It isn't that big a deal to drive up. My father lives in near Halifax. I typically make it a two day drive from Virginia. 650 miles to Boston and the next day Maine, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. I've taken the Ferry from Maine across to Yarmouth but it is an overnight trip. If you haven't been to NS it is BEAUTIFUL with over 4300 miles of rocky coast not to mention the Bay of Fundy with 35 to 51 foot changes between hi and lo tides.