13 of the Best Canadian Road Trips – That We’ve Taken
We love epic drives and have had the pleasure of touring overland on 5 utterly totally different continents. Nevertheless nothing compares to top-of-the-line avenue journeys in Canada. Exploring our private yard on a regular basis takes our breath away. Canada is beautiful!
Whereas many internet sites will write regarding the avenue journeys in Canada that they’ve solely heard of or study, we’re rounding up top-of-the-line Canada avenue journeys that we’ve actually taken. From coast to coast we’ve obtained you coated with hyperlinks to our in-depth experiences, maps, and extra information.
So, seize a Tim Hortons espresso and put in your avenue trippin’ playlist whereas we assist you identify the place to go subsequent in Canada!
Most interesting Freeway Journeys in Canada
The precept avenue all through Canada is the Trans-Canada Freeway 1. The Trans-Canada freeway spans 7821 km (4859 miles) all through our residence and fatherland from coast to coast. With an epic avenue like this, it’s no shock Canada is doubtless one of many most interesting nations on the earth for taking a avenue journey.
These are top-of-the-line avenue journeys in Canada that we’ve taken.
1. Yukon and Northwest Territories – Dempster Freeway
Size: 2 – 4 days a method.
A lot of folks don’t know of the Dempster freeway nonetheless it is essentially the most enjoyable avenue journey in Canada that we’ve completed! Starting in Inuvik Northwest Territories, the Dempster Freeway is a 736 km (457mile) drive by way of two provinces. It even crosses the Arctic Circle.
It’s possible you’ll rent a vehicle a method from the town of Inuvik inside the Northwest after which drive direct to Dawson Metropolis or proceed on to Whitehorse to fly residence. This goes by way of the middle of the Canadian wilderness and is doubtless some of the distant gadgets of freeway on the earth.
Highlights of this drive embrace:
2. Nova Scotia – Cabot Path
Size: 3 – 5 Days. It could be pushed in sometime, nonetheless you’ll miss all the lovely hikes, adventures and scenic stops.
The Cabot Path is usually on the prime of All people’s Canadian avenue journeys guidelines and it solely barely missed out on the first spot on our guidelines. The rationale, Cabot Path is way busier than the Yukon. It is a pretty coastal drive positioned on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia. Starting inside the metropolis of Baddeck, we drove in a counter-clockwise path to Margaree Harbour.
Highlights embrace:
3. Alberta – Icefields Parkway
Size: one to seven days.
It could be primarily essentially the most well-known of all the avenue journeys in all of Canada. This stretch of freeway between Banff and Jasper nationwide parks is definitely primarily essentially the most pretty avenue journey in Canada.
You may start this journey in Calgary and drive all the way in which during which to Edmonton to primarily make it a multiday journey. This entire drive can merely be completed in a day nonetheless we really ought to give your self quite a lot of to do it justice. Spend a day or two in every Banff and Jasper and take some time to find the Icefields Parkway. Be taught additional: The Most interesting Points to do in Banff
Highlights embrace:
4. British Columbia – Sea to Sky Freeway
Size: 1 day to 7 days
It’s rated as most likely essentially the most scenic drives and with good function. Starting in Vancouver and ending in Pemberton British Columbia the Sea to Sky freeway is 154 km (95 miles) prolonged stretch alongside the coast.
Most people cross by way of in an hour and a half on their choice to Whistler, nonetheless there are so many scenic views and the town of Squamish is an outdoor lover’s dream. Be taught additional Effectively-known Canada Landmarks in order so as to add to your bucket Guidelines
Highlights embrace:
5. New Brunswick – Fundy Coast
Size: 5 days
The drive from Moncton to Saint Andrew’s in New Brunswick is doubtless some of the scenic routes in Canada. This pretty avenue journey weaves alongside the north shore of the Bay of Fundy: residence to the world’s highest tides. After testing Magnetic Hill and Centennial Park in Moncton, the drive veers south within the route of the Hopewell Rocks.
The Hopewell Rocks are pretty flowerpot rocks and massive formations which may be walked amongst all through low tide. It then continues to the historic outdated metropolis of Saint John and ends inside the lovely fishing village of Saint Andrews close to the border of Most necessary.
Highlights embrace:
6. Prince Edward Island
Size: 1 – 3 days
Prince Edward Island is the smallest of Canadian provinces, nonetheless it is a pretty place to go on a avenue journey. We blended our journey to PEI with New Brunswick.
Crossing Confederation Bridge into PEI looks like you might have really pushed off the crushed path in Canada. Charlottetown is the capital and a unbelievable place to start if you cross the bridge. We then drove a counter-clockwise loop throughout the Central Coastal Drive. Proper right here we cherished the coastal views, lighthouses, sand dunes, and East Coast hospitality.
Highlights embrace:
7. Ontario – Sudbury to Thunder Bay
Size: 5 Days. For individuals who delay to go completely spherical Lake Superior make it 7 days.
The drive from Toronto to Sudbury is simply not primarily essentially the most eventful of journeys, nonetheless if you arrive in Sudbury the journey begins. Driving north alongside the Trans Canada Freeway Route 1 from Sudbury to Thunder Bay has a couple of of Canada’s prime roadside factors of curiosity and houses quite a lot of the Iconic areas to go to in Ontario.
The route takes you from Sudbury alongside the northern shore of Lake Huron after which turns north from Sault Ste. Marie above Lake Superior. With names like Wawa, Marathon, and White River, you’ll be driving by means of some of Canada’s quirkiest cities.
Highlights Embody:
8. Quebec – The Gaspésie Peninsula
Size: 7 Days
This avenue journey begins from one among many oldest cities in North America, Quebec Metropolis. Quebec has saved its old-world attract that looks like just a bit piece of Europe hopped all through the pond.
Driving alongside there are wildlife encounters, a UNESCO World Heritage Web sites, awe-inspiring environment, and culinary delights. You may start in Montreal in case you want to have the benefit of one different Canadian Metropolis as successfully. Driving alongside the St. Lawrence River out to the Gulf of St. Lawrence affords a couple of of Canada’s most hanging views and wildlife experiences.
Highlights embrace:
9. Southern Alberta – Cowboy Path
Size: 7 – 10 days
Whereas most people think about Banff and Jasper when driving by way of Alberta, the Cowboy Path by way of Southern Alberta was one among many largest Canadian avenue journeys we’ve ever taken.
From path rides and dude ranches to historic web sites and badlands, this drive takes you through some very distinctive landscapes.
Highlights Embody
10. Nova Scotia – South Shore
Size: 7 days
Heading South from Halifax, most people make a day journey out to see Peggy’s Cove. This fishing village is residence to the world-famous Peggy’s Cove lighthouse. Nevertheless there’s far more to do on Nova Scotia’s South Shore and we spent 10 days exploring its magnificence.
From the rocks of Peggy’s Cove, we adopted the lighthouse route all the way in which during which to Yarmouth. The historic route goes by way of outdated settlements, pretty landscapes, secluded coves and seashores, and delightful cities.
Highlights embrace:
11. British Columbia – Sunshine Coast
Size: 4 – 6 days
The Sunshine Coast of British Columbia is one different epic drive in Canada. Starting in Vancouver, we took a ferry from Howe Sound to Gibsons Landing. Gibsons continues to be on the BC mainland, nonetheless it may solely be reached by ferry.
Gibson’s Landing was residence to the well-known Canadian TV Current the Beachcombers that ran for virtually 20 years!
As quickly as you allow Gibsons, you endure wild west coast terrain with pretty coastal hikes, scenic lookouts, historic web sites and eco-adventures. The 400km plus loop takes you north to Lund the place you catch a ferry from Powell River to Vancouver Island and work your means south by way of Nanaimo to Crofton.
Highlights Embody:
- Smugglers Cove – pretty hike on the coast that was as quickly as a rumrunner’s hideout.
- Glamping at Rockwater Secret Cove
- Nationwide Historic District of Powell River
- Reversing Falls of Skookumchuc Provincial Park
- Desolation Sound
- Nanaimo
- Victoria
- Be taught additional: Sunshine Coast BC – The Glorious Freeway Journey Itinerary
12. Quebec – Jap Townships
Size: 2 – 3 days weekend getaway from Montreal
Starting in Montreal, this Quebec Freeway journey takes you alongside Southern Quebec and the Jap Townships.
Recognized for its wines and apple orchards, this route will take you on a French Canadian gastronomical journey. The cider route hyperlinks apple orchards and cider properties collectively the place you presumably can model native delicacies paired with premium cider.
Heading within the route of Saint Jean sur Richelieu may take you to the annual scorching air balloon competitors. After which switch over Provence, Bleu Lavande in Quebec is doubtless one of many largest and important lavender producers inside the nation.
Highlights Embody
- Earlier Montreal
- HIstoric French Villages
- Wine Route
- Coated Bridges Route
- Classic Shopping for at North Hatley
- Hovey Manor on Lake Massawippi
- Mont Megantic Nationwide Park
- Look at ort The place to Preserve in Montreal
13. Ontario – Grey Bruce Superloop
Size: 3 – 4 Days
Ontario has an numerous present of Freeway Journeys and we’ve completed all of them from the Niagara Parkway to the Apple Pie Path and Manitoulin Island. Nevertheless a very cool loop is the Grey Bruce Superloop spherical Lake Huron.
Driving alongside the South Shore of Lake Huron, this avenue journey takes you through Bruce County. Make certain to take a detour just a bit farther north to Tobermory. The right place for journey scuba diving the shipwrecks or climbing at Lions Head.
Highlights Embody:
I do know now we’ve missed a couple of provinces. Whereas now we’ve been to Manitoba and Saskatchewan, we haven’t taken an accurate avenue journey by way of these provinces, nonetheless there are some good drives.
Newfoundland is on our guidelines and perhaps after we are able to all journey as soon as extra, Dave and I will hop in our vehicle and head to the east coast of Canada to finish off our good Canadian avenue journey planner.
For individuals who cherished our spherical up of Canadian Freeway Journeys, save this to Pinterest for future journey planning.
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Uncover additional of Canada
And these are our favourite avenue journeys in Canada. The place have you ever ever gone on an epic drive in Canada? The place should we go subsequent?