Travel guide
Quebec Route 389: route guide
Route 389 runs 567 km (352 mi) from Baie-Comeau to the Fermont turn-off, then 6 km (3.7 mi) to the Labrador border, and most drivers do it in one long day — about 9 hours with fuel and food stops. Do it in summer in a vehicle you can take on gravel; skip it if your rental contract bans unpaved roads or you are not prepared for a remote gravel highway.Route 389 runs 352 mi (567 km) from Baie-Comeau to the Fermont turn-off, then 3.7 mi (6 km) to the Labrador border, and most drivers do it in one long day — about 9 hours with fuel and food stops. Do it in summer in a vehicle you can take on gravel; skip it if your rental contract bans unpaved roads or you are not prepared for a remote gravel highway.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Key facts
- Length
- 567 km from Baie-Comeau to the Fermont turn-off, plus 6 km to the Labrador border
- Driving time
- About 9 hours in good conditions, including fuel, MANIC-5 and a meal stop
- Surface
- Alternates between asphalt and gravel; narrow and twisty in places
- Season
- Summer is the practical window; winter needs true winter tires and an emergency kit
- Fuel and food
- Very few services; fill up whenever you can
- Phone signal
- Only near Baie-Comeau and Fermont; nothing in between
- Main hazard
- Empty logging trucks heading north at high speed
- Rental cars
- Some hire firms refuse to let their vehicles on gravel highways
Map and orientation
Route 389 starts at Route 138 in Baie-Comeau on the North Shore and runs north through the Manicouagan and Caniapiscau areas to the Fermont turn-off, then 6 km more to the Quebec–Labrador border. There it becomes Highway 500, part of the Trans-Labrador Highway toward Labrador City.
Baie-Comeau itself is about 420 km from Quebec City via Autoroute 440-E and Route 138, so most drivers arrive the day before and start fresh. The route passes the Manicouagan Reservoir and several large hydro-electric dams, MANIC-5 among them.
Route coordinates are approximate: 51.1000, -67.8000.
The stages
Treat the drive as one long stage with a few deliberate breaks rather than a multi-day itinerary. Fuel, the MANIC-5 dam viewpoint and a meal at the Relais Gabriel area are the standard stops; everything else is a pull-off.
The only firm figure is the total: 567 km from Baie-Comeau to the Fermont turn-off, then 6 km to the border. Segment distances and times below are rough planning estimates — check them against your own map and allow extra time on gravel.
| Stage | Distance from Baie-Comeau | Driving time |
|---|---|---|
| Baie-Comeau to Route 389 junction | 0 km | start |
| Manicouagan area and MANIC-5 | check | check |
| Relais Gabriel area | check | check |
| Fermont turn-off | 567 km | check |
| Quebec–Labrador border (Highway 500) | 573 km | check |
Only the total distance (567 km to the Fermont turn-off, plus 6 km to the border) and the roughly 9-hour total driving time are supported. Segment figures are estimates — check before you rely on them.
When to go
Summer is the window most drivers use: long daylight, gravel that has dried out and services that are open. It is also a popular motorcycle route in summer (check).
Winter travel is possible but a different trip. You need proper winter tires rather than all-season tires, a winter emergency kit, and a check of road conditions with the Quebec Ministry of Transportation before you leave. Snow and ice on gravel with no phone signal is not a place to improvise.
Surface conditions change with the weather. Build slack into your day and check road status before setting out.
Where to stay
Baie-Comeau at the south end and Fermont at the north end are the two practical bases for the drive; lodging availability in both is check.
Between them, accommodation is limited to a small number of lodges and outfitter stops along the route, so book ahead in summer (check).
If you are continuing into Labrador, Labrador City is the next town on the Trans-Labrador Highway (check).
Camping and RV travellers should confirm each site is open and reachable for their vehicle before relying on it; services on this road are sparse.
Preparation
Check whether your rental agreement allows gravel roads before you book the car. Some hire companies refuse outright, and taking a prohibited vehicle onto Route 389 can void your cover (check).
Carry more fuel range than you need, a spare and the tools to change it, water and food for a day, and a way to communicate that does not depend on cell signal. Satellite handsets and service are sold in Baie-Comeau (check).
Drive to the conditions. The gravel is signed with warnings at significant corners, but the real risk is other traffic: logging trucks run north empty and fast. Pull over where it is safe and let them pass.
Distances and driving times here are planning estimates. Confirm road status with the Quebec Ministry of Transportation before departure.
Questions people ask
How long does Quebec Route 389 take?
About 9 hours from Baie-Comeau to the Labrador border in good conditions, including fuel, a stop at MANIC-5 and a meal. Most drivers split it with a night in Baie-Comeau before and Fermont or Labrador City after.
When is the best time to do Quebec Route 389?
Summer, when the gravel has dried out, daylight is long and services are open. Winter driving is possible with true winter tires, an emergency kit and a road-condition check, but it is a serious undertaking.
Where should I stay along Quebec Route 389?
Baie-Comeau at the south end and Fermont at the north end are the practical bases; lodging availability at both is check. In between, lodges and outfitter stops are few, so book ahead in summer (check).
Can I drive Route 389 in a rental car?
Only if your rental agreement permits gravel roads. Some companies refuse, and driving a prohibited vehicle on unpaved highways can void your insurance (check). Ask before you book.
Is there phone signal on Route 389?
Only close to Baie-Comeau and Fermont. For the long middle section there is no signal, so carry a satellite messenger or similar device if you want a way to call for help.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check