It was definitely a relief to have it more paved. The only issue was between Gagnon and the railroad tracks at the time had a lot of potholes. I suspect that they were focusing on the major construction before getting to that section. I'm sure it has changed again since August 2020.
You can see the speed limits for different sections of the trip on Wikipedia (en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec_Route_389#Details). The truck drivers who travel that route likely travel it so much that they're comfortable with the road. They travel at a good pace as a result, and it can be disconcerting if you're not comfortable with all the sharp turns and sometimes thinner roads. They had been working on the roads, so now, at least some of the sections are wider and straighter.
@@simonleslie1099 70-90 kmh ain't an issue. Going to do it on my Honda CT125 in a few years. I want to go all the way to Labrador City. Personal challenge 😂 I'll buy a hi-viz Yellow drybag to put at the back of the bike and look behind a whole lot 🤣
This video was taken just as covid was in full force. Newfoundland and Labrador had enforced a no entry policy (unless a driver was a resident or had permission to enter the province), and so an individual from public health was there.
I got here because I was looking at google maps and wondered what this road would look like. I am from Michigan. It's cool to see what different parts of Canada look like, and you see way more of BC than anything else. Nice to see Quebec like this
drove through BC on my way to Sept-Iles MANY MANY times in 1997-2000... I would stop at Subway to get the vegetarian sandwich (when thy used to have the stamps!)
Thank you for uploading this! My spouse was up working in the mine in Labrador city, and it wasn’t going well so I was tempted to make the drive up to get him. Needed to know what I was getting into first.
Very interesting video and beautiful scenery. It felt however desolate.... no gas stations or people for long periods, I wonder if you felt concerned over that.....
The Manic-cinq Motel and Relais-Gabriel were 2.5 and 4.25 hours from Baie-Commeau respectively on a 7.5 hours trip. As long as you're travelling during the day and fill up in Baie-Commeau, it's never an issue in good weather. On the trip south one time, I was able to make it from Fermont to Baie-Commeau on fumes because I was travelling in the middle of the night. We also took a Jerry can just in case though.
I'm glad it could help. It is nice to know what you're getting yourself into. Take your time in the winter, the roads are likely to have snow and ice, especially on the gravel sections.
Greetings from italy! Here we can just dream about those large and clear roads. You can really enjoy driving down there, and the landscape... another world I have to take my driver's license in these months, and i'm not that lucky to drive in our complex road system, full of intricate labyrinths of one-way streets and intersections. A nightmare for an american
Very nice video. I will be driving through this same route in Decemeber. Do you by any chance know the condition of this route in winter? Do they clean the road frequently?
I have this driven through on January 1st in addition to the one trip in the video, and the roads were in great shape. The road is the major transport line for Labrador, and so they make sure to take care of it. Since the road is so remote, if bad winter weather pops up, they won't be able to respond as quickly as they would in a major city. Just keep track of weather, and be prepared towait if a really big storm is supposed to come through.
Je me suis rendu au Labrador lorsque le covid a commencé et ils n'autorisaient que certaines personnes à entrer dans la province. J'ai dû demander la permission avant mon arrivée, et il vérifiait tous ceux qui se rendaient à la frontière.
I was entering the province after the pandemic had started and the province had limited access to outsiders. Individuals had to get permission to enter the province prior to entry in the hopes of minimizing the spread of covid-19, and they had set up a station to track those entering at the border.
There is one at the Manic-Cinq Motel, Relais-Gabriel, and Fermont. There may be some in the middle as well, but plan on either one of those towns. I was able to barely make it in the middle of the night from Fermont to Baie-Commeau on one tank of gas, but I wouldn't recommend it.
If I ever make my way to Labrador again, I will do. At the time, I was limited by the size of the SD card and had to save the video at the 5x speed that it is at now. I'm glad you like it.
There is approximately 100 km between Manic-Cinq and Relais-Gabriel (th-cam.com/video/BGoEjfJ8c28/w-d-xo.html) and approximately 68 km around the ore mines and train crossings (th-cam.com/video/BGoEjfJ8c28/w-d-xo.html). The gravel roads have been in good shape when I've been on them, and seem to be regularly graded (th-cam.com/video/BGoEjfJ8c28/w-d-xo.html). There may be more or less gravel road depending on construction since the video was taken. Beware that the paved road between Gagnon and the mines has been notorious over the years for being riddled with bumps and potholes [you can see the car bumping around constantly in that section] (th-cam.com/video/BGoEjfJ8c28/w-d-xo.html).
@@marcost9503 If you take your time (especially over the bumpy parts) and have tires that are in good shape, you should be fine. If you can bring a full sized spare, it would take the pressure off of having to wait for help or finishing on a small spare. During the winter months, having winter tires is helpful, especially if the weather gets bad. The only other issue might be gas. I had to stop at either Manic-Cinq or Gabriel- Relais and fill up to make it out. With the extra 20l Jerry can, I might have been able to make it without.
@@marcost9503 The video is 5× what it took us, so about 7 hours of actual driving. That was including the stops at the different construction zones with stop lights, and add ~15 minutes at both Manic-Cinq Motel and Relais-Gabriel, about 7.5 hours. If you take your time or stop in other places it could be up to 9 hours in good weather and more in bad weather.
so much of the road has gradually become paved over the years, what a relief
It was definitely a relief to have it more paved. The only issue was between Gagnon and the railroad tracks at the time had a lot of potholes. I suspect that they were focusing on the major construction before getting to that section. I'm sure it has changed again since August 2020.
I was thinking quite the opposite. I wish I could have driven it when it was gravel - paved roads bore me to tears :)
Best quality road preview of the road you can find on the internet.
What's the speed limit on the 389? I ear some trucks drives like maniacs on this road, is it true. Would love to go there one day 😊
You can see the speed limits for different sections of the trip on Wikipedia (en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec_Route_389#Details).
The truck drivers who travel that route likely travel it so much that they're comfortable with the road. They travel at a good pace as a result, and it can be disconcerting if you're not comfortable with all the sharp turns and sometimes thinner roads. They had been working on the roads, so now, at least some of the sections are wider and straighter.
@@simonleslie1099 70-90 kmh ain't an issue. Going to do it on my Honda CT125 in a few years. I want to go all the way to Labrador City. Personal challenge 😂
I'll buy a hi-viz Yellow drybag to put at the back of the bike and look behind a whole lot 🤣
Was that a spot check at the end of the video there?
This video was taken just as covid was in full force. Newfoundland and Labrador had enforced a no entry policy (unless a driver was a resident or had permission to enter the province), and so an individual from public health was there.
@@simonleslie1099 Ah.. Thank you. I forgot about those days. :) Btw, thank you for your video.
You're welcome!
I got here because I was looking at google maps and wondered what this road would look like. I am from Michigan. It's cool to see what different parts of Canada look like, and you see way more of BC than anything else. Nice to see Quebec like this
I'm glad you like it.
drove through BC on my way to Sept-Iles MANY MANY times in 1997-2000... I would stop at Subway to get the vegetarian sandwich (when thy used to have the stamps!)
I'm glad it brings back memories for you. It's funny what sort of things stick with you from those sorts of trips.
@@simonleslie1099 That is so true! I loved that drive once past Quebec City on the way Northeast, such a lovely part of Quebec!
Ca fait bizarre de voir la même route que je fait tous les étés en video. Super bon! Qualité est bonne et me donne envie de la faire tout de suite
Merci Beaucoup! I'm glad that the videos could be enjoyed by someone else.
Pas de son ces un peut bizarre
Thank you for uploading this! My spouse was up working in the mine in Labrador city, and it wasn’t going well so I was tempted to make the drive up to get him. Needed to know what I was getting into first.
You're welcome!
What is the fork in the road around 1:07:05 ish?
@@josephinerobinson1093 , I think it is access to the mine seen on Google maps here: maps.app.goo.gl/tpAjz8hoHL9NmFkR9
Very interesting video and beautiful scenery. It felt however desolate.... no gas stations or people for long periods, I wonder if you felt concerned over that.....
The Manic-cinq Motel and Relais-Gabriel were 2.5 and 4.25 hours from Baie-Commeau respectively on a 7.5 hours trip. As long as you're travelling during the day and fill up in Baie-Commeau, it's never an issue in good weather.
On the trip south one time, I was able to make it from Fermont to Baie-Commeau on fumes because I was travelling in the middle of the night. We also took a Jerry can just in case though.
I'll drive to Fermont in a week. Watching this video gives me an idea of what I will find there. Thanks
I'm glad it could help. It is nice to know what you're getting yourself into.
Take your time in the winter, the roads are likely to have snow and ice, especially on the gravel sections.
Greetings from italy! Here we can just dream about those large and clear roads. You can really enjoy driving down there, and the landscape... another world
I have to take my driver's license in these months, and i'm not that lucky to drive in our complex road system, full of intricate labyrinths of one-way streets and intersections. A nightmare for an american
Very nice video. I will be driving through this same route in Decemeber. Do you by any chance know the condition of this route in winter? Do they clean the road frequently?
I have this driven through on January 1st in addition to the one trip in the video, and the roads were in great shape. The road is the major transport line for Labrador, and so they make sure to take care of it. Since the road is so remote, if bad winter weather pops up, they won't be able to respond as quickly as they would in a major city. Just keep track of weather, and be prepared towait if a really big storm is supposed to come through.
@@simonleslie1099 thanks buddy. 😊
Cool, I rode this in both directions on my motorcycle... very fun ride! Thanks for sharing.
That must have been an interesting ride. How was it going over the different types of roads?
@@simonleslie1099 Fantastic, it's just what my bike was built for. Any bad spots are easier to dodge on a motorcycle.
Qu'est ce qu'il t'a demandé à la frontière? C'est tu interdi de passer au Labrador??
Je me suis rendu au Labrador lorsque le covid a commencé et ils n'autorisaient que certaines personnes à entrer dans la province. J'ai dû demander la permission avant mon arrivée, et il vérifiait tous ceux qui se rendaient à la frontière.
After entering Labrador, why there was a policeman stopping every vehicle?
I was entering the province after the pandemic had started and the province had limited access to outsiders. Individuals had to get permission to enter the province prior to entry in the hopes of minimizing the spread of covid-19, and they had set up a station to track those entering at the border.
@@simonleslie1099Makes total sense. Thank you!
Are there gas stations along 389 to Labrador City?
There is one at the Manic-Cinq Motel, Relais-Gabriel, and Fermont. There may be some in the middle as well, but plan on either one of those towns. I was able to barely make it in the middle of the night from Fermont to Baie-Commeau on one tank of gas, but I wouldn't recommend it.
Awesome drive! Thanks for posting.
You're welcome!
Merci c'est une très belle vidéo je l'ai regardé 2 fois, je pense aller à Goose Bay bientôt
Je suis ravi que la vidéo puisse être utile.
@@simonleslie1099 oui très utile et vous êtes prudent sur la route ce qui rent la vidéo agréable à regarder
Please do it at normal speed! I'd love to watch it.
If I ever make my way to Labrador again, I will do. At the time, I was limited by the size of the SD card and had to save the video at the 5x speed that it is at now. I'm glad you like it.
@@simonleslie1099 No problem. Thanks :)
WOW!! Where is manique5??
Centrale Manic 5
maps.app.goo.gl/LM966ovawgwgmkiF7
@@simonleslie1099 yes I found it on 32"" min of the video
How long is the ride?
It is approximately 7 hours during the summer when the weather is good. It would be about 9 hours if you are taking your time.
@@simonleslie1099 thank you!
Great video! Do you know how many kms of gravel there are? Thanks for sharing!
There is approximately 100 km between Manic-Cinq and Relais-Gabriel (th-cam.com/video/BGoEjfJ8c28/w-d-xo.html) and approximately 68 km around the ore mines and train crossings (th-cam.com/video/BGoEjfJ8c28/w-d-xo.html). The gravel roads have been in good shape when I've been on them, and seem to be regularly graded (th-cam.com/video/BGoEjfJ8c28/w-d-xo.html). There may be more or less gravel road depending on construction since the video was taken. Beware that the paved road between Gagnon and the mines has been notorious over the years for being riddled with bumps and potholes [you can see the car bumping around constantly in that section] (th-cam.com/video/BGoEjfJ8c28/w-d-xo.html).
@@simonleslie1099 thank you, Simon! I was wondering about the feasibility of doing this trip in a small sedan and the risk of getting a flat!
@@marcost9503 If you take your time (especially over the bumpy parts) and have tires that are in good shape, you should be fine. If you can bring a full sized spare, it would take the pressure off of having to wait for help or finishing on a small spare. During the winter months, having winter tires is helpful, especially if the weather gets bad.
The only other issue might be gas. I had to stop at either Manic-Cinq or Gabriel- Relais and fill up to make it out. With the extra 20l Jerry can, I might have been able to make it without.
Thanks again, Simon. Just one last thing: how long did the whole drive take you?
@@marcost9503 The video is 5× what it took us, so about 7 hours of actual driving. That was including the stops at the different construction zones with stop lights, and add ~15 minutes at both Manic-Cinq Motel and Relais-Gabriel, about 7.5 hours. If you take your time or stop in other places it could be up to 9 hours in good weather and more in bad weather.