Car Hire
Moncton

Finding your rental car at Greater Moncton Airport is a very straightforward process designed for traveller convenience. After collecting your luggage, simply follow the overhead signs for "Rental Cars" or "Ground Transportation." All the rental agency counters are conveniently grouped together inside the main terminal building, so you won't need to take a shuttle or search outside. Once you complete your paperwork at the counter, the staff will direct you to the adjacent parking area where the vehicles are located, just a short walk away.

The drive from YQM to downtown Moncton is typically quick, taking about 15 to 20 minutes in light traffic. The most direct route is via Veterans Highway (NB-15) and Wheeler Boulevard. During peak commuter times, particularly between 4:00 pm and 5:30 pm on weekdays, you can expect some slowdowns. Congestion usually begins on Wheeler Boulevard as you approach the main exits for the downtown core and the causeway to Riverview.

For the simplest drive to a hotel on Main Street, stick to the major roads. From the airport, take Veterans Highway (NB-15) west, which seamlessly becomes Wheeler Boulevard. Continue on Wheeler Boulevard and watch for the well-marked exit for Main Street. This route keeps you on a primary, multi-lane road for most of the journey, helping you avoid smaller residential streets or complex junctions until you are right in the downtown area.

Travellers staying downtown most often use the parking provided by their hotel, which is the most secure and convenient option. If your hotel doesn't offer parking, there are several public multi-storey car parks and surface lots available throughout the downtown area. For on-street parking, be sure to carefully read all posted signs, as many spaces have time limits during the day or overnight restrictions, especially in winter for snow clearance operations.

Driving in the tri-community area is generally manageable for newcomers. The main thing to be aware of is the traffic flow across the bridges connecting Moncton with Riverview, such as the Gunningsville Bridge. During morning and evening commutes, these crossings can become quite busy. It's wise to be attentive to merging traffic as you approach the bridges, but the routes are well signed and easy to navigate with a sat nav.

For travellers planning multiple day trips, staying in the northern part of Moncton or in Dieppe can be very practical. Hotels in these areas, particularly around the Trinity Drive shopping district or near the airport in Dieppe, often provide ample free parking. More importantly, they offer immediate access to the Trans-Canada Highway (NB-2) and other major routes, allowing you to bypass central traffic when heading out for your excursions.

To have the best experience at Hopewell Rocks, it's highly recommended to depart from Moncton early in the morning. Aim to be on the road by 8:00 am or earlier, which should get you to the park before the main tour buses and the largest crowds arrive mid-morning. This approach not only helps you avoid traffic on Route 114 but also gives you a more peaceful environment to explore the ocean floor at low tide.

Successfully planning your visit requires checking the official tide schedule for Hopewell Cape online before you leave Moncton. The ideal plan is to time your arrival for about an hour before low tide, giving you the maximum window to walk on the ocean floor. Many visitors then stay in the area, perhaps visiting the interpretive centre or nearby Cape Enrage, to witness the dramatic change as high tide rolls in six hours later.

The most direct and scenic route is to take Route 114 south from Moncton. This two-lane road follows the coastline, offering beautiful views of the Bay of Fundy along the way. The road leads you through charming small communities and directly to the park's eastern entrance in the village of Alma. It's a well-maintained and clearly signed route, making for a relaxing and picturesque drive without any complex navigation.

When driving between Moncton and Saint John on the Trans-Canada Highway (NB-1), the town of Sussex is an ideal place for a break. It is located roughly at the halfway point and has service centres with petrol and food options right off the highway exits. Stopping here allows you to rest and refuel without needing to navigate away from the main route, making it a quick and stress-free stop.

A day trip to Halifax is ambitious but definitely achievable with good planning. The drive is approximately 2.5 to 3 hours each way, so an early morning start from Moncton is essential to maximise your time. Once in Halifax, the best strategy is to park your car once in a central car park near the waterfront. This allows you to explore the main downtown attractions on foot for several hours before beginning your return drive in the late afternoon.

The drive to the Confederation Bridge from Moncton is straightforward via the Trans-Canada Highway (NB-2) and then NB-16. The route is very clearly signed for PEI. A great place to stop just before the bridge is the Cape Jourimain Nature Centre. It offers fantastic views of the bridge, walking trails, a visitor information centre, and restrooms, making it a perfect final stop in New Brunswick before you make the crossing.

To ease into your PEI experience, consider taking a scenic coastal route upon arrival instead of heading directly to Charlottetown. After crossing the Confederation Bridge, you can follow the signs for the Blue Heron Coastal Drive (Route 19). This route takes you through charming seaside villages and offers beautiful views of the island's south shore. It allows you to enjoy the scenery immediately and approach the busier Charlottetown area later in the day.

For the most efficient visit, plan to go to the Magnetic Hill Zoo first. The zoo requires a significant amount of time to walk through and enjoy properly. The Magnetic Hill optical illusion experience is located in the same complex and takes only a few minutes to do. By visiting the zoo first, you can then enjoy the hill as a quick, fun stop on your way out without feeling rushed.

During a major event at the Avenir Centre, expect significant traffic congestion on and around Main Street in downtown Moncton. To avoid the worst of it, many visitors arrive early and find parking in one of the public lots or car parks several blocks away from the venue. This strategy allows for a short walk to the event and a much easier exit after it concludes, bypassing the immediate gridlock.

For a quick and easy pick-up at the VIA Rail station, it's best to avoid stopping directly on Main Street. Instead, consider using one of the adjacent side streets, such as John Street or Weldon Street. These streets generally have much lighter traffic, making it simpler to find a safe spot to pull over for a few moments while you wait for your friends to exit the station.

When you first arrive at a hotel with a busy entrance, the best approach is to use the designated passenger drop-off zone to unload your luggage and check in. Once you have your room key, you can ask the front desk staff for clear directions to the hotel's parking area. This separates the tasks of managing your bags and navigating an unfamiliar car park, making the entire process much less stressful.

After leaving the airport, a great place to sort out your luggage is at one of the large shopping centres, such as the Trinity Power Centre. These areas have expansive car parks where you can easily find a spot away from other vehicles. This gives you plenty of space and time to reorganise your gear, adjust child seats, and set up your sat nav without feeling hurried or in the way.

When approaching a roundabout in Moncton, the key is to give way to traffic already circulating and choose your lane based on the overhead signs before you enter. The multi-lane roundabouts on Wheeler Boulevard and in Dieppe can be intimidating for first-timers. The best practice is to slow down, be observant, and use your indicator to show when you are about to exit the circle.

The most significant difference for American drivers is that all speeds and distances are posted in kilometres and kilometres per hour (km/h). Otherwise, traffic laws and signs are very similar. Right turns on a red light are permitted after a complete stop unless a sign specifically prohibits it. The road signs themselves use internationally recognised symbols, making them easy to understand for most visitors.

On a sunny summer weekend, the drive to Shediac on NB-15 can experience significant traffic, especially as you get closer to the coast. The biggest challenge is finding parking at Parlee Beach Provincial Park, as the main lots can fill up by late morning. To ensure a stress-free day, plan to leave Moncton early to arrive before 10:00 am, which will help you secure a good parking spot and beat the peak traffic.

A logical way to structure this trip is to group your destinations geographically. On the first day, dedicate your time to the Bay of Fundy by driving south from Moncton to explore Hopewell Rocks and Fundy National Park. On the second day, you can head east to the Acadian Coast to enjoy the warm waters and sandy shores of Parlee Beach in Shediac. This approach minimises driving time and prevents you from backtracking across the region.

For exploring downtown Moncton and the Riverfront Trail, using one of the public car parks or paid surface lots is the most convenient option. There are several located just a block or two from Main Street, providing easy access to shops, restaurants, and the trail system. These lots allow you to park your car for several hours without worrying about on-street time limits, giving you freedom to explore on foot.

To avoid the heaviest traffic when driving from Dieppe to downtown Moncton, try to travel outside of the peak commuter hours. The main routes, like Champlain Street, are busiest on weekdays between 7:30 am and 9:00 am and again from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm. Planning your drives for mid-day or later in the evening will almost always result in a quicker and more relaxed trip into the city centre.

The most straightforward and well-signed route is to take Route 114 directly from the Moncton area. You can access it easily from Riverview by following Coverdale Road, which becomes Route 114. This is the primary tourist highway leading to Hopewell Rocks and Fundy National Park. Sticking to this main road ensures you won't get lost on confusing backroads and can enjoy a scenic, direct drive to your destination.

For a beautiful and relaxed autumn foliage drive, the route along Highway 114 towards Fundy National Park is an excellent choice. The road winds through rolling hills and coastal landscapes that are spectacular in autumn. Another great option is exploring the Memramcook Valley, known for its charming villages and vibrant colours. Both of these drives offer stunning scenery without any steep grades or challenging mountain roads.

A popular and manageable loop is to drive from Moncton down Route 114 to Alma and explore Fundy National Park. For your return, you can drive through the park on its main road, which connects to Highway 1 near Sussex. From Sussex, it's a simple highway drive back to Moncton. Before leaving Alma or Sussex, it's a good idea to ensure you have a full tank of petrol, as services can be limited within the park itself.

Once you leave the city limits of Moncton, many of New Brunswick's highways have limited or no lighting. You should be prepared for long, dark stretches of road, especially on secondary highways. It is crucial to be vigilant for wildlife, as moose and deer are frequently seen near roadways, particularly at dusk, dawn, and after dark. Always use your full beam when there is no oncoming traffic to maximise your visibility.

A common point of confusion for visitors is the large interchange where the Trans-Canada Highway (NB-2) intersects with routes leading to downtown (NB-15) and Prince Edward Island (NB-16). To avoid taking a wrong turn, it's best to use a sat nav and review your route before you start driving. Pay close attention to the exit numbers and lane signs well in advance of the interchange to ensure you are in the correct lane for your destination.

Parking in small towns like Sackville and Dorchester is typically very easy and stress-free. You can almost always find free on-street parking directly on their main commercial streets, often right in front of the shops or cafes you wish to visit. These towns do not have the parking congestion of a larger city, making them very pleasant to explore by car.

The single most effective strategy for a hassle-free parking experience at Parlee Beach is to arrive early. On a warm, sunny day, especially on a weekend, the main parking lots can fill up surprisingly fast. By planning to arrive before 10:00 am, you can usually secure a convenient spot and avoid the long lines of cars that often form by midday.

For an easily accessible sunset view, Moncton's Riverfront Park offers ample parking and clear views over the Petitcodiac River. If you prefer a coastal setting, the wharf in Shediac or various public access points along the Northumberland Strait provide simple parking and beautiful, unobstructed views. These locations don't require long walks or dealing with restricted access, making them perfect for a quick and scenic stop.

To enjoy a relaxed day, allocate at least six to seven hours for your Hopewell Rocks excursion from Moncton. Check the tide schedule and plan to arrive for low tide, giving yourself a couple of hours to explore the ocean floor. This leaves plenty of time to visit the interpretive centre, have lunch in Alma, or stop at other nearby attractions like Cape Enrage or Mary's Point without feeling pressured by the clock.

A trip to the Magnetic Hill Zoo and the surrounding attractions is an excellent choice for families, offering a single, large parking area for multiple activities. Another great option is a day trip to Shediac and Parlee Beach, which is an easy highway drive with large, accessible parking lots. Both destinations are well-equipped with public restrooms and food options, making them very convenient for families with young children.

Before you drive away from the rental lot in winter, it's essential to do a few quick checks for safety. First, confirm that the vehicle is equipped with proper winter tyres, which are crucial for traction in Canadian winters. You should also make sure there is an ice scraper and snow brush inside the car. Finally, check that the windscreen washer fluid reservoir is full to handle road salt and slush.

Fog is a common occurrence along the Bay of Fundy coastline and can roll in quickly, dramatically reducing visibility. It is often thickest in the early morning and can sometimes burn off by the afternoon. If you encounter dense fog while driving on Route 114, it is critical to slow down, use your dipped headlights, and increase your following distance from other vehicles to ensure safety.

For multi-day trips, many travellers find it best to schedule their longer drives between cities for the middle of the day. A mid-morning departure, perhaps between 9:30 am and 10:30 am, allows you to avoid the morning rush hour in the city you're leaving. This timing also typically has you arriving at your destination in the mid-afternoon, after the lunch rush but before the evening commute begins.

While your mobile service will be reliable in Moncton and along major highways, it can become spotty or completely unavailable in more remote areas. This is particularly true inside Fundy National Park and along certain stretches of the coastal drive on Route 114. It is a very good practice to download maps of the region to your phone for offline use before you leave Moncton.

For a seamless early morning return, follow the airport signs for "Rental Car Return," which will guide you to a designated drop-off area. The most efficient method is to pull up, unload your luggage onto a trolley, and then proceed to park the car in the designated return spot. After dropping the keys, you can walk directly into the departures terminal with your bags, ready for check-in.

To make the most of a one-day rental, focus on the attractions outside the city first. Use the morning to drive to a major destination like Hopewell Rocks or the coast around Shediac. In the afternoon, return to Moncton, drop off the rental car at its downtown or airport location, and then explore the city's central attractions like Main Street and the Riverfront Trail on foot. This strategy maximises your driving time for distant sights and avoids the hassle of repeatedly parking downtown.