yep.

Way too much. What do you mean , "visit Cabot trail?" Are you just going to visit a part of it ? You don't have time to drive around it and enjoy it.

So, it looks like I will cut the Cape Breton island this time as well. That leaves me with 2 days in PEI and 2 days in Halifax. Rest as leisurely driving. Does that sound reasonable?
If the choice is between Halifax and Cabot trail, which one to drop? I had been to Halifax before. Explored the city in 3 days. But my wife never been. This would be the first time she is travelling beyond QC.

Cabot trail is some of the most spectacular scenery in Canada, but is best appreciated when the weather is fine. If possible, I suggest you plan to spend your time there rather than Halifax but stay flexible so if rain and fog are predicted for the Cabot trail, stay in Halifax instead.

My personal choice would be to eliminate PEI. Pleasant farmland and picturesque villages, but not too different from what you will see elsewhere. At the very least, if you consider local mussels and lobster highlights, make sure they are in season at the time and location you will be visiting. Fishing seasons vary throughout the maritimes, so what you are being served is not necessarily local.

Definitely drop Halifax especially given that you have already been there & head for Cape Breton. You missed it once, don't miss it again! Cape Breton Island, & The Cabot Trail in particular, is spectacularly beautiful. You need time to explore at a leisurely pace. I would allow 3 days for the Cabot Taril which factors in a a "fog day".

I saw in this morning's Globe and Mail that Air Canada is having a seat sale. Instead of driving, have you considered flying to Halifax from Toronto? It's a 2 hour flight. Rent your car @ Halifax airport then head for Cape Breton! Westjet also flies to Halifax from Hamilton & Toronto. And, Porter from the island airport downtown TO.

OB1

Thanks all for wonderful tips. I am dropping the idea of driving. I am now in search of good flight deals. When I find some, i will make the trip and rent a car at Halifax. I might not stay in Halifax. Just visit PEI and Cabot trail. Cannot drop PEI as we have some old friends there.
Thanks to all

Just in case you're not aware, Halifax is a fair drive from the Halifax airport so I would skip going there. If your plane gets in late in the day, you might want to stay by the airport and pick your car up the next morning. There are several hotels just minutes away (I prefer the Quality Inn) that will pick you up and take you back to the car rentals the next day, all for a tip to the driver. As far as Cape Breton you might want to spend one night in Mabou for music & hiking, and 2 in Cheticamp for access to the Skyline Trail.

i make the trip to new Brunswick at least once a year and spend at least 4 weeks there visiting and touring .
first i would stay in Saint-Apollinaire, QC at the http://www.econolodgestapollinaire.com/ very clean and has half decent continental breakfast. there is a motel ran by same company down road as you first come off highway it it is a little cheaper but alot older than the hotel . great beds very nice staff .
second i would forget moncton, has plenty to do but costs more to see if you want to see more leave moncton and head to hopewell then head over to shediac have an awesome lobster dinner take a picture with the world largest lobster . if money is not an object they have lobster cruises with shediac bay cruises .
plan your trip to the rocks according to tides you might want to check out http://www.thehopewellrocks.ca/learning-centre/tide-tables
if your timing right you can make it to the lobster
festival in shediac NB it runs until july 15 .
in my opinion the woodchuck in Bucktouche is NOT to be missed.
the bridge to PEI is probably the highlight of the trip to PEI it is a beautiful place but just alot of scenery to be honest unless you insist on seeing it there is a little motel that is very nice and affordable in summerside PEI http://www.sunnyislemotel.com/ . you can visit the bottle house or if you plan on going charlottetown way stay at the The Hotel on Pownal amazing staff affordable rates and THE steady supply of FRESH BAKED CHOCOLATE COOKIES IN THE LOBBY are to die for. check out the free nightly light show at the
parliament building its pretty impressive
now on to nova scotia . even if you go to pei
it is faster to drive back over than to take the ferry .
you cannot really just visit the cabot trail it would take forever it is a about 600kms to do the whole trail if its scenery you are after go to peggys cove it is on the lighthouse route .been to halifax several times stayed there 2 times . be careful where you stay . the casino is not worth it so dont bother. the tall ships are going to be in halifax july 19 - 23 and area ports til the 29th. u can see schedule here http://my-waterfront.ca/tallships/the-ports.
anyway have a wonderful trip . all of the maritime's are beautiful