1

What time of year do you plan on the drive ? With your while life in the vehicle... On the US transit options,you might want to have proof of employment in Regina.... This to present to US border officers if the questions become sharp...carracar

2

The cheapest and easiest would clearly be to head south once you are off the ferry in Nova Scotia and get on the US Interstate system in Maine, taking I-95 and I-90 to Fargo ND, then I-29 to Winnipeg and then the TCH to Regina. Regrettably, there's still too many kilometers of 2 lane highway along the route in Canada for it to be fuel or time efficient. The Interstate system was made for uninterrupted long distance driving. Winnipeg to Regina is the only part in Canada worth driving as you'll be on divided 4 lane highway and probably only need to fuel up once in Canada. That said, along with the extra cost and time, driving in Canada will allow you to experience much of Canada you may never see otherwise. Of course, if traveling in the dead of winter, that may not be a great option.

3

A heavily laden car will get poor fuel economy regardless. Slightly over inflate the very good or new,tires. Avoid exterior racks & install a new air filter...Follow the Gas Buddy site for best fuel prices... Should you choose the US option...Down the I-95 to the 202 into Albany,NY. Drive the (non toll as far as Cleveland) I-88/86 to the I-90-94...Happy trails...carracar

4

Also try and swing wide around Chicago if travelling during day or travel through in the dead of night. I-80 across the southern suburbs can get particularly choked as can the Tri State Tollway. Buy gas in Indiana and avoid buying in Illinois.

5

Avoid avoid avoid chicago area traffic!
US highways definitely quicker, and gas a bit cheaper.

6

Yes, you wil save a few gas dollars by going through the US. If you choose to do this, make sure, as suggested that you have documentation regarding your status as a registered student, confirmed housing etc as I've seen the US border guys very antsy about people who look like they might be staying.

But the way I would look at it is as a journey across your homeland. I've traveled by road almost everywhere in Canada now and I am always amazed and awed by the landscapes and the people. A roadtrip through the Maritimes was an experience that awakened an immense pride in me, to the diversityof the people, the tiny little hamlets with a whisp of smoke coming off the chimney at 5 am, lights in window as I flew past in the dark.

Just yesterday I returned from Regina to Vancouver, taking my time over 4 days to enjoy the scenary and stop and see whatever interested me. It's an amazing journey. Even the prairies are not boring, everchanging. Have some great music in the car with you. I have hundreds of CDs that I've never digitalized so I took them along in a box with a notebook beside. I listened, fast forwarded, made notes about the songs that were special enough to bother transferrring to my ipod. It was really interesting.