Road-tripping the Canadian Maritimes means you must cross the Northumberland Strait to reach Prince Edward Island. You face two main choices: driving the Confederation Bridge or taking the Northumberland Ferry.
We faced this exact decision during our 7-day East Coast road trip. We ultimately chose the bridge. Here is why we picked the driving route, and how to decide which option fits your travel schedule best.
The Geography Factor
The Northumberland Ferry connects Caribou, Nova Scotia, directly to Wood Islands, PEI. The Confederation Bridge connects Cape Jourimain, New Brunswick, to Borden-Carleton, PEI.
Driving from Halifax to the bridge requires traveling through a small section of New Brunswick. We preferred this route. The drive allowed us to explore more of the coastline on our own schedule before crossing the water.
Speed and Flexibility
The Confederation Bridge measures 12.9 kilometers long, and driving across takes exactly 10 minutes. The structure stays open 24 hours a day, and you never need a reservation. This flexibility removes all travel anxiety.
The ferry takes 75 minutes to cross the strait. Passengers must arrive early to load their vehicles onto the boat. Missing a scheduled departure disrupts your entire daily itinerary. We wanted complete control over our timeline, so the bridge was the clear winner for us.
The Toll Secret (And A Popular Travel Hack)
Most visitors misunderstand the payment system for Prince Edward Island. You only pay to leave the island. Crossing into PEI is free on both the bridge and the ferry.
You pay a toll on your return trip when leaving the province. The Government of Canada recently lowered the Confederation Bridge fee to $20 (it was $50 when we crossed!). The ferry currently costs $43 to leave the island.
Because of this pricing structure, many travelers use a clever road trip hack. They take the ferry to Prince Edward Island for free. When their vacation is over, they drive the Confederation Bridge back to the mainland. This allows you to experience both routes but only pay the cheaper $20 bridge toll upon exit. We drove the bridge both ways to maximize our sightseeing hours, but splitting the route is a fantastic option if you have the time.
When to Choose the Ferry
The ferry makes sense for travelers wanting a break from driving. The boat ride provides a chance to stretch your legs and buy a snack on the water. Passengers also report occasional whale sightings from the deck.
If your goal involves maximizing your time exploring the red sand beaches of Cavendish or eating fresh seafood in Charlottetown, the bridge represents the ultimate choice.
Which route do you prefer taking to PEI? Head over to our Facebook page and share your thoughts!