Trace a classic North American road trip from Minnesota’s Iron Range to Maine’s rocky coast, crossing into Canada for a scenic run along the Trans‑Canada and Québec autoroutes. You’ll sleep in a historic Upper Peninsula town, then in cosmopolitan Ottawa—roughly halfway from Ironwood to Acadia—before settling into Blackwoods Campground for four days of trail time, tide pools, and lobster rolls.

Expect varied landscapes: Lake Superior’s rugged shoreline, the Ottawa River Valley, maple‑clad Québec hills, and Maine’s evergreen coast. Acadia National Park blends Gilded Age carriage roads and granite peaks with fishing villages and iconic lighthouses—Cadillac Mountain, Jordan Pond, Ocean Path, and the Schoodic Peninsula top many lists.

Practical notes: carry valid passports for both border crossings (no fresh produce, firewood, or certain animal products across borders), note Canada’s km/h speed limits, and keep a credit card handy for Autoroute 30 around Montréal (toll). Maine uses E‑ZPass on some roads. Blackwoods Campground requires advance reservations (seasonal operations vary); Cadillac Mountain sunrise requires a timed vehicle reservation in peak season.

Ironwood, Michigan

Ironwood sits where Michigan’s Upper Peninsula meets Wisconsin, the former heart of Gogebic Range iron mining. Today it’s a gateway to Lake Superior, ski history, and a tidy downtown of brick storefronts, pasty shops, and a beloved local brewery.

• Top sights: Quick detours to Black River Harbor waterfalls (Gorge & Potawatomi Falls), the Miner’s Memorial Heritage Park trails, and the towering Copper Peak ski flying structure (check seasonal operations).
• Eat & drink: Joe’s Pasty Shop (since 1946; classic U.P. meat-and-veg hand pies), Rigoni’s Bakery (maple long johns, pasties to-go), and Cold Iron Brewing (local taproom; rotating food trucks and hearty ales).
• Coffee: Contrast Coffee–style third-wave vibe is now echoed by local cafés; in a pinch, grab a latte downtown before you roll.

Stay: Browse VRBO Ironwood cabins near Lake Superior or search inns on Hotels.com Ironwood.

Getting to the start: Fly into Duluth (DLH; ~1 hr to Forbes) or Minneapolis–St. Paul (MSP; ~3.5 hrs) and pick up a car. Search fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com (DLH often $150–$350 one-way from Midwest hubs; MSP more frequent).

Ottawa, Ontario

Canada’s capital blends Gothic Revival splendor on Parliament Hill with the lively ByWard Market and riverside paths. It’s a perfect “true halfway” rest: great food, easy parking, and quick in/out to the Trans‑Canada or Autoroute 50.

• Sights: Parliament Hill views, the Rideau Canal locks, the National Gallery’s glass atrium, and ByWard’s boutiques and street snacks (don’t miss a cinnamon‑sugar BeaverTail).
• Dining: Riviera (polished dining inside a 1930s bank), El Camino (bold tacos and agave spirits), and Shawarma Palace (Ottawa comfort classic).
• Cafés & brews: Bridgehead (local roaster; multiple locations) and Beyond the Pale (craft brewery, satisfying pub plates).

Stay: Compare central stays via VRBO Ottawa or hotels near ByWard/Parliament on Hotels.com Ottawa.

Bar Harbor & Acadia National Park, Maine

On Mount Desert Island, Acadia condenses Atlantic drama into one easy-to-explore park: pink granite shores, spruce forests, tide pools, and cliffside trails. Blackwoods Campground places you minutes from Ocean Path, Thunder Hole, and the loop road.

• Don’t miss: Ocean Path from Sand Beach to Otter Cliffs, Jordan Pond House popovers, carriage roads around Eagle Lake, and sunset at Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse.
• Eat locally: Jordan’s Restaurant (blueberry pancakes), Side Street Cafe (lobster mac), The Thirsty Whale (classic rolls), Havana (date‑night), and Mount Desert Island Ice Cream (inventive scoops).

Stay: You’re camping at Blackwoods; if you want a post‑camp night, try VRBO Bar Harbor cottages or Hotels.com Bar Harbor.

Departing Maine: Bangor (BGR) is ~1.25 hrs from Blackwoods; Portland (PWM) ~3.5 hrs. Check fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com.

Day 1 — Forbes, MN to Ironwood, MI (approx. 170 miles, 3–3.5 hrs)

Morning: Pick up your car and depart Forbes late morning via US‑53 S to US‑2 E. Coffee and a stretch in Duluth’s West End before you merge onto US‑2.

Afternoon (Fuel ~mile 120–130): Top up at Kwik Trip (Ashland, WI) or Holiday Stationstores (Ashland) to keep you within the “every ~150 miles” refuel cadence. Grab whitefish chowder or a sandwich at Ashland Baking Company and continue lakeside to Ironwood.

Evening: Arrive Ironwood mid‑afternoon, check into your stay. Explore Downtown murals and the Miner’s Memorial Park path. Dinner at Cold Iron Brewing (pair a malty red with a food‑truck smashburger) or order pasties from Joe’s and picnic under the pines.

Day 2 — Ironwood, MI to Ottawa, ON via Sault Ste. Marie and the Trans‑Canada (approx. 620–640 miles, 10–11.5 hrs including breaks and border)

Morning (Fuel ~mile 150): Roll at first light on M‑28 along Lake Superior. Refuel in Munising, MI (Shell or Holiday Stationstores). Coffee and a quick pasty from Muldoon’s if you missed Joe’s.

Afternoon (Fuel ~mile 300): Aim for the International Bridge. Cross into Canada at Sault Ste. Marie (24‑hour port; have passports ready, declare goods, no raw firewood). Top up at Petro‑Canada, Esso, or Circle K on Great Northern Rd. Continue east on ON‑17. Next refill around Sudbury (~mile 450; Petro‑Canada Regent St or Esso Paris St). Snacks at Tommy’s Not Here bar bites or coffee at Salute Coffee.

Evening: Arrive Ottawa around dinner. Feast at Riviera (housemade pastas, seafood towers) or casual tacos at El Camino. Stroll Parliament Hill’s river overlook and grab a maple‑glazed BeaverTail in ByWard Market. Overnight in central Ottawa (see links above).

Day 3 — Ottawa, ON to Blackwoods Campground, ME via Montréal and Vermont/New Hampshire (approx. 520–560 miles, 9–10.5 hrs including stops and border)

Morning (Fuel ~mile 150): Coffee at Bridgehead, then take Hwy 417/40 toward Montréal. Refill south of the city around Brossard (Petro‑Canada on Taschereau Blvd). To bypass downtown, consider Autoroute 30 (toll).

Afternoon (Montréal lunch option & activity): Park in Mile End and savor an edible walking tour:

Montreal Mile End or Jean Talon Market Food Tour with 8 Tastings

Eight tastings from bagels to charcuterie introduce Montréal’s Jewish, Italian, and Québécois foodways—perfect mid‑journey culture and calories (plan ~3 hrs).

Continue & fuel (~mile 300): Take A‑10 to Sherbrooke, then A‑55 to the Stanstead/Derby Line crossing (open 24 hrs on I‑91; passports handy). Refuel around St. Johnsbury, VT (Maplefields/Shell). Choices onward: I‑91 to US‑2 across northern NH/ME, or I‑95 via Bangor for speed.

Evening (Fuel ~mile 450): If taking I‑95, top up around Bangor, ME (Irving Oil on Broadway), pick up groceries/ice, then continue ME‑3 to Blackwoods Campground. Check in, pitch camp among spruce and fir. Supper options: cook at camp or head to Bar Harbor for Side Street Cafe (lobster mac & cheese) or The Thirsty Whale (rolls and chowder).

Day 4 — Acadia National Park: Ocean Path, Thunder Hole, and Jordan Pond

Morning: Wake to birdsong; brew at camp. Start at Sand Beach and walk the Ocean Path to Thunder Hole and Otter Cliffs (easy, 4 miles round trip; best with mid‑tide swell). Bring layers for cool sea breezes.

Afternoon: Popovers at the Jordan Pond House (seasonal; arrive early or expect a wait). Walk the Jordan Pond Loop (3.4 miles, level shoreline roots and boards) beneath Penobscot and Sargent Mountains.

Evening: Drive to Bass Harbor Head Light for sunset. Dinner in Southwest Harbor at Beal’s Lobster Pier (dockside; steamed lobsters, scallops) or, closer to camp, Geddy’s in Bar Harbor for a laid‑back, kid‑friendly vibe.

Day 5 — Cadillac Mountain sunrise, Beehive or Great Head, and Carriage Roads

Early morning: Cadillac Mountain sunrise—reserve a vehicle slot in peak season and bring a warm layer; dawn can be windy and chilly. Post‑sunrise breakfast at Jordan’s Restaurant (blueberry pancakes, corned beef hash).

Afternoon: Hike the Beehive Trail (iron rungs, exposure; only for sure‑footed hikers and clear weather). Family‑friendly alternative: Great Head Trail from Sand Beach for coastal ledges and sea views.

Evening: Bike the Carriage Roads (try an Eagle Lake loop; gentle grades, crushed stone). Reward dinner at Havana (island‑sourced, Latin‑leaning) or McKay’s Public House (pub fare, cozy woodwork). Sweet finish at Mount Desert Island Ice Cream.

Day 6 — Kayak, Schoodic Peninsula, and sunset picnic

Morning: Join a guided sea kayak on Frenchman Bay for harbor porpoises and osprey (outfitters in Bar Harbor; book a morning paddle for calm water). Coffee beforehand at Coffee Hound (espresso, scones).

Afternoon: Drive to Schoodic Peninsula (less crowded). Walk the Schoodic Head trails and linger on wave‑washed ledges near Blueberry Hill. Lunch in Winter Harbor at J.M. Gerrish Cafe or a simple lobster roll at a local shack.

Evening: Back at camp, grill dinner and stargaze—Acadia’s skies are wonderfully dark. If you prefer town, try Project Social for tapas-style plates and a warming cocktail.

Day 7 — Bar Harbor slow morning and departure

Morning: Pack at an easy pace. Brunch at Jordan’s Restaurant or Side Street Cafe (great salads and sandwiches) and a last waterfront stroll along the Bar Harbor Shore Path.

Afternoon: Drive to BGR or PWM if you’re flying (check Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com), or begin your return drive after lunch.

Your fuel‑every‑~150‑miles plan at a glance

• Day 1: Forbes → Ashland, WI (Kwik Trip/Holiday, ~120–130 mi) → Ironwood.
• Day 2: Ironwood → Munising, MI (Shell/Holiday, ~150 mi) → Sault Ste. Marie, ON (Esso/Petro‑Canada, ~300 mi) → Sudbury, ON (Petro‑Canada/Esso, ~450 mi) → Ottawa (~620–640 mi).
• Day 3: Ottawa → Brossard, QC (Petro‑Canada, ~150 mi) → St. Johnsbury, VT (Maplefields/Shell, ~300 mi) → Bangor, ME (Irving Oil, ~450 mi) → Blackwoods (~520–560 mi total).

Distances are approximate; always refuel sooner in remote stretches or poor weather.

Optional add‑on if you choose a Québec City overnight instead of Ottawa: Swap Day 2’s destination to Québec City to shorten Day 3 to Maine via the Trans‑Canada and I‑95. Food lovers can book:

Old Quebec City Food and Drink Walking Tour

It’s a compact way to taste poutine, maple treats, and Québécois classics while exploring UNESCO‑listed streets.

After a week on storied highways and coastal trails, you’ll have crossed three time zones of scenery: Great Lakes shores, the Ottawa River valley, and Maine’s granite headlands. With planned fuel stops, border prep, and day‑by‑day detail, this is a road trip you can simply enjoy—leaving your bandwidth for sunrise summits and lobster suppers.