Thrifty Car Hire
Gander

Arriving late at Gander Airport is typically a smooth and quiet experience. Car hire counters within the terminal are used to late arrivals and generally remain staffed to meet passengers with confirmed reservations from the last flights of the evening. As long as your booking includes your flight number, the team will be ready for your arrival. Completing the paperwork and collecting your keys is often quicker with fewer people around, allowing you to get on your way to your accommodation without significant delay.

Finding the hire desk at Gander International Airport is very straightforward. After you collect your luggage at baggage reclaim, you will find the car hire desks conveniently located directly within the arrivals hall of the terminal building. Once you have completed the necessary paperwork with the agent, they will direct you to the vehicle pickup area. This is typically just a short walk from the terminal exit to a designated section of the airport car park where your hire car will be waiting.

It's wise to budget approximately 45 to 60 minutes from the time your plane lands to when you'll be driving away. This timeframe covers disembarkation, walking through the terminal and waiting for your luggage at baggage reclaim. The car hire process itself is usually efficient, but it's best to allow a comfortable buffer for completing paperwork and getting acquainted with your vehicle. Planning for this window helps ensure a relaxed and stress-free start to your Newfoundland journey.

Navigating from Gander Airport to the town centre is quite simple, even in challenging visibility. Upon leaving the airport you will follow the main road, which leads directly to the Trans-Canada Highway (Route 1). Clear signage will direct you towards the main exit for the town of Gander itself. Using a sat-nav is always helpful for confirmation, but the route is well marked and only involves a few key turns, making it difficult to get lost on the short drive into town.

The drive from Gander Airport to Twillingate is a scenic journey of about an hour and a half. A practical plan is to drive north on Route 330 and then connect to Route 340, which takes you all the way to Twillingate. For a convenient stop, consider pausing in a town like Lewisporte, roughly halfway. There you can find petrol stations, restaurants and toilet facilities to refresh before continuing on the final, picturesque leg of your drive along the coast.

The drive from Gander to the Bonavista Peninsula is beautiful but requires some planning. You will travel a significant portion on the Trans-Canada Highway before turning off toward the coast. Be aware that services like petrol stations and restaurants become less frequent once you leave the main highway. Furthermore, mobile reception can be unreliable, particularly as you drive through more remote areas and within Terra Nova National Park, so downloading offline maps beforehand is a highly recommended precaution.

While it is possible to drive from Gander to Gros Morne National Park in a single day, it is a long journey of over four hours. To fully enjoy the experience and avoid fatigue, it is much smarter to break up the trip. Consider an overnight stop in a town like Grand Falls-Windsor or Deer Lake. This approach allows you to arrive at the park feeling refreshed and ready to explore, rather than spending your entire first day just getting there.

Driving in central Newfoundland is a different experience from navigating multi-lane urban freeways. The Trans-Canada Highway is primarily a two-lane road in this region, with occasional passing lanes. Expect lower speed limits, fewer opportunities to overtake, and a more relaxed pace. It's important to be patient and attentive, watching for local traffic turning onto the highway and, most importantly, for wildlife on or near the road.

Moose are extremely common throughout Newfoundland, including the highways around Gander, and they pose a serious driving hazard. The most critical times to be vigilant are at dawn and dusk, when they are most active and visibility is naturally lower. It is essential to constantly scan the road shoulders and reduce your speed, especially during these twilight hours. Heeding the numerous moose warning signs is crucial for a safe driving experience in the region.

For photography drives during dawn or dusk, safety should be your top priority. Plan to drive significantly slower than the posted limit to give yourself more reaction time for wildlife, which is most active during these hours. Use your high beam on unlit roads when there is no oncoming traffic to better illuminate the road shoulders. Always have a planned route, let someone know where you are going, and be prepared to pull over completely off the road in a safe spot to take your photos.

The most prudent strategy is to always start your day trip with a full tank of fuel. Fill up in Gander before you head out, as it is a major service centre with plenty of stations. Once you venture onto more rural routes or peninsulas, petrol stations can be infrequent and may have limited hours. A good rule of thumb is to never let your fuel gauge drop below a quarter of a tank before looking for the next opportunity to refuel.

Yes, downloading offline maps is a highly recommended practice for anyone exploring the region around Gander. Mobile service can be spotty or completely unavailable on many of the scenic drives, particularly along the Kittiwake Coast (Route 330 to Twillingate) and the Bonavista Peninsula. It is also unreliable within the boundaries of Terra Nova National Park. Having your route saved for offline access on your phone ensures you can navigate with confidence, regardless of connectivity.

Car hire companies at airports are well accustomed to handling flight delays. When you include your flight number in your booking, the local staff can track your arrival time and will typically ensure someone is available to assist you, even if you arrive later than expected. If you become aware of a significant delay, it is always good practice to call the Gander hire desk directly to inform them of your updated arrival information for extra peace of mind.

For two adults with a week's worth of luggage, a mid-size saloon or a compact SUV offers the best balance of comfort and practicality. These vehicle classes provide ample boot space for your bags and are comfortable for motorway driving on the Trans-Canada. At the same time, they remain manoeuvrable enough to easily navigate the narrower roads in smaller outport communities and fit into tighter hotel parking spaces, making them a versatile and hassle-free choice.

When inspecting your hire car, pay special attention to a few key areas relevant to Newfoundland driving. Check the tyres to ensure they have good tread for handling wet roads and gravel. Do a thorough walk-round to note any pre-existing chips on the windscreen, as loose gravel is common. Finally, test the windscreen wipers and make sure the washer fluid reservoir is full, as both are essential for maintaining clear visibility in the region's famously changeable weather.

Fog is a frequent weather condition in Newfoundland, and it can appear suddenly, especially in coastal areas and at higher elevations. When you encounter fog, the most important thing to do is reduce your speed significantly, turn on your dipped headlights, and increase your following distance from the vehicle ahead. Be particularly cautious on the Trans-Canada Highway as it passes through Terra Nova National Park, as this area is known for rapid changes in visibility.

Winter driving around Gander should only be attempted by those with significant experience in severe winter conditions. Roads can be treacherous, with black ice forming frequently on bridges, overpasses and shaded areas. Drifting snow can reduce visibility to near zero and make roads impassable. If you must travel in winter, ensure your hire vehicle is fitted with appropriate winter tyres and always check road conditions and forecasts before heading out.

Travelling in the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn means you should be prepared for variable road conditions. Spring, in particular, is known for potholes that emerge after the winter thaw, so it's important to be vigilant. You may also encounter roadworks crews making repairs, leading to single-lane traffic and minor delays. On secondary or gravel roads, be prepared for muddy sections, especially after heavy rain.

Gander Airport has a relatively simple layout, making major navigation errors uncommon. The most likely point of confusion for a new visitor is ensuring they take the correct ramp onto the Trans-Canada Highway (Route 1) in their intended direction of travel, either east or west. The best way to avoid any mistakes is to programme your destination into your sat-nav before you leave the hire car lot and listen carefully to the initial turn-by-turn directions.

For an early-morning flight, the return process is designed to be quick and efficient. As you approach the airport, follow the prominent signs for rental car return, which will guide you to a designated lane or parking area near the terminal building. After parking, you will complete the return process with an agent or use a designated key drop box. Be sure to allow about 15–20 extra minutes for this process before you head to airline check-in.

The entrance for car returns at Gander Airport is clearly signed and remains the same regardless of the weather. In heavy rain or snow, the key is to reduce your speed as you approach the terminal and look carefully for the overhead signs directing you to the correct lane. These return areas are designed to be straightforward, and proceeding slowly will ensure you don't miss the turn-off, allowing you to complete your return safely and without confusion.

A good rule of thumb is to arrive at the airport approximately two hours before your scheduled departure time for a domestic flight. This provides a comfortable cushion to complete the vehicle return process, which typically takes about 15 minutes. The remaining time will be more than sufficient for you to check your baggage with the airline and proceed through security without feeling rushed, ensuring a smooth end to your trip.

Before driving to a more remote accommodation, it's wise to ask your host a few key questions about access. Enquire about the condition of the final road—is it paved, gravel or a dirt lane? Ask if the property is well signed and easy to find, especially if you might be arriving after dark. It's also helpful to confirm the parking situation, such as whether there is a dedicated spot and if it can accommodate your vehicle size easily.

The drive from Gander to St. John's is a straightforward journey of about 3.5 hours, almost entirely on the Trans-Canada Highway. While the road is well maintained, first-timers should be aware that the middle section of the drive has very few towns or services. This stretch can feel quite long and monotonous, so it's a good idea to have snacks, drinks and a good playlist ready. Planning a brief stop in a town like Clarenville can help break up the trip and make it less tiring.

To avoid driving at night and maximise sightseeing, it's best to limit your driving to no more than three to four hours on any given day. A well paced plan would be to drive from Gander to St. John's on day one, explore the city, then drive to the Bonavista area the next day. After exploring the peninsula, you can complete the loop back to Gander. This approach breaks the journey into manageable segments and ensures you are off the roads before dusk, which is safer due to wildlife activity.

After leaving the airport hire lot, the most convenient place for a quick stop is one of the commercial plazas in Gander, just a few minutes' drive away. A petrol station or the car park of a large retail store provides a safe, well lit area to pull over. Here you can take a moment to programme your sat-nav, adjust your mirrors and seating, organise your belongings, or switch drivers before you get onto the main highway for your journey.

When travelling with children, planning for breaks is essential. Unlike some highway systems, the Trans-Canada in Newfoundland has few dedicated rest areas. The best strategy is to plan your stops in the towns you will pass through. For example, when heading west, Grand Falls-Windsor is a great option, and when heading east, Clarenville serves as a perfect midway point. These towns offer petrol stations, fast-food restaurants and grocery stores with reliable toilet facilities.

Gander is the primary service hub for central Newfoundland, making it very easy to stock up on supplies. The town has several major grocery stores and retailers with convenient hours, including evenings and Sundays. You can easily drive from the airport to a supermarket to purchase everything you need for your trip before heading to your final destination. This is especially useful if you are staying in a more remote cabin or community with limited local shopping options.

Visiting Terra Nova from Gander is very straightforward. You simply drive east on the Trans-Canada Highway (Route 1) for about an hour, and the highway runs directly through the park. The main entrances and visitor centres are clearly signed from the highway. For a first stop, many visitors park at the Saltons day-use area or the main visitor centre, both of which have ample parking, toilets and access to beautiful trails and coastal views.

The drive to the Fogo Island ferry terminal at Farewell is a pleasant and scenic trip of about 90 minutes from Gander. The most critical part of the journey is planning around the ferry schedule, which you should check online in advance as it varies by season and can be affected by weather. It is essential to arrive at the terminal well before the scheduled departure time to ensure your spot in the vehicle line-up, as it operates on a first-come, first-served basis.

Gander is an excellent base for shorter, rewarding day trips that don't require long hours behind the wheel. A drive along the scenic north shore of Gander Lake is a beautiful and relaxing option. You could also visit the Beothuk Interpretation Centre provincial historic site in Boyd's Cove, which is a fascinating and manageable drive. These trips allow you to experience the region's history and natural beauty without the stress of long-distance travel.

While most primary and secondary highways are paved, you may encounter gravel roads when accessing remote trailheads, parks or some smaller communities. These roads are typically maintained but can be bumpy, dusty in dry weather and feature loose gravel. The best approach is to reduce your speed significantly, leave extra space between you and the vehicle ahead, and be mindful of potential potholes. Driving slowly and carefully is the key to navigating them safely.

When planning hikes, be aware that trailhead parking can vary from paved lots to simple gravel pull-offs on the side of a road. Arrive early for popular trails to secure a spot. Always plan your hike to conclude well before sunset, as trails and rural roads are unlit and wildlife activity increases at dusk. It's crucial to know your route back and allow more time than you think you'll need to return to your vehicle and drive back to your accommodation safely.

The Trans-Canada Highway is a vital commercial artery, so you will frequently share the road with large transport trucks. It is important to give them plenty of space and avoid driving in their blind spots, which are extensive. When passing a truck, do so decisively and only when you have a long, clear stretch of road. Be prepared for a bit of wind buffet as you pass, and always provide them with ample room.

The most significant difference for American drivers is that all measurements are in the metric system. Speed limits are posted in kilometres per hour (km/h), and petrol is sold by the litre. Road signs are generally very similar, often using symbols rather than text, though some may be bilingual. Driving etiquette, such as keeping right except to pass, is the same, making the transition very easy for most visitors.

The most effective navigation strategy is to use a combination of tools. Rely on your sat-nav for turn-by-turn guidance, but also pay close attention to route numbers, which are prominently displayed on signs. Following signs that direct you toward the next major town on your route is also a very reliable method. This multi-faceted approach ensures that even if you lose mobile signal, you can still confidently find your way using the excellent road signage.

To explore efficiently, study a map before you go and look for opportunities to create a loop. For example, on peninsulas like Bonavista or the Irish Loop near St. John's, you can often drive up one side and down the other, visiting communities along the way. This turns your drive into a continuous journey of discovery rather than a series of out-and-back trips. A little route planning can save you a significant amount of time and prevent repetitive driving.

The most common time-planning mistake is underestimating how long it takes to get from one place to another. Distances on a map can be deceiving. The combination of lower rural speed limits, two-lane highways and the irresistible urge to stop frequently for photos or to explore a charming village means that travel times are often longer than expected. Always build extra buffer time into your daily itinerary to account for a more relaxed pace and spontaneous discoveries.

For a stress-free arrival day, plan to pick up your hire car and drive the short distance to your accommodation in Gander to check in and unload your luggage first. Once you're settled, a perfect, easy-going activity is a visit to the Gander Heritage Memorial Park or a leisurely drive around Cobb's Pond right in town. This allows you to get a feel for the car and the local area without the pressure of a long-distance drive, setting a relaxed tone for the rest of your trip.