How to Plan the Perfect Western Canada Road Trip - Trip Canvas
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How to Plan the Perfect Western Canada Road Trip
Updated: July 09, 2025
Written byAAA Travel Editor, Katie Broome
If a trip to Western Canada is on your bucket list, now is the perfect time to plan a road trip. Generally speaking, Western Canada includes the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, all of which feature rugged terrain, mountain views and crystal-clear lakes. It's a region that showcases the majesty and might of nature and around every bend in the road, you will find a view that is more stunning than the last.
As you begin to plan a Western Canada road trip, you will want to keep in mind the top things to do and the best Western Canadian road trip itineraries. Our guide will help you plan an unforgettable adventure on the wide open roads of Western Canada.
jimfeng / iStockphoto.com
1. Drive the Icefields Parkway
Allow plenty of time to cruise the Icefields Parkway (Hwy. 93), a scenic highway in the Canadian Rockies that parallels the Continental Divide. Snowcapped mountains, waterfalls, lakes, rivers and the massive Columbia Icefield are highlights of the drive, which stretches between jewel-toned Lake Louise and the town of Jasper.
No drive through the Icefields Parkway would be complete without stepping onto the Athabasca Glacier, one of the largest glaciers in the Columbia Icefield. Be aware that you cannot walk on the glacier on your own — but you can hire a guide to show you where you can walk and the safest ways to step onto the glacier.
Allow at least three hours in each direction — more if you’re planning to stop along the way. Keep in mind that admission fees are charged for driving through Banff and Jasper national parks.
While you are in Banff National Park, take time to stretch your legs and enjoy a hike. This is one of the most popular hiking spots in Western Canada and a favorite among those who are on a summer road trip. Most hiking trails are accessible from July through the middle of September. Some early spring road-trippers may be surprised to find out that many trails are snow-covered until the end of June. Depending on the trail you choose, you may enjoy pristine views of a glassy lake or panoramic views of glaciers.
2. Soak Up Coastal Views on the Sea-to-Sky Highway.
An easy day trip from Vancouver, the Sea-to-Sky Highway (Hwy. 99) offers one of the most beautiful drives in Canada. The two-lane highway connects Vancouver with the resort town of , a winter sports mecca that hosted many events during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
Tip: AAA’s will take you past snowcapped peaks and plunging river gorges on the way to Squamish and Whistler. Allow at least four hours to drive in each direction.
AAA / Katie Broome
3. Visit Victoria on Vancouver Island
British Columbia’s capital city is a popular cruise ship destination on Vancouver Island, but it’s also fun to visit by car (via a scenic ferry ride). The city’s charm is best experienced in spring and summer, when its expertly manicured gardens are in full bloom. Castles and stately parliament buildings offer prime photo opportunities and outdoor activities like whale watching and kayaking offer the chance to soak up the stunning coastal scenery and breathe the crisp ocean air.
Tip: AAA’s makes a loop from downtown Vancouver out to Victoria. The trip follows the Trans-Canada Highway on Vancouver Island and includes two ferry rides across the Strait of Georgia. (Keep in mind that extra ferry fees are charged for longer vehicles and RVs). Allow at least 10 hours for the loop.
iStockphoto.com / laughingmango
4. Sip Wine in the Okanagan Valley
The fertile Okanagan Valley — flanked on both sides by impressive mountains — draws travelers to its wineries, fruit orchards, farm-to-table restaurants and fall festivals. Mild winters, hot summers and abundant sunshine make the Okanagan wine country an ideal year-round destination in south-central British Columbia.
Tip: AAA’s is accessible from Kelowna, British Columbia and from the U.S. border in Washington state. The one-way road trip takes you through Penticton and along the sandy shores of Lake Okanagan. Allow at least one hour each way.
AAA / Katie Broome
5. Travel a Portion of the Trans-Canada Highway
For the serious road-tripper, the 7,821-kilometre (4,860-mi.) Trans-Canada Highway (TCH) offers an unforgettable east-west journey across all 10 provinces of Canada, from its western terminus in Victoria, British Columbia, to the eastern terminus in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. In Western Canada, the route passes through many major cities, including Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, Regina and Winnipeg and provides access to scenic national parks like Mount Revelstoke, Glacier, Yoho and Banff.
As you road trip Canada along the Trans-Canada Highway, you should consider stopping in Yoho National Park. The park is famous for its winding glaciers, cascading waterfalls and the rare fossils that are sometimes found throughout the park grounds. If you need a break from your vehicle and you are looking for a peaceful adventure, consider renting canoes at Emerald Lake.
Connecting the two Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Alberta, the Crowsnest Scenic Highway is one of the best road trips for experiencing the natural beauty and grandeur of the Western Canadian landscape. Along this drive, you will travel through deep, lush forests, where you may spot elk, deer and other wildlife. Then, around the next bend, you might be greeted by a glacier winding its way through the valley.
Design Pics / Philippe Widling / Getty Images / CC BY-SA
Manitoba's Scenic Yellowhead Highway Road Trip
Distance: 165.6 miles
Time: 2 hours 38 minutes
Features: Rolling wheat fields, charming Canadian towns
This trip begins on the Trans-Canada Highway, taking you to the Saskatchewan border. Distinctly different from other Western Canadian road trips that are defined by mountain views and crystal blue lakes, Manitoba's Scenic Yellowhead Highway road trip takes you through the rolling fields of Manitoba. It's a peaceful trip where you will enjoy wildflower blooms and rolling wheat fields. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to stop in the quaint towns of Manitoba, where you can enjoy a farm-fresh meal and the hospitality of the local people.
Christian Hering-Junghans / Getty Images / CC BY-SA
Alberta Road Trip
Distance: 738.9 miles
Time: 14 hours, 32 minutes
Features: Rugged mountains, sparkling lakes and vibrant cities
For the ultimate Western Canada road trip experience, consider the Alberta Road Trip, which will take you through this province's rugged terrain and into some of its largest cities. The first leg of the trip takes you through the prairie lands, as you traverse from Calgary to Edmonton. After spending some time in Edmonton, you will hop onto the Yellowhead Highway, where you will be greeted by heavenly views of the Canadian Rockies. This comprehensive road trip itinerary continues onto Jasper, Banff and Calgary, allowing you to experience everything that Alberta has to offer.
Courtesy of Brewster Attractions
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