Paved road, somewhat narrow and winding. Approximate driving time of 2 hr 30 min; speed limits of 70-90 km/h. The route begins in 49.216-68.151 Baie-Comeau.

• This road serves a string of massive hydroelectric generating stations (Manic 2, Manic 3, Manic 5) operated by Hydro-Québec. "Manic" is an abbreviation of "Manicouagan", not a reference to the level of activity. Hydro-Québec is owned by the provincial government. From June 24-Aug 31, Manic 2 and 5 offer a few free scheduled public tours daily (en français, tours in English may be requested in advance for groups of 10 or more). Allow 1½ to 2 hours. Reservations required.
• There are a lot of logging trucks along this stretch. Travelling north empty, they can and do go really fast. For your safety, you should pull over where you can to let them pass.
• As of June 2023, the road was in good shape. It has many sharp turns and with a lot of climbs and descents. Long sections are easily driveable at 110 km/h. There are many corners posted at 65 - 70 km/h, but those warnings seem to be randomly distributed. They are usually OK at warning speed + 10 km/h. Extensive construction is underway to improve this section
• If the warning is 25 km/h, usually accompanied by red directional arrows, brake and obey. Those corners are tight.

Public or emergency phones: at km 23, 52, 95, 165 and 203

Gravel road in fair condition, somewhat narrow and winding. Approximate driving time of 1 hr 30 min; speed limit: 70 km/h.

In June 2023, it was hard-packed gravel in fair condition with a thin layer of small gravel on top. Depending on your vehicle, you can push the speed to 85-90 km/h with constant vigilance. Moderate washboarding. Every significant corner is signed.

There is a restaurant, motel, convenience store (05:00-21:00) and gas station (24 hr) at La pourvoirie Relais Gabriel. The gas station is open but the food offerings are minimal. This is the last gas station until Fermont. The business has a For Sale sign displayed.

• 51.326-68.12234 La pourvoirie Relais Gabriel, ☏ +1 418-948-1304, g-morneau@hotmail.com. Fishing supplies and services, boat rentals available. Seven-room lodge (two beds per room, with a TV); shared bath. Chalets, unserviced campsite, mobile homes for workers. Double room with sink/shared bath $200+tax. (updated Sep 2022)
• Great little restaurant, rough and bare-bones, but congenial and cheerful. Good food.

Public or emergency phones: at km 272

Paved road in good condition, easy to drive up to 110 km/h. Approximate driving time of 1 hr; speed limit: 90 km/h.

• There is no gas station until Fermont.

• At km 336, a 2-km gravel road takes you to 51.464-68.2361 Station Uapishka. There is a sign on the road that is visible only from northbound direction. Just before reaching this point, there is a small parking area on the east side of the 389 that leads to a bivouac area for hikers doing multi-day trips through the mountains and also to a display of artwork in the forest that is worth the stop.
• 51.464-68.2363 Station Uapishka, km 336, route 389, ☏ +1 418-296-8514, info@uapishka.com. Accommodation in camps, chalets or dormitories and catering near the Groulx Mountains and the Manicouagan crater. Scientific facilities for research and studies of the northern environment. Organized outdoor activities such as kayaking or canoeing on the crater, hiking and expedition in the Groulx Mountains, abseiling, archery, snowmobiling and zodiac excursion. Vast wilderness to explore. (updated Jul 2022)

• At km 391, you come across the ghost town of 51.871-68.1115 Gagnon . It was closed and largely dismantled in 1985 by the mining company that owned it. There are no services here. All that remains are the curbs and centre island. There is a rest area and 500 m further north there is a pullout with a flag and plaques about the townsite.

Paved road. Fair to good condition. Approximate driving time of 1 hr 15 min; speed limit: 90 km/h.

• As of June 2023, this section of the road was in fair to good condition. Construction crews are resurfacing the pavement in areas. There are a number of patched frost-heaves.
• The iron ore mine was closed in 1984, as was the hamlet of Fire Lake a year later. Everything has been dismantled except for two massive silos. ArcelorMittal continues to mine the seam further north at Mount Wright.

Gravel road, fair condition, narrow and twisted. Approximate driving time of 1 hr; speed limit: 70 km/h.

• There is no gas station until Fermont.
• The road crosses the railway nine times in this section. This is an active railway, and there are crossing signals but no barriers - you are responsible for ensuring that you can cross safely. Slow to a crawl and carefully assess each crossing. In June 2023, the crossings were smooth.
• In June 2023, the condition could be described as fair with some minor washboarding.

Paved road in good condition. Approximate driving time of 10 min; speed limit: 90 km/h.

• There is no fuel station until 52.783-67.0832 Fermont (population 2874), a small community established near the Labrador border to house workers for the Mont Wright Mine.
• See the Fermont article for listings of accommodation, and restaurants. Fermont has a Métro grocery store. It is somewhat famous for the 1-km wind wall, a housing and commercial structure that is easily visible when you enter the city.

Paved road, in good condition. Approximate driving time of 20 min; speed limit: 90 km/h.

• There are no gas stations between Fermont and Labrador City.