Ontario to Newfoundland

Relocating between provinces is never a small step. The scale of moving from Ontario to Newfoundland often feels overwhelming at first glance. Yet, with the right guidance, you can turn distance into progress and stress into opportunity. Centennial Moving has years of experience in managing these exact relocations, so you are not alone. Instead of fearing the unknown, you can approach the process with clarity, planning, and energy by reading this guide and contacting us! 

If you want to embark on this fantastic journey, you need the right support!

An overview of what awaits if you decide on moving from Ontario to Newfoundland

Newfoundland is around 40-hour drive from Ontario. Of course, the actual distance depends on the specific cities you will be relocating from and on the cities you will be relocating to. For example, driving between Ottawa and St. Johns is a 32-hour drive. As for the population, Ontario has almost 15 million residents, whereas Newfoundland has about 523,000, almost half of which are residing within St. John’s. One of the main reasons why people choose to relocate to such a smaller province is the fact that the cost of living in St. John’s is around 20% cheaper than in Toronto. While that is true, there’s also the fact that moving from Ontario to Newfoundland comes with a few disadvantages. There are fewer job opportunities in Newfoundland, and the economy is also somewhat weaker than in Ontario.

But if you manage to land a good job, you get to enjoy all the benefits without any drawbacks! The price of moving varies according to the city, of course. According to Centennial Moving experience moving from Ottawa to St. John’s NL will incur a minimum cost of $1,700 and a maximum cost of $7,500, for example. We will touch upon all of these differences in detail below, so make sure to keep reading!

The distance and route between Ontario and Newfoundland

The distance between Ontario and Newfoundland is more than just numbers on a map; it is a logistical challenge that shapes how families plan. Driving from Toronto to St. John’s means covering nearly 3,500 kilometers, a trip that takes several days. Most travelers follow Highway 401 east through Ontario, continue along Autoroute 20 in Quebec toward Rivière-du-Loup, then connect to the Trans-Canada Highway through New Brunswick and Nova Scotia until reaching North Sydney. From there, the Marine Atlantic ferry—often sailing to Port aux Basques or Argentia—provides the crucial link to Newfoundland. This ferry requires advance booking, and weather can delay crossings, so preparation is key.

By contrast, flying cuts the trip to under three hours on direct flights from Toronto Pearson to St. John’s International Airport. Yet belongings still make the long haul by truck and ferry, which is why many people choose to fly ahead while movers manage the heavy transport. This mix of roads, sea, and air defines the true scope of travel between Ontario and Newfoundland.

The distance will intimidate even the person who has relocated several times

What does Newfoundland offer?

Even though relatively small in size compared to other Canadian provinces, Newfoundland has a lot to offer.

Population and economy

Nestled in Atlantic Canada, Newfoundland refers to the island portion of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, which had an estimated population of 545,579 in Q2 2025. It remains lightly populated, with a land area near 373,872 km², yielding a sparse density of about 1.4 people/km²—a stark contrast to Ontario’s urban centers that buzz with activity.

The economic engine of the island thrives on its marine sectors, which contribute 30% of provincial GDP and employ nearly 17% of the workforce—far higher than national averages. Beyond the ocean, aquaculture has emerged as a vital industry—with a market value exceeding $276 million and more than 2,500 mainly full‑time jobs. The province also benefits from robust extractive industries: fish, oil, minerals, and forestry collectively account for approximately 33% of GDP.

Education and student opportunities in Newfoundland

Nestled within Newfoundland’s coastal regions, schools often offer smaller class sizes compared to many Ontario districts. Student life in Newfoundland might seem calm, but it is equally enriching. For example, the average K–9 class size in the Gander/Grand Falls‑Windsor region sits around 23 students, while high school classes average 26—numbers that reflect stronger chances for attentive instruction and student engagement. On the post-secondary front, Memorial University of Newfoundland stands out as Atlantic Canada’s largest university with approximately 17,882 students enrolled in fall 2024, including both undergraduate and graduate learners.

About 20% of its student body is international, with nearly 40% of graduate students coming from abroad—adding global perspectives to the campus community. Meanwhile, the Grenfell Campus in Corner Brook hosts around 1,300 undergraduate students across a range of arts, sciences, business, and fine arts programs. Living and studying here often means experiencing a more personable academic environment than sprawling Ontario campuses. Within weeks, families see that education, affordability, and rich campus life combine to make moving from Ontario to Newfoundland an opportunity for students—and their parents—to thrive.

The classes might be smaller, but that offers another level of enrichment for the kids

Healthcare access and services across Newfoundland

Healthcare matters deeply when you relocate, and Newfoundland’s layout makes it feel quite different than the dense network Ontario offers. In St. John’s, the Health Sciences Centre stands as the province’s main acute‑care teaching hospital, closely partnered with Memorial University and connected to specialized units like the Janeway Children’s Health and Rehabilitation Centre with its 80 pediatric beds.

In Corner Brook, the Western Memorial Regional Hospital, featuring 192 beds, serves about 82,000 residents across western Newfoundland. Towns like Gander rely on the James Paton Memorial Health Centre, which offers around 92 beds for central parts of the island.

Otherwise, rural residents reach one of the 13 hospitals or one of 15 regional health centers scattered across the province. In isolated places such as Hopedale, care comes from small clinics staffed by nurses with physicians available only via video or periodic visits, and serious cases require air ambulance to Happy Valley–Goose Bay. With travel to the nearest doctor often more than 35 km, and to the nearest hospital averaging 30 km for rural Canadians, Newfoundland families understand that geography affects access to care. That’s why registering with the provincial health plan immediately becomes essential to avoid coverage delays.

Entertainment, culture, and community life

Newfoundland’s culture comes alive in its streets, music, and landscapes. In St. John’s, Water Street and Duckworth Street showcase colorful heritage buildings, while nearby George Street is famous for pubs and live music, capped by the annual George Street Festival. The LSPU Hall and the Arts and Culture Centre add theater, galleries, and concerts to the mix, ensuring the arts stay central to community life.

Heritage sites deepen this identity. Families often climb Signal Hill, visit The Rooms Museum, or join the NL Folk Festival, where fiddle tunes and crafts connect generations. Outdoors, the East Coast Trail spans more than 330 km, offering iceberg views and whale-watching opportunities, while Gros Morne National Park combines fjords, hikes, and kayaking tours into unforgettable experiences. Together, these traditions and landscapes create a lifestyle where culture and community blend seamlessly.

Even though sparsely populated, there are still lots of things to do

All of this for a lower price!

When comparing Ontario vs Newfoundland, Ontario remains noticeably higher than Newfoundland across most categories. In Ontario, a single person spends about $2,224 per month with rent, while a family of four reaches $4,852. Rent and utilities drive much of this gap, with monthly costs averaging $1,390 for one person and $2,242 for families. By contrast, Newfoundland’s housing is more affordable, at $903 for one person and $1,530 for families, bringing the total monthly spend down to $1,765 and $4,153. Food prices are slightly higher on the island—$628 for one person versus $567 in Ontario—yet transportation is drastically cheaper, at just $56 per person, compared to Ontario’s $145. While average after-tax salaries are lower in Newfoundland ($2,545 vs. $3,048), the reduced housing and transport costs keep life manageable. Even in the expensive climate of 2025, Newfoundland offers affordability without sacrificing quality of life.

Settle into Newfoundland with confidence

No matter if you choose one of the best cities to live in Newfoundland or some less popular places, these tips apply:

• Register for MCP (Medical Care Plan): Bring your Ontario health card, proof of Newfoundland address, and ID to Service NL.
• Switch your Ontario license: Do it at Motor Registration in Mount Pearl or Corner Brook; expect slower lines than Service Ontario.
• Inspect your car: Out-of-province inspections often fail due to Ontario salt rust—common in Paradise and Torbay garages.
• Set up utilities: Contact Newfoundland Power and Hydro; order oil delivery early if your home uses a tank.
• Buy a snow shovel in August: Canadian Tire in St. John’s sells out fast; grab ice melt and a scraper too.
• Combat dry air: Winters dry out quicker than in Toronto; humidifiers, cream, and lip balm are must-haves.
• Know garbage rules: Black bags bi-weekly, blue bags alternate weeks—download the city waste app.
• Test Metrobus early: Routes are limited; MyBus passes from Sobeys save money on core lines.
• Register kids for school: Bring Ontario records; French immersion spots are fewer than in Ottawa.
• Update CRA address: Avoid missing rebates—Service Canada on Crosbie Road handles it fast.
• Meet locals fast: Visit the Saturday farmers’ market on Freshwater Road your first weekend.
• Prepare for wind: Buy a heavy-duty umbrella—Ontario umbrellas collapse instantly in St. John’s gusts.

Moving from Ontario to Newfoundland will have your whole life upside down, for sure!

Why trust Centennial moving for this relocation

Experience matters when tackling such a complex move. Centennial Moving Canada has handled thousands of long-haul relocations. That record proves reliability. Families can trust that every detail, from ferry schedules to storage, is accounted for.

Therefore, working with experts saves both money and stress. Clear estimates replace vague numbers, and communication remains open at all times. Movers handle heavy lifting so you can focus on family, work, or school. This difference changes the tone of the entire process. Instead of endless worry, you feel guided step by step thanks to  the extensive list of services that we offer.

These are the moving services that we offer to make your relocation easier:

• City to City moving

• Long Distance moving

• Province to Province moving

• Cross Country moving

• Canada to USA relocations

• Storage solutions

• Car shipping services

FAQs about moving from Ontario to Newfoundland

Do movers really have to take the ferry, and which one?
Yes—there’s no alternative. Trucks from Ontario board the Marine Atlantic ferry at North Sydney, Nova Scotia, bound for either Port aux Basques or Argentia. The Port aux Basques route is quicker at 7 hours, while Argentia takes 16 but lands you closer to St. John’s. If your shipment is scheduled in winter, movers almost always choose Port aux Basques, since the Argentia run doesn’t operate in the off-season. Storms in the Cabot Strait can delay sailings, so trucks often spend a night idling in North Sydney before boarding.

Will my Ontario car need changes before hitting Newfoundland roads?
Almost certainly. Every car must pass an out-of-province inspection before getting Newfoundland plates, and Ontario vehicles often fail on the first try due to underbody rust. Mechanics in Mount Pearl, Paradise, and Torbay see it constantly. Also, studded tires—illegal in much of Ontario—are perfectly legal here, and most locals use them between November and April. Many movers schedule a tire swap in Nova Scotia before the ferry crossing.

Do movers really deliver during Newfoundland’s wild weather?
Yes, though timing is tricky. In Ontario, a snowstorm might mean an extra hour on the 401. In Newfoundland, a blizzard at Wreckhouse can shut the Trans-Canada Highway completely for a day. Movers plan around these choke points and often store shipments overnight in Stephenville or Corner Brook to wait out the wind. If your delivery is heading to St. John’s, the final leg over the Avalon Peninsula may take longer than expected, even if the truck is already on the island.

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Moving from Ontario to Newfoundland will give you aa fresh start on the Atlantic Edge

Relocations of this scale test preparation and patience. Yet with clear planning and professional help, success is within reach. Moving from Ontario to Newfoundland opens doors to affordable housing, strong communities, and rich cultural life. Centennial Moving Canada ensures that the process feels smooth from start to finish. Contact us today and take the first step toward your new chapter.