In short. Newfoundland and Labrador combines fjords, icebergs, and fishing villages with long distances and wildlife on the road. Most island trips start with a ferry.
At a glance
Ten trips, each with a suggested time, rough distance, best months, and a rig difficulty. Easy means paved roads and frequent services. Moderate means grades, narrow stretches, ferries, or fewer services. Challenging means remote, gravel, long fuel gaps, or steep roads.
| Trip | Days | Best months | Rig difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viking Trail: Deer Lake to L'Anse aux Meadows | 6 | June to September | Moderate |
| Gros Morne National Park | 3 | June to September | Moderate |
| Trans-Canada across Newfoundland | 5 | June to September | Easy |
| Avalon Peninsula: St. John's, Cape Spear, and Signal Hill | 4 | June to September | Moderate |
| Irish Loop (Route 10) | 3 | June to September | Moderate |
| Bonavista Peninsula and Trinity | 3 | June to September | Moderate |
| Terra Nova National Park | 2 | June to September | Easy |
| Burin Peninsula and Fortune | 4 | June to September | Moderate |
| Twillingate and the Road to the Isles | 3 | June to September | Moderate |
| Trans-Labrador Highway | 6 | June to September | Challenging |
Good to know
- Moose collisions are a serious hazard. Avoid driving at dusk and at night.
- Reserve the Marine Atlantic ferry well ahead for summer.
- Labrador has very long gaps between services. See our fuel planner.
1. Viking Trail: Deer Lake to L'Anse aux Meadows
- Suggested time: 6 days
- Distance: about 490 km
- Best months: June to September
- Rig difficulty: Moderate
Highway 430 runs up the Northern Peninsula past Gros Morne to St. Anthony and L'Anse aux Meadows, a UNESCO site of Norse settlement.
RV tip: Ferries and long distances apply. Moose are common on the road, so avoid driving at dusk and at night.
2. Gros Morne National Park
- Suggested time: 3 days
- Distance: Varies by route
- Best months: June to September
- Rig difficulty: Moderate
Fjords, mountains, and the Tablelands, a UNESCO World Heritage landscape of exposed earth's mantle.
RV tip: Book campgrounds early. Some trails and boat tours need advance reservations.
3. Trans-Canada across Newfoundland
- Suggested time: 5 days
- Distance: about 905 km
- Best months: June to September
- Rig difficulty: Easy
From the ferry at Port aux Basques to St. John's, the Trans-Canada Highway crosses the island past Terra Nova National Park.
RV tip: Moose collisions are a serious hazard. Take a ferry reservation with Marine Atlantic well in advance for summer.
4. Avalon Peninsula: St. John's, Cape Spear, and Signal Hill
- Suggested time: 4 days
- Distance: Varies by route
- Best months: June to September
- Rig difficulty: Moderate
Colourful row houses, Cape Spear (the easternmost point of North America), and a harbour city.
RV tip: St. John's streets are steep and narrow. Park outside the downtown core.
5. Irish Loop (Route 10)
- Suggested time: 3 days
- Distance: about 310 km
- Best months: June to September
- Rig difficulty: Moderate
A loop south of St. John's through Irish-heritage fishing communities and an ecological reserve at Mistaken Point.
RV tip: Fog is common. Services can be spaced out, so fill up in St. John's.
7. Terra Nova National Park
- Suggested time: 2 days
- Distance: Varies by route
- Best months: June to September
- Rig difficulty: Easy
Bays and forests along the east coast beside the Trans-Canada, an easy stop on the way across the island.
RV tip: A good midpoint stop. Book campsites in advance for summer.
8. Burin Peninsula and Fortune
- Suggested time: 4 days
- Distance: Varies by route
- Best months: June to September
- Rig difficulty: Moderate
A coastal peninsula whose end at Fortune is the ferry terminal for the French islands of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon.
RV tip: The Saint-Pierre ferry is mainly for foot passengers, so confirm whether vehicles are carried and plan to leave the RV at a campground. A passport is required.
9. Twillingate and the Road to the Isles
- Suggested time: 3 days
- Distance: Varies by route
- Best months: June to September
- Rig difficulty: Moderate
Icebergs in spring and early summer, whales, and a lighthouse on the north coast.
RV tip: Iceberg season is spring to early summer. Check local reports before you travel.
10. Trans-Labrador Highway
- Suggested time: 6 days
- Distance: about 530 km
- Best months: June to September
- Rig difficulty: Challenging
A long wilderness road across Labrador, with a posted 410 km stretch without services on Route 510.
RV tip: Fuel and repairs are far apart. Fill up everywhere, carry a spare, and check the road report.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time for an RV trip in Newfoundland and Labrador?
Most of these trips run well from June to September. Check each trip's best months, since remote and northern routes have shorter seasons and some seasonal roads and ferries close.
How many days do I need for Newfoundland and Labrador?
These trips suggest anywhere from 2 to 6 days each. Combine two or three nearby ones for a longer trip.
Do I need to book campgrounds and ferries?
For popular parks and any ferry, yes, especially in July and August. Each province has its own booking system and window, so check early.
Sources and planning links
Distances and seasons are approximate. Confirm road conditions, ferry schedules, and park openings before you go.
Plan the whole trip. Build a shortlist in our trip planner, check the fuel planner for remote routes, and read the border checklists if you cross a border.