The easternmost section of the Trans-Canada Highway begins in Port aux Basques. The local ferry port connects the island with North Sydney in the province of Nova Scotia, 90% of the ferry traffic to Newfoundland is handled via this ferry connection; in North Sydney is the continuation of the Trans-Canada Highway. The route heads northwest out of the city and meets the west coast of Newfoundland there. The route runs from there in a northeasterly direction, in Stephenville Crossing the route 490 branches off to the east, via which Stephenville and Cape St. George can be reached. The route continues to Corner Brook and Deer Lake . Route 430 branches off in Deer Lake, which opens up the Great Northern Peninsula with the northernmost town of Newfoundland St. Anthony .
The route runs from there to the east to South Brook , where the route swings south to the small town of Badger . From there, the route continues in an easterly way. East of Gander is Gander International Airport , the route swings to the southeast and reaches the Terra Nova National Park . Use of the park is chargeable, direct transit without stopping is free. The route continues south and reaches the Avalon Peninsula at Sunnyside . The route runs first to the southeast, then further east and then to the northeast. It reaches the provincial capital St. John's and ends there in the north of the city.