Minivan Hire
Gander

Car hire desks at Gander International Airport (YQX) are conveniently located within the main terminal building. No matter which gate you arrive at, the hire desks are only a short, covered walk from the baggage reclaim area. This central set-up is designed for efficiency, allowing you to proceed straight to the desk after disembarking. The process is streamlined to accommodate passengers from all flights, ensuring you can collect your minivan and be on your way without significant delay.

The most comfortable approach is to have one designated driver complete the hire paperwork while the grandparents relax in the terminal seating area with the luggage. Gander’s airport is compact and on a single level, making it very accessible. Once the hire agreement is complete, the driver can bring the minivan to the passenger pick-up area directly outside the terminal doors. This strategy minimises walking and avoids having to navigate the car park with the entire group.

To ensure you’re driving away with ample time, it’s sensible to allow about 60 to 90 minutes from your flight’s scheduled landing time to leaving in your minivan. This buffer covers disembarking, collecting luggage and completing the hire process at the desk. Landing in the morning gives you a comfortable window to complete these steps. This timing will have you starting the scenic drive to Twillingate well before midday, maximising daylight for exploration.

A good strategy is to agree a clear meeting point inside the YQX terminal before the first flight arrives. The main arrivals hall, near the baggage carousels, or the airport café are excellent and easy-to-find spots. The first party to arrive can collect luggage and wait comfortably for the second group. Once everyone is together, you can proceed to the car hire counter as a single party to finalise the paperwork and pick up your minivan.

Gander offers several convenient options for stocking up just minutes from the airport. Major grocery stores and pharmacies are located along Elizabeth Drive, the main route to and from the Trans-Canada Highway. These outlets are easy to access with a minivan and feature large car parks. A quick stop there lets you gather snacks, drinks and supplies before beginning your journey across Newfoundland.

Before you depart, carry out a thorough walk-round inspection focusing on safety items for variable weather. Check that the tyres have good tread depth for reliable grip on wet roads. Start the vehicle to test all exterior lights, including headlights and fog lamps if fitted. It’s also important to check the windscreen wipers and the demister system to ensure they work effectively for clear visibility, which is essential in Newfoundland’s changeable conditions.

Strategic seating can greatly improve comfort on long drives. The tall driver should take the front seat, which offers the most legroom and adjustment. To help prevent motion sickness, place children in the middle-row captain’s chairs or the centre of a bench seat. This position gives a clearer, more stable view of the road ahead, which can significantly reduce nausea on winding or hilly roads.

An efficient method is to pack a separate small overnight bag for each person with just the essentials for one night. Keep these bags at the very back of the load area for easy access. Larger suitcases with the bulk of your belongings can be packed deeper inside. This system prevents you from unloading and reloading everything at each stop, saving time and effort during your trip.

Yes, it’s sensible to plan stops strategically. Towns like Gander, Gambo and Clarenville have plenty of service stations and restaurants, but facilities become much sparser once you turn off the Trans-Canada Highway onto the Bonavista Peninsula. Aim to use restrooms in these larger towns or at the Terra Nova National Park visitor centre before you begin exploring the more remote coastal routes, where public facilities are few and far between.

While GPS is helpful for general navigation, it can sometimes be unreliable on the smaller local roads around Terra Nova. It’s wise to have a physical road map or downloaded offline maps as a backup. Pay close attention to road signs, as they are often the most accurate guide to smaller outports like Salvage or Eastport. Be aware that mobile signal can be intermittent within the park, so don’t rely solely on your phone for directions.

Your choice depends on travel style and priorities. Clarenville is a practical hub with more hotels and services, making it a great base if you plan to explore both the Bonavista and Burin Peninsulas. Staying in Bonavista offers a more immersive experience, placing you in the heart of the historic sites, but it requires a longer initial drive from Gander. Both towns are minivan-friendly, so the decision often comes down to preferring a central location versus a destination-focused stay.

In historic towns like Bonavista and Trinity, the best strategy is to find a designated public car park on the edge of the main historic area and explore on foot. For popular attractions like the Cape Bonavista Lighthouse, arriving earlier in the day increases your chances of finding a good spot. When parking, be mindful of uneven terrain and choose a space that allows an easy exit, avoiding the need for tight manoeuvres.

A well-paced day trip involves prioritising your main activities. Drive from Gander to Twillingate in the morning, aiming to arrive in time for a pre-booked midday boat tour. After the tour, enjoy a relaxed lunch followed by an afternoon visit to the Long Point Lighthouse and local museums. This itinerary structure allows you to experience the highlights at a comfortable pace before making the scenic drive back.

The drive takes about four hours, so to make the most of it plan to depart from Gander no later than late morning. This timing provides a comfortable window for a lunch stop in a town such as Grand Falls-Windsor and ensures you have plenty of daylight to appreciate the scenery and make stops at interesting viewpoints along the Trans-Canada Highway, especially as you approach the mountains of western Newfoundland.

The Trans-Canada Highway (Route 1) is well equipped with official provincial rest areas and scenic lookouts. These spots are clearly marked and feature paved, spacious parking bays that can easily and safely accommodate a minivan. They are far preferable to stopping on the road shoulder and provide a comfortable place for the family to stretch their legs, use facilities if available, and enjoy the view.

The drive is quite manageable and not overly challenging for first-time visitors. The route is almost entirely on the Trans-Canada Highway, which is a well-maintained two-lane road. The main factors to consider are the duration, about 3.5 hours without stops, and the potential for rapidly changing weather. The higher seating position of a minivan offers excellent visibility, which many drivers find reassuring on unfamiliar roads.

A perfect and simple option is to stop at Terra Nova National Park, which is directly on the route. You can take a short detour to the Ochre Hill Lookout, which has a dedicated parking area and a brief walk to a tower with panoramic views. This adds very little driving time but offers a fantastic scenic break. The park’s main roads are paved and easily navigated in a minivan.

When booking accommodation, prioritise hotels or guesthouses that offer dedicated off-street parking, as this is the most convenient option. For daily sightseeing, it’s best to use the city’s public parking garages, which can more easily accommodate the size of a minivan than tight on-street spaces. For popular sites like Signal Hill, arriving early in the morning is the best strategy to secure a parking space in their lots.

The historic lanes of Trinity are famously narrow, with sharp corners that can be challenging for larger vehicles. The recommended approach is to park your minivan in the large, designated visitor car park located at the entrance to the town. From there, you can easily explore the village on foot. If your accommodation is within the historic zone, contact them ahead of time for specific instructions on the best approach for unloading luggage.

Newfoundland’s coastal roads can be very exposed, and strong crosswinds are common. When driving in these conditions, reduce your speed and maintain a firm two-handed grip on the steering wheel. A minivan’s size provides good stability, but be prepared for sudden gusts, especially on open headlands. Always leave extra space between your vehicle and others on the road.

When driving in rural outports, a cautious and patient approach is key. Slow down significantly when approaching one-lane bridges and be prepared to yield to oncoming traffic. Avoid pulling onto unpaved, soft shoulders, as it can be difficult to rejoin the road. If you need to turn around, it’s much safer to continue to a wider junction or a designated driveway rather than attempting a three-point turn in a narrow space.

A practical rule is to add about 25% to the travel time suggested by a GPS or mapping service. For example, if the app estimates a two-hour drive, plan for it to take two and a half hours. This simple buffer accounts for the inevitable but enjoyable spontaneous stops for photos, short walks, or simply admiring the scenery. This approach helps keep your itinerary relaxed and pressure-free.

The moment you encounter dense fog, you should reduce speed significantly and switch on your full headlights (not just daytime running lights). This makes you more visible to other road users. Greatly increase the distance between your minivan and the vehicle in front of you. If visibility becomes dangerously low, the safest course of action is to find a secure, designated pull-off area and wait for the fog to lift.

A frequent mistake is taking a wrong turn onto a smaller local route instead of staying on the Trans-Canada Highway (Route 1) towards the park’s main entrance. Before you leave Gander, review your map and confirm that your destination is the main park entrance near Glovertown, which is clearly signed from the TCH. Setting your GPS for the Terra Nova Visitor Centre specifically can also help prevent incorrect routing to a more obscure park access point.

To make this a comfortable day trip, plan for a full day of about 8 to 10 hours. Leave Gander early in the morning to maximise your time in the Twillingate area. A great way to vary the scenery is to take the scenic coastal route, known as the Road to the Isles (Route 340), on your way there. For the return journey, you can take the more direct highway route, which can make the drive back feel a bit quicker.

The most reliable strategy is to plan your meal stops in the larger service towns along the highway, such as Gander itself, Grand Falls-Windsor, or Clarenville. These towns offer a variety of options, including major grocery stores with delis, fast-food chains and family restaurants. Researching and noting these options before you start your drive can save time and ensure you find suitable choices for everyone in your group.

When approaching unpaved trailhead parking, always drive slowly and scan the area for large rocks, deep ruts or potholes before you commit to a spot. While a minivan has reasonable ground clearance for most established lots, it’s not an off-road vehicle. Park defensively, choosing a spot on the most level ground available and ensuring you have a clear path to exit without needing to make complex manoeuvres.

The key to comfort is flexibility and preparation. Encourage everyone to dress in layers, making it easy to adapt to changing temperatures. Use the minivan’s climate control zones to cater to different preferences in the front and back. Having accessible items like light blankets for cooler moments and sunshades for the windows during bright periods can make a significant difference in overall passenger comfort.

A great strategy is to organise your day trips by direction. For instance, dedicate one full day to exploring destinations to the north, like Twillingate and the Kittiwake Coast. On another day, focus on heading east to visit Terra Nova National Park. This method minimises backtracking and allows you to leave your main luggage at your accommodation, packing only a day bag with essentials for your daily excursion in the minivan.

For a late arrival, the best plan is to book a hotel in Gander for your first night. After picking up your minivan, you can head directly to your accommodation to check in and rest. This removes the pressure of a long drive in the dark. The next morning, you can visit a local grocery store for supplies and grab breakfast when you are refreshed, ensuring a smooth and relaxed start to your Newfoundland road trip.

A practical way to manage this is for one person to bring the minivan from the hire lot to the covered passenger drop-off/pick-up curb at the front of the terminal. While the driver waits briefly, another adult can install the car seats under the protection of the terminal’s awning. This keeps the children and the seats dry and out of the wind, making the process much more comfortable before you move to a parking spot to finish organising.

The most efficient method is for the entire group to proceed to the hire counter together to complete the necessary paperwork. Once you have the keys, the designated driver can take the person heading to the hotel, along with their specific bags. The rest of the group can wait comfortably in the terminal with the remaining luggage until the driver returns to pick them up, streamlining the process for everyone.

For the safest and most scenic photo opportunities, prioritise using the officially marked scenic lookouts and rest areas along the Trans-Canada Highway. These are designed with ample space for larger vehicles. On smaller coastal roads, look for designated parking areas for trailheads, quays or community parks. It’s crucial to avoid stopping on the narrow shoulder of the road, especially on blind curves or hills, for your safety and that of other road users.

Modern minivans are built for family travel and generally provide a quiet, smooth ride, especially on well-maintained routes like the Trans-Canada Highway. The cabin is typically well insulated from road and wind noise. To plan for naps, try to schedule longer driving periods after a meal or a busy activity like a hike. The comfortable ride and quiet interior create an ideal environment for children to rest while you travel to your next destination.

The best approach is to build buffer time into your daily travel schedule, especially when driving through national parks or rural areas at dawn or dusk. Think of potential wildlife sightings as a unique part of the Newfoundland experience rather than a delay. If you do encounter an animal like a moose on or near the road, slow down safely and enjoy the moment from the security of your vehicle. This mindset keeps the drive relaxed and enjoyable.

A popular and effective strategy is to tackle the longest drive first by heading from Gander directly to the Bonavista Peninsula. Spend a few days exploring that area thoroughly. Afterwards, the drive from Bonavista to your next base near Terra Nova National Park is much shorter. This breaks up the return journey to Gander into more manageable segments, making the overall driving feel less strenuous.

Arriving at popular spots like Cape Spear or Signal Hill early in the morning or later in the afternoon is the most effective strategy to avoid peak crowds and find parking. If a lot is full, be patient and wait for a space to open rather than creating your own spot. In a minivan, it’s always wise to choose a parking space that you can pull straight out of, which avoids the need for difficult reversing in a crowded area.

The safest and most convenient places for a driver change are the official rest areas and fuel stations located along the Trans-Canada Highway. These locations are specifically designed for vehicles to pull off the road completely and offer plenty of space to park and switch seats without pressure from traffic. In more rural areas, the car parks of community buildings or parks can also serve as safe, spacious stopping points.