From Montréal to Québec City you'll want to drive along the North Shore of the St. Lawrence River on Autoroute 40 to Trois-Rivières. Then switch to the slower Route 138, which runs along the river. Once in Québec City, for maximum scenic impact take the ferry across the St.

Yes, for travelers who have extra time and want to avoid the high-speed monotony of Highway 20, the best scenic route is Highway 138, also known as the Chemin du Roy (The King's Road). This historic route is the oldest road in North America north of Mexico and follows the northern shore of the St. Lawrence River, passing through some of Quebec's most beautiful heritage villages like Trois-Rivières, Cap-de-la-Madeleine, and Neuville. In 2026, the drive takes approximately 4 to 5 hours (compared to 2.5 on the highway) and offers frequent stops for local artisanal cheese shops, historic stone churches, and stunning river views. For those who prefer the train, the VIA Rail journey between the two cities is also considered quite scenic, especially during the autumn when the foliage turns vibrant shades of red and gold. If you choose the "Chemin du Roy" by car, you will experience a true slice of traditional Quebec culture and architecture that most travelers miss by taking the faster, more direct inland routes.