Navigating the Distance: Bristol, Rhode Island to Summerside, Prince Edward Island
If you're planning a road trip from Bristol, Rhode Island to Summerside, Prince Edward Island, you might be wondering how long it will take you to reach your destination. The answer: it depends on your route and the time of day you plan to travel. Here's a closer look at some of the fastest and slowest routes, their respective distances, and the estimated travel times based on traffic patterns.
Fastest Route: Hop on the Ferry
One of the quickest routes from Bristol to Summerside involves taking the ferry across the Gulf of St. Lawrence. It's a scenic route that takes you through the Cape Breton Highlands and drops you off just 30 minutes away from Summerside.
To reach the ferry terminal, you'll need to drive roughly 480 miles, which will take you between 8 and 9 hours depending on traffic. Once you're in North Sydney, Nova Scotia, you can hop aboard the ferry and enjoy a relaxing 1.5 hour ride across the gulf. It's a straightforward route that will get you to your destination in just under 10 hours.
Alternate Route: Through Maine
If you'd prefer to stay on land and explore some of the sights along the East Coast, consider driving through Maine. This route will take you approximately 11.5 hours to reach Summerside, depending on traffic.
You'll start in Bristol and follow Route 1 up the coast of Maine, visiting charming towns like Belfast and Ellsworth along the way. Then, you'll cross over into Canada at either the Calais-St Stephen Border Crossing or the Houlton-Woodstock Border Crossing.
Once you're in Canada, you'll drive through New Brunswick and over the Confederation Bridge to Prince Edward Island. This is the longest route, but it offers plenty of opportunities to explore the region and take in the scenery.
Time of Day Matters
Regardless of which route you choose, the time of day you travel can have a significant impact on your arrival time. Rush hour traffic in major cities can add significant time to your journey.
To get a sense of how travel times vary based on traffic patterns, here are some estimated drive times for each route during peak and low traffic periods:
Ferry Route
- Peak Traffic: 10 hours
- Low Traffic: 9 hours
Maine Route
- Peak Traffic: 13 hours
- Low Traffic: 11 hours
Plan Accordingly
When planning your road trip from Bristol to Summerside, it's important to factor in rest stops, meals, and potential traffic delays. With some careful planning, you can choose a route that suits your preferences and travel at a time that avoids the worst traffic.
Whether you opt for the scenic ferry route or choose to drive through Maine, there's plenty to see and do along the way. Make the most of your road trip by taking your time and enjoying the journey.