At 3.8 million sq. miles, Canada is the world’s second-largest country. This implies that the best way to witness the beauty of Canada is to hop in the car & drive. Along your way, you will gape at glacier-carved peaks, bird-filled marshlands, & everything in between. Sounds interesting? Well, it definitely is! There is no dearth of scenic stops in Canada, thus making your road trip a memorable one. But knowing where to head in such a vast land might seem a bit daunting. But don’t worry! We got your back. In this guide, we will discuss the best road trips in Canada so that you know where you must head for a fulfilling experience. So, let us begin!

 

Best Road Trips In Canada

If the visual of being behind the wheel while driving among some of the most beautiful places excites you, then the following are the best road trips in Canada to look out for!

  • Icefields Parkway, Alberta 

Ranked the best road trip in the world, Icefields Parkway stretches up to 232 kilometers through Jasper National Park & Banff National Park. This journey invites you to look at the breathtaking, mind-blowing scenery, including mighty mountains, waterfalls, turquoise-coloured rivers & lakes, glaciers, and much more. 

While the drive from Banff to Jasper takes up to 3-4 hours, you’ll probably want to budget for all the stops that you will make to click photographs, take short hikes, and take full tours at Columbia Glacier. 

Popular stops include Lake Louise, Sunwapta Falls, Peyto Lake, Columbia Icefield, etc. For people coming from Calgary to Banff, you just have to continue towards Lake Louise & then head on Highway 93. 

 

  • Cowboy Trail, Alberta 

If you wish to look at some prairie & mountains, then Cowboy Trail is the road trip for you. Primarily located just the south of Calgary, you could begin your experiences in the province’s largest city. 

In addition, there are other things to explore in Calgary, like Glenbow Museum, Heritage Park, Studio Bell, etc. Moreover, if you are up for a party, then visit Calgary Stampede, also known as the greatest outdoor show on earth. You can even stop by Alberta Boot Company & grab some cowboy boots & clothing.

What’s more? Apart from these places, you can pass a lot of scenic beauties, like Turner Valley, Black Diamond, Okotoks, Longview, and Pincher Creek. So, plan your trip already!

 

  • Banff To Vancouver Via Trans-Canada Highway 

Another one of the best road trips is the Trans-Canada Highway. 

The Trans-Canada Highway will take you across the country, but in our opinion, the most beautiful path is from Calgary to Vancouver. After just an hour or so, you will arrive in Banff with gorgeous scenery. Well, it’s a 900-kilometer drive that takes you through Yoho National Park, Banff National Park, Glacier National Park, and Vancouver. 

Moreover, this drive can be done in 12 hours, but we are sure you might want to take as long as possible to look at those breathtaking views. In addition, there are also several side trips which you can take. They include Highway 93 into Radium Hot Springs & Highway 97, which takes you down to Kelowna & Okanagan Valley.

 

  • Sea To Sky Highway, British Columbia 

This is one of the shortest & best road trips in this guide, especially if you live in Vancouver or surrounding areas. The Sea to Sky Highway connects Vancouver with Whistler, which is less than two hours away, thus making it the most popular trip from Vancouver. 

Witness the west coast and amazing spots like Shannon Falls, Whytecliff Park, Britannia Mine Museum, etc. 

In addition, there’s also a Sea to Sky Gondola providing unforgettable views & a suspension bridge. Apart from this, Whistler provides all sorts of adventurous activities. So, don’t forget to experience this beautiful highway along with doing other fun things in Vancouver. 

 

  • Vancouver Island, British Columbia 

Undoubtedly, Vancouver Island is the most beautiful place in Canada and houses some of the best things to do in the province. Besides having one of the mildest climates, it is home to numerous landscapes, like rainforests, mountains, scenic towns, and rugged coastlines. This makes this island an excellent place for a road trip! 

Moreover, Vancouver Island has many beautiful gardens, surfing, whale-watching, etc. Well, two famous places to visit are Victoria & Tofino, which are on the opposite side of the island. Thus, while driving between Victoria & Tofino, don’t forget to stop at Cathedral Grove. Finally, conclude the road trip by watching Tofino’s sunset. Trust us – you’ll love it! 

 

  • Dempster Highway, Yukon 

As Canada’s only all-weather trip that moves past the Arctic Circle, the Dempster Highway is one of Canada’s most unique road trips. But this is not your average highway! 

The Dempster Highway is a 700-kilometer isolated dirt road with just one service station., that too along the Eagle Plains. Therefore, this trip takes a little extra preparation than others & will be much harder on your vehicle than any other road trip. 

However, those who are still going to choose this adventure will be rewarded with incredible arctic scenery & a chance to drive to the Arctic Ocean & Tuktoyaktuk. 

Some Additional Tips Include: 

  • Distance is measured in kilometers, not miles. All road signs are in kilometers & one kilometer equals 0.62 miles. 
  • Interacting on a hand-held device while driving is against Canadian laws. 
  • As you pass an emergency vehicle, slow down & move over. 
  • If you plan to either stop or stay in the national parks, you are required to buy a park pass. 
  • Drive cautiously in construction zones, busy summer traffic, winter conditions, wildlife corridors, etc. 
  • Some places in rural areas are only open in summer. Thus, it’s best to call ahead in the off-season. 

 

Wrapping Up! 

Canada is a beautiful place with breathtaking views. No matter wherever you go, some things & places will definitely blow your mind away. 

However, the six road trips mentioned above are the best road trips you must look out for. There are several others as well. In addition, it is best to note the tips mentioned above while going on a road trip. 

We’ll highly recommend you take these trips because if you go here once, you are bound to come back again & again.