Moving from Montreal to Quebec City: Complete Guide
Montreal to Quebec City: Route & Distance
Quebec City lies about 250 km northeast of Montreal, connected by two main highways. Autoroute 20 follows the south shore of the St. Lawrence River through Drummondville and is the faster, more direct route at roughly 2.5 hours. Autoroute 40 runs along the north shore through Trois-Rivières and takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes but is more scenic.
For moving trucks, Autoroute 20 is generally preferred. The road is flatter, toll-free, and has ample truck stops near Drummondville for fuel and rest. Winter moves should factor in possible whiteout conditions along either route, especially near Deschambault on the 40 where lake-effect snow squalls can reduce visibility rapidly.
Moving Costs: Montreal to Quebec City
Since this is an intra-provincial move, costs tend to be lower than interprovincial routes of similar distance. A one-bedroom move from Montreal to Quebec City runs $1,100 to $1,700. Two-bedroom apartments cost $1,500 to $2,300, and three-bedroom homes range from $2,000 to $3,200.
Because you're staying within Quebec, there are no provincial tax complications—both ends of the move are subject to QST and GST. This also means no licence or health card exchanges. You'll simply need to update your address with the SAAQ, RAMQ, and Revenu Québec, all of which can be done online through the Quebec change-of-address service.
Settling into Quebec City
Quebec City offers a dramatically different lifestyle compared to Montreal. The city is smaller (about 550,000 in the metro area), more affordable, and deeply francophone. Popular neighbourhoods for newcomers include Saint-Roch (the creative hub), Limoilou (up-and-coming with young families), and Sainte-Foy (suburban, close to Université Laval).
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Rent in Quebec City averages 20–30% less than Montreal. A two-bedroom apartment in Saint-Roch rents for around $1,100–$1,400/month compared to $1,400–$1,800 in Montreal's Plateau. Grocery costs are similar, but car ownership becomes more practical in Quebec City given its less extensive public transit network. Plan to register your vehicle at a local SAAQ office if your plates need renewal soon after the move.
Choosing Movers for the Montreal–Quebec City Route
This is a high-volume corridor, so you'll have plenty of mover options. Look for companies that run regular weekly service between the two cities, as they can often offer better rates through load optimization. Verify that your mover has a valid CNESST licence and adequate insurance.
Up & Out makes multiple runs between Montreal and Quebec City each month. We offer all-inclusive flat-rate pricing—no surprises, no hidden fees. Contact us for a free virtual or in-home estimate and lock in your date early, especially if you're planning a summer move.
