10 Canadian Road Trips You Need to Take at Least Once
Whether you've got weeks or just a few hours to spare, these unforgettable Canadian road trips offer breathtaking scenery, iconic landmarks and thrilling stops along the way.
Road Trip Ideas to Inspire Your Wanderlust
Vancouver to Tofino, British Columbia
Even if you’re living on the east coast of Canada, this road trip is worth travelling across our great country to experience. (After all, you can always fly into Vancouver airport and rent a car from there!)
Head to Horseshoe Bay for the ferry to Nanaimo, then hit the Pacific Rim Highway (BC Highway 4) for a gorgeous winding drive through ancient temperate rainforests boasting views of mountains, lakes and the coastline. Blink and you might miss the sight of a mama bear and her cubs traversing a stream.
Essential stops along the way include the Old Country Market for locally made souvenirs, and a view of their famed Goats on the Roof; and a stroll through Cathedral Grove, a forest of majestic Douglas fir trees—some of them 800 years old.
Before Tofino, Canada’s surfing capital, you’ll hit Ucluelet, which also boasts big waves and a laid-back vibe—at a slightly lower price point than its sister down the road. Spend a couple days here and then continue along the coast to Tofino’s Relais & Chateaux-accredited Wickaninnish Inn, your HQ for surfing world-famous Chesterman Beach. Other attractions include whale-watching tours, winter storm-watching, fishing and hiking.
Discover more magical things to do on Vancouver Island.
Calgary to Lake Louise, Alberta
Give yourself four days to fully enjoy the road trip from Calgary to Lake Louise, suggests Debbie Monahan, a Montreal-based travel director.
Day one: “Begin with a city tour of Calgary that includes a visit to the famous Calgary Stampede and also a visit to the site of the 1988 Olympic games,” says Monahan. (Before you go, brush up on this fascinating Calgary Stampede trivia.)
Day two: “Rent a vehicle, pack a lunch, and depart early the next morning for Lake Louise, stopping at the Columbia Icefield for a quick snowmobile tour on the way. You should arrive at Lake Louise in the mid-to late afternoon, which is a perfect time to take a stroll around the beautiful lake filled with crystal-blue water. I recommend staying at a hotel with a lake view so you can enjoy the breathtaking sunsets and sunrises,” says Monahan.
Day Three: “Plan for an early rise to allow for time to roam around Lake Louise before heading off to Sulphur Mountain, Banff Springs. You must take the gondola all the way up the mountain—and bring your bathing suit, as you’ll want to spend some time in the hot springs! The Fairmont Banff Springs offers an evening treat, complete with interesting ghost stories if you opt for tour,” says Monahan.
Day Four: “Do some additional touring around Banff Springs, before returning to Calgary,” says Monahan. Once you make it back, this list of the best things to do in Calgary can serve as your guide.
Pressed for time? Explore these great day trips from Calgary.
The Cabot Trail, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
If your idea of a dream road trip in Canada includes a set of golf clubs in the trunk, try the Cabot Trail on Cape Breton island—recently ranked #1 among U.S. and Canadian island destinations by Travel + Leisure magazine.
Picture “wow” curves and coastal views, spectacular cliffs and some of Canada’s best beaches—plus the region’s renowned Maritime hospitality. Stop and swim, hike, horseback ride, fish, kayak, scuba dive, or simply compare lighthouses. Hit the greens at one of the island’s top-notch golf courses, making sure to book reservations at the Cabot Links, Canada’s first true “links” golf course.
Eastern Townships, Quebec
Take a scenic drive to North Hatley, 75-minutes east of Montreal, for the Relais & Chateaux-listed Manoir Hovey. It’s a road trip that’s highly recommended by Montrealer Patricia Gajo, author of Frommer’s Montreal & Quebec City, 22nd Edition, who made the trek with her boyfriend.
“Manoir Hovey is hands-down the most luxurious getaway for couples in the Eastern Townships. Jacuzzi, water view, Champagne, gourmet resto—you name it,” says Gajo. “Along the way, we saw all these little stands where you could buy local produce direct from farmers, like corn, raspberries, apples, and so on. I also bought some maple syrup.”
Another must-see attraction in the impossibly picturesque region—Gajo says the rolling fields and orchards actually remind her of Tuscany—is Abbey of St-Benoît-du-Lac, a Benedictine monastery. “I’d like to go back in fall because I heard you can apple-pick in their orchard. They also make cheese; I bought a brick of their famous bleu. You can also go at certain times to hear their daily Gregorian chants,” says Gajo.
Discover 10 of the best day trips from Montreal.
Any route leading to Stratford, Ontario
A short, scenic day trip from London, Ontario or even Toronto, Stratford makes for a great escape, complete with historic downtown, destination inns, a river perfect for strolling or picnicking alongside—and, of course, its famed theatre festival.
“The Stratford Festival is a must for theatre enthusiasts, but even beyond that, this quaint 19th-century town offers many additional treasures to explore,” says London-based travel professional Claudia Viani. Be sure to bring your appetite. “Stratford is home to a number of world-class restaurants, wine and coffee bars, chocolate emporiums and ice cream parlours,” says Viani.
Check out 10 iconic Canadian dishes—and the best places in the country to find them.
The Sea to Sky Highway, Squamish to Whistler, British Columbia
“I’ve been driving the Sea to Sky Highway daily for the past 12 years and it still takes my breath away,” enthuses Mary Zinck, media relations coordinator for Tourism Whistler.
“From downtown Vancouver to Whistler it’s approximately a two-hour drive along the winding Sea to Sky Highway (BC Highway 99) with a continuous view of the Coast Mountains and Howe Sound. This stretch of road is regarded as one of the most beautiful drives in North America. In 2010, the highway was designated ‘The Cultural Journey’ to celebrate the area’s Indigenous history. As you wind your way north between mountains and ocean, stopping at the various pullouts is a must. Breathtaking vistas provide backdrop to information kiosks placed at areas of cultural significance along the route,” says Zinck.
En route, stop at: scenic Shannon Falls, dine at The Watershed Grill, which boasts a large patio overlooking the Squamish River, and stretch your legs while taking in the views at the Tantalus Range Lookout.
Check out 20 more things to do in Whistler in the summer.
A Foodie’s Road Trip Through Kelowna, British Columbia
Set in the orchard and winery-strewn Okanagan Valley, ski destination Kelowna has, in more recent years, built a reputation as a gastronomic hot spot.
Want a day of exquisite shopping and locavore eating? “Our self-guided Farm to Table Tour highlights Kelowna’s farm-gate gems, many of which are tucked away and a little off-the-beaten track. People love to meet interesting, creative locals who are dedicated to farming,” says Tourism Kelowna‘s Tour Guru, Catherine Frechette.
We suggest focusing on South East Kelowna: sample Tantalus Vineyards‘ renowned Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir; tour Arlo’s Honey Farm; load up on lavender jelly and bath oil at the Okanagan Lavender & Herb Farm, plus meet the goats and choose from 20 types of handmade goat cheese at Carmelis Goat Cheese artisan farm/fromagerie/boutique.
“You could do this whole tour in about four to six hours. Stop for lunch in this area at the Wild Apple Restaurant, Cabana Grille, or, closer to the goat cheese farm at Sunset Organic Bistro (The Summerhill Pyramid Winery‘s restaurant), and you’ll be eating ingredients from Kelowna’s farm-to-table program,” says Frechette.
Discover 10 Canadian honey farms worth visiting.
A Road Trip to Pelee Island, Ontario
Canada’s southernmost inhabited tip is a great day trip or weekend getaway for birders and nature lovers, says Laura Mousseau, media relations manager of the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
“Pelee Island is a beautiful oasis in Lake Erie with friendly folks and scenic views along its coast, and stunning forests, wetlands and prairies in its interior,” says Mousseau. “Accessible by car ferry throughout spring, summer and fall, visitors can drive onto the ferry at Leamington or Kingsville, depending on the time of year, and drive off at Pelee Island where they can visit rare habitats and great cultural sights.”
Consider checking out the following en route:
- Pelee Island Heritage Centre
- Pelee Island Winery
- The Nature Conservancy of Canada’s Florian Diamante Nature Reserve
- Provincial nature reserves Lighthouse Point and Fish Point
- Pelee Island Bird Observatory
“Pelee Island is a key stopover point for a variety migrating birds in spring and fall—butterflies as well,” enthuses Mousseau.
Check out more of the best bird-watching spots across Canada.
A Road Trip to Edmonton via Jasper or Calgary via Banff
These stretches of Alberta are so rich in attractions, we’re offering two takes on it!
Author Jamie Friesen, author of Zombie Night in Canada, offers his flexible approach to the region. “You can start in either major city—Edmonton or Calgary—then drive to the nearest mountain park: Jasper National Park from Edmonton, or Banff National Park from Calgary.Â
Take in the first of these UNESCO World Heritage parks, each filled with amazing vistas and wildlife, and then take the Icefields Parkway, one of the best road trips in Canada (shown here at Bow Lake), to the other Rocky Mountain park to see more natural wonders including waterfalls, glaciers and picturesque lakes. Then just drive on to the next major city, after an additional few hours driving across a scenic prairie landscape.
“This trip can be done in two to seven days, depending on how long you wish to stay and enjoy the sights along the way,” Friesen says.
Explore Canada’s most awe-inspiring national parks.
Cruise the Chatham-Kent Corridor, Ontario
Yes, Chatham-Kent! Though not a household name, this historic and scenic region—comprised of 23 small communities spanning Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair and the Thames River—is gunning hard to become a top motorcycle-touring destination.
Ride your hog along the postcard-pretty Highway 3 “Cruise the Coast” motorcycle route, which starts in iconic beach town Port Dover (above, home to thousands-strong biker rallies every Friday the 13th). Along the way, you can trace the path taken along the Thames River by British and First Nations loyalists as they were chased by American forces during the War of 1812. Visit some of the stops along the historic Underground Railroad, which ex-slaves braved on their path to freedom. The Chatham-Kent region was home to one of the largest and most successful Black settlements in Canada. With Rondeau and Wheatley provincial parks along the ride, picnic and hiking opps abound.
Looking for more road trip inspiration? Check out the 10 places in Canada every Canadian needs to visit.
