of New England’s finest scenic byways, this route cuts northeast from New York into Vermont to follow legendary Route 100 along the spine of the Green Mountains.

From Troy, New York, cross into Vermont at Bennington and pick up Route 100 north. Wind past ski resorts at Killington and Sugarbush, stop at the Vermont Country Store in Weston, and pause in Waterbury for the Ben & Jerry’s Factory. Continue past Stowe through the Champlain Islands before crossing the border at Highgate Springs into Quebec.

Community members on r/vermont note that while Route 100 adds approximately 2.5 hours of driving time compared to I-87, it delivers unmatched autumn fall foliage and pastoral beauty.

4. The Catskills Mountain Wilderness Byway (Route 28 via Woodstock)

The lush rolling peaks and forested valleys of the Catskill Mountains.

This wilderness detour skirts west of the Hudson River through the rugged, heavily forested peaks of Catskill Park.

Take I-87 to Kingston, branching west onto Route 28. Explore the vibrant arts enclave of Woodstock, drive along the Esopus Creek to Phoenicia for tubing and a meal at the famous Phoenicia Diner, and climb through the dramatic notch beneath Hunter Mountain. Continue north through the Schoharie Valley into the historic Mohawk Valley before rejoining the northbound corridor toward Montreal.

Reddit road trippers love this route for its relaxed mountain pace, secluded swimming holes, and thriving boutique hotel scene in Phoenicia and Tannersville.

5. The Lake Champlain Historic Ferry Loop (via Fort Ticonderoga)

Historic battlements and lake overlook at Fort Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain.

Tracing the 120-mile freshwater expanse of Lake Champlain, this scenic route links pivotal military history with tranquil car ferry crossings.

Depart I-87 at Exit 28 and head east toward Fort Ticonderoga, where the French and British armies clashed during the French and Indian War. Board the historic cable ferry across Lake Champlain to Shoreham, Vermont, or take the scenic car ferry from Essex, New York, to Charlotte, Vermont. Explore Burlington’s lively Church Street Marketplace before crossing back into New York via the Rouses Point bridge into Quebec.

Redditors praise this loop for its maritime character, offering magnificent views of the Adirondacks reflecting in the open waters of Lake Champlain.

6. The Thousand Islands & Saint Lawrence River Byway (I-81 to Ontario Hwy 401)

The Thousand Islands international bridge spanning the Saint Lawrence River.

Taking a broader northwestern arc, this scenic variation approaches Montreal through upstate New York's Thousand Islands region and Ontario.

From NYC, take I-80 to I-81 North past Syracuse and Watertown to the international crossing at Alexandria Bay. Cross the magnificent Thousand Islands Bridge arching over the Saint Lawrence River, stopping to tour the fairy-tale stone turrets of Boldt Castle on Heart Island. Once in Canada, merge onto Ontario Highway 401 East, cruising through the historic 1780s Loyalist city of Kingston before entering Montreal.

Travelers on r/roadtrip highlight the Thousand Islands boat cruises as an unforgettable family detour that breaks up the interstate driving.

7. Saratoga Springs & Capital District Heritage Run

Manicured walking paths beneath towering trees at Saratoga Spa State Park.

Combining Victorian elegance, mineral springs, and American Revolutionary War history, this classic highway run focuses on the historic Capital District.

Stop in Albany to admire the monumental marble plazas of the Empire State Plaza and the 1899 State Capitol. Continue north to Saratoga Springs, renowned for its historic 1863 horse racing track and naturally effervescent mineral springs at Saratoga Spa State Park. Visit the nearby Saratoga National Historical Park, where the pivotal 1777 American victory marked the turning point of the Revolutionary War, before proceeding north on I-87.

Redditors recommend tasting the distinctive naturally carbonated mineral waters from public spouter fountains located throughout Saratoga's downtown parks.

8. High Peaks & Lake Placid Olympic Byway (Route 73 & Whiteface Mountain)

Panoramic vista of Lake Placid and the High Peaks from the summit of Whiteface Mountain.

For alpine grandeur, this mountain detour departs I-87 at Exit 30 to navigate the dramatic rock canyons of Route 73.

Wind past the roaring waters of Split Rock Falls and the sheer rock faces of Chapel Pond in Keene Valley into Lake Placid, host of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympic Games. Tour the Olympic Jumping Complex, drive up the paved Whiteface Mountain Veterans' Memorial Highway to 4,867 feet for a 360-degree view extending into Vermont and Canada, and join Route 9N toward Plattsburgh and the Canadian border.

Community members on r/Adirondacks emphasize that Route 73 is the single most scenic mountain pass in New York State, particularly stunning when fall foliage peaks in late September.

9. The Berkshires & Taconic Mountain Parkway (Route 7 Corridor)

Scenic country roads and historic railway corridors in the Berkshires.

Hugging the border between New York and Massachusetts, this pastoral route explores the cultural highlands of The Berkshires.

From Connecticut or eastern New York, follow US Route 7 through Great Barrington, Stockbridge, and Lenox. Visit the Norman Rockwell Museum and Edith Wharton’s historic estate (The Mount), explore world-class modern art at MASS MoCA in North Adams, and continue north past Mount Greylock (Massachusetts' highest point) into southwestern Vermont toward Burlington and Montreal.

Reddit travelers praise this corridor for combining sophisticated cultural museums and farm-to-table dining with rolling pastoral landscapes.

10. The Eastern Townships Lakeside Crossing (Lake Memphremagog to Montreal)

Tranquil lake waters and wetlands in Magog, Quebec.

Instead of entering Montreal from the south via the crowded flat agricultural plains of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, this scenic approach routes through Quebec’s picturesque Eastern Townships (Cantons-de-l'Est).

Cross the international border at Newport, Vermont / Stanstead, Quebec, onto Autoroute 55. Explore the charming lakeside resort town of Magog on Lake Memphremagog, visit the Benedictine abbey at Saint-Benoît-du-Lac for monastery cheeses, and cruise through the rolling vineyards and apple orchards of Brome-Missisquoi along Autoroute 10 directly into downtown Montreal.

Redditors highlight this routing as the most relaxing and visually rewarding entry into Montreal, bypassing southern border commuter gridlock.

New York to Montreal Routes: Comparison Matrix

Route Name	Total Distance	Recommended Days	Defining Regional Feature	Driving Character	Best Travel Season
1. Adirondack Northway	370 miles	1–2 days	High Peaks views, Lake George	Interstate highway, fastest direct route	Year-round
2. Hudson Valley Cultural	390 miles	2–3 days	Gilded Age estates, Rhinebeck, CIA	Scenic parkway, historic river towns	May – October
3. Vermont Route 100	430 miles	3–4 days	Green Mountains, Stowe, Ben & Jerry's	Winding two-lane, legendary fall foliage	Sept – October
4. Catskills Wilderness	410 miles	2–3 days	Phoenicia, Hunter Mountain notch	Mountain river valley, bohemian arts	May – October
5. Lake Champlain Ferry	395 miles	2–3 days	Fort Ticonderoga, car ferry crossings	Maritime lake views, historic battlefields	June – October
6. Thousand Islands	480 miles	3–4 days	Boldt Castle, St. Lawrence Bridge	Broad river cruising, castle tours	June – September
7. Saratoga Heritage	380 miles	2 days	Mineral springs, Saratoga battlefield	Historic spa town, Victorian architecture	July – August
8. High Peaks & Placid	415 miles	2–3 days	Whiteface Mountain, Olympic village	Alpine passes, dramatic granite canyons	July – October
9. The Berkshires	420 miles	3–4 days	MASS MoCA, Norman Rockwell museum	Cultural art colonies, rolling hills	May – October
10. Eastern Townships	440 miles	2–3 days	Magog, Lake Memphremagog, cheese	Rolling French countryside, orchards	June – October

Essential Border Crossing Logistics for New York to Montreal in 2026

• Primary Border Checkpoint: The busiest crossing is Champlain / Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle on I-87 / QC-15. During holiday weekends, wait times can reach 60 to 90 minutes. If delays are reported on the CBP app, consider diverting 15 minutes east to the Overton Corners / Lacolle or Rouses Point crossings.
• Mandatory Documents: US and Canadian citizens must present a valid passport, passport card, NEXUS card, or state-issued Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL). Children under 16 traveling with parents may present an original birth certificate.
• New York Tolls (E-ZPass): The New York State Thruway utilizes cashless open-road tolling. If your vehicle does not have an active E-ZPass transponder, tolls will be billed by mail to the vehicle's registered address with administrative processing fees.
• Driving Rules in Quebec: Right turns on red lights are strictly prohibited on the entire Island of Montreal, although permitted elsewhere in Quebec unless indicated otherwise by signage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest driving route from New York City to Montreal?

The direct drive via Interstate 87 (The Adirondack Northway) connecting to Quebec Autoroute 15 is the fastest route, covering approximately 370 miles in 6 to 6.5 hours of driving time.

Which border crossing between New York and Montreal has the shortest wait times?

While Champlain / Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle handles the largest volume with multiple lanes, smaller regional ports such as Rouses Point (US-11 to QC-223) and Mooers (NY-22 to QC-219) often have minimal or zero wait times during peak holiday rushes.

Can you drive a rental car from New York into Montreal?

Yes. Major US car rental companies permit cross-border driving into Canada. Inform the rental agent at pickup to ensure your agreement includes cross-border authorization and request a Canadian Non-Resident Insurance Card.

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