Submitted by 207Simone t3_y9e7zj in Maine

Planning a quick weekend trip to Sherbrooke in November & just realized there’s a couple of border crossings in Maine by Woburn QC & Jackman. I’ve never driven up that way. How is the weather? Wildlife, the roads etc.

Most “wildlife” I’ve dealt with is my fair share of Deer growing up on Seacoast NH. For those that travel this area, best time to arrive? Where to get gas etc? I have a SUV. Would be driving from Portland.

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Campfiresandsilence t1_it53clf wrote

It's all the same as Maine. A bit flatter maybe. Doesn't get lovely until Quebec city

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Way2L8AND1 t1_it53fwc wrote

201 through Jackman is a nice drive. I see moose quite frequently (early morning mostly. But occasionally in the evening as well. ) Plenty of gas stations along the way. take 95 to Skowhegan, then 201 the whole way. Moxie Falls is a quick side road away as well. Short hike, nice to see. Also near the end of 201 is a Small Waterfall on the right with a small parking area. Also several scenic turn outs along the way.

I always fill the tank here. Last chance before Canada.

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sy33d_am33r_ali t1_it56jn4 wrote

I think you must be thinking of some other border crossing if you’re calling it flatter. The Woburn/Coburn Gore crossing, in particular, is the opposite of flat. It’s one of the most mountainous parts of the state, just north of Sugarloaf and Bigelow, The Chain of Ponds are up there. It’s an outstanding scenic road with mountain vistas around every corner. Moose everywhere. A bit of a sketchy drive on snowy roads, but beautiful.

On the Quebec side, the first real town is Lac Megantic, a lovely little mountain lake town where they make the finest cheese curds you’ll find anywhere. They squeak when you bite them.

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guethlema t1_it56wut wrote

Both of these border crossings go through some of the state's most mountainous regions. It's quite hilly on the other side of the border, with several provincial parks and national mountain parks on the PQ side.

Several cool mountain streams and some big rivers too - greaaaaat fishing in Quebec!

Hope Sherbrooke is nicer than the last time I was there.

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ScenePlayful1872 t1_it58vry wrote

Did it a number of times, especially Coburn, & often this time of year. Gas up in Farmington, last real retail options, & gas is a lot more in Canada. After Kingfield, it gets more rugged & wild feeling as you go north. Don’t speed, busy season for moose & deer. The Quebec side quickly becomes more farms and little towns. (Rte 201- Skowhegan would be the gas stop)

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ApprehensiveDeer9530 t1_it5dwhg wrote

Off topic, but I was in sherbrooke earlier this month and had an AMAZING dinner at Sballo, if you need a dining recommendation!

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Alternative_Minute93 t1_it5e3xq wrote

I’ve been to Jackman, it was cold af, everyone was dressed to either Hunt or Ride at a moments notice.

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207Simone OP t1_it5eo4e wrote

NGL…whats the chances of me hitting a moose? Growing up in NH even near Pease I’ve had one too many close call with Deer…I honestly get scared of them even when I’m driving slow I’ve always wondered how I would react driving if I ran into a moose etc. is going slightly below the speed limit ok?

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sflfish t1_it5gc8e wrote

I drove through the Woburn crossing a couple of weeks back. Absolutely gorgeous, and surprisingly nice border guards, even get a couple of smiles.

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Lady-Kat1969 t1_it5kbzp wrote

During the day, just pay attention to the side of the road and be ready to brake if you see movement. At night, definitely keep the speed down as moose eyes are high enough that they don't always reflect headlights, making them harder to spot. Also, keep an eye out for bear; the last time I was up there I didn't see a single moose but I did spot two black bear.

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GregKiteFlyer t1_it5t6yr wrote

Good advice. And if you get stuck behind a log truck, just relax, back off, and enjoy the scenery. The drive along the Carrabassett River between Kingfield and Sugarloaf is especially beautiful.

I think there's still a gas station in Eustis.

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JimBones31 t1_it6bgyd wrote

You can drive to Quebec from Portland on half a tank of gas. Really pretty country on the way though.

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Ambitious_Ask_1569 t1_it6g6f4 wrote

Rt 16 is an amazing road until winter. Absolutely beautiful in fall. Enjoy the ride and its a straight shot to Sherbrook. You just don't wanna do it in winter. You could go off the road and not be found for days. Trust me, I went to McGill and parents lived in Ellsworth. Not a fun road during a winter storm.

Great fishing on the way! Bring a fly rod.

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Unklefat t1_it6p22t wrote

I have also been looking into taking a quick Quebec trip. Do you just need your passport or are they requiring other paperwork as well still?

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hike_me t1_it6uq1x wrote

Last time I went to Quebec I crossed at the Jackman crossing. I was arriving in Jackman near dusk and saw a dozen moose between Caratunk and the border (sometimes 2 at once). It was nuts.

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KnightsOfREM t1_it6xjkf wrote

This person knows.

OP, highly recommend using the Jackman crossing - the drive is stunning. When offered, use the scenic turnout that overlooks the ponds, and take photos. You'll thank yourself later.

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Charlie_clementine t1_it74fh1 wrote

Just a heads up that when I cross through Jackman I lose my phone signal consistently from Bingham to Jackman. Verizon and now T-Mobile. Beautiful drive, have fun!

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mainlydank t1_it77fi0 wrote

Have been so disappointed by New England cheese curds until I bought some in Quebec last week. Wish I had bought more. If you ever get a chance to go to Wisconsin, try some there. Exact same as the Quebec curds but yellow cheese instead of white.

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ToesocksandFlipflops t1_it79ll9 wrote

I've driven to Jackman 4 times this year (during the day) and never saw a moose, but not for lack of trying.

Funnily the only moose I have seen all year is in New Hampshire on Route 16 north of Mount Washington.

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BARRYTHUNDERWOOD t1_it94d86 wrote

My dad lives in QC about 30min from Sherbrooke, I always took the Coburn Gore route, it’s a little more low key of a crossing. Then you have about an hour of like farmland to drive through to get to Sherbrooke. But recently I’ve started taking the Vermont route (crossing at the Derby border on the Beebe road, not the rt 91 derby crossing). It’s absolutely tiny and and easy low key crossing and I’ve never seen a line or had any weird trouble. Keep in mind that QC cops just live to give US cars speeding tickets (my mom got a ticket with Maine plates for doing 7km over), and those tickets ain’t cheap so make sure not to get lulled into looking at your MPH by accident. So if you’re definitely wanting to cross in Maine, go Coburn Gore. There’s a gas station in Eustis, it’ll be a little more expensive but it’s like 30 min from border. It’s a real bitch in the winter though.

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207Simone OP t1_ita4iaj wrote

How about where could I stop at hannaford on the way up? I plan on doing a lot of shopping at Sherbrooke Walmart Supercentre since it ends up being cheaper & we can get stuff there that we can’t find here just stuff to hold the kids over

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207Simone OP t1_ita520e wrote

NGL was actually looking to cross into Woburn want fo see how it’s diff from where we lived in Woburn MA prior to moving here 🤓

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Lieutenant_Joe t1_itbs6ha wrote

Last supermarket before the border is gonna be in Bingham. If you hit Caratunk or the Forks without stopping at one, there won’t be another one until you’re a few miles into Canada. Jackman’s got a general store, and a gas station, and not much else.

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207Simone OP t1_itbwucz wrote

Can anyone give me a heads up on Québec city? We’re thinking of going there because there will be more to do than Sherbrooke…I know 2days isn’t enough but it’d be a nice introduction to the city. Looking at Hotel Jaro

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207Simone OP t1_itx23vf wrote

I just did the google maps and it looks like the distance from Jackman to Coburn is roughly 2 hours :/ Coburn seems to be closer and on our way to Sherbrooke

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