Route 389 — Baie-Comeau to Fermont via Manic-5 and the Labrador Trough
570 km of boreal isolation to the iron ore frontier.
Route 389 is one of the most legitimately remote drives in eastern North America. Starting in Baie-Comeau on the St. Lawrence, it climbs north past the Manic-2 and Manic-5 hydroelectric dams — the latter being the largest multiple-arch-and-buttress dam on earth — before transitioning to maintained gravel somewhere north of Relais Gabriel and pushing into the Labrador Trough. By the time you reach Gagnon’s ghost town junction and the final stretch into Fermont, you’ve crossed open taiga and subarctic terrain that feels closer to the NWT than to Montreal. Caribou crossings are real. Moose on the road at dusk are nearly guaranteed. The gravel north of Relais Gabriel gets rough after rain — washboard and softball-sized rocks are normal.
Two-wheel drive is technically possible in dry summer conditions, but a high-clearance 4WD is strongly recommended for the northern gravel section. Fuel is available at Relais Gabriel and Fermont — that’s it. Carry at least 80 litres extra. No cell service north of Manic-5. Best season is late June through early September; October brings snow that can close the northern section without warning. This is a serious fuel-and-logistics route, not a casual weekend trip. But if you want to experience what roadless Quebec actually looks like from behind the wheel, Route 389 is the answer.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 354 mi / 570 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 2150 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD recommended |
| Nearest town | Baie-Comeau, QC |
| Land manager | Ministère des Transports du Québec |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | transports.gouv.qc.ca |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle Route 389 without modifications?
Yes, a stock high-clearance 4WD like a Tacoma or 4Runner will manage Route 389 in normal summer conditions. The gravel sections are rough and washboarded but not technical — the bigger concern is tire punctures from sharp aggregate, so run quality all-terrain tires and carry at least one full-size spare.
When does Route 389 typically open and close for the season?
The route is generally passable June through September. Spring breakup (April–May) turns the gravel sections into a muddy mess, and early snowfall can hit the northern half near Fermont by October. The Ministère des Transports du Québec posts road condition updates at transports.gouv.qc.ca.
Do you need any permits or pay any fees to drive Route 389?
No permits or fees are required to drive the public road. If you plan to camp within any managed wildlife reserve territory along the route, a Quebec ZEC or réserve faunique access fee may apply — check with the specific territory beforehand.
What's the hardest or most demanding section of the route?
The stretch north of Manic-5 dam toward Gagnon and on to Fermont is the roughest — long isolated gravel runs with heavy truck traffic from mining operations, serious washboard, and zero services for 250+ km. A broken axle or blown sidewall up here means a very long wait for help.
Where can you fuel up along the route, and is 570 km doable on one tank?
Fuel is available in Baie-Comeau at the start and Fermont at the end — that's it. There is no gas between those two points, so unless your rig has extended range (150+ L capacity or a jerry can setup), you will not make it. Carry enough fuel for at least 650 km to account for idling, detours, and rough-road consumption.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.