Doing a Canada Road Trip had been a dream of mine for years, ever since first seeing photos of Moraine Lake and the Canadian Rockies. The snowy mountains, icy glaciers, endless lakes, mountain towns, abundant wildlife, coastal beaches and vibrant cities made western Canada feel unlike anywhere else I had travelled before.
The hardest part of planning a Canada road trip itinerary is choosing where to go, because there are simply too many incredible places and never enough time. For this route, we challenged ourselves to maximise 2 weeks in Canada, driving thousands of kilometres from Calgary to Vancouver through Alberta and British Columbia.
This western Canada road trip included Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, the Icefields Parkway, Clearwater, Whistler, Squamish, Vancouver Island and Vancouver. It gave us two of the best travel weeks of our lives, packed with hiking, mountain views, wildlife, lakes, forests, beaches and unforgettable road trip moments.
In summer 2023, Roisin and I travelled to western Canada for a classic adventure-focused road trip. Our goal was simple: hike as much as possible, experience the Canadian Rockies, explore British Columbia and build the most exciting 2-week route we could. If you are planning a Canadian Rockies trip or trying to work out the best way to drive from Calgary to Vancouver, this guide covers the route, costs, logistics and lessons we learnt along the way.
Despite usually booking our trips independently, we found a fantastic deal with Canadian Affair to help us book the trip. It gave us the flexibility to modify the original itinerary and saved us a lot of stress in booking accommodations, flights, car rentals and ferries. Our Canadian Road Trip starts in Calgary and finishes in Vancouver, travelling through Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, the Pacific Ranges and Vancouver Island. This Canada Road Trip itinerary will cover the logistics and planning for the 16 days, focusing on hiking and outdoor adventures.
Canada Road Trip Overview
Canada Road Trip Stats
Canada Road Trip Questions
What Type of Travellers?
You will see tourists from all corners of the world flock to do a Canada Road Trip, exploring the Canadian Rockies in Alberta and the Coastal Mountains in British Columbia (BC). A Canada Road Trip has boomed in popularity with options to use motorhomes, campgrounds, Campsites, Hotels or AirBnB for maximum flexibility. We used Hotels/Aparthotels, so I cannot comment on the campsites properly. From my research, the campsites were slightly cheaper but booked up much earlier. We both love the outdoors and hiking to high mountain summits and passes, so be aware that these are challenging hikes. There were many potential hiking routes I researched, and details are coming soon in the Day-by-Day post.
When to Visit?
The best (and therefore busiest) time to visit is peak summer in July and August. Our Canada Road Trip was from the end of August to the middle of September, hoping to see the early autumn. When we visited Jasper, the wildfires were causing issues and low visibility. But overall, the weather was typically summer. In the Rockies, it can be unpredictable, so be prepared for Rain and Sun. We looked at starting in September to embrace the autumnal colours, but this would have traded off for the hiking.
When to book?
We started to look in January, as that is when we found the Canadian Affair deal. I had done some preliminary research into the towns to visit, and that helped us modify the itinerary. I would recommend booking around 6 months in advance as places like Banff and Whistler book up fast. There are many package operators to help ease the pain of booking it all yourself. But independently booking it can make for a more tailored Canadian Rockies trip, and it’s what we will try next time. Flights will be cheaper the earlier you book as well.
How long to visit?
It depends on what type of trip you’re looking for. If you are focusing on Alberta (Banff, Yoho and Jasper) or British Columbia (Vancouver, Vancouver Island and Whistler), then a week might be sufficient. But to have a Canada road trip covering both provinces and thousands of miles, then 2 weeks is a minimum. Our Canada Road trip was 16 days and could have easily been 3/4 weeks if annual leave wasn’t limited.
How expensive is it?
Unfortunately, Canada is not a cheap country, and you should budget accordingly. I would say it’s comparable to the UK, with Vancouver and London being similar for food and drinks. We kept a tight budget by self-catering for half the trip, not excessively drinking, and we didn’t do any activities or equipment rental (canoes/bikes, etc.).
Canada Road Trip Essentials
The Canada Road Trip Route
We started the Canada Road Trip in Calgary and travelled through the Canadian Rockies from Banff up to Jasper. Then we drove across to the Pacific Coast Mountains and Whistler before we got the ferry over to Vancouver Island. After a few days exploring the Pacific Rim National Park and Victoria, we finished in Vancouver.
Canada Road Trip Itinerary
The original Canada Road trip plan had an extra night on Vancouver Island, which we traded for an extra night in Banff to hike more near Lake Louise. It is worth noting that because our trip wasn’t a loop, there was a one-way car drop-off fee of $400CAD, which is common for car rentals. We also tweaked the ferry times to give us plenty of time to drive across Vancouver Island to Ucluelet. Canadian Affair was great at making the changes and did not push unnecessary upgrades.
Flying out with WestJet was painless with comfy EcoStandard, and the hold bags were included in the price. It was simple, where we had vouchers printed off which we exchanged with the hotels, car companies and ferry providers. Some hotels had free parking, and others required paying for but this was not an issue with Whistler being the most expensive by far!
Canada Road Trip Logistics
VISA / ETA
To get entry to Canada, you will require a VISA or an eTA Electronic Travel Authorisation. It is super easy to apply on the Government website and only costs 7 $CAD. Ours was approved within an hour, and then at the airport, it was quick using the electronic machines to activate. The eTA is then valid for 5 years or until your passport expires.
Parks Pass
To access and drive in the beautiful National Parks, you’ll need to buy a Discovery Pass. There are checkpoints upon entering the National Parks, and it works out better value to buy a Family 1-year pass (up to 7 in a vehicle) for around $150CAD instead of individual passes for $75CAD each. It’s best to pre-book and get it delivered with plenty of time before you fly out and save buying upon entry.
Transport
Canada is the second-largest country in the world, which means getting around it requires a vehicle. Public transport can get you so far, but to fully embrace the scenery and have the freedom to explore, it’s best to rent a vehicle for a road trip. The debate is Motorhomes vs Car… We explored campervans and RVs, but in the end, we preferred the familiarity of a car for driving in towns/cities and for a true Canada Road trip.
Flights
Flying from London to Vancouver directly is possible but expensive. So we opted to fly to Calgary with WestJet, and that meant on the return leg, we had to transfer at Calgary airport. We did not consider Seattle, but that is an option if you are focusing on British Columbia and Vancouver.
Accommodation
The main options are hotels, campsites for tents or motorhomes or AirBnBs. We debated getting a campervan, but the campsites were getting booked up fast, so we were happy with the comfort of 3* hotels as it was within our budget. We spent the 1st week in 3* hotels (Banff, Jasper & Clearwater) and then had Aparthotels with kitchens. This meant we ate out at restaurants the 1st week and cooked the remaining time apart from in Vancouver.
Shopping & Petrol
We stocked up in Calgary on groceries and supplies at Safeway, which had an incredible variety of fresh produce. As we were hiking in Bear Country, we popped into MEC to buy bear spray, which needed a form filled out. It’s worth noting that it’s harder to dispose of unused bear spray with no proper drop-off areas, and obviously, they’re forbidden on planes. We found plenty of good supermarkets in each town to top up our supplies for cooking meals. Shops in Canada don’t include the GST (VAT) on the price tags, so add 5% onto the bill. We easily used Revolut to pay for our travels and didn’t need any cash in the end.
Calgary & Canmore
Our Canada Road trip started in Calgary, the gateway city to the Canadian Rockies and the best place to get ready before the real adventure begins. As expected from a big city, there are plenty of shops, entertainment, dining out options and activities around. We didn’t have time to go up the Calgary Tower or to visit any museums. And the famous Calgary Stampede rodeo and festival happens in July, so our August trip missed the business. Prince’s Island Park is worth exploring near the river, as you wander through a nature reserve and can walk over the Peace Bridge.
Just outside the National Park is Canmore, an old western-looking town that is the perfect base camp for adventure. Surrounded by high mountains, many cycling and walking trails in the valley and white water sports along the raging river. A great town for winter sports as well as various restaurants, shops and bars to keep you busy after a day out. Hai Ling Peak is the mountain hike that appealed most to me, but we couldn’t schedule it into the itinerary.
Banff National Park
Banff was the jewel of the Canada Road trip! A charming mountain town surrounded by huge mountains and in close proximity to Lake Louise. The National Park is the oldest in Canada and one of the most popular for a reason. Due to this fact, places book up quickly around Banff, but they do accommodate all budgets. The pedestrianised centre is full of bustling outdoor shops, food and drink spots and places to keep you entertained.
Note: The routes we hiked are in bold, and more details of the days and stats are coming in the next post.
Hikes
- Mount St.Piran and the Plain of 6 Glaciers: After a stunning Lake Louise sunrise, the hike up to Mount St.Piran offers a remarkable panoramic view from the summit. The trail is busy up to the Big Beehive & Lake Agnes Tea house, then enjoy the steep climb to Piran. Most people won’t continue to the Plain of Six Glaciers, but best to make use of the precious Lake Louise shuttle reservation. The Himalayan-style teahouse is a pretty break before the moraine ridge walk up to the top glacial viewpoint. 1280m climbing on our 1st day hike in the Canadian Rockies
- Corey & Edith Pass: A day hike close to Banff (15min drive) and holds the amazing Gargoyle Valley. A loop route with over 1000m of climbing over alpine scenery, rocky valleys and pine forests. The sheer rock face of Mt. Louis is eye-catching, and the hard work of climbing to the viewpoint feels worth it.
- Tunnel Mountain Sunrise Hike: The backdrop of Banff, which slightly obscures the higher Mount Rundle behind. A short and steady switchback hike up through the forest to reach the summit with nice views back across town, of Mount Rundle and Cascade Mountain.
- Moraine Lake shoreline Walk: One of our shortest walks but most enjoyable along the shores of Moraine Lake to the top end of the lake. It offers a different view from the classic postcard. It’s not the longest or most exciting, but you can get away from the bigger tourist groups by the boat house.
- Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass: The hike that got away due to timings and the minimum group of 4 required. This moderate hike has special views of the 10 peaks and then leads into Sentinel Pass towards Paradise Valley.
- Sulphur Mountain: Instead of taking the Gondola to the summit, the cheap option is to hike up. The rewards are views of Banff, Bow Valley, Lake Minnewanka in the distance and multiple mountain ranges.
- Lake Minnewanka & Two-Jack Lakes: 2 of the most famous lakes in Canada and some of the most photographed. If we had an extra day in Banff, we would have explored this area. The Aylmer Lookout trail was most appealing and is on the list for next time.
Food & Drink
- Nourish Bistro: A healthy vegetarian and very popular restaurant in town that has creative takes on classics. With a tapas-style menu, there are plenty of options to mix with the Poutine being my favourite. Be prepared to wait, but there are lots of indoor and outdoor seating options
- Zyka: A surprisingly delicious Indian Restaurant hidden above the high street. Curry isn’t our go-to post-hike cuisine, but after missing out on the Lupo happy hour, we were extremely satisfied. The quality of curry and side dishes was better or as good as any UK Indian I’ve visited.
- Lupo Italian: The Cocktail and Pizza Happy Hour is insanely good value for money. The interior is modern Italian, and if lucky, a terrace table is available. Enjoy a delicious cocktail that costs as little as $7 and Pizza for $16, which was Neapolitan style and tasty!
- Block Kitchen & Bar: The only bar we visited, but we were very glad we sat out watching the world go by. I had a Maple Syrup-inspired Old Fashioned and Roisin had an Aperol Spritz.
- Good Earth Coffee House: After not liking the hotel drip or filter coffee, Good Earth fixed that with very good coffee, despite not being the cheapest.
Amenities
- Grocery Store: IGA and Nesters are the main grocery stores, but they are not as big as the Safeway in Canmore. You’ll get everything you need in these stores for a reasonable price.
- Petrol Station: There are two Shell stations and a Petro-Canada in Banff, and the price was lower than expected compared to British Columbia
- Hiking Gear and Shops: Being in Banff, every popular outdoor clothing brand like North Face, Patagonia, Lululemon, Fjallraven and many other outdoor shops are lining the streets. Alongside multiple souvenir shops and ice cream parlours.
Icefields Parkway
Lake Louise
The Trans-Canada Highway is the best road I’ve ever driven! The choice of amazing must-see places is one reason why it takes 8-9 hours to drive to Jasper on the most incredible day of the Canada Road Trip. The drive from Banff to Lake Louise is very picturesque, and we weren’t tempted to stop by Johnston Canyon. Moraine Lake and Lake Louise need no introduction; let’s be honest, they’re one of the main reasons to visit. The Fairmont Chateau Hotel might have the best room view of any.
We had hoped to hike the Larches Valley and Sentinel Pass hike, but this trail was shut due to Bear activity, so a great reason to return. For more info on planning your Lake Louise trip, visit Parks Canada, as Moraine Lake in particular is limited in accessibility, with the only option from 2023 being the shuttle bus (no early morning car park like Lake Louise).
Peyto Lake
After turning off Highway 1 onto Highway 93, the real fun begins. A quick pull-in is all that is required for Bow Lake, which is vast and has parking along the highway. The next stop is Peyto Lake, which attracts huge crowds due to the easily accessible viewpoint. Be patient for pictures as everyone is apparently a model on a photoshoot. The next section of the road trip north is unworldly, where you’ll pass under peaks, following rivers and skirting along numerous lakes. After passing the only petrol station on Icefields Parkways at the Saskaten River crossing (with an extra 50% cost vs Banff or Jasper prices), you’ll quickly return and test your driving on the BIG BEND.
Athabasca Glacier & Sunwapta Falls
Athabasca Glacier is worth stopping at, especially when driving along the gravel track to get to the glacier car park. A short hike up to the viewpoints reveals the vast Glacier between the peaks, with off-road school buses taking people onto the Glacier itself. The last top before Jasper was the Sunwapta Falls, which is another recognisable attraction but much quieter than the ones closer to Banff. There were a few places that we missed out on, with the main hike being Wilcox Pass for a glacier approach.
Jasper National Park
Jasper is the quieter and more relaxed sibling of Banff. The town feels embraced by nature, and we saw this when a black bear and doe were seen in the neighbourhood. There are all the outdoor adventure options of Canmore in Jasper and it is close to Maligne Lake and the famous Spirit Island.
Hikes
- Opal Hills / Bald Hills: A tricky decision between the 2 hikes starting from Maligne Lake, but we chose the steeper and quieter path. Unfortunately, clouds obscured all our views of the Lake and mountains.
- Sulphur Skyline: The top of the list from my research, but the trailhead was closed when we went in 2023, so I was a little disappointed. Starting at Miette Hot Springs and ascending to some epic panoramic views, it will be for sure the next hike I do in Jasper!
- Pyramid Mountain: Recommended by a couple while hiking Cory & Edith Park, this mammoth hike is a full day, with over half along a fire road and then climbing up. Totalling 28km and 1770m ascent, it is for experienced hikers and is now on my bucket list.
- Mount Edith Cavell Meadows: One of the highest-rated AllTrail routes with a 7km hike and 500m+ climbing. Get a stunning view of the overhanging glacier and the alpine trail up.
- Valley of the 5 Lakes: An easy valley walk to see the emerald green and blue lakes, great for family hikes.
- Whistler Peak & Indian Ridge: There is the Sky Tram to the summit or a long 1000m hike up to the summit. From here, you can continue to Indian Ridge.
Food & Drink
- Jasper Pizza Place: Honestly, not my favourite Pizza as we sat outside, pretty cold, and the Pizza was nice, but didn’t blow Roisin or me away.
- The Raven Bistro: Highly rated for a reason! One of my favourite meals is next to an ice cream shop, which is handy. The wine was excellent, and despite not having a large menu, the produce and flavours were incredible. It is slightly more expensive than other restaurants, but worth it. Go early or pre-book a table as it is a hot spot in town.
- Bear’s Paw Bakery: To fuel myself properly for hiking, I usually brought a pastry, and the Bear’s Paw Bakery was my favourite, with the signature namesake (a caramel cinnamon roll), which was mouth-wateringly good.
Amenities
- Grocery Store: The TGP and Circle K stores are the main options, and both are small but have surprisingly good options.
- Petrol Station: Shell was the station we used, and there is a Petro-Canada further north in town. Fuel is cheaper in Jasper, Alberta, compared to Whistler, British Columbia.
- Hiking Shops – The main hiking store we used was Pure Outdoors, where we picked up a Hydration Bladder for Roisin and were tempted by multiple other items. There are a few other outdoor shops and some small souvenir shops.
Spending longer in Jasper?
If you are extending your Canadian Rockies trip north, read our complete Jasper Guide Week long itinerary.
Read the Barcelona Guide
Whistler
Whistler is world-famous for its skiing and mountain biking. Unfortunately, I cannot comment on either of these 2 but it did provide one of the best days hiking I’ve done in my life. It’s a town that feels upmarket, and the prices of everything reflect that. The streets are busy, especially in the summer and winter months, but the surrounding provincial parks are sublime and every adventurer’s dream playground.
Hikes
- Stawamus Chief: A trip to the rock climbing capital, and this recommended hike was the most fun hike! It’s a very popular trail with people hiking up to 1st Peak, but the 2nd and 3rd Peaks are more special with equally amazing views.
- Panorama Ridge & Garibaldi Lake: One of the best days hiking in my Life! We hiked 32km and climbed over 1650m for a truly rewarding view over Garibaldi Lake and of Black Tusk from on top of Panorama Ridge. See The Best Mountain Day Hikes to see where it ranked. You will need a reservation to park at the trailhead, so remember to pre-book beforehand as they go quickly!
- Black Tusk: The iconic black rock sticking out of the mountain can be seen for miles. The approach is the same as Panorama Ridge, but then it diverts up to the base, where a Grade 2/3 scramble awaits. This is not
- Lost Lake: A short walk from the town centre and perfect for our morning walks.
- Wedgemount Lake: This hike was the backup plan if we could not get the reservation (a fortunate tale for another day). It’s a challenging out-and-back route with over 1500m of climbing; the effort is paid back with glaciers and a close-up of Wedge Mountain.
Food & Drink
- No Restaurants or Bars in Whistler, after a week of eating out, we were craving a home-cooked meal. We eyed up as most tourists enjoyed their meals in the pedestrianised centre. But we chose to save some money as the prices had skyrocketed since Alberta (even Banff!!)
Amenities
- Grocery Store: The closest for us was the Whistler Grocery Store, a very small, crowded and over-priced store, so we were glad to have stocked up on much cheaper produce in Clearwater.
- Petrol Station: The Co-Op Gas Bar south on the Sea-to-Summit Highway or the Chevron to the north are the 2 closest to Whistler. We used the Petro-Canada in Pemberton, a 30min drive away.
- Hiking Shops: An affluent town like Whistler has matching levels of premium outdoor stores, luxury brands and a few more tourist-focused shops. The Big names like Arc’teryx, North Face, Patagonia, Peak Performance, Eddie Bauer and Salomon all have shops ready to sell, everything from Mountain biking & hiking kits to winter gear and casual wear.
Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island was not originally on our Canadian road trip plan, but after some research, we were excited about the difference. After 10 days in the mountains, the ferry over to Nanaimo brought us onto the island and then winding through the valleys towards Pacific Rim National Park. Tofino is the more well-known destination, but we stayed in Ucluelet, a southern town with everything we needed. Victoria is a huge city in comparison to everywhere else and has some incredible architecture along the waterfront.
Places to Visit
- Canso Plane Crash Site: A real surprise visit, and even though there was little information about the crash, seeing the torn pieces of the plane littered around the forest was interesting to explore.
- Radar Hill: The views from the top are nice, but the walk along the tarmac road was pretty uninspiring
- Long & Combers Beaches: Huge beaches that seem to go on forever. We didn’t have the best weather, but it made for a pleasant lunch spot on the Pacific coast.
- Rainforest Trail: My absolute favourite part of the Pacific Rim National Park was the boardwalk along the rainforest. I found a strong sense of peace and zen when walking away from people. The huge trees line the walkway and take you away from everything.
- South Beach: Unlike Long Beach, South Beach has black sand and jagged rocks to scramble up along its shoreline
- Wild Pacific Trail: A new trail along the coast in Ucluelet, which was ideal for morning walks. Enjoy walking between cedar trees, along small trails overlooking rocky alcoves and the wider ocean. The Lighthouse loop was very enjoyable and a great sunrise spot.
- Butchart Gardens: One of the most popular attractions near Victoria, but due to our timings and the cost, we decided not to rush exploring the beautiful gardens
Food & Drink
- Jiggers Food Truck: A nice experience of picking up freshly cooked chips from a food truck for a quick meal after a long day out exploring the National Park.
- Grocery shop: Ucluelet Co-Op store is a very well-stocked shop which serves all our needs to self-cater.
- Belleville’s Watering Hole: With a view of the harbour, we enjoyed the happy hour with the Canadian Cocktail: The Shaft made of Vodka, Coffee Liqueur (Kahlua), Irish Cream Liqueur (Bailey’s) and cold brew coffee.
- Garrick’s Head Pub: the criteria to find a Victoria bar were happy hour, and Garrick’s gave us a seat and very strong drinks to follow.
Vancouver
The City that has it all: Coast, City and Mountains. After a chaotic drive into the city centre to drop off the car, Vancouver showed us why it’s so popular with its citizens and travellers. On the north side, there are nature reserves and mountains for outdoor enthusiasts, and the south side has all the city you could possibly need.
Places to See
- Stanley Park: The main attraction of Vancouver is the massive park& forest neighbouring the busy city. The Seawall path for walking and running allows you to escape the city and enjoy the views of the waterfront and the greenery.
- English Bay: The beaches on English Bay are a stone’s throw from the centre and are packed with people playing sports and relaxing next to the water.
- Granville Island: This artistic and foodie hub was recommended by a friend, but we couldn’t find time to walk around. It has lots of food and drink outlets as well as markets to find yourself a souvenir or bargain.
- Grouse Mountain: After not hiking since Whistler, I was tempted to go hiking up Grouse Mountain, but we decided to enjoy the city instead. There is a cable car to the top, which gives amazing views back down over Vancouver.
- Gastown: A slightly weird area to explore, but the Flat-Iron style Building and Steam Clock are interesting.
Food & Drink
- Hawksworth Restaurant: An award-winning fine dining restaurant within the Rosewood Hotel Georgia. We tried the Taste of Hawksworth lunch menu, which was exceptional value at $36 each, with top service and delicious local cuisine. The recommended Resiling wine was superb, and it was the perfect way to celebrate the end of the road trip.
- Glowbal: A very trendy and popular restaurant and upstairs bar. We enjoyed the happy hour menu, making the most of the Sangrias and The Roof (tequila, Aperol, lime, jalapeño agave syrup).
- Ignite Pizza (Yaletown): One last meal before we left for the airport, and Pizza is a safe bet. Ignite Pizza might have claimed the crown for the largest and potentially best Pizza. We shared a 16″ pizza, which filled us up!
- Fritz European Fry House: It wouldn’t be a Canadian trip without the famous Poutine (Chips, Cheese and Gravy)! Not my best idea to eat Poutine and then Ignite Pizza, but I was very happy afterwards.
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Driving
Driving on a Canada Road Trip is a little different from the UK or European Roads; for me more enjoyable. There were some stressful moments, but on the whole, driving through the beautiful countryside was pleasurable. The roads are wide, and parking spaces are plentiful, but the cities can get gridlocked (Victoria and Vancouver). The 2 things we found most bizarre were turning right on a red light and having traffic lights on the highways! My favourite driving experience was on the Icefields Parkway Highway from Banff to Jasper. This day’s drive was the best road I’ve driven on as you weave through the mountain ranges, lakes and forests.
Food & Drink
Our trip was split into Eating Out in Week 1 and Self-Catering in Week 2. Banff provided almost too many options to choose from and was very accommodating for vegetarians. And the few restaurants we tried in Vancouver were extremely flavourful. We didn’t forget about one of Canada’s best exports: Tim Hortons… at the Calgary airport, before running onto our plane, we used all our spare cash to buy Timbits.
The supermarkets had all the normal produce expected to self-cater, and we discovered 3 amazing things to try. First up is Vector: the best breakfast cereal I’ve had. It is a High-protein cereal that fuelled our mountain adventures (along with pastries). Next up is Ruffles Crips, which are all-seasoning ridged crisps to have max flavour and were brought in a Tupperware on hikes for lunch and for snacking in the car. And finally, Coffee Crisp, which is definitely Rosin’s new favourite chocolate bar. It beats Toffee Crisp, which we have in the UK, by Miles. To my disappointment, I can’t find these or close alternatives in the UK yet, so I’ll have to go back to Canada.
Budget
Canada is relatively expensive, but it was not any worse than the UK recently. The conversion rate was approximately £1 to $1.60 Canadian Dollars, which became good practice for mental arithmetic. All the costs are approximated based on our Candia Affair costs, our spending and some research to fill the memory. Our Canadian Affair package, including flights, hotels, car rental and ferries, totalled £2790 ($4955). Based on this maths, we spent approx. £885 out there, and this was split between 2 people.
Canada Road Trip Packing List
Our Canada Road Trip meant we used a combination of the Hostelling, Trekking and Hiking Kit Lists. With a car, we were less limited on space to carry our luggage and took a Large Hold Bag each (Osprey AG Atmos 50L and Roisin’s Osprey Farview 40L). As our main focus was hiking, we both brought our Osprey Daypacks with the necessary kit for the changeable weather (waterproofs and layers).
We used our packing cubes to organise and keep clothing separate. We didn’t need any climbing gear or sleeping equipment, thankfully. Also, we took some basic cooking items such as a paring knife, spray oil and some spices to save buying out there. The only equipment we needed to buy in Canada was the Bear Spray (£40), which we luckily never needed. Also, we did not take any driving-specific gear like hi-vis jackets, triangles, etc.
Canada Road Trip Essentials
Tips
- Pre-book Lake Louise & Garibaldi: My biggest advice is to pre-book any trips to Lake Louise or Moraine Lake for this Canada Road Trip. These reservations are like gold dust and book up super fast 2/3 months in advance when the booking system opens. Fortunately, we got a morning shuttle reservation for Moraine Lake on our driving day to Jasper, which cost around £20
The Alternative is what we did for Lake Louise, which is to wake up in the middle of the night and drive to Lake Louise. Parking is done on a first come first serve basis, and to not risk it, we left at 4:30 am. The sunrise was around 6:00, so not too long to wait at the lakeshore. Parking was cheap considering the popularity. - Pre-book Garibaldi: Similar to Lake Louise, where you need a reservation to park at the trailheads. The BCParks offer some options, but the reservations are free unless you’re camping overnight. It’s worth pre-booking at least a week in advance for the Rubble Creek Trailhead for Garibaldi Lake. If you miss out, keep an eye out for other days for re-released passes, and all you need to do is show the QR code at the checkpoint.
- Playlist: You’re going to be spending up to 8-9 hours driving on some days, and instead of silence, having a very long and varied playlist on Spotify (or alternative) will make it feel like a proper road trip. We spent months beforehand building the playlist from our 2 different music tastes and finding common ground.
- Navigation: We did not bring an old school map with us and relied on Waze/Google Maps. But there were times when we had no signal to load the route, which was a little disconcerting. The road signs are very good, however, so we never really got lost (apart from Horseshoe Bay for the ferry).
- Gasoline/Petrol: Be strategic with when to fill up, as some highways might be hours between stops. The pre-pay of a defined amount at the pump is odd instead of filling up by the handle, but it works out fine for budgeting. Alberta was cheaper than British Columbia for fuel, with the places close to Vancouver being the most expensive.
- Bear Safety: One of the most important things for hikers venturing into the backcountry. We had days like the Opal Hills with very few other people around, so understanding the basics of Bear Safety is crucial. Try not to startle Bears, so talk slightly louder, use a bear bell or regularly clap to give a safe warning. Remember to take Bear Spray just in case of an encounter and seek local advice on recent bear activity.
- Tipping: We knew about having to tip higher for restaurants, but what surprised us was tipping for coffee and bakeries. We generally tipped around 20% based on our experience and the options, but I tended not to tip for cheap and easy stuff where I felt the service did not equate to a huge tip (Yes, I know minimum wage is different in Canada vs the UK).
- As mentioned, GST (Canadian VAT) at 5% is not included on price tags, so remember the total bill/receipt will be 5% higher at checkout.
Canada Road Trip Artworks
Next Time
- Yoho National Park: The neighbouring area to Banff, which looked like an equally picturesque and quieter landscape. Lake O’Hara and Emerald Lake were considered, but in the end, Lake Louise was higher on the list. I would love to spend some days camping in Yoho, but permits for Lake O’Hara do sound like gold dust.
- Kananaskis: The one area that I wish we could have explored. It looked more raw and wild than Banff and was incredible for peaceful hiking routes. In particular, Tent Ridge looks like a challenging and epic hike! The routes look advanced and with more scrambling, so it’s right up my street.
- Jasper: With only 1 full day in Jasper and smoke from wildfires, we didn’t get to fully appreciate everything Jasper has to offer. There are many more hikes mentioned above, and I would love to canoe on Maligne Lake to see Spirit Island
- Canmore: Our short lunch visit made me want to properly spend some time in Canmore. Our first taste of the Rockies, and there are so many peaks to climb, along with biking and white water sports to try.
- Revelstoke: Similar to Canmore, Revelstoke has everything for outdoor adventure. Very popular for Skiing in Winter and equally as popular for hiking and biking in the summer.
- Kamloops: We avoided Kamloops and went on a more scenic drive, but this is a good place to stock up on fuel and groceries or have a break on a long transition day.
Want the perfect daily Itinerary for your Canada Road Trip?
If want a detailed day-by-day itinerary for each location from Calgary, Banff, Jasper, Whistler, Vancouver Island and Vancouver then check out this 16-day Itinerary guide.
Read the Canadian Rockies Itinerary
Canada Road Trip Summary
This Canada Road Trip was everything I hoped it would be and more. I had dreamt of visiting Canada for over a decade, but the reality easily exceeded my expectations. The landscapes felt endless, the wildlife was unforgettable, and every stop offered something completely different, from the turquoise lakes of Banff to the glaciers of Jasper, the forests of Whistler and the wild coastline of Vancouver Island.
Even with a packed 2-week Canada road trip itinerary, I still felt like we only scratched the surface. I could easily have spent a full week in Banff, Jasper, Whistler or Vancouver Island alone. We hiked mountain trails, climbed viewpoints, drove thousands of kilometres, crossed national parks, explored coastal towns and created memories that will stay with us for life.
For outdoor travellers, a western Canada road trip is one of the best adventures you can plan. The route from Calgary to Vancouver gives you the perfect mix of the Canadian Rockies, scenic drives, mountain towns, lakes, forests, beaches and city stops. If you love hiking, wildlife and dramatic landscapes, Canada is easily one of the best countries in the world to explore by road. And the Calgary to Vancouver drive along the Icefields Parkway and then via Whistler is one of the most scenic anywhere.
A detailed day-by-day itinerary is coming soon, including our favourite hikes, restaurants, viewpoints, accommodation areas and planning mistakes to avoid. Until then, what is the best road trip you have ever done? Leave a comment below with your favourite route or any suggestions for my next Canadian adventure.
FAQs
Is Canada good for a road trip?
Yes, Canada is one of the best countries in the world for a road trip, especially if you love mountains, lakes, wildlife, hiking and scenic drives. A western Canada road trip through Alberta and British Columbia gives you access to Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, the Icefields Parkway, Whistler, Vancouver Island and Vancouver in one itinerary
How long do you need for a Canada road trip?
For a Western Canada road trip covering both Alberta and British Columbia, 2 weeks is a realistic minimum. This gives enough time to visit Calgary, Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, Whistler, Vancouver Island and Vancouver without rushing every single day. The itinerary in this guide was completed over 16 days and 16 nights.
What is the best Canada road trip itinerary for 2 weeks?
One of the best 2-week Canada road trip itineraries is to start in Calgary, drive through Banff and Jasper in the Canadian Rockies, continue west towards Whistler, take the ferry to Vancouver Island, and finish in Vancouver. This route combines mountain hikes, glaciers, lakes, national parks, coastal scenery and city time.
Should I start a Canada road trip in Calgary or Vancouver?
Calgary is the best starting point if you want to reach Banff and the Canadian Rockies quickly. Vancouver is better if you want to focus on British Columbia, Vancouver Island and the coast. For a one-way western Canada road trip, it’s best to drive from Calgary and finish in Vancouver, which works extremely well because the route naturally moves from mountains to coast.
How expensive is a Canada road trip?
A Canada road trip can be expensive, especially when you include flights, car rental, accommodation, national park passes, fuel, food and ferries. Banff, Whistler and Vancouver are usually among the pricier stops. You can reduce costs by self-catering, booking accommodation early, travelling outside peak summer and choosing free hikes over paid activities.
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