Used to drop down through the US (N.H./Maine) at times if I was heading to a few customers around St John, NBI like going through the northern US when going into Quebec. The route isn’t that much longer, fuel is cheaper and the road is much more interesting.
Great scenery and a spectacular hotel if you can afford the stay.
You can also plan on a stay at the hotel in St. Andrew N.B.
Then you can take the ferry from St. John over to N.S.
ST. John is a nice place as well if you can time it for one of their summer festivals