road trip canada 3 jours

Canada Road Trip Planning + 12 Epic Itinerary Ideas

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Canada is filled with stunning landscapes and driving through provinces and national parks is the best way to explore this massive country (by area). We will share an epic Canada Road Trip Planning Guide here, packed with ready-made itineraries to follow.

Canada Road Trip Planning Guide

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Decide where you want to go in Canada

So, your first step is to make a bucket list of places you want to see or the route you wish to embark on for your Canada road trip. Being a diverse country of landscapes, terrain, and 4 different time zones, it might be a tough choice deciding on where to do. You can browse our Canada Destinations list, or use one of the itineraries mentioned below to get started!

What to see on your Canadian Road Trips?

It all depends on your travel style. There are mountains and pristine lakes in western Canada, pretty central coastal drives in the Maritimes, chasing Northern Lights in the Northwest Territories, or specific attractions like Toronto’s skyline/Niagara Falls, Gros Morne National park in Newfoundland to check out fjords, also a UNESCO world heritage site to polar bears in Manitoba. 

So you see there is tons of explore in Canada, just take it slow, stop along the way to make the most of your visit. Also give yourself enough time to hike, eat and drive.

Budget for your Canada road trip should be as follows 

• National Park Fees: $20 CAD per vehicles ($15.50 USD)
• City Attractions: Many museums have entry fees start at $7.99 CAD ($6.20). CN Tower or any type of observation towers in major cities, starts at $30 CAD ($23 USD)
• Food : Minimum $30 CAD ($23 USD)

When are you planning to travel for your road trip?

Whether it is a city-bound road trip or a journey through our national/provincial parks, it is important to make note of the seasons. Canada experiences all four seasons, and each season is beautiful in its own unique way. 

• Summer – Summers are a great time to embark on a road trip. We recommend choosing the country-side to escape the crowds . If you are hitting the popular national parks like Banff (from Calgary or Edmonton), ensure you start early to beat the traffic rush.
• Winter – Driving in winters can be tricky. Ensure you follow provincial winter driving regulations. Also add additional travel time due to the road conditions, poor visibility, etc. on certain routes. 
• Spring and fall – These are off season months in Canada. Fall is our favorite time to visit as the weather is still warm, and attractions not too crowded. Spring is a tricky situation for visiting Parks, as many of the sightseeing spots may not be open. Finding accommodation in cities and small towns this time will be easy, minus fewer crowds.

Where to stay on a Canada road trip?

When you are road tripping in Canada, there are tons of options for accommodation.

• Hotels, Airbnbs & Lodges : You can book a hotel, Airbnb, lodge, or a cabin for your accommodation in Canada. Book them ahead of time, especially during peak seasons. 
• RV & Campervan : One of the popular ways to explore national parks in Canada is on a campervan or an RV, and save money on hotel accommodation. It is also a nicer alternative if you do not own a lot of camping gear, and planning to explore on the go. 
• Camping : If you are planning to camp overnight, ensure you reserve camp-sites when bookings open for the season. You do not need to reserve for day campsites (like picnics as part of your road trip), especially in provincial parks. 

Pin the spots on Google Maps

Use Google Maps plan and plot your road trip itinerary. And don’t forget to download offline maps on your phone, so that you can access that from the car. 

Important Driving Tips in Canada Highway & Parks

• Carry your driver’s license (Canadian, US or International).
• Must be at least 21 years of age to rent a vehicle.
• The most common cars on the road in Canada are left-hand drive vehicles, and cars are driven on the right side of the road.
• Canada uses kilometres and metres to measure the distance (unlike miles used in the USA)
• The typical speed limit in most provinces is 100 km/h (62 mph) or 110 km/h (68 mph). 
• When you are driving to national parks speed limits will differ, depending on major routes (90 km/hr max.) and secondary routes (60 km/hr max.)
• Gas/Mileage: 8.9 litres of gasoline per 100 kilometres (62 miles)
• Be mindful of wildlife corridors and posted wildlife signs along the highways

What to pack on a road trip in Canada?

Here is a list of items to pack for your road trip in Canada!

• Clothes & Comfortable shoes – Comfortable shoes are a must, they are helpful while you are behind the wheel or while taking rest stops
• Warm clothes (for winter) – While driving in Canadian winters, don’t forget warm clothing
• Hand warmers are great little items to keep inside the car
• Travel Mug – Coffee and tea lovers, pack your travel mug, and refill it on the go!
• Water bottle – Super important, carry your water bottle. Stay hydrated!
• Healthy snacks – LOVE this care package , and they are healthy snacks to carry on your road trip. Munch them if you are hungry, whilst feeling light!
• Medications
• Flashlight – Super handy if you are camping or even driving overnight
• Emergency car kit – An emergency car kit is essential should things happen on the road. You can create one from scratch or buy one pre-pack from Amazon . 
• Emergency first aid kit – Check the first aid kit inside the car (check for expiry dates). If you don’t have one, here is one that you can buy from Amazon.  
• Dashboard mount for phone or GPS – Use a dash mount to keep your phone or GPS for navigation. 
• GPS or navigation system – Don’t forget navigation systems or Google maps (offline) on your phone. Prepare it with your routes prior to your trip. It is also important to keep TomToms (or any navigation system) updated. 
• Charging cables – Unless your car has cable-free charging, it is important to pack one for your road trip. We do have wireless charging in our car, but it can only charge one at a time, so we also carry charging cables (to charge the second phone and to charge inside the hotel). Buy yours here
• Playlist – No road trip is complete without an amazing playlist.
• Cell-phone – Don’t forget your cell-phone. Stay connected with family, store the hotel or campsite contact information, plus roadside assistance number for emergencies. 
• Car freshener
• Road trip games – License plate, sing-along, card games (for kids)
• Travel insurance – Car insurance is essential, so is travel insurance if you are traveling from overseas. For the car, you can also secure insurance with the rental company when you pick up the vehicle. 

12 Canada Road Trip Itinerary Ideas

Canadian rockies road trip itinerary, alberta .

• Number of days – 10 to 14 days
• Route –  Edmonton – Jasper National Park – Icefields Parkway to Lake Louise – Banff National Park – Calgary  (Alberta) 

This Canadian Rockies itinerary will allow you to explore all the best of the mountains and cities in Alberta. It covers the capital city, the largest city in Alberta, two national parks in the Canadian Rockies (Jasper being is the largest one), visit the pretty Lake Louise, explore our provincial parks at Pembina, and also check out small Prairie (Edson, Entwhistle) and mountain towns (Banff, Jasper) in one single trip.

A fast paced version of this road trip itinerary can be done in 10 days. But 2 weeks will be perfect! 

Fly to Edmonton , pick up a rental car, and explore the capital city of Alberta. Visit the Legislature Grounds and the neighborhood of Strathcona. (If you have time on your hands, visit Elk Island National Park, located about 50 minutes away from the city, known for bison conservation and is a dark sky preserve). Spend one full day in Edmonton to experience the culinary and city centre delights, along with museums and art galleries. 

From Edmonton, drive to Jasper National Park (it takes 4 hours). Stop by the small Prairie towns of Edson, Entwhistle, or Pembina Provincial Park for a picnic. You will arrive in Jasper town by evening. Stay at the Pocahontas Cabin for the night. 

Spend 2-3 days in Jasper . Hit trails, Pyramid and Patricia lakes, Athabasca falls, soak in mountain views, eat, and visit a local brewery. 

From Jasper, head to Lake Louise, via the Icefields Parkway (with a quick stop at Sunwapta Falls). Non stop drive is 2.75 hours. You can also add Athabasca Glacier Adventure to your road trip itinerary and stay in Lake Louise for the night. 

Set aside 8-10 hours to explore Lake Louise , and then head to Banff in the evening (50 minute drive). 

Spend 3-4 days in Banff National Park . There are tons to see and do here, from lakes – Vermillion, Two Jack Lake, Minnewanke, to hiking trails , exploring Banff Avenue, Cave & Basin Site, Cascade Gardens, Minnewanka Lake Cruise, and Johnston Canyon.  Stay at Elk + Avenue Hotel .

After exploring Banff, head to Calgary, and spend one day or two. Explore downtown city highlights like the Calgary Tower, wander the Stephen Ave Walk, visit Calgary Fort, Heritage Village, etc. 

Drop off your car rental at Calgary International Airport, and fly back home!

Icefields Parkway, Alberta 

• Number of Days – It is possible to drive the Icefields Parkway in 2.5 hours if you don’t get out of your car, but it would be a travesty not to take your time to enjoy the sights along the way.
• Route – Lake Louise to Jasper in the province of Alberta passing through Banff National Park and Jasper National Park.

One of the most famous road trips in Canada is the Icefields Parkway , which is a 230km (144 miles) journey through some of the country’s most magnificent landscapes. With vistas of mountains, valleys, glaciers, rocky cliffs, forests, and lakes, there is a lot to see along the way.

Take a tip and start early in the morning to avoid traffic, and you will enjoy the experience so much more if you are not rushed. The Icefields Parkway has so many incredible places that you will want to explore. 

Early morning is a good time to spot wildlife that usually make an appearance when you

least expect. When you’re driving, keep your eyes peeled for bears, deer, elk, moose and bighorn sheep. Depending on what you might see by the side of the road, you may need extra time to linger and take photographs.

On your first road trip along the Icefields Parkway, make sure you allow time to see Columbia

Icefield, which is some of the largest glaciers outside the Arctic Circle, or“fields of ice” straddle and are the largest south of the Arctic Circle. 

Another awe-inspiring attraction is the Glacier SkyWalk, where you can walk on a glass-floored platform 280 metres (918 feet) above the stunning Sunwapta Valley.

Besides glaciers, this Canadian road trip is also known for its beautiful lakes. The two most famous ones are Bow Lake, which is the best place to gaze at the Crowfoot Glacier, and Peyto Lake, which is a must-do to fill your Instagram stream with stunning photos. Also, visit Sunwapta and Athabasca Falls; both are places of natural beauty.

Stay at Mountaineer Lodge in Lake Louise or the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise .

By Christina from Travel2Next

Sea to Sky highway – Vancouver to Whistler

• Number of days – 2 days
• Route – Start in Vancouver, stop in Squamish to Whistler (British Columbia)

The Sea to Sky highway is one of the most scenic roads in Canada. Also known as Highway 99, the section that connects Vancouver to Whistler is known as the Sea to Sky . 

Although the total journey time from Vancouver to Whistler is just 2 hours, there’s plenty to see and do along the way as well as further afield. This road trip can be amended for families or adrenaline seekers. While it’s easy to drive from Vancouver to Whistler in a day, splitting it up into several days is recommended. 

After leaving Vancouver , one of the first points of interest in Whytecliff Park, this is somewhat of a hidden gem in Vancouver and a nice scenic spot to stretch the legs. When the tide is low you can walk across the rocks to Whytecliff Islet.

Your drive along the Sea to Sky highway will then bring you through the town of Lions Bay and Britannia Beach. Here is where you’ll find Porteau Cove Provincial Park and the Britannia Mine Museum, which is a great stop for families. 

Soon after Britannia Beach is the town of Squamish, many people bypass this town but it’s definitely worth a night’s stay at least. There are so many amazing restaurants here, some of our favourites include the Wigan Pier for fish & chips and Sonny Chibas for Mexican and fried chicken. 

There are also several craft breweries here that are worth checking out. Squamish is famous for its hiking and rock climbing. The Chief is a granite monolith that towers above the town and is a bucket-list hike in the area. If you aren’t feeling up to hiking, you can take a ride on the Sea to Sky Gondola. 

The town of Whistler is usually people’s main destination when taking this route. This mountain town is home to Whistler Blackcomb ski resort and bike park. There are tons of things to do for every season in Whistler. Although it’s famous for skiing, other activities include snowshoeing, snowmobiling, dog sledding and hiking and biking in the summer. 

Nita Lake Lodge is our favorite hotel in Whistler , it’s the only lakefront hotel in the resort town. It’s far enough away from the main village that you’ll get lots of peace and quiet here. 

There is plenty to see and do further afield too! Less people visit Pemberton and Lillooet but they are just as beautiful and the rest of Highway 99. Joffre Lakes is one of BC’s most beautiful hikes in BC. 

Seton Lake near Lillooet is one of our favourite places in all of Canada, and the short hike to the lookout is breathtaking! 

By Rachel from A City Girl Outside

Vancouver – Kelowna – Banff

• Number of days – 2+
• Route – Starting in Vancouver British Columbia to Kelowna, BC to Banff National Park, Alberta

While driving from Vancouver to Banff is technically possible in one day, a stop in Kelowna not only breaks up the trip, it’s also more scenic. The mountainous Highway 3 is the best way to get to Kelowna in terms of scenery.

In Kelowna , be sure to enjoy the waterfront parks, hiking in the hills outside of town, shopping around Bernard Ave, and wine tasting at local vineyards.  If staying overnight in Kelowna, treat yourself to The Royal Kelowna hotel for views of the water and proximity to downtown and the cultural district.

From there, you can take the spectacular drive through Glacier and Yoho to Banff on Highway 1. The biggest highlight on this leg is simply looking out your window!

Two points of interest along the way are quite close to each other: Three Valley Gap and the town of Revelstoke. Three Valley Gap is a big hotel on the shore of a large lake, visible from the highway. There is a bit of a ghost town to visit and just one restaurant, inside the hotel.

For more dining options and amenities, make your next stop 20 minutes down the highway, in the little town of Revelstoke. Whether it’s to stay the night or even just to grab a bite to eat, it’s a nice place to visit.

Next, you’ll pass through Glacier and Yoho National Parks , both of which are worthwhile places to visit for hiking, camping, scenic drives, and more.

Finally, saving the best for last, you’ll arrive in Banff National Park. Take the tram to scenic overlooks, hike to a tea house, admire the emerald Lake Louise, bike, look for wildlife, camp, or relax at an upscale inn. From Banff, you can take countless scenic drives to extend your road trip in different directions, like Yoho or Jasper National Parks. This is a true outdoor wonderland and worth staying for several nights.

By Michelle from Intentional Travelers

Nanaimo to Tofino, British Columbia

• Number of Days – 1
• Route – Nanaimo to Tofino, British Columbia

While not the longest by any means, driving from Nanaimo to Tofino on British Columbia’s Vancouver Island is one to add to your to-do list!

Tofino is still a hidden gem, even for many Canadians, and the stops along the way make it the perfect West Coast road trip.

There is only one main road that takes visitors from Nanaimo to Tofino (HWY BC4). While summer is traditionally Tofino’s high season, this rugged part of Canada sees storm watchers venture to the coast to watch the full power of the Pacific Ocean hitting land.

Along the 3 hour route, there are a few essential stops. Coombs is a little detour, but it’s popular market and goats on the roof are a delight for all visitors. 

Cathedral Grove in MacMillan Provincial Park is right along the route. You will literally drive through an amazing old growth forest right on the highway. If you stop at Cathedral Grove, you will find a small parking area and a trail that takes about 30 minutes to see some of the oldest trees in British Columbia.

Ucluelet is the last stop you should make, before the final stretch to Tofino.  Take the time to walk the Wild Pacific Loop. It is less than 30 minutes from Ucluelet to Tofino, you can always add this to a day trip activity while you stay in Tofino. 

The last stretch of drive will bring you past Pacific Rim National Park where the strong Pacific Ocean waves crash on the sandy beaches. There are plenty of places to stop along the way if you want to take a closer look. Tofino is home to stunning sandy beaches, you will have plenty of time to enjoy the waves and the sand.

Two of the best places to stay are Pacific Sands Beach Resort and Long Beach Lodge . Both offer beachfront accommodations and are perfect for couples and families. 

By Lindsay from Uncovering British Columbia

Dawson City (Yukon) to Tuktoyaktuk (North West Territories) 

• Number of days – Minimum 3 days one way
• Route – Dawson City (Yukon) to Tuktoyaktuk (North West Territories) 

Starting in the historic Klondike Gold Rush town of Dawson City and ending on the edge of the Arctic Ocean, this Canadian road trip is a must do for adventurous travelers. The main part of the route (737km of 875km total) follows the Dempster Highway , a legendary rough dirt road traversing tundra and limitless wilderness. 

The Dempster is the only road in Canada to cross the Arctic Circle. Consequently, travelers who visit in summer will be accompanied by the Midnight Sun (24 hours of daylight). The long days allow for endless exploration. It’s disorienting yet exhilarating and ensures this road trip experience to be like no other in Canada! 

Tombstone Territorial Park, located around 110km from Dawson City, is a real highlight. Here, the expansive landscape is backdropped by impossibly jagged mountain peaks. Be sure to stop at the interpretive centre before heading out onto one of the established hiking trails. Keep your eyes peeled for some of the local residents, including grizzly bears, moose, caribou, porcupine and black foxes. 

Epic as this road trip may be, there is some caution needed. This is a truly wild area, with almost zero phone signal along the entire route. The elevated dirt road is rough in places and can become very slippery after rain. A good spare tire is absolutely essential as is a puncture repair kit, air compressor and jack. Most importantly, the drive should not be rushed. 

Facilities are few and far between (all part of the adventure!) but one of the most convenient places to stop on this road trip is Eagle Plains. 

There is a campground, hotel, gas station, and restaurant here. Inuvik has the biggest choice of services and places to stay, with the Arctic Chalet being a top choice. While in town, be sure to check out the Igloo Church and Community Greenhouse (built in an old ice rink), 

Tuktoyaktuk is your final destination; a place where you can dip your toes in the freezing Arctic Ocean and reflect on your incredible journey through Canada’s northern wilderness!

By Gemma from Off Track Travel

Saskatchewan Road Trip 

• Number of Days – 5-6 
• Route : Regina to Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park (Centre Block) 

Saskatchewan often isn’t the first place that comes to mind when planning a Canada road trip . Most people head straight to the Rocky Mountains, Vancouver Island, or Niagara Falls. While these destinations are all very much worth a visit, so is Saskatchewan!  

This underrated Canadian province features two beautiful National Parks, several Provincial Parks, cute little towns and rolling hills covered in rippling grain as far as the eye can see. If that’s not enough, Saskatoon and Regina are two lively cities with a relaxed vibe, plenty of restaurants and lots of worthwhile sights. Plenty of reasons for a Saskatchewan road trip ! 

Start your road trip in Canada by exploring Regina, the capital city of Saskatchewan. Spend two days here and visit the Provincial Legislative Building, stroll around Wascana Lake, and learn about history in the Royal Saskatchewan Museum. A nice place to stay is the Ramada by Wyndham (Emerald Park). 

Hop in your car and drive to Grasslands National Park (West Block) in approximately 3.5hours. This National Park is a great place to see rare native wildlife such as the bison as well as an excellent stargazing location as there is very little light pollution. Hike the 70 Mile Butte Trail and take one of t 

After spending a day (or if time allows, two days) in Grasslands National Park, drive to Eastend and visit the T-Rex Discovery Center to marvel at one of the few T-rex skeletons ever found. Continue your road trip and drive to Cypress Hills Provincial Park.  

This Provincial Park is perfect for swimming, camping, and hiking. A must-do is visiting Bald Butte and Lookout Point. The views from both viewpoints are breathtaking, you can see for miles and will really come to appreciate the vastness of Saskatchewan.  

By Lotte from Phenomenal Globe Travel Blog 

Road Trip from Saskatoon (Saskatchewan) to Winnipeg (Manitoba)

• Route – Saskatoon – Yorkton – Langenburg – Russell – Portage La Prairie – Winnipeg

Saskatoon to Winnipeg takes about 8 hours 10 mins by car if you drive non-stop. Both cities are located in two Prairie provinces of Canada. Start from Saskatoon Saskatchewan, and pretty much along the way you will find small Prairie towns, mom & pop shops, cute barns, and farms.

Saskatoon is nicknamed as the ‘Paris of the Prairies’, due to the many bridges found here. From Saskatoon, make way for Yorkton (in about 3.50 hours). Yorkton also has a Western Development Museum, just like Saskatoon which is worth visiting. 

If you wish to stretch your legs, head to the York Lake Regional Park for a quick stroll. From Yorkton, arrive at Langenburg, and this is where you can break for lunch. 

Up next on the road trip is Russell, located about 15 km (9 miles) from the Saskatchewan border. The town is known for the Manitoba’s Beef and Barley Festival, which is held annually in October. 

From Russell, the next stop is Portage La Prairie (in 3 hours). In case you didn’t know the Prairies are home to the some of ‘world’s largest’ like Tomahawk (Cutknife, SK) or Easter Egg/Pysanka (Vegreville Alberta). So Portage La Prairie has the world’s Largest Coca-Cola Can. Don’t forget to stop by, and snap a few photos!

From here, Winnipeg is another hour’s drive. Spend 2 days in Winnipeg, exploring some of the iconic attractions like the pedestrian Esplanade Riel Bridge, named after the 1848 revolutionary Louis Riel. 

Wander the French part of Winnipeg – St Boniface. Eat out, and hang out at the city centre. The Forks is a must visit in the city. This site is a National Historic Site of Canada. 

Assiniboine Park also deserves a place in your itinerary. It is a beautiful park with tons of walking trails, river views, and more. Finally, visit the Royal Canadian Mint, and go on a guided tour to learn about coins, and maybe take some home with you!

East Coast City Delights – Toronto – Montreal – Quebec City

• Number of days – 3 days + 
• Route – Toronto – Montreal – Quebec City

This classic road trip starts in Toronto and travels through Eastern Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick, before ending in Halifax, NS. From start to finish, this road trip will take about 18 hours of straight driving. 

You could do it all at once, but you’d miss out on so many fantastic places! Instead, we’d recommend stopping a few times along the way, making this road trip into a 3 to the 5-day trip, and taking the time to explore a few places along the way. We will cover Toronto to Quebec City, as one road trip, followed up by Quebec City to Halifax (and of course you can combine both).

Beginning in Toronto, follow Hwy 401 east from Toronto until you reach the border of Quebec and it becomes Autoroute 20. Stay overnight in Montreal – the Old Town is much more scenic, but the downtown section has more dining options. Alternatively, you can pass through Montreal and continue another 2.5 hours to Quebec City.

On day 2, drive Hwy 40 along the north shore of the St. Lawrence, or 20E/TransCanada via the south shore. Either way the drive is close to 3 hours. Arrive in Quebec City mid afternoon, and you’ll have plenty of time to explore the Old Town, marvel at the Chateau Frontenac and soak up the European feel of the city. 

There are plenty of hotels to choose from – you can splurge on a stay at the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac or choose more moderate options like the Quebec City Marriott Downtown .  

By Erin from Three is Us

Quebec City to Gaspésie

• Number of days – 5 – 7 days  (return)
• Route – Quebec City – Forillon National Park – Gaspe – Perce Village – Matapedia – Quebec City

One of the epic Canadian road trips is the one around Gaspesie . Gaspesie is a peninsula in the province of Quebec. It’s a loop route that starts in Quebec City and also ends there. You’ll need about 5-7 days to get the most of the area.

Set out from Quebec City early in the morning and take the QC- 132 road towards the east. Enjoy the ride along the picturesque coast, make frequent stops at viewpoints. In the evening you should reach Forillon National Park where you stay overnight.

Spend the next day hiking in the park. There are many trails to choose from, so pick the ones suitable for your level of fitness. The park administration will provide you with a map. Move to the town of Gaspe, where you’ll spend the night and the next day exploring local sights and museums such as Haldimand Beach, Gaspesie Museum, and Micmac Museum.

The next stop is in Perce Village where you can catch a boat to Bonaventure Island which is the main local attraction. This small uninhabited island is home to the largest Atlantic seabird colony in North America. After hiking on the island, check out Perce Village and try some local food and beer.

From this point, the road trip will return to Quebec City, but around the southern shore. The south offers amazing viewpoints, several lighthouses, Micmac village, and a beautiful Philomene Waterfall. The one-stop you shouldn’t miss is the Miguasha National Park that is also a UNESCO World site for its valuable fossil site and museum.

In Matapedia, take the QC-132 towards the north. Before you reach Quebec City, the sights worth seeing are Pointe-au-Pere Lighthouse and Jardin de Metis Botanical Garden. Do stop in one of the local ‘fromagerie’ to buy some delicious cheese sorts.

By Slavka from On2Continents

Quebec City – Fredericton to Moncton, via Hopewell Rocks to Halifax

• Number of days – 4 days + 
• Route – Quebec City – Fredericton to Moncton, via Hopewell Rocks – 251km,  Moncton to Halifax – 260km

You can start this road trip from Toronto , and follow the itinerary above to stop in Montreal and Quebec City. From Quebec City, follow the TransCanada Hwy north along the St. Lawrence River to Rivière-du-Loup, then head south-east to New Brunswick. 

*Note* As you cross the border into New Brunswick, the time changes and clocks go back an hour. 

Although there isn’t much to see in Edmundston, if you prefer a shorter drive today or just in need of a rest and stretch break, it is a good stopping point around 3 hours from Quebec City. 

If you prefer to keep on driving, Fredericton is another 3 hours south. Along the way, be sure to stop for a quick visit to Grand Falls about 45 minutes south of Edmunston and farther south, the Covered Bridge in Hartland. Continue on to Fredericton where you’ll stay the night.   

Continue your drive through New Brunswick and be sure to take a slight detour off of the Trans Canada Highway south to the Hopewell Rocks.

Just an hour south of Moncton, the Hopewell Rocks are a remarkable place to experience the highest tides in the world! Happening twice a day, be sure to check the tide tables to be aware of high and low tides. 

The final stretch of this road trip heads into Nova Scotia. After crossing the border, it’s about 2 hours to Halifax. **There is a toll on this portion of the highway. It’s approximately $4 CAD. 

An hour after the border lies the town of Truro, which is a good spot to stop, have a rest and if the timing is right, to watch the twice daily tidal bore. If you’re adventurous, try Tidal Bore Rafting on the Shubenacadie River, close to Truro. 

Another hour’s drive and you’re in Halifax –  stay here for a few days in Halifax, and enjoy the East Coast. While you’re in Halifax, be sure to visit Peggy’s Cove, Lunenburg, Halifax Waterfront, and Dartmouth.

There are many hotels to choose from, whether you’re looking for something close to the waterfront (which are more expensive) or something a little further away. Clayton Park, just off Hwy 102 is a good option, with hotels such as Coastal Inns and Future Inns – both highly recommended from our family!

Maritimes Magic: Fundy Coastal drive from Campobello Island (NB) to the Confederation Bridge (PEI) 

• Number of days – 5 days
• Route – New Brunswick and the Fundy Coastal drive from Campobello Island to the Confederation Bridge at Prince Edward Island (PEI)

Coastal New Brunswick and the Fundy Coastal drive from Campobello Island to the Confederation Bridge at Prince Edward Island makes for a scenic and less traveled area of Canada. In five days, you can cover the highlights in the Maritimes , along with the iconic Hopewell Rocks.

Start from Campobello Island, the only International Park in the world and summer home of the U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. 

On day 2 head to Saint Andrews. An old fishing village, on the Bay of Fundy, where the most dramatic tides in the world shift daily, Saint Andrews has lots of restaurants and cute shops. It is also a great take-off spot for whale watching and kayaking trips. Don’t miss the Huntsman Marine Science Center and Kingsbrae Gardens.

On day 3 and 4, drive to Saint John and explore the city. Stay at the St. John Hotel & Suites . A must-see is The Reversing Falls, where the Bay of Fundy tides overtake the flow of the Saint John River, a UNESCO GeoPark. Then, make the quick 3-minute drive to Carleton Martello Tower located high on a hill overlooking the Bay of Fundy.

The New Brunswick Museum is a great way to get some history on the area with exhibits on the region’s lumber, shipbuilding, farming industries.

City Market of Saint John is a vibrant and bustling market with stalls of fresh produce, meat, seafood, even local art and souvenirs, and restaurants. 

Another must-see destination, Hopewell Rocks is a unique landscape, where you can walk along the ocean floor and see the towering sandstone sculptures with trees on top thanks to the Bay of Fundy’s dramatic tides

From there, you can continue winding along the Bay of Fundy Highway to 15E. Crossing the Confederation Bridge is an adventure in and of itself — it is the longest bridge (8 mi/12.9 KM) that crosses ice-covered waters in the world.

By Lori from Maps, Memories and Motherhood

Cape Breton Highlands National Park: Cabot Trail East Coastal Drive

• Number of days – 3+ days
• Route – Halifax – Cape Breton Island along the Cabot Trail

The Cabot Trail is a scenic driving route on the island of Cape Breton in Nova Scotia. Cape Breton is the largest island, and is home to 14% of the population. 

Cabot Trail offers one of the best scenic views along Canada’s Atlantic Coast. Cabot Trail is over 300 km, and can be easily completed in one day. However, we recommend stopping along the way to make the most of your trip, including exploring the great outdoors of Cape Breton Highlands National Park and soaking in the views of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. 

You can start from Halifax (fly there), and then head towards the Cabot Trail (3.50 hours).  Do make a stop at the Highland Village. This village has re-created the life of Gaelic settlers in Cape Breton and is beautifully set on the Bras d’Or lake. 

Set a day aside for Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Camp, picnic or go on a hike. Check out the Cape Breton Highlands Lookout, and capture sunset on Skyline Trail Hike. 

Whale watching is popular here, so seafood including lobster treats! Being a coastal drive, do stop at the Margaree Harbour or Enragee Point Lighthouse. 

Final Thoughts on Road Trips in Canada

You see, it is impossible to squeeze everything in Canada on a single trip (be it week or 2 weeks long). But you can always come back, and check off these wonderful road trips from your Canada bucket list. 

Pick one that speaks to you the most – mountains, cities or culture, or food – pick your car rental (check gas, your licences, insurance) – and let’s go!

Where will you head to first? 

Pin: 12 Canada Road Trips to take this year: Explore Canada by road trips

Mayuri Kashyap is an Indian Canadian traveler, writer and photographer based in Alberta. She moved to Toronto as a student in 2009, and has been calling Canada home ever since. She started the blog - Canada Crossroads - to share her travel and living experiences in the Great White North!

A History graduate and an MBA, Mayuri is a destinations marketing expert. She loves traveling with her husband, Salil and soaking in experiences across Canada, India and Europe.

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Mon Budget et itinéraire pour traverser le Canada en trois semaines

En 2017, j’ai enfin réalisé un rêve que je n’aurais jamais pensé possible. J’ai traversé tout le Canada d’Est en Ouest en partant de Montréal pour arriver à Vancouver avant de continuer ensuite aux USA. J’ai mis trois semaines pour réaliser ce périple en passant par la transcanadienne: la route numéro 1 qui relie les dix provinces du Canada.

Dans cet article, je voudrais vous partager mon budget ainsi que mon itinéraire avec vous. Je vous décris quelles ont été mes étapes principales pendant ce roadtrip, et comment j’ai géré mon budget pendant tout ce temps.

Il faut tenir compte que mon budget a été pour trois personnes pendant exactement 22 jours de voyage. Je n’avais rien réservé à l’avance, et nous sommes partis en plein mois d’août. D’ailleurs, vous remarquez que cela a eu un impact sur le coût de l’hébergement qui aurait pu quasiment être divisé par deux en hors saison et si j’avais évidemment pris les logements en avance.

Itinéraire à suivre:

Je vous invite à relire mes trois articles que j’avais écris pendant mon road trip:

Road trip Canada (partie 1) de Montréal à Calgary

Road Trip de Calgary aux rocheuses Banff et Jasper (partie 2)

Road Trip Canada de Whistler à Vancouver (partie 3)

J’ai aussi plusieurs articles qui décrivent les différentes villes par lesquelles nous sommes passées:

Que voir pendant 3 jours à Montréal?

Un week-end à Ottawa et son festival des tulipes

Winnipeg la ville méconnue du Canada.

Visiter Calgary en une journée

Découvrir l’Heritage Park Historical Village à Calgary

Whistler jolie station d’hiver en Colombie-britannique

City Guide pour quatre jours de visite à Vancouver

Les parcs nationaux: 

Banff et Jasper deux parcs des Rocheuses dans l’Ouest Canadien

Mon itinéraire au Canada en détail:

Budget pour 22 jours et trois personnes:

Je n’ai pas inclus le coût de la voiture dans mon budget, car c’était ma voiture à Montréal pendant mon PVT. J’avais quand même une voiture plutôt costaude et qui permettait de dormir dedans si on avait besoin : Hyundai Santa Fe.

L’avantage au Canada, c’est que même si vous avez une grosse voiture ou un 4*4, l’essence est moins chère. Bon pas autant que du côté des Etats-Unis, mais elle reste intéressante. Vous pouvez facilement faire un plein pour 40€ et même parfois pour moins que cette somme. La moins chère que j’ai trouvée était en Manitoba juste à la sortie de sa capitale Winnipeg . Le budget reste alors raisonnable. J’ai également effectué une révision de la voiture après 5000 kms parcourus.

Total = 560 euros

Nourriture:

On a vraiment essayé d’économiser un maximum sur la nourriture en évitant évidemment de manger régulièrement au restaurant. On a préféré à la place investir dans un réchaud avec une petite poêle et une petite casserole pour nous faire notre nourriture tous les soirs. Je dois avouer que parfois c’est pénible, surtout lorsqu’on est fatigué le soir après une journée bien chargée en découverte.

Une autre de mes astuces pour faire baisser le budget était de faire attention à ce que le petit déjeuner soit bien inclus dans le prix du motel ou de l’hôtel. On pouvait ainsi en profiter un maximum et il m’arrivait même de prendre quelques pains et autres pour tenir pendant la journée ou même parfois de nous faire des sandwichs pour le midi.

J’ai fait peu de restaurants à l’exception de Vancouver. Je suis une fan absolue des sushis et cette ville est l’endroit parfait pour en manger. Ils sont délicieux et en plus ils ne sont vraiment pas chers. Vous pouvez vraiment vous faire plaisir à petits prix.

Quand j’avais envie de manger un peu plus sain sans toutefois dépenser de l’argent au restaurant avec les tips (pourboires) qui font vite augmenter le prix, j’allais au whole food un magasin qui propose des produits organiques (bios). Cependant, il ne se trouve seulement que dans quelques grandes villes comme Ottawa ou Vancouver. Vous avez un self service avec plein de légumes, et des plats préparés et vous payez au poids. C’est certes un peu plus cher qu’un fast food ou un sandwich, mais mon corps m’a dit merci !

L’envers du décors: moi en train de faire à manger dehors ! xD

Sushis à petit prix à Vancouver

Total = 505 euros

J’ai eu de la chance car en 2017, année de mon voyage, pour les 150 ans de la confédération canadienne  tous les parcs nationaux étaient gratuits. Mais si vous souhaitez partir il existe des cartes qui comprennent tous les parcs nationaux, les prix restent raisonnables et ne feront pas augmenter de beaucoup votre budget.

Entrée des parcs nationaux:   Vous avez le choix entre une carte découverte 136,40$ pour un groupe (maxi 7 personnes) ou une carte comptabilisée par jour et par voiture avec un tarif d’environ 30$. Je pense que si vous restez plusieurs jours, une carte découverte sera plus rentable. Pour en savoir plus, dirigez-vous sur le site officiel:

http://www.commandesparcsparksorders.ca/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/fr/parksb2c/discovery-pass

Pour les visites des villes, il existe certains pass pour certaines et pour d’autres, vous pourrez récupérer des coupons de réductions au centre d’information touristique.

Winnipeg :  vous avez la possibilité de choisir entre un pass 1,3,5 jours de 35$ à 56$ pour visiter les huit plus importantes attractions de la ville dont le musée des droits de l’homme, le musée de Mint (où sont produites les pièces du Canada) ou encore le musée d’art!

Calgary: Dirigez vous vers l’office de tourisme pour récupérer un carnet où vous trouverez des coupons de réductions pour les différentes attractions. Même si parfois elles ne sont pas pas énormes, elles peuvent faire à force une petite différence dans le budget. Par exemple pour visiter l’Héritage Park: une achetée la deuxième était à moitié prix !

Vancouver:  Le pass proposé par la ville n’est pas très intéressant, mais en allant au centre touristique, j’ai aussi trouvé un prospectus avec des coupons de réductions qui permettent d’économiser quelques petits dollars.

Total = 300 euros

Hébergement:

– Motels: Nous avons pratiquement dormi que dans des petits motels tout le long de notre voyage. On avait choisi de passer uniquement par la chaîne Wyndham (Days Inn, super 8.. ) pour cumuler les nuits et en obtenir une gratuite pour les nuits beaucoup plus chères notamment dans les grands parcs ou à Vancouver.

–  Hôtel: Nous nous sommes fait plaisir en prenant deux/trois fois un bon hôtel mais uniquement lorsque nous avions trouvé des bons tarifs.

– Airbnb: Sinon on a utilisé airbnb quand il n’était pas possible de prendre un hôtel ou motel ou quand ceux-ci étaient vraiment hors de prix. Je dois dire que cette application nous a bien sauvé la vie, notamment à Vancouver où on a eu un souci de réservation.

– Bed and Breakfast:  Dans le parc national de Jasper comme il n’était pas possible de trouver des hôtels à la dernière minute et que tout était complet, j’ai même opté de passer une nuit en bed and breakfast chez l’habitant . Le prix était dérisoire comparé au reste et pour 40€ par nuit on a pu dormi tranquillement.

Total = 1807 euros

On s’est fait plaisir en allant deux fois au cinéma et avec des bains chauds (hot springs) en allant à Banff.

Total : 36 euros

Bon road trip à tous !

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Passionnée de Photographie depuis ma tendre enfance, et après une licence en arts de la scène, spécialisée en photographie, je suis partie un an aux états unis. Depuis je ne rêve que de voyages, que de partir à l'autre bout du monde. Alors dès que possible, je prends mon appareil photo, mon billet d'avion, et je m'en vais là où mes coups de cœur m’emmèneront.

Further Reading...

Un week-end spa & détente & visites à Montreux en Suisse

Comment obtenir un accès aux salons de l’aéroport ?

😍😍😍souvenirs souvenirs

C’est super impressionnant l’organisation que ça demande et comme tu as su géré cela ! Bravo

Wooow pour 22 jours par personne c’est carrément raisonnable! Merci pour ce récap’!

Bonjour. Merci pour ton article. Moi je prépare des raod trip de weekends avec ma conjointe. On a équipé notre Land Rover pour l’occasion. Donc nous n’aurons pas vraiment de dépenses pour l’hébergement.

Laisser un commentaire Annuler la réponse.

Comment obtenir un accès aux salons de l'aéroport , un week-end spa & détente & visites à montreux en suisse, mymyroadrip, mymyroadtrip.

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Must Do Canada

The Best Things to Do in Canada

13 of the Best Canada Road Trips That Will Blow Your Mind

April 30, 2019 By Matthew G. Bailey 12 Comments

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Canada Road Trip Last updated: April 1st, 2022

If the thought of being behind the wheel while driving amongst some of the most beautiful scenery in the world excites you, then this Canada road trip article is for you.

As world travellers that specialize in Canada travel, we’ve done some epic road trips in our lifetime, including the Australian East Coast, the Oregon Coast, California, and parts of Mexico, Malaysia, Peru, and New Zealand. Still, nothing compares to the 150-day road trip across Canada we did back in 2017. Comprising over 27,000 kilometres of asphalt (and some dirt roads as well), we got to explore Canada from coast to coast to coast. However, not everyone has 150 days to dedicate to driving across Canada.

While there are many other road trips not listed here, as well as a variety of incredible destinations that may not include an iconic road trip, we believe these 13 itineraries below are some of the best road trips in Canada and we hope they are helpful suggestions when you’re ready to take your next Canada road trip.

Let’s get started.

Table of Contents

Icefields Parkway, Alberta

How could I not start an article about Canada’s best road trips without first mentioning the Icefields Parkway, which has often been ranked as one of the best road trips in the entire world? Stretching 232 kilometres through both Banff National Park and Jasper National Park, this highway invites you into a journey of mind-blowing scenery, including mighty mountains, waterfalls, turquoise-coloured lakes and rivers, and glaciers too. While the drive from Banff to Jasper really only takes upwards of three-four hours, you’ll probably want to budget an entire day for all the stops you’ll be making to take photos, short hikes, or even full-on tours at the Columbia Glacier. Popular stops include Lake Louise, Peyto Lake, Columbia Icefield, Sunwapta Falls, and Athabasca Falls, just to name a few. For those coming from Calgary to Banff , you just continue towards Lake Louise and then head North on highway 93.

Best time to go: This Alberta road trip is best from June to September, although May works as well. October is also good if you don’t mind a higher chance of rain in exchange for much fewer tourists. From November until April, you should expect snow and ice. This is also a beautiful time to do the road trip, but you’ll need to be much better skilled at driving and expect delays. In addition, many things such as the Columbia Icefield tour are closed.

Bonus: Due to the popularity of this area, it’s also a great place for delicious food. There are so many restaurants in the area and we’ve made some extensive guides, such as our guide to the best Banff restaurants and the best Canmore restaurants .

Cowboy Trail, Alberta

If you’re looking for some prairie and mountainous “wild west” scenery, Alberta’s Cowboy Trail is the road trip for you. Primarily located just south of Calgary, you could start your experience in the province’s biggest city, taking time to explore the many things to do in Calgary such as the Glenbow Museum, Heritage Park, Studio Bell, or the new central library. If you’re up for a party, time your visit with the Calgary Stampede, which is known as the greatest outdoor show on Earth. You could even stop by the Alberta Boot Company and grab yourself some authentic Cowboy boots or other Western-style clothing.

While the actual “Cowboy Trail” refers to Highway 22, which travels all the way from the Edmonton area down into the USA, our favourite part starts around Bragg Creek and takes you down past Turner Valley, Black Diamond, Okotoks, High River, Longview, and down towards Pincher Creek. You’ll pass a lot of stunning scenery and historical sites such as the Bar U Ranch National Historic Site as well as a number of Western-style towns before winding up in the Rocky Mountains such as the Crowsnest Pass and Waterton Lakes. If you’re not wanting to continue into the USA, you could return to Calgary via Highway 2, stopping to see the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Head-Smashed-in-Buffalo-Jump .

Best time to go: This is one of the best road trips from Calgary and is best done between May and October.

Banff to Vancouver via the Trans-Canada Highway

While the Trans-Canada Highway can take you across the entire country, the most beautiful part, in our opinion, is from Calgary to Vancouver . After just an hour or so, you’ll arrive in Banff with nothing but gorgeous scenery for the remainder of the drive. This 900-kilometre slice of the Trans-Canada takes you through Banff National Park, Yoho National Park, Mount Revelstoke National Park, Glacier National Park of Canada, and finally into Vancouver, which is nestled next to the Pacific Ocean. While this drive can be done in one very long 12-hour day, you’ll obviously want to take as long as possible to make use of the incredible national parks you’ll be driving through. There are also a number of side trips you could take, such as highway 93 down into Radium Hot Springs, and Highway 97, which will take you down to Kelowna and the Okanagan Valley.

Tour Idea: Click here for a Smartphone Audio Driving Tour Offer .

Best time to go: This largely depends on what you aim to do. The safest time to go is during the warmer months when the highways are clear. However, if you’re into skiing, this is one of the best places in the world to shred powder, which is typically best between January and March.

For more tips on what to bring on a road trip, check out our Road Trip Essentials article.

Road Trip around the Okanagan Valley, BC

While the Okanagan Valley isn’t really known as a specific “road trip”, it is home to one of Canada’s most famous wine regions, a gastronomic hot spot, and beautiful Lake Okanagan. There are all sorts of beautiful towns to visit, such as Kelowna , Penticton, and Vernon. There are all sorts of award-winning wineries, farm-to-table restaurants, and sandy beaches as well. This also happens to be one of Canada’s warmest regions, which can hit 40 degrees Celcius in the summer months.

Best time to go:  June to September for the warmest temperatures. April, May, and October are also great and a bit cooler.

Sea to Sky Highway, BC

This is the shortest road trip mentioned in this article but a great one to take if you’re in the Vancouver area. The Sea to Sky Highway links Vancouver to Whistler, which are less than two hours apart, making this one of the most popular road trips from Vancouver. Driving along the coast, this is a great place to see the beautiful west coast. Popular stops include Whytecliff Park in West Vancouver, Shannon Falls, and the Britannia Mine Museum. There’s also the Sea-to-Sky Gondola, which provides unforgettable views and a suspension bridge and of course, Squamish and Whistler, which provide all sorts of adventurous activities. In addition, don’t forget to experience Vancouver whale watching while in the city as well as all the other fun things to do in Vancouver .

Tour Idea: Sea-to-Sky Gondola and Whistler Day Trip Tour .

Best time to go:  July to September is Vancouver’s dry season, but if the rain doesn’t bother you, almost any time of year is good. If you’re into skiing or snowboarding, January to March is best.

Vancouver Island, BC

Vancouver Island is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in Canada and is home to some of the best things to do in British Columbia . Not only does it have one of the mildest climates in the country, but it’s also home to a variety of landscapes, including rainforests, mountains, rugged coastlines, and scenic towns and cities, making it a great place for a BC road trip. It’s also home to beautiful gardens, epic hikes, surfing, scuba diving, and whale-watching tours. Two of the most popular places to visit include Victoria and Tofino, which are on opposite sides of the island. While driving between the two, don’t forget to stop at Cathedral Grove to marvel at the massive trees as well as the many other parks and towns along the way. Finish the trip with one of Tofino’s stunning sunsets.

Best time to go: a West Coast road trip is best between March to May and September to November. Summer is great too but is very busy and expensive.

Before you go, check out our article about things to do in Victoria BC .

Dempster Highway, Yukon

As Canada’s only all-weather road that goes past the Arctic Circle, the Dempster Highway has become one of the most unique road trips in Canada. However, this is not your average highway. The Dempster Highway is a 700-kilometre extremely isolated dirt road with only one service station (they also offer accommodation and a restaurant) option along the way in Eagle Plains. This road trip takes a little more preparation than the others and will be much harder on your vehicle than any other road trip mentioned in this article. However, for those who choose this adventure, you’ll be rewarded with incredible arctic scenery and the chance to drive all the way to Tuktoyaktuk and the Arctic Ocean!

Best time to go: The best time to go would be in the warmer months between May and early October. The road is open year-round but the driving becomes much more dangerous in the winter. Spring will bring a lot of bugs, summer will bring a lot of tourists, and the fall has no bugs and beautiful fall foliage (hint: our favourite time is the fall). However, if you time your arrival in Inuvik for mid-July, you might be able to experience the Great Northern Arts Festival.

Georgian Bay Coastal Route, Ontario

Looking for one of the best road trips from Toronto? With more than 30,000 islands and over 2,000 kilometres (1,243 miles) of shoreline, the Georgian Bay Coastal Route loops around the Bay from Toronto and features some of Ontario’s most stunning scenery. Some of the most popular stops include the Bruce Peninsula, Parry Sound, and Killarney Provincial Park. There’s also beautiful Manitoulin Island, which is the world’s largest freshwater island, as well as Wasaga Beach, which is the world’s largest freshwater beach.

In addition, you could also extend the road trip and add in the Chatham-Kent Corridor, which is comprised of 23 small communities overlooking Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair, and the Thames River. Basically, it goes from Toronto to Amherstburg, which makes this one of the most popular road trips from Toronto. This route is popular with motorcyclists but is equally impressive on four wheels. Without a doubt, the most famous stop along the way is Niagara Falls Canada .

Best time to go: Summer is great but also busy. Shoulder season in late August to mid-September or in the spring from May to June is also great. Either way, this is one of the best things to do in Ontario .

Lake Superior Circle Tour, Ontario

While the entire Lake Superior Circle Tour takes you to both Canada and the USA, you could opt to do a half-circle tour and just stay on the Canadian side. Either way, it’s a beautiful drive and a really cool place to get out in nature. Lake Superior is absolutely massive and will make you feel as if you’re driving alongside the ocean. It’s home to some incredible scenery as well as some interesting history from the war between Canada and the USA. In fact, you can even go scuba diving to see shipwrecks. Popular stops include Sault Ste. Marie, Lake Superior Provincial Park, Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, Ruby Lake Provincial Park, Pukaskwa National Park, and Thunder Bay. This is one of those places where you should plan to spend at least a few days and perhaps go camping, hiking, or enjoy some time on the lake. It’s a great road trip in Ontario for those who love the outdoors.

Best time to go: The warmer months from May to October. July and August will be the busiest. Before going, don’t forget to enjoy one of the many awesome things to do in Toronto !

Montreal to Gaspé Peninsula, Quebec

For those wanting to experience a world-class city like Montreal, followed by a scenic road trip, the Gaspe Peninsula is the one for you. This 9-hour trip takes you along the St. Lawrence River, from Montreal to Quebec City, and up to the Gaspé Peninsula. Known for its pine forests and looming cliffs, the Gaspé Peninsula is a stunning place to visit. Some of the highlights include visiting the pierced rock in Percé, spending some time at the Parc de la Gaspésie, and taking a boat tour to Bonaventure Island. Obviously, the cities of Quebec and Montreal aren’t so shabby either. This is a great road trip for those wanting to mix urban and rural fun.

Best time to go:  June to mid-September. Want more? Here are other things to do in Quebec as well as the top things to do in Montreal .

Prince Edward Island Coastal Drives

With so many beautiful coastal drives, the hardest thing might be picking the right one. Then again, you could always do all three. The tourism board has three road trips they recommend, which include the North Coast Coastal Drive, Central Coastal Drive, and Points East Coastal Drive. The North Coast will introduce you to its Mi’kmaq culture as well as some unique stops, including a potato museum and a college for the Highland arts. The Central Coastal Drive includes the Red Sands Shore and the Green Gables Shore region. This area is great to experience the beautiful red sand that PEI is famous for as well as the historical landmark of Anne of Green Gables. Lastly, there’s the Points East Coastal Drive, which is characterized by its parks, trails, and lighthouses. Either way, you’ll be treated to an array of stunning coastal views and delicious seafood along the way.

Best time to go:  The Eastern Canada road trip is best in the warmer months, as many attractions close in the winter. Want more ideas? Here are other things to do in Prince Edward Island .

Cabot Trail, Nova Scotia

For those visiting the East Coast, don’t miss a scenic drive on Cabot Trail, which is easily one of the best things to do in Nova Scotia . Cradling the coast of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, the Cabot Trail has become one of the most famous road trips in Canada and the most famous East Coast Canada road trip. At 300 kilometres in length, most of which hug the coastline, this road trip is perfect for those who love the ocean and incredible views. Traversing through Cape Breton Highlands National Park, there are all sorts of places to stop off and go for a hike as well. One of the most popular hikes is the Skyline Trail, which takes you up to the peak of the highlands for jaw-dropping views of the Atlantic Ocean. There are also some small communities of Celtic and Acadian descent, which are also home to many artisans. This is another road trip that only takes 3-4 hours to complete but is better done over one day or more.

Tour Idea: Click here to learn about a low-cost Smartphone Audio Driving Tour .

Best time to go: June to September is best for good weather but October is great to see the fall foliage.

Spending more time in Nova Scotia? Don’t forget to enjoy some of the best things to do in Halifax !

The Viking Trail and Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland

Known to locals as “The Rock”, Newfoundland is one of the most unique and beautiful provinces in Canada. It has its lively music, food, culture, and a really friendly laid-back charm. It’s also a great place for a Canada road trip thanks to Gros Morne National Park and the Viking Trail. In fact, there are many great road trips in Newfoundland but this one stands out as the best. If you’re looking for incredible scenery, wildlife, adventure, and ancient history, there’s no better place to go. It all starts with Gros Morne National Park, which is home to landlocked fjords, mountains, forests, barren cliffs, and the sea. It’s also home to the only place in the world where you can walk on the Earth’s mantle. There’s also loads of wildlife, including moose and caribou. Then there’s the Viking Trail , which takes you from Gros Morne National Park up to St. Anthony’s. This is the tip of Newfoundland and home to the thousand-year-old Viking settlement at L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site. Both Gros Morne and L’Anse aux Meadows are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Best time to go: June to early October is the best time for good weather. It’s also the only time L’Anse aux Meadows is open. For more, check out our article on the best things to do in Newfoundland

Road Trip Canada – Canada’s Trans-Canada Highway

The Trans-Canada Highway is the most epic and incredibly long road trip you can take in Canada. It stretches across the country through all 10 provinces. Starting in Victoria, it ends in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Some of the (many) highlights awaiting road-trippers include Vancouver, Banff National Park , the Alberta Badlands, Toronto, Ottawa, Quebec City, Montreal, Fundy National Park, and Gros Morne National Park, just to name a few. In fact, there are far too many highlights to include here. Just make sure you have a lot of time. Stopping only to sleep, this trip will take approximately 7 days. Personally, I’d want at least one month to do the whole journey from coast to coast. Add in an additional 2-4 weeks if you plan on going North to the Yukon and the Northwest Territories.

Best time to go:  April to October for optimal weather coast to coast. However, some parts of Canada still get snowstorms up until May.

We hope this list has inspired you to take a Canada road trip somewhere in this country, if not all the way across.

If you’re exploring Canada, we have many other articles you might enjoy as well, including:

• Things to Do in Drumheller
• Things to Do in Jasper
• Whale Watching Canada
• Things to Do in Calgary
• Camping in Alberta

Happy Travels!

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About Matthew G. Bailey

Matthew G. Bailey is the founder and editor-in-chief of Must Do Canada. Growing up in Alberta to a mother from Quebec and a father from Newfoundland, Matt spent his childhood playing hockey under the Northern Lights and hanging out in the forest before moving to Calgary and travelling to more than 250 cities spanning 42 countries and 6 continents. He loves travel, learning new things, playing sports, writing, making videos, photography, and scuba diving. You can also find him at LiveLimitless.net .

Reader Interactions

March 18, 2020 at 5:18 am

Traveling by car can get you places which can be very difficult to reach by public transport or tour. It gives you the convenience of going your own way, in your own time, and it can often be cheaper than public transport alternatives, especially if traveling as a couple or a group. Many car rental services are giving comfortable rides at affordable rates Here, some top road trip ideas to inspire you : 1) The Trans-Canada Highway 2) Sea to Sky Country, British Columbia 3) Icefields Parkway, Alberta 4) Country Routes, Quebec 5) The Dempster Highway, Yukon and Northwest Territories 6) Coastal Drives, Prince Edward Island

I mentioned above places are when I visited last time in Canada by ReRyde ride share service. It is easy for me to travel all the places at affordable rates within the scheduled hours. I enjoyed my trip happily by seamless ride To get more information: https://www.reryde.com/

June 9, 2020 at 7:33 pm

I am especially interested in the Dempster Highway drive. Could you send me a guide please?

Mike Richins 325-660-8904

5058 Oaklawn Drive Abilene, Texas 79606

June 10, 2020 at 3:23 pm

We don’t have any guides to sell. We might create a digital one, but it wouldn’t be ready anytime soon.

June 24, 2020 at 8:56 pm

I’m looking for some good road trips as I’m RVing from Kingston, Ontario to Vancouver Island in September and taking a month to do it.

June 25, 2020 at 1:23 am

Oh awesome, that sounds like a great trip. So much to see along the way. Riding Mountain NP, Grasslands NP in Sask, Calgary, the Rocky Mountains, etc 🙂

September 9, 2020 at 6:37 pm

My wife and I are planning to drive from Surrey BC to London Ontario. Leaving October 9th, or 10th 2020. wish me luck. we are hoping for good weather.

September 9, 2020 at 7:16 pm

Very cool! That’s a big drive! Just going for fun?

January 30, 2021 at 8:32 pm

There is the Northern Woods and Water Highway road trip that is the furthest North people can travel east west in Canada. See the website http://www.NWWR.ca As an Association we promote a different view of the prairies. It can be connected with the TransCanada or Yellowhead for a circle tour of Western Canada from Winnipeg to Vancouver and return. Get on anywhere and experience woods, water and wildlife.

February 1, 2021 at 3:56 pm

Very cool! Thanks for sharing! Are you like a Tourism Board for the area? We’d love to feature this one day on the channel

April 28, 2021 at 5:12 pm

just got some new wheels so anxious to hit the road….when we can once again do that! thanks for the great ideas!

April 3, 2023 at 9:01 pm

Do you have suggestions for renting a car that would allow you to rent the car on the west coast and leave it on the east coast?

April 4, 2023 at 1:51 pm

Not really. Some do allow that though for a fee. Sometimes you can book it this way through a site like Rentalcars.com, Expedia, etc.

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• Canadian Rockies Itineraries

Two Weeks In The Canadian Rockies – An Epic Road Trip Guide for Motorhome Travellers and Nature Lovers (2024 Update)

49 Comments

• January 19, 2024

Thousands of kilometres of breathtaking mountain valleys, icefields 3 times the size of Paris and more unique photography locations than you will be able to visit in your lifetime. That’s what awaits you on my road trip itinerary around the Canadian Rockies.

Canadian Rockies Two-Week Road Trip Overview

What type of traveller is this Canadian Rockies road trip perfect for?

Do you like to venture onto backcountry trails? Are you up for some hiking adventures? This Canadian Rockies road trip is designed for those who love to be outside and don’t plan on seeing the Rockies through the window of their car. 

This road trip is mainly designed for Motorhome travellers, but don’t worry. You can easily follow along with a regular car and book accommodation along the way. I included hotel recommendations for each destination.

When is the best time to do this road trip?

The ideal travel time for this Canadian Rockies road trip is between June and August when the nights are warm(ish) and the campsites are operating. 

Though campsites already re-open in May and stay in operation until September, during shoulder seasons I would recommend that you opt into hotel stays. The nights can still be very cold in May or September!

Any time before May or after September you may run into difficulties with finding a campsite that is open. 

If your main objective is to hike, then aim to go between mid-June and mid-October.

Where does this road trip start and finish and what area s does it visit?

The itinerary starts and finishes in Calgary – the nearest international airport hub, and takes you through Banff National Park, along the Icefields Parkway and all the way up to Jasper National Park.

From Jasper, you will make your way back down through Yoho National Park and finish in the Kananaskis Country Provincial Park near Canmore.

How much time do I need to complete this Canadian Rockies road trip?

The optimal time for this road trip is 14 days, but it can also be easily shortened or prolonged depending on the amount of time you have planned for your holidays. However, I would say you need at least 7 days to get a good taste of what the Canadian Rockies have to offer.

More Canadian Rockies itineraries

Are you travelling from Vancouver? You may find my other custom itineraries useful: 

• Vancouver to Calgary through Canada’s Epic Landscape  or
• The Ultimate 3-week road trip across Western Canada starting and ending in Vancouver

The Canadian Rockies road trip map

Above you can find the map of the whole itinerary. If you click on the top left of the map you will find separate layers marking the route, photography spots, hikes, points of interest and campsites.

How to use the map?

To hide and show different layers just click on the check box next to the layer’s name. You can also click on the icons on the map to see the names of the places I have marked.

I will be talking about them as I break the itinerary down day by day. 

Canadian Rockies Road Trip: The Logistics

What’s the best way to travel around the Rockies?

I’ve spent many months travelling through the Rockies in my minivan, which I converted into a tiny motorhome.

Understandably enough, if you choose Canada as your holiday destination, you won’t have time to do what I’ve done. In this case, if you want to follow this itinerary, you will either have to rent a car or a motorhome.

Rent a Campervan with Motorhome Republic

There is a vast array of campervan rental companies in Calgary and going through them all to find the best option will almost certainly give you a headache. To ease up your planning try the Motorhome Republic .  

It’s an awesome RV search engine that will help you choose a camper van tailored to your needs by scanning the top Motorhome rental companies in the area.

TIP! The rough estimate of this itinerary is 1500km. You will need to know this when booking your campervan as you will have to prepay for your kilometres. 

Rent a Compact Car with Discover Cars

This itinerary is optimised for camper vans but could easily be done in a regular car providing that you bring camping equipment with you or stay in hotels.

If you are looking to rent a compact car try  Discover Cars  – World’s best car rental search engine. 

Park Entries and Fees: National Parks Discovery Pass

This itinerary crosses through a few national parks, including the famous Banff and Jasper. Visiting a Canadian national park requires paying entrance fees.

If you are travelling for more than 7 days then consider investing in a Discovery Pass, which works out to be cheaper than buying daily passes. For example, the family/group pass covering up to 7 people in one vehicle costs CAD$151.25 per year.

Avoid waiting in lines and purchase the pass online, directly on the Parks Canada website , before your trip. You can also buy one at the entry toll gate located just a few kilometres past Canmore  at the entrance to Banff National Park , a place you will be crossing on this road trip.

TIP! Make sure to have your pass on display in the car at all times.

Information about staying at Parks Canada campgrounds

There is an ample variety of campsites all along the spots enlisted in this itinerary. The majority of them have been equipped with toilet and shower facilities as well as plug-in options for those travelling in bigger motorhomes which require re-charging.

The cost of staying at the campsites in 2024

The cost in the Province of Alberta is usually ca. CAD 35 per site per night and each site is permitted to hold up to 6 people and a maximum of two cars.

There’s an option of buying a fire permit for an additional fee. The permit also includes the firewood, so it’s an easy decision in my eyes. What’s a campsite without a fire, right?  

Tip! If there are only two of you and you don’t hold a reservation, consider asking other travellers in the check-in line if they want to share a site and subsequently the cost. This is what I did a few times when the campsites were full.

When to book the campsites in the Canadian Rockies in 2024?

If you travel In the peak summer months (June to August) you will find it very handy to book the sites well in advance, especially in the more popular areas like Banff, Lake Louise or Jasper. After all, tourism has boomed here in recent years.

All bookings can be made on the  Parks Canada Reservation Website and the system usually opens in March.  

Upon arrival at each campsite, you will be briefed about the wildlife awareness and measures you will have to undertake to keep the wildlife safe. 

Stocking up on groceries before starting the road trip

Once you’ve arrived at Calgary International Airport, pick up your car or campervan and head to the closest supermarket.

Although there are supermarkets in all of the road trip destinations, Calgary has the cheapest prices so it’s better if you stock up before you hit the road. Besides, once you get it over with you will have more time to enjoy your holidays!

14-day Canadian Rockies road trip: day-by-day breakdown

When you become acquainted with your new home on wheels for the next couple of weeks, then it’s time to hit the road. The main road from Calgary to the mountains is Trans Canada Highway 1 and it will take you to your first destination – Banff.

Day 1-4: Banff and its surroundings

• Distance from Calgary International Airport : 143 km / 89 mi
• Travel time: 90-120 minutes

Banff is considered by many to be the main hub in the Canadian Rockies. Its dream location coupled with its incredible geological features make it a top hit on our road trip.

Its quaint high street gets pretty busy in the summertime and so do many of the famous photography spots in Banff.

Best things to do in and around Banff

Sulphur mountain.

A series of relatively steep switchbacks for 5.5km (3.4 mi) will take you to the Upper Gondola Terminal on Sulphur Mountain. You’ll ascend 700m (2,300ft) and it’ll take around 1-2 hours one way.

The views of Mount Rundle and Cascade Mountain are well worth the effort. If you are not up for hiking you can take the gondola up and down instead. Whether you choose to hike or ride the gondola, you are up for the best views of Banff from above.

Banff Upper Hot Springs

The Banff Hot Springs, which are conveniently located near the lower gondola terminal are a treat after a long day of exploring.

They are run by Parks Canada and at around $17.50 / person it’s a bargain. If you decide to hike up Sulphur Mountain you can treat yourself to the hot springs afterwards. It will be a perfect end to a long day.

Join a lake cruise 

A cruise along Lake Minnewanka is an awesome way to see the Fairholme Range and the iconic Mount Inglismaldie. They depart every 30 minutes from the boat dock near the car park and prices start at 65 CAD per person.    

Practice your photography skills

Banff is any photographer’s wet dream. Amateurs, hobbyists and professionals flock from all over the world to get the chance to take their own version of photos from locations that have already been photographed to death.

The biggest piece of advice I can give when visiting photography spots in Banff National Park is to make the most of blue hour, golden hour, sunrise and sunset.

Bow Valley Parkway

Make sure to reserve one of the days that you spent in Banff for the Bow Valley Parkway. It’s a beautiful stretch of road which hides many natural gems.

What to see along the Bow Valley Parkway

The Bow Valley Parkway is a mini version of the  Icefields Parkway  but it still packs one hell of a punch. It’s only a 51km (32 miles) stretch of road but you can easily spend a day there.

Johnston Canyon

Since your time is limited I would highly recommend visiting Johnston Canyon. Make sure to get there early.

The morning light coming through the trees and shining upon some waterfalls in the early morning hours is a sight to behold. Providing the weather is good of course! 

One of the best ways to explore the Bow Valley Parkway and Johnston Canyon is on an E-bike and walking tour with an experienced guide.

My favourite time of the year for visiting Johnston Canyon is in the winter when all the waterfalls are frozen giving an impression of being in a fairytale ice castle. During winter time you can join a guided ice walk across the Johnston Canyon.

Morant’s Curve

At first thought, it’s just some train tracks running through a forest, but the famous Morant’s curve has become one of the photography hot spots. If you are patient enough to wait for a train to pass for some long exposures then you are guaranteed a great shot!

Please note that From March 1st to June 25th, travel is not permitted between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. on the 17-kilometre section of the parkway from Johnston Canyon Campground to the Fireside Picnic Area. This is to ensure the area remains a high-quality home for wildlife. Remember to always keep your eyes on the road at any time. 

Accommodation in Banff

Once you arrive in Banff there are a few campsites that you’ll be able to call home for the next few days.

My favourite, due to its location and the beautiful views that go with it, is the Two Jack Lakeside campground . However, if you want to be closer to the town centre you should go to the  Tunnel Mountain Campground . 

If you would like to be in a more remote location another great campsite to consider is the Johnston Canyon campground along the previously-mentioned Bow Valley Parkway which is a 30-minute drive from the township.

Banff International Hostel

What guests loved about it

• Great loft space

Moose Hotel and Suites

• Beautiful decor
• The welcoming smell of the fireplace

For Luxury Fans

Rimrock Resort Hotel

• Unparalleled views
• Excellent attention to detail

Day 4-6: Lake Louise

• Distance from Banff: 57 km / 35 mi
• Driving time: 40 minutes

Although Lake Louise is a popular winter skiing destination it is also famous in the summer for two big reasons: Lake Louise and the one and only Lake Moraine.

Truth be told, there’s not much directly at Lake Louise Village, but it’s an excellent central hub to explore the beautiful surroundings. 

Things to do in Lake Louise

Lake Louise is a few minutes’ drive away from Lake Louise Village. I hope I am not confusing you here. The village and the lake have the same names. The lake’s shoreline is a perfect location for the countless  hikes in the area . 

If you don’t feel comfortable hiking on your own you can book a guided hike around Lake Louise.

Lake Louise lakeshore

The 4km (2.5 miles) 1-hour return flat lakeshore stroll gets you away from the hustle and bustle of the world-famous Chateau Lake Louise, built right on its shoreline, and gives you the perfect view of the surrounding mountains and glaciers. 

The Plain of the Six Glaciers

Further on along this path is the way to the much more impressive Plain of the Six Glaciers, it’s a longer 11km (6.8 miles) uphill 4-hour return but it’ll transport you in some of the most pristine wilderness Canada has to offer.

Surrounded by towering peaks and frozen glaciers, you’ll be blown away. Make sure your camera has enough battery and take some cash because there’s a teahouse on the way there too. 

Discover Banff Tours runs guided hikes on some of the classic trails around Lake Louise including the Plain of the Six Glaciers.

Visit Lake Agnes Teahouse

If you’re feeling a bit more energetic than the Lakeshore but don’t think you can tackle the Plain of the Six Glaciers then the hike up to Lake Agnes is a good middle ground. It’s a 7km (4.4 miles) uphill return that should take around 3 hours.

You’ll not only be treated to the view of Lake Agnes at the top but also the sensational Mirror Lake and several vistas overlooking the Bow Valley on the way.

Again take some cash because there’s another tea house up there – the world-famous Lake Agnes Tea House. 

Get a glimpse of the Moraine Lake

Moraine Lake is the most famous Canadian lake and one of the  many famous postcard pictures of the Canadian Rockies . Its turquoise waters glisten in the sun and are incredibly framed beneath the famous Valley of the Ten Peaks.

The Lakeshore stroll is one of my favourites as it offers fantastic views with minimal effort. It’s a 2.4km (1.4 miles) flat return which only takes 40 minutes.

IMPORTANT (NEW IN 2023 ): Due to the high volume of traffic the road to Lake Moraine will stay closed for the entire summer season. Only shuttle and commercial buses will be able to bring visitors to its shoreline. Prebook your shuttle directly with Parks Canada or with a private company which I linked below.

Hike the Larch Tree Valley

Another one of  my favourite hikes in the Canadian Rockies (especially during September) is the Larch Valley Trail. It takes you 400m above the shimmering Moraine Lake through the forest amongst all the Larch trees before opening out amidst the valley of the Ten Peaks.

If you’re there at the right time of the year (early fall) you’ll be amazed at all the different colours, but the surrounding peaks are enough to leave you speechless.

It’s a 10km (6 miles) 4-hour return to the Minnestimma Lakes and a 14km (9 miles) 6-hour return to the Sentinel Pass across the Larch Tree Valley.

Accommodation in Lake Louise

There are two campsites at Lake Louise,  Lake Louise Tent and Lake Louise Trailer . Both have encircling electric fences to deter the abundant wildlife living in the area. 

HI Lake Louise Alpine Centre – Hostel

• Very friendly staff
• Great for meeting other travellers

Paradise Lodge & Bungalows

• Great location, a 15-minute walk from Lake Louise
• Rustic lodge feeling

Chateau Lake Louise

• Superb location right on the lake
• Choice of restaurants

Day 6-8: Icefields Parkway

Lake Louise Village marks the start of the Icefields Parkway (93N). This is the main drag connecting Lake Louise and Jasper and it is where you will be spending your next two days. 

The 232 km stretch of road which travels from Lake Louise in Banff National Park up to Jasper encompasses, what I consider to be, the heart of the Canadian Rockies.

Travel past monumental glaciers, icy blue lakes, enormous mountains and stretches of road that simply have to be seen to be believed. There are plenty of stops along the Icefields Parkway hence I believe you should spend at least a couple of days exploring it.

I have driven up and down this road, countless times and still didn’t get to experience everything!

You can learn everything about the incredible Icefields Parkway with this brilliant smartphone audio tour between Lake Louise and Jasper.

Watch as your audio guide points out must-see sights, attractions, breathtaking mountains, and glaciers that you pass along the journey. Learn about the area’s early pioneers, animals, geography, and the historical events that led to the highway’s creation.

Accommodation on the Icefields Parkway

HI Rampart Creek Hostel

• Clean and functional kitchen
• Great value for money and location

Sunwapta Falls Rocky Mountain Lodge

• Friendly and dedicated staff
• A rustic place far from the madding crowd

Day 8-10: Jasper National Park

• Distance from Lake Louise: 232 km / 144 mi
• Driving time: 3 hours (without stopping)

At the end of the Icefields Parkway, you’ll end up in the townsite of Jasper, a well-located little town with plenty of things to see and do.

I would recommend staying a couple of nights here. Jasper is the central hub of many beautiful spots in the Jasper National Park region.

Best things to do in Jasper National Park

Cruise down maligne lake.

Maligne Lake is around a 1-hour drive from Jasper. A boat cruise on the lake has to be one of the best activities in Jasper National Park.

It’ll take you halfway down the lake to Spirit Island (one of many  top photography spots in Jasper NP ) where you’ll disembark and have a chance to take in the view. 

Self-guided paddling trip

If you are feeling more adventurous you can rent a kayak or canoe and  paddle there yourself , just be prepared for a long day (26 km round trip).

If you have an extra day you can consider staying a night at the Fisherman’s campground accessible only by boat or canoe. This will require a bit more organizing ahead though as backcountry camping spots sell out faster than tickets to the Glastonbury Festival.

Hike the Sulphur Skyline 

The Sulphur Skyline is one of  my favourite hikes in Jasper National Park . It departs from the car park at the Miette Hot Springs which is a 61 km drive from Jasper.

Head north on Highway 16 for 44 km then turn right onto Miette Road next to the Pocahontas bungalows.

Follow the Miette Road until the end where you’ll find the trailhead. The hike offers unbelievable 360 panoramic views but is a steep 8km return which should take around 5 hours.

When you get down, a geothermal hot pool soak will be waiting for you.

Soak in the Hot Springs 

Like the Banff Hot Springs, The Miette Hot Springs are also owned and operated by Parks Canada.

They have 2 hot pools and 2 cold pools which contain many minerals good for your skin and body. If you’re brave try the coldest pool.

If you’ve done the Sulphur skyline hike, this will be the perfect way to relax afterwards.  The hot springs are only 100 meters away from the trailhead. 

Take the SkyTram up the Whistler Mountain

As well as Banff, Jasper has its gondola too. It costs CAD62.95$ and offers spectacular panoramic views from the top.

You can hike up there too but it’s a 1000m elevation gain so I haven’t yet attempted it. There’s also a hike you can do at the upper gondola station to Whistlers Mountain or  Indian Ridge . 

Hike along the Maligne Canyon

Maligne Canyon is just 11km outside Jasper along Maligne Lake Road. It’s an undulating 7.4km return which should take around 3 hours.

It’s beautiful at all times of the year but my favourite is when the snow melts at the start of summer and the river is at its most ferocious. It’s a busy spot, but the further you get away from the parking lot the quieter it becomes.

Get a cinnamon bun at the Grizzly Paw bakery

There are two bakeries in Jasper called the Grizzly Paw and they do the most amazing cinnamon rolls. I spent a little fortune on those and made sure to have one after every hike I did in Jasper. I am still trying to crack their recipe but to no avail.

Accommodation in Jasper

The two major campsites here are called  Wapiti  and  Whistler . Both are huge with plenty of sites.

I prefer Whistler but both are pretty similar. Both campgrounds are close to each other and both are only around 5 minutes south of Jasper’s town centre.

Jasper Downtown Hostel

• Well-stocked kitchen for self-cooking
• Great central location

Jasper House Bungalows

• Great location right on the banks of the Athabasca River

Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

• Heated pool, hot tub, and spa
• Location and scenery

Day 10-12: Yoho National Park

• Distance from Jasper: 260 km / 162 mi
• Driving time: 3.5 hours (but it will probably take a whole day)

On your return back from Jasper toward Calgary turn right at Lake Louise junction on the Trans Canada Highway 1. This road will take you to the little town of Field. You will now be entering Yoho National Park.

What to do in Yoho National Park

Takakkaw falls.

A good half-day hike and one of the most popular in Yoho National Park. It’s a 12km (7 mi) loop that should take around 4 hours.

It will leave you in awe of its natural beauty. After all, Yoho is the *Cree word for awe. That’s a Yohosome fact, isn’t it?

Emerald Lake

Another beautiful place to photograph in this area is Emerald Lake. Just a short 15-minute drive from the campground this photogenic lake should be on your list of things to do and see as it’s  one of the most photogenic places in the Canadian Rockies.

Visit Lake O’Hara

If you are one of the lucky ones who pre-booked their bus trip to Lake O’Hara, good on you. This remote lake has a very limited visitor allowance per year making it sought after amongst outdoor lovers.

I’ve been here in both the Winter and Summer seasons and have put together a separate  guide to Lake O’Hara . You should check it out! 

*Cree is a 3000-year-old language spoken by the Cree people.    

Accommodation in Yoho National Park

The best-located campsite in Yoho National Park is called Kicking Horse Campground.

Canadian Rockies Inn – Adult’s Only

• Comfortable quiet rooms
• Very welcoming and personal staff

Charlie’s Guesthouse

• Cosy and homely feeling
• Great location in the middle of Yoho Park

Cathedral Mountain Lodge

• Delicious food
• The most beautiful setting

Day 12-14: Canmore and Kananaskis Country

• Distance from Field: 105 km / 65 mi
• Driving time: 70 minutes

Canmore is where I spent  the picturesque winter  when living in Canada so maybe my opinion is a bit biased, but I truly find Canmore and its surroundings more beautiful than any other place on this Canadian Rockies itinerary.   

Best things to do around Canmore

Hike the ha ling peak.

Ha Ling Peak is the most popular summit in the Bow Valley. From the car park down Spray Lakes Road, it takes the majority of people 2-3 hours to get to the summit and just over one hour down.

The short 6km hike is quite steep as it includes an elevation gain of 737m (2417ft) but the views from the top are spectacular. I have done this hike multiple times including one  sunrise quest to the top.   

You can either do this trip on your own or join a certified hiking guide on a half-day trip to the summit.

Rawson Lake and Sarrail Ridge

The Sarrail Ridge is a moderate 11km (7-mile) 5-hour return hike which starts down in Kananaskis Country near the eastern tip of the Upper Kananaskis Lake. The first half, although slightly uphill, is relatively easy.

The second half is a much harder 45-degree almost scramble to the lookout. This route, which is popular on weekends with Calgary locals, is very quiet during the week. It’s one of many  superb hikes in Canmore and Kananaskis Country.  

Look for moose near Mount Engadine 

Engadine Lodge and the Moose Meadows is a 38km drive (1 hour) down the Spray Lakes/Smith Dorien trail from Canmore. It’s a beautiful place to go for a nice cup of tea or a slice of cake in the afternoon.

The meadows that surround it are very picturesque with little streams flowing through them. It’s also, as the name suggests, a very popular spot to see moose. The meadows are one of  the best spots in the Canadian Rockies to spot wildlife.

Practice your photography

Canmore and Kananaskis, just like any other area in the Canadian Rockies, have some incredible photography spots.

They range from mountain peaks to alpine lakes and will fill your soul with inspiration. See how many of my  favourite photography locations in Canmore and Kananaskis  you can fit into your trip!!!

From Canmore, it’s just 120km or 1 hour and 15 minutes to Calgary International Airport. Follow the Trans Canada Highway back east and proceed along with the signs for the airport.

Accommodation in Canmore

The two campgrounds that I would recommend are the Bow River Campground and the Spray Lakes West Campground near the Spray Lake Reservoir with the latter being my preferred choice.

Spray Lakes site is around a 20-minute drive from the town centre on the Smith Dorien highway (or more like a well-maintained gravel road). The views next to the campground are some of the best you will get.

If however, you want to be closer to the town, Bow River Campground should be your choice. Do bear in mind that it’s a bit close to the highway and it may be a bit noisy.

Canmore Downtown Hostel

• Well-designed spaces
• Very clean and well-organized

Tamarack Lodge

• Well-appointed, clean, and modern
• Beautiful and well-stocked units

The Malcolm Hotel

• Fantastic views from the pool
• Very comfortable beds

How to shorten this two-week Canadian Rockies itinerary?

This is a question I get asked quite often. I get it, unfortunately, it can be difficult for some to carve out a full two weeks of holidays to travel up and down the Rockies. Here are a few ideas on how to make this road trip plan shorter.

• Connect the days spent in Canmore with the days spent in Banff. They are only a 20-minute drive apart. That way you can save yourself a couple of days.
• Don’t stay overnight on the Icefields Parkway. Whilst I highly recommend it, if you don’t have a spare day then don’t feel bad about it. You can spend the whole day driving from Lake Louise to Jasper and then another day when driving back. This will already give you almost two full days on the Icefields Parkway.
• Cut out, Yoho National Park. Whilst amazing you just have to face the fact that you just can’t see everything! I spent 15 months in the Rockies and I still feel like I only scratched the surface. It’s better to take it slow than to try and see it all!

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Hi! I am the photographer and creator of www.inafarawayland.com. I come from Poland, but I've been living, travelling and working around the globe since I turned 18. A few years ago, during one of my trips to Scotland, I bought my first DSLR and my adventure with photography began. When I am not stuck to my computer editing photos, you can find me hiking somewhere in the mountains.

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I travel with a miniature aussie, 19 lbs. Can she come with me on Park shuttles or buses? like Lake O’Hara or Lake Lorraine?

Hi Teya. It really depends on the area. Lake O’hara area is restricted to dogs at it is very fragile alpine and wildlife environment. Parks Canada shuttle to Moraine lake allows dogs but they need to be in a carrier and fit onto owners lap. Check the FAQ section in this post https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ab/banff/visit/parkbus/louise

Hello, thank you for this amazing blog. One question. I am planning to arrive at Calgary by September 27th. Do you think I can do this 14 days itinerary by then? Ending around 1-12th of October. By that I mean, there won’t be places closed due to snow or being end of season? Please do let me know!

Hi Chae! Thanks for your feedback. Yes you can still do this itinerary at the start of October. Moraine lake usually closes in Mid-October and that’s kind of the cut off time for the hiking tourists. The nights do get cold already but hiking is still possible. Some peaks might already have some snow on them, but this can generally happen even in the summer season when the temperatures drops. The snow in the early season never lingers for too long and disappears really quickly. With that said you should always monitor the weather before heading out into the mountains. I hope that helps.

Hi Marta, Thank you do much for so detailed advice for 2-3 week road trip in West Canada, especially who want to use campsite in July, August. My plan is nearly 3 week from Vancouver (we will flight from Vietnam to Vancouver that’s halfway of the earth 🙂 We have 8 member (1 below 12) in a rented van, we dont know how we can gather, use only one campsite for 8 while the rules for up to 6 persons. We can book serviced camp or bring tents, either will best choice? Can we pay extra 1 adult and 1 kid via Parks Canada online? Or should we book 2 campsite and use 1? I read repeatedly your posts to make the plan and book along with your guidance!!AGain thank you that much!!!

Hi Angelina. Thanks for visiting. Since you have 8 people in the van I presume you are travelling with tents (I don’t really understand what you mean by saying we can book serviced camp). Yes there are rules in place when it comes down to how many people can be on one campsite, mainly so the facilities don’t get overloaded. You should book two campsites and you also should be asigned to campsites that are next to each other. This isn’t really a big deal and you still will be all able to hang out together on one of the sites, but sleep in separate tents on two campsites. It’s not like they are fenced off from one another or anything. You will be within each other sight. I hope that helps.

Hi Marta, we want to travel light but still want to experience camping site, and we found out all equipped camping in Two Jack Main are fully booked or unlaunched to be booked, is there any campsite provide equipped camping nearby?Or should we wait till May to book for late July trip?Thank you alot for you advices!

As far as I understand the all equipped camping still requires of you to bring your own sleeping bags which would be a lot of hassle to do if you are travelling from vietnam. I understand that you would like to try camping but ask yourself if it is really worth the effort. As for reservations I am afraid it all comes down to keeping your hand on the pulse in order to not miss the dates when the reservations open.

Wow, I really liked your Rockies road trip guide, I plan to visit them a few times during my one-year stay in Canada, I already passed by from Calgary to Kelowna and spent 2 nights at Canmore/Banff three weeks ago. Although, I will visit them again at the end of the summer to see the beautiful blue colour of the lakes. My family is coming to travel to Canada, they are arriving in Vancouver on April 26th and leaving Vancouver on May 11th, I would love to do the Rockies Mountains with them in RV during this time. I hope the spring weather will be ok, that is not what you are recommending (mid-June to mid-October) but that was the only period they could come.

Hi Louis. Thanks for your great feedback. I am sure your family will love the road trip regardless. Whilst May is not the best time for hiking, there are still plenty of spot to see and visit on a road trip from Vancouver to Vancouver. By the way I have a dedicated Vancouver to Vancouver Itinerary which might be worth for you to look into. I hope you and your family have an amazing time on the road trip. Happy travels!

Hi Marta ! We are a family with 2 teens visiting BC and the rockies for the first time this summer. We really like your blog, it is great ! We intend to rent a VC or motorhome to do the trip you suggested in 2 weeks from Vancouver. Can we park anywhere for the night ? Do we have to book all campsite ? What is the best way to buy the pass to enter the parc ? Do we need to know already all our itinery per day ? Thanks for your precious help.

Hi Elodie. Thanks for visiting. I am glad you decided to follow my trip. As for your question, no parking anywhere is not possible. Whilst you might be able to park free of charge outside of National and Provincial Park boundaries, within those boundaries you have to stay at a campsite. Now another thing, campsites do book out well in advance so do get on it asap. Which answers the last question, pre-booking campsites doesn’t give you much of a room for spontaneous changes in your itinerary. 10 year ago you could have just go and get a campsite on the spot, but those days are long gone. As for the Discovery Pass you can either order it online or buy them at the gates of the park or in visitor centres.

My husband and I plan to take a trip in the northwest US and on up into Canada, Alberta and BC, probably in August or September of next year. Do you have any information on dispersed camping? i’m hoping there is dispersed camping in Canada, to save money along the way. Thanks.

Hi Sue, Thanks for visiting. Camping outside of designated areas in National and Provincial Parks is unfortunately not allowed. Most of the places on this itinerary are indeed within Parks boundries. I am afraid you will have to book campsites. I hope that helps!

Your itinerary is perfect! I did this trip in 2021 with some photographer friends, staying at hotels. We followed all your recommendations here! I loved it so much, that I want to take my husband back in July 2024. We are going to rent a motor home and stay in the campgrounds. My question is this… you don’t have any campgrounds listed for the icefields parkway. Where do you recommend staying for that part of the trip? I see they have rustic campgrounds through out the icefields parkway. Do you have a recommendation?

Hi Kari. You just made my day. Thanks so much for your awesome feedback. I do have a separate post about Icefields Parkway with all campsites enlisted. I really liked the Waterfowl lakes campground because of its proximity to the lakes. Yes the campsites along the Icefields Parkway are quite basic, but your camper should provide you enough electricity for a couple of days if you arrive with a fully charged battery. I hope that helps. I would really appreciate if you used my afiliate links to book your campervan. Let me know if you have more questions!

Hi Marta, thanks for sharing a very informative blog. We are planning a 2 week motorhome trip for May 2024. We’re basically following the route from Calgary that you have described. We’re aware that many campgrounds will be closed at this time of year, but understand that there are a few year-round campgrounds. Do you have any particular recommendations or advice for Motorhoming in the Rockies in May. Many thanks in advance!

Hi Steve. Thanks for visiting. Yes there will be campsites in the Rockies that are open in May. The downside to travelling at this time is that most hikes still won’t be accessible, but with some research you will be able to do some regardless. Especially those facing South Side. Definitely pack warm clothes with you. The nights can still get very cold. Always have some windows cracked open because the condensation is relentless when outside temperatures dropped. You don’t want to wake up inside the campervan to wet blankets and clothes.

Hi Marta, I truly enjoyed reading your travel blogs. We are planning on a week trip in late August to September, if it’s doable and we’d like to start from Calgary. I would like to know which main places I can get into a hotel. Possibly 7-10 days to maximize our trip. Can you please suggest what highlights I should be concentrating on. I know that there are so many nice places to see. Are there chances on seeing wild animals a well? I hope you can suggest things for us so I can get started on making my reservations. Thank you. Hope to hear from you.

Hi Revelyn. Thanks for visiting. I know the information can get overwhelming. If you have 7-10 days I would divide them as follow 2-3 days Kananaskis country, 2-3 days Lake Louise and 2-3 days Jasper. If you need help planning an itinerary I am happy to do that. Here is the link to my travel planning services.

Hi Marta, We have our trip planned for end Aug, start Sept but only have 12 nights RV hire, where would you recommend cutting down the overnight stays. We will only be able to visit once so would love to get the most from our trip. We are more focused in the quiet than the hustle & bustle. Any help would be most appreciated. Many thanks 🙂

Hi Sally. Thanks for visiting. This is the itinerary I would follow then: Day 1-3 Lake Louise, Day 4-5 Icefields Parkway, Day 6-8 Jasper, Day 9-12 Kananaskis Country. Don’t feel bad about not staying in Banff. This is definitely the most touristy area and if you wanted to check it out anyways you can do it from Lake Louise or en route back down from Jasper to Kananaskis. Lake Louise is in Banff National Park and most of its hot spots are there not in actual Banff. As for Kananaskis I recommend staying at either the lower or Upper Kananaskis campsites. It’s a wonderful area! One of my favorites in the Rockies. Do prebook your campsites though! Let me know if I can help any further.

Hi Marta, great read thankyou, myself and my husband are due out for 3 weeks in an Rv sept 23, we plan to do a similar route to yours but over more time, jasper we are planning 6 nights, would you stay in one campsite or maybe two for change of scenery and different location? Also we would like to stop mid way on the ice field parkway but would this be possible in a 29ft rv? Also I’ve read Edith cavell you can’t drive to the parking lot in an rv? Is this the case? If so do you know another way to get there? Finally my husband is also a keen photographer so we are super excited and your photos on your blog are amazing. Many thanks kate

Hi Kate. Thanks for visiting. Sounds like you have an amazing trip planned. As for your question regarding Jasper. The campsites are in mostly forested areas with not many views, so I don’t really see a point in moving from one campsite to another. Yes, Edith Cavel road has restrictions in place. Here is the info directly from the Parks Canada website “Maximum length 25 feet No trailers and large motorhomes are allowed on Cavell Road. Drop-off area located in the parking lot at the start of Cavell Road on 93A.” You could cycle it but unfortunately, I don’t know of any shuttle. You could travel down the Icefield’s Parkway. Plenty of campsite there and I have a whole post about it . There is a huge parking lot near the athabasca glacier with RV parking. Let me know if you have more questions!

Hello Marta! I love your blog and I am dreaming with this trip since 2020 when de Covid “pauses” all plans… We are again planning our trip with all your valuable comments and recommendations 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing. We are not sure wich month we should choose for this trip. We are not thinking in “July and August” because are the busiest times. September is your recommendation and we are wonder if the best days are early or mid September. The great balance for weather , colors 😉 and the best experience. We are going to rent a car and stay at hotels. Manuela

Hi Manuela! thanks for stopping by my site and sorry to hear about your ruined plans! Fingers crossed they will finally come to fruition. As for your question. Let me start by saying, the weather is never a guarantee. Whilst September is still a pretty stable month for travelling in the Rockies and in fact one of my favourite times there, you still should consider that you probably won’t have the perfect weather for the entirety of the trip. If you do, then you can consider yourself very lucky 🙂

As for the best time. Mid-September onwards is when the autumn colours start showing up so if you are after seeing the foliage that’s when you should plan your trip. I would even go as far as the end of September if you want to see the peak of autumn. I am very glad you are choosing to stay in hotels though. Camping in the Rockies during September can be quite extreme with temperatures reaching well below zero Celsius during nights. Let me know If I can help further!

Your blog has helped me so much- our trip starts the 10th sept ( stay in Vancouver for 2 nights then we head over to Calgary).

I have made lots of notes and recommendations re hikes/photo points. Cant wait to do this now 🙂 Heather

Hi Heather! Yey I am so happy to hear that! have an amazing time and let me know how your trip went. If you have any questions, please do let me know!

Hi, first thing, love your blog and your posts, we’re a group of 4 friends and we want to start our trip in Calgary but to end it towards Vancouver, what is the trail that you would recommend on? Thank you so much for your help!

Hi there! Thanks for visiting! I have another itinerary from Vancouver to Calgary which you could reverse and start in Calgary and end in Vancouver. It’s the most extensive itinerary I have built on my site! Do check it out and let me know if you have more questions!

Dear Marta I am so happy I stumbled upon your amazing blog, thank you for these awesome tips, these are super helpful!

I‘ve got a question, we (two from Switzerland who would enjoy to explore the canadian rockies☺️, most probably from Calgary with an RV) would want to visit around Mid September to beginning of October. According to your recommendations about Motor Home Republic, the vehicles are most likely winterized during the winter season (starting usually from October 1, depending on weather conditions), meaning there would be no access to shower toilet or sink. This sucks as we would really want to drive around with an RV and it wouldn’t be worth the cost if we couldn‘t use its amenities. We really aimed to come over after the high season ended (mid September), would you say it would be just better to rent a car and pay for the amenities on the camping site so we‘d have access to the shower rather than booking an expensive RV? Or should we risk it and book the RV and book camping spots that have shower amenities (does that generally cost more compared to a normal parking spot) Sorry for this long text but I am quite unsure on how to plan this😅. Thanks so much in advance for your time and sharing your thoughts ☺️🙏🏻

Hi Kim! Thanks for the visit and your feedback. I am not exactly sure if I understood you correctly. You are afraid that when you book your campervan you won’t have access to its shower and sink? To be honest I don’t see why you wouldn’t. It has to get really cold before the water tanks start freezing and since the water tanks are usually somewhere inside the campervan and campers are often equipped with diesel heating I reckon you would be fine. What I suggest is to write to the companies directly, but plenty of people still rent campers during that time. Just bear in mind that during September and October it does often already get cold overnight. As for campsites, they usually remain open until the end of September and some are even open year-round. The ones that close sooner are the campsites on the Icefields Parkway, but you can also check which ones stay open and which ones stay close. It doesn’t cost more to book campsites when you want to use the shower amenities. As for your second question, I also don’t really understand: “would you say it would be just better to rent a car and pay for the amenities on the camping site so we‘d have access to the shower”. Do you mean you would be bringing a tent then? It it is a yes, then I wouldn’t recommend staying in a tent at this time of the year. Let me know if that helps and if you have more questions.

Fantastic – thanks very much – I’m sure I’ll have more questions to follow!!

No Worries! Ask away any time!

Hi Marta – great blog, we’re heading to Canada this summer and planning to hire an RV for 5-6 days to travel from Calgary to Banff and Jasper (then back to Calgary).

Can I ask a couple of questions – is there an RV Park/Campsite between Banff and Jasper – keen not to drive it all in 1 day.

Also, if you stay in a place for a few days (such as Banff) can you walk everywhere from the campsite or do you need to use the RV to get around town/to locations?

Hi Edward! Thanks so much for stopping by! I will get straight to the answers. Yes, there are plenty of campsites between Banff and Jasper. There is a campground near Johnston Canyon on the Bow Valley Parkway and also one in Lake Louise. Also definitely visit my post about Icefields Parkway, where I have a whole list of accommodation and campground options between Lake Louise in Banff NP and Jasper. https://inafarawayland.com/icefields-parkway-travel-guide/ As for the second question depends on what campsite you stay at. The tunnel mountain campground has a shuttle bus to town, but there is also a big RV parking lot right at the entrance from Banff which is a walkable distance to downtown. If I were you though, try to avoid Banff downtown as much as possible in the summer. It’s just one big commercial zone. Take advantage of what the Rockies have got to offer and plan a route that avoids towns and spends as much time in the beautiful mountains as possible. Let me know if you need any more help! Always happy to help!

Marta, Thank you for your wonderful travel guides! We are planning to rent a very large RV in August 2022 and follow your Calgary to Calgary trip! My question is…will we need to “unhook” the RV each morning to venture out sightseeing and hiking in the surrounding area, then “re hook” back up each evening in the campsite? Sincerely, Kelley

Hi Kelley! Thanks for visiting my site? I would love to help you but what do you mean by “unhook”? Are you renting an RV or did you meant to say trailer that you will pull with car?

This Canadian Rockies 2-week trip guide is fantastic, and I will make use of this guide immediately. I am planning a trip right now, including all the things provided in this guide.

Hi Marta, such an informative blog! And really stunning photos! I came across your website while searching for info on New Zealand some time ago, but actually you inspired us to go to Canadian Rockies now:). We plan to travel around mid-July for about 3 weeks (if the pandemics allows..), trying to squeeze in some day hikes. We plan to travel in a rented saloon car and our own tent + camping gear. The thing is we really don’t want to book everything in advance but rather have flexibility and go day by day (or few days in advance max). Would you say it is feasible? At the end we just need a place to pitch a small 2-people tent (no need for electricity for campervan etc). I understand that all the prime locations in National Parks might be fully booked, but maybe there are many other campsites in the vicinity of the NPs where finding a spot is easier? What would you recommend? Thank you!

Hi Bart. Thanks for stopping by and your awesome feedback! I am glad to hear my website inspired you to go to the Canadian Rockies. As for your question if you were going in the second half os September then I would say you can definitely wing it (apart from some places) but because you are going in July, going without bookings is a bad idea, unless you only plan on visiting off the beaten path places (and even those are often very busy with locals). Campsite bookings are notoriously difficult to get in July and August and that applies both to backcountry and front-county. Campsites are also quite limited. Now given the circumstances we are currently in, this July might turn out (and it probably will) a lot quieter than the previous years because a lot of people will be cautious about travelling overseas, but if it was me I would definitely make bookings (or move your travel to September) or you can stick to the area where campsites operate on a first come first serve basis (Icefields Parkway). Anyways I hope that helps! let me know if you have any more questions!

Hi Marta, many thanks for your reply! I am just reading on Banff NP website that there ~2500 camping sites / 14 campgrounds available in the park, which at first glance seems to be a rather high number to me. If you say these fill up quickly, it means the Park really gets crowded. Let’s see how the situation evolves this year. Thank you again for help, cheers 🙂

Hi Marta. First off, thank you for this unbelievable travel guide throughout Calgary! You have definitely taken some of the stress out of planning this trip by providing some great advice and tips on where to go, where to stay, and what to do. I can’t wait to get to Canada to see some of these breathtaking destinations! I am trying to follow this itinerary as close as possible, but will only have 9-10 days in Calgary. Do you have any recommendations on how to plan this trip in 9-10 days? Maybe cut certain things out of the trip (even though that may be hard). I plan on going in September and will be staying in hotels. I am mostly going to see the breathtaking scenery, do some light hiking, and do small activities throughout the trip. I am open to any ideas you may have so please let me know what you recommend! Thank you!

Hi Patrick. You can connect the days and Stay 3 days in Canmore visiting the areas around Canmore and Banff. Then drive on the Icefields Parkway to Jasper , stay 3 nights in Jasper. From Jasper drive back on the Icefields Parkway to Lake Louise and stay there for 3 days. That way on you last day you will be closer to Calgary. From Lake Louise you can also visit the Yoho NP. As for hikes I have recommendations for each regions so make sure to check out my other articles.

Hi Marta. What a great website, and stunning photos. Thanks for sharing all your info. I will be travelling through Canada independently this August, and wanted to ask your opinion regarding which of the hikes detailed on your website you think are appropriate to complete solo, and which would require navigating in a small group (either with like minded travellers or an organised guide). At this stage I plan to stay in hotel accomodation and hire a small car for transport. Many thanks 🙂

Hi Abby thanks for stopping by. Because of the wildlife on the trails none of the hikes are really recommendable by Parks Canada to do solo, but there are some hikes that are lots busier than others meaning chances of running into wildlife are very slim. For example Edith Cavell meadows in Jasper has quite a few people on it, Parkers ridge on the Icefields Parkway, All day hikes in Lake Louise (particularly the plain of 6 glaciers, Lake Agnes and Larch tree valley). In Kananskis country Ha Ling Peak, EEOR and Rawson Lake always have people on them). Just don’t go super early in the morning when there is still noone on the trail. You can also always team up with others at the car park. I have done that once on the trail to Burstall Pass, as we have run into a couple who has run into a grizzly on that day. We were still at the start of the trail so we decided to turn around and then met a group of 6 at the carpark and asked them if we could join (I was there with my friend on the day). I hope that helps!

Sure does. Thanks for the advice.

No worries!

Hi Marta, will this 2-week itinerary be suitable if the travel period is last week of July and first week of Aug? Will there be swarms of mosquitoes on the hikes mentioned? 😀

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Best Road Trips From Vancouver

Top road trip destinations from vancouver.

🚗 850 km ⏱️ 9 hours, 10 minutes

Banff is nestled in a truly magical landscape in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. With its crystal-clear lakes, majestic mountains, and breathtaking views left and right, Banff is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. Nearby, you can enjoy skiing, hiking and wildlife viewing.

Traveling up Canadian Rockies, you will be treated to one stunning view after another as you drive through Revelstoke , Golden and Lake Louise . You can also visit the stunning Glacier and Yoho National Parks .

🚗 795 km ⏱️ 8 hours, 30 minutes

Jasper National Park is a jewel in the Canadian Rockies offering unspoiled wilderness. Explore glacier-fed lakes, abundant wildlife, and scenic drives on the Icefields Parkway. This is the perfect destination to unleash your inner explorer and adventurer!

On the way to Jasper, make sure to spare some time to visit Kamloops and pretty parks like Pyramid Creek Falls and Mount Robson Provincial Parks .

🚗 65 km ⏱️ 50 minutes

Squamish is known as the "Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada," and offers a great mix of rugged landscapes ideal for rock climbing, hiking, and water sports. Are you ready to tackle the infamous climb to Stawamus Chief?

This is a relatively short but scenic drive on Sea to Sky Highway with beautiful views of Howe Sound. En route, you can visit Cypress Provincial Park and Porteau Cove Lookout .

🚗 2,060 km ⏱️ 21 hours, 10 minutes

Welcome to the "Entertainment Capital of the World"! From dazzling shows and luxurious casinos to Michelin-starred dining and high-end shopping, Las Vegas offers endless entertainment options.

On this road trip, in addition to being able to visit Seattle , Portland and Crater Lake National Park , you can make amazing detours to Lake Tahoe and Yosemite .

Grand Canyon National Park

🚗 2,640 km ⏱️ 27 hours, 30 minutes

One of the most beloved and most visited national parks in the world, the Grand Canyon is home to famous vistas and incredible hiking trails. You can admire the views from the top of the canyon rim or enjoy rafting at the bottom.

En route, you can also visit Seattle and Portland for an urban fix and trial your luck in the casinos of Reno before you arrive in Las Vegas .

🚗 970 km ⏱️ 10 hours, 30 minutes

Calgary is home to the famous Calgary Stampede, which takes place every July, and also offers access to the stunning Canadian Rockies, urban parks, and a growing food scene.

There is so much to see on this route, such as the rugged mountainous landscapes of Revelstoke and Golden to the stunning Yoho and Banff National Parks .

🚗 115 km ⏱️ 3 hours, 20 minutes

Victoria is easily accessible from Vancouver, and the capital of British Columbia is a historic city with a beautiful Old Town and some stunning buildings. Don't miss the iconic Butchart Gardens and the busy inner harbour.

Before taking the ferry from Tsawwassen to Victoria, we recommend spending some time at Deas Island Regional Park .

🚗 120 km ⏱️ 1 hour, 30 minutes

Whistler is a premier ski destination in North America, but the town offers more than just winter sports. Summer activities include mountain biking, and exploring the village shops, restaurants, and spas.

Driving on the scenic Sea to Sky Highway , you can visit the beautiful Crystal Falls , the pretty town of Squamish and Brandywine Falls Provincial Park en route.

Los Angeles

🚗 2,190 km ⏱️ 21 hours, 30 minutes

The city of dreams, Los Angeles, is famously known as an entertainment hub, the glamour of Hollywood, its popular beaches, and fun theme parks, making it the perfect destination for the entire family.

On a drive of this scale following the Pacific Coast, you will have the opportunity to visit amazing places such as Seattle , Portland , San Francisco , Monterey and Big Sur .

Yellowstone National Park

🚗 1,525 km ⏱️ 15 hours, 40 minutes

Yellowstone National Park is the first national park in the world! Known for its geothermal features like Old Faithful and the Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone is also home to wildlife, including bison, wolves, and bears.

On the way to Yellowstone, we recommend making stops at the buzzing city of Seattle and the beautiful landscapes of Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park , Spokane and Coeur d'Alene .

San Francisco

🚗 1,530 km ⏱️ 15 hours, 30 minutes

San Francisco is famous for its iconic Golden Gate Bridge, historic cable cars, and hilly neighborhoods. Explore the lively waterfront at Fisherman's Wharf and treat yourself to some of the freshest seafood.

As you drive south across the border into USA, you can take time to visit Seattle , Portland , have a picnic at S hasta Lake or detour to Lassen Volcanic National Park .

🚗 230 km ⏱️ 2 hours, 20 minutes

You will easily recognize the city's silhouette, thanks to the majestic Space Needle as you drive into Seattle. Pike Place Market is the place to be if you want to grab a bite and rub elbows with the locals.

On this relatively short drive, we recommend planning for stops at Bellingham , Little Mountain Park near Mount Vernon and Skagit Valley Tulip Fields if you are travelling in the spring.

🚗 455 km ⏱️ 5 hours, 20 minutes

Kelowna, nestled in the heart of British Columbia's wine country, is surrounded by scenic landscapes and beautiful lakes. The town itself is home to luxurious wineries and is a perfect summer getaway.

You will get to visit plenty of cute towns like Abbotsford and Hope and beautiful parks like Bridal Veil Falls Provincial Park and EC Manning Provincial Park en route.

🚗 150 km ⏱️ 1 hour, 30 minutes

Hope is located where the Fraser and Coquihalla Rivers meet. This beautiful town is a gateway to several scenic valleys and parks and is also famous for its chainsaw carvings and as a filming location for numerous movies.

This is a short drive packed with things to see such as Fort Langley National Historic Site , Tanglebank Gardens in Abbotsford and Bridal Veil Falls Provincial Park .

Portland, Oregon

🚗 670 km ⏱️ 7 hours, 25 minutes

Portland is best known for its pioneering artisan coffee shops, amazing food truck scene, and the vast Powell's City of Books. You will also find plenty of urban oases, such as beautiful parks and biking trails.

On this road trip to Portland, you can also visit Seattle , Olympia , make a detour to Olympic National Park and spend some time by the ocean in Astoria and Cannon Beach .

🚗 1,270 km ⏱️ 13 hours, 40 minutes

Edmonton is home to a lively arts and music scene, the beautiful North Saskatchewan River Valley, and the famous West Edmonton Mall. The city hosts popular seasonal festivals and is a great place to base yourself.

This adventure is the perfect mix of urban and natural with sights to see like Mount Revelstoke National Park , Golden , Lake Louise , Banff National Park and Calgary .

🚗 730 km ⏱️ 8 hours

Spokane is known for its beautiful riverfront park and historical buildings. The city is also a stone's throw from hiking trails, especially stunning in the fall, rivers, and ski resorts such as Mt Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park.

Great places you can visit on this road trip include the interesting Whatcom Museum in Bellingham , iconic urban landscapes of Seattle , and charming Bavarian village of Leavenworth .

🚗 150 km ⏱️ 2 hours

Pemberton is nestled among towering peaks and lush valleys, offers a peaceful escape from the city life. Known for its horseback riding, golfing, and hiking, Pemberton is a gem if you are looking for laid-back adventures in nature.

You will be treated to one scenic beauty after another on Sea to Sky Highway on this road trip and visit Squamish , Brandywine Falls and Whistler en route.

Golden Ears Provincial Park

🚗 55 km ⏱️ 50 minutes

Golden Ears Provincial Park is home to pretty forested trails, alpine lakes, and scenic campgrounds. A perfect day trip from Vancouver, this park provides a natural sanctuary for hiking and water sports.

On your way to the provincial park, you can also visit Burnaby Lake Regional Park and WildPlay Maple Ridge , perfect for a fun day out.

San Juan Islands

🚗 195 km ⏱️ 4 hours

The San Juan Islands in Washington State are an archipelago known for their stunning natural beauty and relaxed island lifestyle. Accessible by ferry, these islands offer unique experiences like whale watching and kayaking.

Take your time on this road trip to also visit Peace Arch Park , just across the border, the pretty city of Bellingham and Burlington .

Leavenworth

🚗 345 km ⏱️ 4 hours, 10 minutes

Leavenworth is a Bavarian-styled village nestled in the Cascade Mountains, offering a unique European experience in the heart of Washington State. Known for its festive Christmas lighting and Oktoberfest, the town provides year-round entertainment.

There is plenty to see on the way, too! We recommend visiting Bellingham , Mount Vernon , Wallace Falls State Park and Lake Wenatchee State Park en route.

🚗 660 km ⏱️ 7 hours, 50 minutes

Nelson is all about the outdoors and exploring things to do up and down Kootenay Lake. One of the best-known attractions is the Ainsworth Hot Springs. These naturally hot water springs attract a lot of visitors, so try to get here early.

To take in the beauty of the area during this road trip, some of the best places to visit are Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park and EC Manning Provincial Park en route.

Longer road trips from Vancouver

🚗 2,550 km ⏱️ 29 hours

Whitehorse, the capital of Yukon, is a great gateway to the breathtaking wilderness of Canada's far north. You might be lucky enough to see the Northern Lights here and enjoy outdoor adventures like dog sledding, hiking, and fishing in untouched northern landscapes.

🚗 2,615 km ⏱️ 32 hours

Head to California and discover San Diego's laid-back charm and sunny skies. It is dotted with beautiful beaches and family-friendly attractions like the San Diego Zoo great nightlife in the Gaslamp Quarter.

🚗 3,530 km ⏱️ 40 hours

Anchorage is surrounded by rugged wilderness and some of the most dramatic landscapes. Here you can enjoy whale watching and glacier tours, as well as experiencing the midnight sun in summer or the northern lights in winter for a truly magical visit.

🚗 4,600 km ⏱️ 43 hours

An impressive cross-continental drive will take you to Toronto, Canada's largest city. As you approach the city, take in the views of its famous skyline dominated by the CN Tower and then head to the downtown area to visit Nathan Phillips Square and CF Toronto Eaton Centre.

3 Weeks In Canada Itinerary

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When I decided to go on a vacation in Canada, the planning was quite overwhelming. It’s such a big country and the places I wanted to see are so far apart from one another.

I mean, people who holiday in Canada probably just go for a week or two, but an entire 3 weeks is kind of a lot and sounds expensive. But my mind was set on it. What I learnt from my planning was really interesting. I even found out about places I’d never heard of but was really curious to visit.

Did you know that 77% of the world’s maple syrup is also being produced in Canada, particularly Quebec? That’s why this place will seem like a haven for maple syrup lovers. You bet they have a wide variety of maple syrup-flavoured treats.

Aside from that, Canada has around 2,000,000 lakes , which is why this country is perfect for people fond of bodies of water. So, what else could we see in Canada? It has rainforests, rocky mountains, fjords, crystalline glaciers and sweeping prairies – not to mention the spectacular Northern Lights.

Some exceptional sceneries in Canada include Cavendish Beach, which is well-known because of Anne of Green Gables . In these Queen Charlotte islands, travellers can experience summer festivals from June to August. You will also find totem poles and argillite carvings here.

Banff National Park also has glacier-fed waters that sparkle and an alpine backdrop. This place looks so picture-perfect that it is a shot straight out of a movie. These are only the tip of the iceberg in the areas you could visit in Canada.

While I only had 3 weeks in Canada, I actually managed to see so much. I visited a bit around late summer and managed to get up in the north where winter starts early.

ALTERNATIVE: 3 weeks in USA Itineraries

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE GOING TO CANADA

Canada is the second-largest country in the world by area, second to Russia. That’s why it would take a lot of time to visit and experience everything the country has to offer.

If you stay for three weeks in Canada, make sure that you choose the places you want to see the most and do the things you want to do to make the most out of your 3 weeks in Canada. It would also be helpful if the places are near each other.

Book your flight and accommodation early if you want to spend less . Here are other things you need to know before going to Canada.

Best time to go to Canada

Naturally, summer is the best time to go to Canada because you can go hiking, swim in glaciers and lakes, see fjords, lounge around on beaches, and have road trip s.

This season is also better for people who aren’t used to the cold because it would hinder your travelling if you are sensitive to cold temperatures. 

However, many activities could be done during the winter, including dog sledging, sleigh rides, skiing, ice hiking, ice hockey, fat biking, curling, and ice skating.

Who would forget hot springs, of course? This feels very relaxing and rewarding after being out in the cold for a long time. If hiking is in your travel plan , late spring or early autumn is a great time to do it in Canada.

Are 3 weeks enough for Canada

Canada is a massive country. Although there is a good railway system in most parts of the country, it’s not good enough to travel across different provinces in just 20 days

However, if you have three weeks to spend in Canada, with good planning, you will be able to visit 3-4 cities in 2-3 different provinces.

If you like it, then you have more reasons to come back next time. Perhaps a winter trip or a stunning spring adventure.

If you choose cities that are near one another, you can even rent a car and make your vacation a road trip.

Cost of a 3-week trip to Canada

Canada is not a cheap destination for a holiday, but it can be done if you know where to go, when to go, and where to stay. Accommodation will cost the most. Food and transportation are reasonable, while there are free walking tours (tip-based) that you can book. Here’s a budget idea:

For an affordable three-week trip to Canada, budget travellers can expect to spend around $80-$120 CAD per day on accommodation in hostels or budget hotels, meals at inexpensive restaurants or groceries, and local transportation, totalling approximately $1,600-$2,400 CAD for the entire trip.

Mid-range travellers may allocate $150-$250 CAD per day for comfortable hotels or vacation rentals, dining at mid-range restaurants, and occasional tours or activities, amounting to roughly $3,000-$5,000 CAD for three weeks.

For a luxury experience, travellers can budget $250-$500 CAD or more per day for upscale accommodations, fine dining, private transportation, and exclusive experiences, totalling $5,000-$10,500 CAD or higher for the entire trip.

Prices may vary depending on the specific destinations visited, season, and personal preferences. You should also remember that the main flight to and from Canada is not included in these estimations.

How to get around

In Canada, getting around as a tourist varies based on the region . In urban areas like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal, public transportation including buses, subways, and trams is efficient and affordable.

For longer distances between cities, domestic flights are the fastest option, although they can be pricey. Train travel via VIA Rail is available in certain regions (not all), offering scenic routes but may not be the fastest or cheapest option.

There are also buses- which are the cheapest, but it’s only worth taking if the ride is no more than 8 hours.

Renting a car is ideal for exploring remote areas or national parks , providing flexibility and convenience, but it may not be necessary in cities with good public transit.

For exploring the cities, you can use the local metro, buses or ride-hailing apps such as Uber, Lyft, Facedrive, and TappCar.

Canada has one of the strictest visa policies. The government offers free visas to limited nationalities. This included anyone from North America, some parts of Latin America (Brazil, Chile, French Guiana), most parts of Europe, Japan, South Korea, Papua New Guinea, Australia, and New Zealand.

The visa is valid for up to 180 days. Visitors must get an eTA (electronic travel authorization). If you have a valid US tourist visa, you can also apply for an eTA if you’re from these countries , but you must arrive by air only.

Package tours

Avoid the hassle of planning transportation and booking hotels and tours by opting for a package tour. The tour company will handle everything for you. All you need to do is pack your luggage, book your flight to Canada, and show up.

In this way, you can actually focus on exploring Canada, soaking up the beauty, and relaxing. Take a look at each itinerary and see if it’s something that suits you.

Other basic travel tips

Just a quick blurb of tools I usually use when travelling anywhere in the world; car rentals, sites for hotels and accommodations, travel insurance (which is now required by many countries where COVID-19 should be covered), and tour booking sites.

PINNED MAP OF MUST-SEE SPOTS IN CANADA

You may click the top-right icon to enlarge the map. Credit: map data: Google

3 WEEKS IN CANADA ITINERARY

The first portion that we would tackle in this itinerary for 3 weeks in Canada is the Western part. Since Canada is so big, we divided the areas into east and west. We even have a bonus portion wherein we discuss where you could go during the fall and winter. 

Itinerary #1: West Canada

Western Canada has four provinces: Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia and Manitoba . British Columbia is the most distinct in cultural, economic, and political matters among the four.

Some of the things you could do or places you could visit during your 3 weeks in western Canada include visiting the following:

• Summit of Mount Norquay
• Banff Gondola and National Park
• River rafting at Thompson River
• Vancouver Island
• Soak in Banff Upper Hot Springs
• camp or hike at Glacier National Park
• Camp at stunning Lake Louise or stay in a houseboat – here are the best things to do in Lake Louise
• Fairview Lookout
• Devil’s Thumb

If you want to have a road trip in Canada, you can drive through the Trans-Canada highway because you can pass by most of the places indicated here.

Vancouver for 4 days (BC)

You seriously wouldn’t run out of things to do in your 3 weeks in Canada because there’s just so much to explore. In Vancouver, for instance, you could visit the following:

• Join Gastown food tour
• Anthropology Museum
• Vancouver FlyOver
• Hike around the Grouse Grind
• City and Seal Boat tour
• Cycle around Stanley Park
• Grouse Mountain & Capilano Bridge
• Kayak in Deep Cove
• Book a Panorama Tour by Seaplane

If you want to slow down and truly feel like you’re having a vacation, you can have dim sum and find your zen in Chinatown. They have tons of Chinese gardens which incorporate Confucian and Buddhist traditions.

You can also visit Granville island via aqua buses. You can sip on premium teas, sample fine chocolates, hear buskers, and shop for organic produce on this peninsula. 

• Budget to Mid-range Accommodation: Samesun Vancouver or YMCA Hotel
• Luxury: Paradox Hotel or Wedgewood Hotel & Spa

Glacier National Park for 3 days (BC)

Speaking of parks, another park you could visit is Glacier National Park. You could avail of guided tours in this place or do a mini-DIY hike.

Aside from that, you could also participate in ranger-led programs , backcountry camping, hiking, biking, fishing, cross-country skiing and boating. Make sure to not miss to experience Ice Explorer and Skywalk .

Banff National Park & Canadian Rockies for 4 days (CB/Alberta)

There are tons of things to do in Banff National Park. It is the oldest national park in Canada, and you would see diverse species there, including lynx, moose, bighorn sheep, cougar, grizzly, and black bear.

You can also do horseback riding , hiking, climbing and skiing, and for those who like to wind down a bit, you can watch wildlife. Make sure to get your ticket and ride the Gondola and sleigh rides during winter.

Lake Louise is the most popular body of water in this area and is worth the visit and a must-visit. However, there are so many other lakes in Banff to explore and offer amazing scenery and fun activities.

Banff National Park is located in the Canadian Rockies. They were declared a UNESCO heritage site in 1984, along with three British Columbia provincial parks.

Still, there are other parks, including Kootenay, Jasper, Yoho and Waterton, which are not adjacent to the other parks.

• Affordable Accommodation: Banff International Hostel or Rundle Mountain Lodge or HI Castle Mountain Hostel
• Mid-range: Tamarack Lodge or Pocaterra Inn & Waterslide
• Luxury: Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise or Blackstone Mountain Lodge

Calgary for 4 days (Alberta)

Calgary is only a 2-hour train ride or a 1.5-hour drive from Banff. It easily should be the next stop on your itinerary for Canada. Four days in this city is plenty.

It’s an ideal spot to take a break from heavy sightseeing, reflect on the places you just saw, and take it a little bit on the down low.

While in Calgary, you can still visit ample places and things to do, such as visiting the Calgary Zoo, getting on top of the Calgary Tower , going on a picnic at Prince’s Island Park if it’s warm enough, and exploring the Heritage Park Historical Village.

A few places to eat that are worth a visit are Cage Beano, Weeds Cafe, Holy Grill, NOtaBLE Restaurant, and Bridgette Bar for some drinks.

• Where to stay in Calgary : Park Inn by Radisson or Sandman Signature or HI Calgary Hostel

Winnipeg or Churchill for 4 days (Manitoba)

If you are visiting during winter, you have to go to Churchill. It is the world’s polar bear capital; more than 1,200 polar bears migrate through the area each year. This period only lasts from October to November, but aside from that, you could do many other things here.

During the winter season, you could avail yourself of dog sledge tours and chase for the Northern lights, while during autumn, you can enjoy the Beluga Whaleboat tours and bird watching.

On the other hand, Winnipeg is a good-sized city known as the “cultural cradle of Canada”, this is a fantastic spot to visit for people who love history and want to get to know the country more.

A few places you might want to check out:

• Canadian Museum of Human Rights
• Manitoba Museum
• Manitoba Legislative Building
• Royal Canadian Mint
• The Forks National Historic Site

For other fun things:

• Children’s Museum
• Assiniboine Park Zoo
• The Forks Market
• Winnipeg Art Gallery
• Journey to Churchill
• Where to stay in Winnipeg : The Grand Winnipeg Airport Hotel or Humphry Inn and Suites or Queen Bee Hotel

Winnipeg’s international airport makes it a perfect place to finish your trip. However, if you are heading to a less prominent city or country, there might be a connection in Toronto or even Vancouver, depending on where you are going.

Itinerary #2: East Canada

If you tell people that you’re going to visit Canada, they’ll most likely assume that you will see the West Coast because the scenery and landmarks are more well-known there. However, the East Coast also has its own charms.

It has twinkly lakes, thick forests, and log cabins, and the essential factor is there are way fewer people than on the West Coast.

You can also find Niagra Falls and Quebec in this region of Canada . Visit Quebec, a well-known city for producing maple syrup. There are tours that you can book to do some maple farm visits and tastings.

Toronto for 4 days

If you aren’t afraid of heights, you could try climbing up Toronto’s CN Tower, the tallest free-standing structure in the Western Hemisphere:

• Try out EdgeWalk, an activity in which you’ll circle the CN tower while in a harness 
• Visit the Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, which is located at the base level of CN Tower
• Royal Ontario Museum
• AGO – an art gallery in Ontario for museum and art enthusiasts
• Hockey Hall of Fame
• Shopping at St Lawrence Market consists of numerous flea and street markets
• Toronto Railway Museum
• Harbourfront Centre
• Queen’s Quay Terminal

Accommodations:

• Affordable Accommodation: Samesun Toronto or The Clarence Park
• Mid-range: The Rex Hotel Jazz or Home in Downtown
• Luxury: Hampton Inn by Hilton or One King West Hotel & Residence

Niagara Falls for 2 days

There are also a lot of things to do in Niagra Falls aside from appreciating the majestic view:

• Book a day trip to Niagara Falls
• Enjoy a helicopter tour over Niagara Falls
• Have a class C V-rapids
• Zipline to The Falls
• Visit their fashion outlet and even get a history lesson
• Near Niagra falls, you can visit Becker farms and Vizcarra vineyards, as well as Black Willow Vineyard and A Gust of Sun Winery and Vineyard
• Buy a hop-on hop-off Toronto bus
• Affordable Accommodation: Kings Inn or Glengate Hotel
• Mid-range: Vittoria Hotel and Suites or A Moment in Time B&B
• Luxury: Hilton Niagra/Fallsview or Sheraton Fallsview Hotel

Ottawa for 4 days

Calling all ice skaters out there, you might want to consider going to Ottawa because it has the world’s largest skating rink, stretching for nearly eight kilometres – Canada’s Rideau Canal .

Canada has a famous delicacy there called Beaver Tai l, a deep-fried dough sold at kiosks along with the ice rink. Don’t forget to visit Petrie Island Beach if it’s warm enough. It is a must-try for travellers.

You can visit their numerous museums, watch sports matches and even visit the residence of the Canadian monarch. Rideau Hall is basically the equivalent of Buckingham Palace and is open to the public throughout the year.

They conduct free tours, which last for 45 minutes. It’s easier to get around if you have a hop-on-hop-off Ottawa bus pass .

Make sure you ride the famous Amphibious bus and join a night walking tour to learn more about the city.

• Affordable Accommodation: Ottawa Backpackers Inn or ByWard Blue Inn
• Mid-range: The Business Inn or Cartier Place Suite Hotel
• Luxury: Alt Hotel or The Metcalfe Hotel

Old Montreal for 3 days

Old Montreal is a Parisian-style quarter that has been restored in recent decades. There are tons of narrow streets and winding alleyways where you can find interesting shops and lovely restaurants.

For those who loves exploring downtowns, there are plenty of trendy cafes around Old Montreal that will make you feel like you’re in Europe.

Some of their attractions include:

• Clock Tower reminiscent of Big Ben
• Montreal Science Centre
• La Grande Roue de Montréal or Giant Ferris Wheel
• Notre Dame Basilica and the gardens of Place Jaques-Cartier
• Montreal half-day bus tour
• Take a walk at Rue Saint Paul, which is their oldest street, completed in March 1672
• Don’t miss out on the Traditional Ghost Walk
• Ride the MTL zipline
• Where to stay in Old Montreal : Maison Saint-Vincent or Hotel Gault or Auberge Alternative

Quebec City (Vieux-Quebec) for 2 days

Quebec City is a super vibrant place. However, Old Quebec is quite charming. Old Quebec is interesting in its own right. With 400 years of history, you can walk through many exciting sites in the birthplace of French North America.

One of which is Chateau Frontenac, which is the world’s most photographed hotel in person. The best way to explore this area is through a 2-hour grand walking tour with a local guide .

You can visit Forts-et-Châteaux-Saint-Louis as well, the governors’ residence from 1620 to 1834. Walk along the street of Petit-Champlain, filled with one-of-a-kind boutiques, Quebec City artists and artisans. Last but not least is Notre Dame de Quebec Basilica-Cathedral, which is the continent’s first catholic parish church.

While exploring Quebec City, visit Montmorency Falls with ride the Cable Car . There is also a famous Ice Hotel which you can visit without staying there. And, of course, visit Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac .

• Where to stay in Old Quebec: Auberge Saint-Pierre or Le Capitole Hotel or Hotel Le Saint-Paul

Nova Scotia for 2 days

One of the smallest provinces of Canada, Nova Scotia has a lot to offer. If you have a few days left before leaving Canada, visiting this area will be worth visiting. So far, there haven’t been big “outdoor activities” listed on this itinerary, and Nova Scotia will amend that.

The name of it literally means “New Scotland”. Compared to many parts of East Canada, people in Nova Scotia mostly speak English.

The province is filled with national parks that are worth a visit. If it’s warm enough (and you are brave enough), you might try dipping in the lake and the ocean (no one will blame you if you don’t though).

A few places to explore:

• Cape Breton Highlands National Park
• Kejimkujik National Park
• Halifax Citadel National Historic Site
• Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
• Explore Halifax through a segway tour
• Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
• Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 – go on a guided tour
• Point Pleasant Park
• Peggy’s Cove – you can join a tour that includes a city tour of Halifax
• Where to stay in Nova Scotia: Hotel Halifax or Tru by Hilton

BONUS: Fall and Winter in Canada in British Columbia

Fall is an excellent time to visit Canada because the pleasant weather and miscellaneous prices are cheaper than in summer. The fall foliage in Canada is also quite spectacular. Aside from that, you can do tons of activities such as:

• whale watching
• hiking and camping

However, that doesn’t mean winter isn’t a good time to visit. 3 weeks in Canada during winter are perfect for those fond of various ice sports such as skiing, sleighs and sledging. Some plan on spending their winter holiday in Canada. Without further ado, here are some things that you could do during fall and winter in Canada.

During the fall season, you can enjoy the:

• Various colours of leaves at VanDusen Botanical Garden,
• Immerse yourself in art at the Vancouver Art Gallery
• Ride the ghost train or attend fright nights at the Pacific National Exhibition
• Festivals such as the Vancouver International Film Festival and the Vancouver Fringe Festival
• Watch a Canucks game
• Visit the Vancouver Aquarium
• Ski and snowboard
• Ride the Bright Nights Christmas train located at Stanley Park
• Walk the seawall
• Shop at Riley Park winter farmer’s markets

British Columbia is quite different during the winter from summer. While in general, it is more laidback, British Columbia is filled with activities that would surely give you an adrenaline rush. Some of these include:

• Winter ziplining
• Heli-skiing
• Sky Gandola
• Snowmobiling and snowshoeing

There are tons of things to do in British Columbia during the fall season. These include visiting their waterfalls, hiking, buying seasonal vegetables at their farmer’s market, taking a tour of the rainforests, and bald eagle-watching, among others. You could ride the 2-peak gondola if you prefer a less active activity.

SUMMARY OF 3 WEEKS IN CANADA

Whether you want to see natural sceneries and historical sites, try out different foods, cross out a bunch of activities on your bucket list or learn more about their culture – there will always be a place in Canada that would excellently match your preferences. It is a vast country with tons of UNESCO World Heritage sites. 

I hope that you found this guide on how to spend 3 weeks in Canada helpful.

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The Ultimate Quebec Road Trip Itinerary for 2024: An Itinerary You NEED to Steal

By: Author Girl with the Passport

Posted on Last updated: November 8, 2023

Categories North America

Ready to experience the awe-inspiring beauty of Quebec and all that it has to offer as you plan an ultra-rad Quebec road trip itinerary this summer and beyond?

Heck yeah, you are since Quebec is easily one of the most gorgeous provinces in Canada and is home to some of the most beautiful places to visit in the entire country.

However, with so much to see and do, it can be difficult to know where to start when it comes to planning some of the most scenic drives in Quebec .

Well, luckily for you, I’ve been hopping across the border and traveling throughout Quebec for well over 30 years now.

Yup, my family has a house on Lake Champlain – near the border in New York – and I’ve been loving Quebec since the ripe old age of six.

Therefore, I have the inside scoop on what to do, where to go, and what to see when planning the best ever Quebec road trip .

So, stop seeing Quebec like a tourist and start experiencing all that this next-level magical province has to offer as you enjoy some of the best-hidden gems in the region with this comprehensive guide to planning a road trip through Quebec .

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure for more information. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

14 Day Quebec Road Trip Itinerary Summary

• Day 1 – 2 – Montreal
• Day 3 – Eastern Townships
• Day 4 – 5 – Quebec City
• Day 6 – La Malbaie
• Day 7 – 8 – Tadoussac
• Day 9 – Rimouski
• Day 10 – Sainte-Anne-des-Monts
• Day 11 – 12 – Gaspé
• Day 13 – Percé
• Day 14 – Carleton-sur-mer

Alternative 21 Day Itinerary for Quebec

• Day 1 – 3 – Montreal
• Day 4 – 5 – Eastern Townships
• Day 6 – 8 – Quebec City
• Day 9 – 10 La Malbaie
• Day 11 – 13 – Tadoussac
• Day 14 – Rimouski
• Day 15 – 16 – Sainte-Anne-des-Monts
• Day 17 – 18 – Gaspé
• Day 19 – 20 – Percé
• Day 21 – Carleton-sur-mer

Best Quebec Road Trip itinerary

1. montreal.

The largest city in Quebec is also one of the hippest in Canada!

After all, Montreal is known throughout the country for its rich history, awesome festivals, and stellar takeaway food like poutine and bagels.

You’ll also find unique neighborhoods full of cafes and shops, as well as a thriving street art scene that everyone will enjoy.

As a result, this enchanting city makes for an ideal first stop on your epic Quebec road trip .

Trust me, you’ll find a long list of things to do in Montreal that keep you there for a week. But, if you’re looking for a taste of the city, I recommend adding at least two days in Montreal to your road trip itinerary.

Top Things to do in Montreal

• Notre Dame Basilica – Reminiscent of the grand Notre Dame in Paris, Montreal’s Notre Dame is a must-visit. The church is nearly 200 years old and is home to stunning stained-glass windows from Limoges. Be sure to look up so you can take in the vaulted ceiling with its 24 karat gold stars against a rich dark blue background. Plus, there’s a light and sound show called Aura too.
• Museum of Fine Arts – Montreal is filled with museums, but the best and largest is the Museum of Fine Arts. The museum is spread out over five pavilions and features a concert hall, a theater, and even hosts a variety of events. You’ll also find over 45,000 pieces of art within, that includes everything from paintings to sculptures.
• Street Art – If you’re looking for free things to do in Montreal then wander the streets in search of street art. You’ll find a heavy presence throughout the city, especially in Old Montreal, Chinatown, and in Griffintown. However, the best neighborhood to find stunning murals Plateau Mont-Royal. Here you’ll find the most iconic pieces that Montreal is known for. There’s even a guided tour that you can take that is known as the Official Mural Tour!
• Mont-Royal Park – Ascend over 500 wooden stairs that will take you to gorgeous lookouts, a stunning waterfall, and to some of the best views of Montreal. In fact, Mont-Royal Park is filled with a ton of amazing things to do and places to visit. After all, there are hiking trails, museums, Saint Joseph’s Oratory, and more. You can also pop into Mount Royal Cottage, a historic building complete with a gift shop and nifty little café.

What to Eat in Montreal

• St-Viateur Bagel – One of the best places to grab wood-oven baked bagels in Montreal!
• La Banquise – This all-night diner serves Québécois grub, like one of the best poutines in the city.
• Île Flottante – For stylish French dishes with a n incredible presentation. Reserve a table and try their seasonal tasting menu.

Where to Stay in Montreal

• Hygie Hotel (budget) – This small pod hotel offers both dorm and private rooms. With a garden, terrace, and ideal location in the old port, Hygie Hotel is a great option for budget travelers.
• Best Western Plus Montreal Downtown (mid-range) – Located downtown and close to the top sights, this mid-range hotel has everything you need. It has contemporary rooms, a restaurant, and parking.
• Boxotel (luxury) – With studios, lofts, and apartments, this 4-star luxury hotel boasts a gym, hammam, rooftop terrace, and city views. Plus, it’s ideally located downtown.

Di stance and Travel Time from Montreal to Magog: 1.5 hours and 75 miles east of Montreal

2. Eastern Townships

Quebec’s Eastern Townships are known for their wineries, natural landscapes, and culinary scene.

This region is also situated within the southeastern portion of the province, between the St. Lawrence Lowlands and the US border.

Therefore, it features a collection of small towns and cities, like Magog, that make for a picturesque stop on your Quebec road trip itinerary.

Things to do in the Eastern Townships

• Le Cep d’Argent Vineyard – When in Quebec’s wine region a visit to one of the area’s top wineries is a must. And one of the best winegrowers in Magog is Le Cep d’Argent Vineyard. The winery offers incredible views of the fields and the Magog River. So, stop by for a tasting, a tour of the winery, and to enjoy some local wine at one of the first wineries in Quebec!
• Mont-Orford National Park – For outdoor enthusiasts this is one of Magog’s top attractions. After all, Mont-Orford National Park has a ton of fun things to do like hiking, biking, wildlife viewing, and more! So, if you’re planning a road trip in Quebec in the fall then this park is a great stop to take in the fall colors.
• Spa Nordic Station – Add a few hours at the spa if you’re looking for some pampering during your Quebec road trip! See, The Spa Nordic Station offers guests a range of treatments and packages. You can enjoy Swedish massages, saunas, cold waterfalls, and even three-course meals!

What to Eat in Magog

• Alessa Trattoria – This modern Italian restaurant has the best pizza in town!
• Pinocchio – Perfect for French cuisine, specifically salmon tartar and a perfect crème brulee.
• Cantine Chez Paul Enr – Stop here for the best poutine in the area!

Where to Stay in Magog

• Auberge jeunesse Magog-Orford (budget) – Located downtown, this budget accommodation offers guests both private and dorm rooms. There’s also a café within this charming century-old building where you can enjoy complimentary breakfast.
• Hotel Verso – This new beach hotel is also downtown. Hotel Verso has a cool mid-century modern vibe, awesome views of Lake Memphremagog, and a Mediterranean bistro.

Distance and Travel Time from Magog to Quebec City: 2.5 hours and 157 miles

3. Quebec City

The top stop on any Quebec road trip is, of course, the capital, Quebec City!

Home to one of North America’s oldest settlements, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to Europe! Yup, there really are so many reasons why this city, with its walled old town, a castle-like hotel, and a thriving food scene should be on everyone’s Canada road trip bucket list!

Things to do in Quebec City

• Explore Old Quebec – Old Quebec is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dig deep into the history of Quebec with a wander through the old town or with a walking tour . Walk the cobblestone streets, stroll the old stone walls, and check out the top sights like Place Royale, and the oldest stone church in North America. Then take the funicular up to the Dufferin Terrace and stroll the boardwalk.
• Observatoire de la Capitale – For some of the best views of Quebec City head to the tallest skyscraper in the city. From the 31st floor you’ll enjoy sweeping 360-degree views of the city, the St. Lawrence River, and even the Laurentian Mountains.
• Take a Food Tour – The city has begun to make its mark on the culinary scene in the province. A great way to experience Quebec City is on a food tour. There are a variety of food tours available that bring you to all the best places to eat and taste the best foods the city has to offer.
• Musée des Beaux-Arts – With a bunch of great museums, one of the best is the Beaux-Arts Museum. Set over four pavilions, within the Plains of Abraham, this art museum has over 38,000 pieces in its collection. You’ll find works from both Quebec and international artists too. Also, don’t forget to check out the rooftop garden and on-site art garden too.

What to Eat in Quebec City

• La Buche – Enjoy traditional Quebecois cuisine like tourtiere and crepes.
• Le Chic Shack – This casual restaurant is known for their gourmet burgers, but you’ll want to try their poutines and homemade sodas.
• La Planque – This lively spot brings Canadian fare to the next level! Try one of their seafood dishes.

Where to Stay in Quebec City

• Auberge Internationale de Québec (budget) – For budget accommodation, this hostel in old Quebec City is perfect! It has both dorm and private rooms as well as a terrace and café.
• Le Monastere des Augustines (mid-range) – If you’re looking for unique places to stay, try this converted 17th century monastery. Located just minutes from the old town, this hotel has cozy rooms, a restaurant, and yoga classes.
• Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac (luxury) – This dreamy castle-like hote l is a National Historic Site of Canada. It has luxurious rooms with views of the St. Lawrence River, a spa, restaurant, wine bar, and indoor pool.

Distance and Travel Time from Quebec City to La Malbaie: 1.75 hours and 88 miles

Pro Tip: Ensure your accommodation offers parking if you’re staying in the old town.

Plus, stop at Montmorency Falls on your way to La Malbaie. This waterfall is higher than Niagara Falls and is one of the top attractions in Quebec!

4. La Malbaie

Best known for the Charlevoix Meteorite Crater, La Malbaie is a great addition to any road trip in Quebec!

In fact, the road from Quebec City to La Malbaie is considered one of the most scenic drives in Canada!

So, any nature lovers embarking on this quebec road trip itinerary will love all of the parks and outdoor adventures to be found in the area.

However, there’s something for everyone here, from museums to a quaint downtown.

Things to do in La Malbaie

• Hautes‑Gorges-de-la-Rivière‑Malbaie National Park – This incredible regional park is part of the UNESCO Charlevoix biosphere reserve. The Malbaie River runs through a towering gorge and is home to 10 hiking trails and multiple waterfalls. The most popular hike is Acropole des Draveurs Trail. Plus, you can also take a guided boat tour through the gorge.
• Garden of the Four Winds – This privately owned garden is the largest of its kind in Canada. Covering 20 acres, there are around 25 different gardens including rock, sculpture, and Japanese. This whimsical attraction also has waterfalls, an enchanted tower, and sweeping views of the St. Lawrence River.
• Au P’tit Bonheur Art Gallery – Set in a lovely home, this large art gallery showcases the works of over 30 painters and sculptors from Quebec and across Canada. Throughout the exhibit space you’ll even find the owner’s collection of antique glass.

What to Eat in La Malbaie

• Chez Truchon – Auberge & Bistro – This lovely inn and French bistro is set within a century home. Top dishes are the foie gras and filet mignon.
• Maison du Bootlegger – If you’re looking for dinner and a show then head to this museum and restaurant. Enjoy a guided tour of the 1860s Speakeasy with hidden passageways and doors. And then for dinner you’ll want to order the steak!

Where to Stay in La Malbaie

• Auberge de Jeunesse La Malbaie (budget) – This hostel is minutes from downtown and offers a range of rooms. Some of the rooms even have water views!
• Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu ( luxury) – This luxurious 1929 chateau hote l has awesome views of the St. Lawrence River, and three restaurants.

Distance and Travel Time from La Malbaie to Tadoussac: 1 hour and 46 miles

Pro Tip: On your way to Tadoussac, add stops at Fromagerie Saint-Fidele to try local cheeses and to check out the observation deck in Saint-Siméon. Also take the ferry from Baie Sainte-Catherine to Tadoussac since it’s free and runs year-round.

5. Tadoussac

The charming village of Tadoussac is a popular destination for whale watching and outdoor adventures.

It’s also located at the edge of the Saguenay Fjord and the St. Lawrence River and is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful bays in the world!

You’ll also find rich history here since this village was founded in 1600 and is now one of the oldest settlements in North America – making it an essential part of any Quebec road trip itinerary.

Things to do in Tadoussac

• Go Whale Watching – One of the bucket list things to do in Quebec is go whale watching ! And Tadoussac is one of the best places in the Côte-Nord region to see a wide variety of whales. The best time to take a tour is from May to October. During this time, you can see humpback whales, blue whales, and more! However, you can also see beluga whales here throughout the year.
• Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre – In this museum you’ll learn all about the whales that visit the area through videos, exhibits, and even whale song! There’s also an impressive 43-foot-long sperm whale skeleton within their collection!
• Saguenay Fjords National Park – This scenic park is a must for outdoor adventurers! Park activities include sea kayaking, cycling, and hiking. There are also a dozen different hiking trails within the park, one of which, Le Fjord trail, even goes right into Tadoussac. The top two trails for epic views though are Notre Dame du Saguenay Statue Trail and Giant’s Viewpoint via River Path.

What to Eat in Tadoussac

• Mathilde Express – If you’re looking for great take out this spot is attached to the Chez Mathilde Bistro. A go-to dish is their fish and chips.
• Café Bohème – This charming café serves French-inspired food that includes a variety of vegan dishes. A favorite is their savory crepe.
• Le William – This fine dining restaurant is located in Hotel Tadoussac and offers regional cuisine and waterside views. One of the most popular menu items is the halibut.

Where to Stay in Tadoussac

• Hôtel Tadoussac – This iconic hotel dates to 1864 and is conveniently located close to everything. It has a spa, outdoor pool, restaurant, and rooms with awesome views of the water.
• Canopee Lit – Just outside of town you’ll find one of the coolest places to stay in Quebec. This unique resort lets you sleep among the trees in their treetop cabins and spheres.

Distance and Travel Time from Tadoussac to Rimouski: 2 hours and 40 minutes and 96 miles

Pro Tip: Continue driving along Quebec Route 132 to Forestville. From there you’ll take the Rimouski – Forestville Ferry. It runs a few times a day and takes an hour to cross.

6. Rimouski

Back on the southern banks of the St. Lawrence River, you’ll find yourself driving along one of the most scenic roads in Quebec, Route 132.

The Highway takes you along the coast and wraps around the Gaspe Peninsula. In particular, Rimouski is located in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region and is a city known for its epic parks, vibrant downtown, and seaside boardwalk.

Things to do in Rimouski

• Hell’s Gate Canyon – This awesome adventure park is home to the highest suspension bridge in Quebec! Towering over 200 feet, the bridge crosses the canyon here for epic views of the surroundings area! Canyon des Portes de L’enfer, as it’s called in French, is also home to a network of hiking trails, waterfalls, and a life-sized maze.
• Bic National Park – One of the best parks in the region, especially for wildlife viewing, is Bic National Park. Encompassing 8,200-acres, the park stretches along the shores of the St. Lawrence and offers visitors plenty of opportunities for sea kayaking and hiking. Plus, it’s a popular spot to see seals and seabirds. Don’t forget to check out the Raoul-Roy Lookout too!
• Pointe-au-Père Maritime Historic Site – Learn about many of the events that took place in the area at this historic site. The site is home to the Onondaga, which is the first publicly accessible submarine in Canada, as well as the Empress of Ireland Museum. The museum also tells the story of the steamship and its wreck off the coast. It’s also where you’ll find the Pointe-au-Père Lighthouse, which is the second tallest in Canada. Be sure to take the tour that brings you up to the top for an amazing view!

What to Eat in Rimouski

• Le Crêpe Chignon – If you’re looking for light fare in a casual space then head to this café and order their beloved crepes.
• La Réserve Bistro – This fine dining French bistro has a seasonal menu of regional fare. One of the best dishes is their braised beef.

Where to Stay in Rimouski

• Motel Lyse (budget) – Located just outside of downtown Rimouski, this budget mote l has free parking and comfortable rooms.
• Hotel Le Saint Germain (mid-range) – This mid-range hotel is located downtown, has modern rooms, free breakfast and parking. Many rooms have awesome water views and kitchenettes too.

Distance and Travel Time from Rimouski to Sainte-Anne-des-Monts: 2 hours and 113 miles

7. Sainte-Anne-des-Monts

Continuing along Quebec Route 132, you’ll arrive at another small city, Sainte-Anne-des-Monts. The city sits along the St. Lawrence River but is backed by the Chic-Choc Mountains.

It’s also known as the gateway to the Gaspésie National Park, making it a favorite destination in the Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine region for outdoor lovers and adventure seekers.

However, you’ll find a scenic boardwalk, museum, and a microbrewery here too as you continue with your Canada road trip itinerary.

Things to do in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts

• Exploramer – Located at the dock, this museum is a fun spot for kids and adults alike! So, step inside to learn all about the aquatic species that call the St. Lawrence River home. In total, there are over 20 tanks with fish and other marine creatures inside them, plus touch pools and even tasting activities. Plus, if you’re looking to get out on the water, they run several sea excursions that allow you to explore the ecosystem of the St. Lawrence.
• Gaspésie National Park – A top destination year-round, Gaspésie National Park is home to the McGerrigle and Chic-Chocs mountains. So, in the summer, activities include hiking, canoeing, fishing, and camping. In the winter, you can enjoy snowshoeing and skiing. Additionally, Mont Jacques-Cartier sits within the park and is the second highest peak in Quebec. The park is also home to the last remaining herd of caribou found south of the St. Lawrence.
• Monique and Gisèle Benoit Center – The center is a great place to learn about the plant and animal life that calls the area home. Thanks to these well-known naturalists, the center is filled with displays that showcase their paintings. There’s also a spot to view documentaries as well as a gift shop. Be advised that it is open seasonally from June to October and admission is free.

What to Eat in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts

• Marie 4 poches – If you’re looking for something light or quick takeaway for your Quebec road trip, this adorable little bakery is the perfect stop. They have an assortment of baked goods, and sandwiches for you to enjoy.
• La Broue dans l’Toupet – Located within the Hotel & Cie, this restaurant is known for amazing seafood, like their crispy calamari.
• Auberge Chateau Lamontagne – This hotel has a lovely French gastropub that sits high atop a hill overlooking the water. You can’t go wrong with one of their seafood menu items that can be paired with a glass of wine.

Where to Stay in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts

• Gîte La P’tite Falaise (budget) – Located right downtown, this budget-friendly bed and breakfast is within walking distance of many top sights and restaurants. It also has cozy rooms, free parking, and bicycles to rent.
• Auberge Chateau Lamontagne – Perched on a hill, with sweeping views of the St. Lawrence, this heritage hotel dates to 1873. Along with a restaurant, it has both rooms and chalets.

Distance and Travel Time from Sainte-Anne-des-Monts to Gaspé: 2.5 hours and 125 miles

Pro Tip: Make a Quebec road trip itinerary stop at Pointe-à-la-Renommée Lighthouse on your way to Gaspé.

At this historic site you’ll find sweeping coastal views. It’s also just two hours from Sainte-Anne-des-Monts but the road leading up to it can be rough.

8. Gaspé

A necessary addition to any Quebec road trip itinerary is Gaspé! This incredible city sits at the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula and was even noted by National Geographic Traveler as one of the top places to visit in Canada!

And well before Jacques Cartier came ashore in Gaspé Bay, the indigenous Mi’kmaq people called the area gespeg, which means ‘land’s end.’

Therefore, Gaspé is known for its incredible landscapes and for being the ‘Birthplace of Canada’.

Things to do in Gaspé

• Forillon National Park – One of the best parks in Quebec can be found in Gaspé. In fact, Forillon National Park stretches out into the Gulf of the St. Lawrence and is filled with both historic sites and outdoor activities. A couple of the heritage sites include the Fort Peninsula and the Cap Gaspé Lighthouse. Along with scenic lookouts and many bird/whale watching sites, there are nearly a dozen hiking trails tucked away inside.
• Gaspesie Museum – This museum shares with visitors the history and culture of the Gaspé Peninsula. As a result, you’ll find an array of exhibits that showcase the area’s people, places, and stories. And one of the newest attractions is an immersive exhibit that brings nearly 400 million years of history to life! From the museum you can also walk along the boardwalk to get to the next sight!
• Birthplace of Canada – Set along the boardwalk that hugs the shore is one of the most popular monuments in Gaspé. Here, in 1534, Jacques Cartier put up a cross that would go on to earn Gaspé its nickname of “Birthplace of Canada.” Now, a replica stands in its place. The historic site is also home to a variety of activities, like costumed historical figures sharing stories and other free events to add to your Quebec road trip itinerary.

What to Eat in Gaspé

• Casse-croute Jo-Ann – A fun seasonal roadside food stand that is said to have the best poutine in the area. However, their lobster roll is a safe bet too!
• Brise Bise – This colorful restaurant serves up comfort food and live music. Be sure to try their shrimp poutine.
• Cafe Des Artistes – Go for the coffee, views, and cool aesthetic! Stay for the delicious breakfast options and the smoked salmon bagel!

Where to Stay in Gaspé

• Motel Le Noroît – Located on the water at the edge of Forillon National Park, this budget motel is a great find for cheap accommodation in an awesome location.
• Hôtel Plante – Set within Gaspé, this mid-range hotel has renovated rooms and an indoor pool. Because of its hillside location you’ll get views of Gaspé Bay.
• Chalets du Bout du Monde – These adorable cottages are rustic-chic with incredible water views. Each cottage also has a kitchen, deck, and barbeque.

D istance and Travel Time from Gaspé to Percé: 45 minutes and 39 miles

9. Percé

This charming fishing village is known for two big natural features! The first is Perce Rock, a limestone rock formation towering high above the sea just offshore.

And the second is Bonaventure Island, which is a hotspot for birders. Beyond all that, Perce is filled with quaint shops, cafes, and colorful buildings just waiting to be explored as part of any Quebec road trip itinerary.

Things to do in Percé

• Bonaventure Island – A bucket list item for any road trip in Quebec is a tour of this incredible island! Hop aboard a morning boat tour that takes you around Percé Rock and then stops at the island. This island is also famous for being home to the largest colony of gannets in North America. Along with these must-see birds, the island has four scenic hiking trails, century old homes, and other wildlife off its shores like whales and seals.
• Percé UNESCO Global Geopark – For a host of fun activities and during which you can learn about the region’s geological significance visit Percé Geopark. Here, you’ll find interactive exhibits, a zipline, and an epic viewing platform. It’s a short, thirty-minute, hike to the glass platform that stretches out over the cliff. Standing over 650 feet above sea level, you can see the famous Percé Rock and other key sights too.
• Percé Boardwalk – Relax and soak in the beautiful sea views you get with a stroll along the Percé boardwalk. Winding its way along the shore, the boardwalk offers views of the Percé Rock and give you beach access to lounge chairs where you can sit and unwind. Plus, there’s an observation tower off the boardwalk for sweet panoramic views.

What to Eat in Percé

• Nath & Compagnie – If you’re looking for unique places to eat in Percé, then you’ll love this quaint library café. Surrounded by books, you can enjoy a range of light fare, desserts, and pastries.
• Pub Pit Caribou – This rustis pub has all the charm and spunk that you’d expect in a fishing village! Go for their impressive beer selection and smoked salmon and stay for the live entertainment.
• Buvette Thérèse – This is the best restaurant in town for fish and chips. Or, you can opt for one of their poutine varieties instead if you need to refuel after your Quebec road trip itinerary.

Where to Stay in Percé

• Riotel Percé (budget) – With views of the water, this beachfront hotel is close to many of the sights and has contemporary rooms and a restaurant.
• Auberge Au Fil des Saisons – This is another budget option nestled inside a Victorian bed and breakfast . It’s also within walking distance to all the attractions and serves a delicious breakfast.

Distance and Travel Time from Percé to Carleton-sur-mer: 2.5 hours and 124 miles

10. Carleton-sur-Mer

The last stop on your Quebec road trip itinerary is a charming town on the southern shores of the Gaspé Peninsula.

Wedged between mountains and the sea, Carleton-sur-Mer provides visitors with everything from outdoor activities to relaxing time spent wandering boardwalks and learning about the area’s intriguing history and culture.

Things to do in Carleton-sur-Mer

• Mont-Saint-Joseph – The number one thing to do in Carleton-sur-Mer is to visit the lookout at Mont-Saint-Joseph! This regional park offers a ton of outdoor adventures including rock climbing, mountain biking, and hiking. You can even sleep on the mountain in a geodome! In fact, the lookout sits over 1800 feet above sea level. Here, you’ll find a long boardwalk and large terrace overlooking Chaleur Bay. Plus, on a clear day you can see all the way out to the Acadian coast of New Brunswick.
• Carleton-sur-Mer Lighthouse – At the end of a narrow peninsula sits a replica of the original 1900s lighthouse which stood there. The area, which is called Pointe Tracadigache, is the perfect spot to watch the sunset after a beautiful Quebec road trip itinerary.

What to Eat in Carleton-sur-Mer

• Boulangerie Pâtisserie La Mie Véritable – For a light meal or sweet desserts try this adorable café. A popular menu item is their ham and brie panini.
• Le Naufrageur – Microbrasserie – If you’re looking for a lively dinner with a few drinks, try this microbrewery. Plus, everyone raves about their pizza!

Where to Stay in Carleton-sur-Mer

• Motel Leblanc (budget) – This budget motel offers simple rooms right across from the water and is 5 minutes outside of town.
• Manoir Belle Plage (mid-range) – On the eastern edge of town you’ll find this l ovely beach hote l that has a restaurant. Rooms come with either mountain or ocean views too.

Map of the Best Ever Quebec Road Trip Itinerary

Additional Canada Resources You’ll Love

• Best Provinces to Live in Canada
• Best Places to Live in Canada
• Pros and Cons of Living in Canada
• Best Brunch in Montreal

There you have it! That just about wraps up this epic Quebec road trip itinerary!

Tell me, did your picks for the best scenic drives in quebec make the post if not then let me know in the comments below., and if you found this post useful, don’t forget to join our email list before pinning this post now so that you can read it again later..

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Niagara Falls and Toronto 3-Day Itinerary

Given the enormous size of Canada, it is a stroke of geographical luck for visitors that two of the most popular destinations - Toronto and Niagara Falls — are a mere 90-minute drive from one another. Both are located in Southern Ontario , close to the U.S. border. 

With three days to spend in this region, you can get a broad experience that includes Canada's biggest city — Toronto — and the country's most flocked to tourist attraction — Niagara Falls . 

Several airports are convenient to visit this region of Canada: the city of Hamilton is midway between the two and has a small international airport  (code YHM), Buffalo (code YHM) is just across the Canada / U.S. border from Niagara Falls and may offer less expensive flights than the Toronto Pearson International Airport  (YYZ). Finally, Billy Bishop Airport  (commonly known as the Toronto Island Airport, code YTZ) is conveniently located just offshore downtown Toronto.

Two Days in Toronto, One in Niagara Falls

TripSavvy / Brakethrough Media

With three days available, most people will want to spend two days in Toronto and one in Niagara Falls. Whereas Toronto is a big city with a range of interesting things to see, from architecture and museums to shopping and dining, one day is sufficient to take in the spectacle of the Falls and explore the town, which largely comprises tchotchke shops, restaurants, rides, and games.   

Nevertheless, just next door to Niagara Falls is  Niagara-on-the-Lake , a delightful historic town with gentrified heritage homes, lush gardens and an enchanting main drag. In addition, the surrounding  Niagara Wine Region  is a charming stretch of more than 100 rambling wineries, boutiques, and restaurants, delectable to all the senses. 

Try to squeeze a stop in at one of these two places on your way to and/or from Niagara Falls for a pleasant contrast to the bigness and boldness of Niagara Falls. 

For convenience sake, you can stay both nights in a Toronto hotel. No need to move hotels, but if you did happen to have three or more nights to spend in the area, a night in Niagara Falls or Niagara-on-the-Lake would be a nice change. 

Your Toronto itinerary keeps your day to the downtown core, with most attractions and activities no more than a 10 or 15-minute subway ride, or 30-minute walk, away. 

Have breakfast either at the hotel, grab it on the run at a Tim Hortons, Starbucks or sit down at the Sunset Grill , for a standard breakfast at a reasonable price. 

Get oriented to Toronto with a hop-on, hop-off bus tour: great value for a short stay as your ticket includes transportation and a narrated guided tour of the city. Book a Toronto Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour with Viator. This tour's first bus leaves from Yonge-Dundas Square and the pass is good for three consecutive days. 

Stay aboard for the full two-hour tour, or if you're itching to tackle Toronto, hop off at one of the 21 stops, which include many of Toronto's top attractions , such as the CN Tower, the Eaton Centre, Art Gallery of Ontario, Casa Loma and the Royal Ontario Museum. Consult with the guides for optimum planning and when the busses will be stopping at certain locations. Don't miss the boat tour at the Harbourfront, which is included in your ticket. 

Many visitors buy a  Toronto City Pass , a nine-day pass that includes admission to five Toronto attractions, but two days is probably not enough time to get your money's worth so consider carefully before purchasing. 

Your afternoon activity depends on your interests. If you want to shop (especially if the Canadian dollar is low) consider the Eaton Centre (hop off at Eaton Centre, stop 1 or 17); wander up and down Queen Street, which has an interesting array of shops and boutiques, or head north to empty your wallet at any one of the many high-end Bloor Street and Yorkville stores (hop off at Yorkville, stop 10). 

If you want to explore a unique, historical Toronto neighborhood , hop off at stop 19, grab lunch at the St. Lawrence Market, and walk over to the Distillery District , a pedestrian-only village comprising the largest and best-preserved collection of Victorian Industrial Architecture. Not a franchise in sight here, so you can't get a Starbucks fix or shop at Gap; it's all one of a kind. 

If culture is what you're after, the Royal Ontario Museum  (ROM) and the Art Gallery of Ontario   (AGO)  both showcase world-class collections. The ROM is especially known for its unusual dynamic, asymmetrical structure as well as its dinosaur collection. The AGO, similarly, had a widely publicized renovation and stands as one of the city's great architectural masterpiece. It houses an impressive collection of both international and Canadian art. 

If you spend only a couple of hours at each, you can fit both into an afternoon, but you could easily spend a few lingering hours at either one. The ROM and AGO are an easy 10-minute subway ride or 25-minute walk away from one another. 

The ROM is close to Yorkville, a high-end, low-rise anomaly in downtown Toronto; the Bata Shoe Museum and the Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art . 

The AGO is in Chinatown and close to Kensington Market , one of Toronto's most eclectic neighborhoods. 

If the CN Tower is on your list of things to do in Toronto, consider making a reservation at 360 Restaurant, a rotating glass pod more than a thousand feet above the ground. The advantage of dining at the CN Tower is that you skip the line and get directly ushered to the restaurant and the food is quite good. Expect to spend at least Cdn $65 to $85 per person (less for children) for a prix fixe menu, which includes admission to the Tower. There is no expiry on your time at the tower with a reservation at the restaurant. 

If the CN Tower is not a must-see, but you'd still like dinner with a view, Canoe is famous for its 54th-floor view and as one of Toronto's most revered restaurants for more than 20 years.

Alternately, try  Richmond Station  for more casual but excellent food and hospitality.

TripSavvy / Brakethrough Media 

The benefit of doing the hop-on, hop-off tour on Day 1 is that on Day 2, you are free to return to the attractions and neighborhoods that looked appealing but that you didn't have time to visit. 

Use your hop-on, hop-off bus ticket to make your way to back to Casa Loma, Canada's answer to Hearst Castle , Ripley's Aquarium , or another top Toronto attraction.

If you're looking for a casual, more authentic Toronto experience, try meandering one of the city's  many interesting neighborhoods , like Greek Town, Little Italy or Cabbagetown .  Just let the look of things and your own interests dictate your journey and they all feature outstanding restaurants for lunch or dinner. 

Dining options are so plentiful and ever-changing that you should consult TripAdvisor or read up locally on the current list of best restaurants: Toronto Life , for example, is always updating its best places to eat. ​

Let it be said though that whether you want fish and chips, ramen or a five-star steakhouse, you'll find it in Toronto and probably not that far away. 

If you still have life in your after dinner, discover why Toronto is a top theatre destination . It's not just because it probably costs way less than NYC or London, but also because the city has a wide array of interesting, historic theatres that attracts big names. 

If you're still seeking a bird's eye view of the city, make your way over to the Roof Lounge at the Park Hyatt or the One Eighty  (right across the street), both of which boast panoramic views of the city. 

Start your day bright and early. With 3 hours of driving ahead of you, you'll want to get on the road early. If you are in Toronto mid-week, traffic can be a beast getting in and out of the city. 

Though the waterfalls themselves (Niagara Falls actually comprises three waterfalls, the American, the Canadian and the more meager Bridal Veil falls) are the big draw, there's a whole lot else going on in the Niagara Region, so you'll want to devote a full day: 8 hours minimum, considering the drive each way is 90 minutes.

If you have your own car, follow directions for getting from Toronto to Niagara Falls . If you are a wine enthusiast or just to take in some striking scenery, allow time to visit the Niagara Wine Region just off the highway on your way to Niagara Falls. The wine route is well mapped out and plenty of signs will show you where to exit to visit any one of the more than 100 wineries. 

When you arrive at the Falls, you'll see lots of green "P" parking signs; however, the best deal that is still super convenient is a  large parking lot at the end of Robinson Street . You will need to descend a long set of stairs to Victoria Park, at which point you are in the heart of the action. 

If you would prefer to sit back and let someone else do the driving, there are a number of tour options that leave out of Toronto for Niagara Falls . Some will include visiting the wine region and/or Niagara-on-the-Lake, others will get in and out of Niagara Falls like a military operation. Be sure to choose the right tour, reading the fine print and customer reviews. 

Upon Arrival in Niagara Falls

You'll be naturally drawn to the boardwalk that winds its way along the Niagara Gorge and there's no mistaking which way to walk to see the brink of the famous Horseshoe Falls as you will hear, smell and feel the water spray.

Once you've taken in the spectacle of the Falls and the Niagara Gorge and gotten some photographs from up high, make your way over to Hornblower Tours (formerly Maid of the Mist), a ferry ride that takes passengers into the mist and furor of the Falls themselves. Don't worry; rain ponchos are provided. Note that Hornblower Tours are open May to October. ​

If you have kids, you may want to spend some time on Clifton Hill, a bright, bustling cluster of overpriced amusement rides, shops, fast food, etc. 

After spending about three hours at Niagara Falls , make your way to  Niagara-on-the-Lake , a town as charming and cultured as its famous neighbor is big and brash. This is the better choice for dinner as there are several excellent restaurants featuring local wines, meat and produce. Take some time to wander the main street which is gentrified and historic and brimming with delicacy shops, boutiques, and galleries. Some of the best restaurants are located within the many inns and bed & breakfasts scattered about the city. 

Head back to Toronto or build your plans around leaving departing out of Buffalo (20 minutes away) or Hamilton (about 45 minutes away). 

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Toronto Guide: Planning Your Trip

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Découvrez les trésors du Québec en famille lors ce road trip qui vous propose une immersion authentique et un ressourcement dans un cadre naturel exceptionnel.

Routes de l'Arrière Pays

Dans le confort de votre camping-car, parcourez les routes panoramiques de l'arrière pays. À chaque virage, les paysages diversifiés des Rocheuses susciteront l'émerveillement !

Explorez Toronto, les chutes du Niagara, le charme des Cantons-de-l'Est et de Charlevoix lors de ce road trip captivant qui vous guide à travers l'Ontario et le Québec

L'Ouest en famille

Embarquez pour des aventures inoubliables en famille de Vancouver au charme authentique du village historique Hat Creek. Terminez votre road trip en beauté au cœur des majestueuses Rocheuses.

L'esprit nomade

Vivez une aventure itinérante à travers le Québec et l'Ontario à bord de votre camping-car. De Montréal à Niagara, explorez les Mille-Îles, la Mauricie, Tadoussac et le parc de la Jacques Cartier.

Une fois dans l'Ouest

Explorez l'ouest canadien de Calgary aux majestueuses Rocheuses, de Wells Gray à Vancouver en terminant au légendaire Lac Louise ! Un périple épique au cœur de l'Alberta et de la Colombie-Britannique.

Des glaciers aux geysers

Des glaciers aux geysers, des forêts denses aux prairies infinies, ce road trip traverse les frontières, vous imprégnant de la grandeur majestueuse des rocheuses d'un pays à l'autre.

La grande séduction

Vivez l'essence de la Gaspésie avec des activités de plein air et une cuisine locale riche. Une fusion parfaite entre les délices de la mer et l'authenticité gaspésienne vous attend.

Délicatesse sauvage

Entre les parcs nationaux, les villes et les rencontres inattendues, cette épopée montagneuse promet des moments d'émotion pure et d'aventure sauvage.

Le Québec maritime Authentik

Découvrez la Gaspésie et la Côte Nord, alliant écotourisme et découvertes maritimes, et séjournez dans des hébergements éco-responsables pour une aventure authentique.

L'été indien

Voyagez au rythme des couleurs de l'été indien. Un périple enchanteur où chaque destination dévoile la splendeur des couleurs vibrantes de cette saison unique qui a lieu l'automne.

Destination Maritimes

De la ville d'Halifax aux plages de Kouchibouguac, en passant par les beautés de l'Île de Cap-Breton, vivez une aventure riche en paysages côtiers, en rencontres chaleureuses, et en découvertes culinaires.

Des Rocheuses à Yellowstone

Des Rocheuses majestueuses au mythique parc de Yellowstone, la nature dévoile un spectacle sans frontières avec des paysages exceptionnels et une diversité naturelle captivante !

Trekking au Québec

Enfilez vos chaussures de randonnée, explorez des sentiers aux panoramas époustouflants, du parc de la Gaspésie au majestueux Rocher Percé. Chaque pas vous guidera vers la nature sauvage.

L'été indien en VR

Des panoramas époustouflants vous attendent dans le joyau de l'automne québécois : de la Mauricie, aux vallées colorées du Parc de la Jacques Cartier, vous serez ébahis par ces décors majestueux.

Les Maritimes en VR

Découvrez les marées de la Baie de Fundy et de Kouchibouguac et les paysages époustouflants du Cap Breton à travers ce road trip qui promet des expériences riches et une escapade maritime mémorable.

L’ultime road trip pour découvrir l’Été indien

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Lisez ces tutoriels pour tout savoir sur l'utilisation du planificateur de road trip en ligne et modifiez votre voyage 100% sur mesure:

• Comment choisir mon road trip ?
• Comment modifier mon road trip sur mesure ?
• Comment calculer mon prix ?
• Comment réserver mon road trip ?
• Comment utiliser mon Espace Client après ma réservation ? 

Quand partir en voyage au Canada ?

Le meilleur moment pour partir en road trip au Canada c'est en été, entre la mi-juin et la mi-octobre .

La haute-saison touristique se situe entre la mi-juillet et la mi-août . Il y a beaucoup plus de voyageurs et les prix sont plus élevés.

De la mi-septembre à la mi-octobre c'est l'été indien et les arbres se parent de rouge, orange et jaune pour offrir tout un spectacle.

Que ce soit pour un circuit de 15 jours ou même plus longtemps, consultez notre section " Quand partir ? " avant de réserver vos dates de voyage.

Conduire au Canada

Avant de partir pour un voyage en voiture au Canada , mieux vous informer des particularités du code de la route canadien.

Dans notre article blog " Conduire au Canada ", nous avons souligné pour vous les différences majeures entre la conduite sur les routes européennes et les routes du Canada.

Quand réserver mon voyage au Canada ?

Le mieux pour réserver votre voyage au Québec ou dans l'Ouest canadien est de vous y prendre au moins 6 mois d'avance afin de vous assurer des disponibilités, particulièrement si vous prévoyez voyager en juillet - août.

En effet, si vous réservez votre voyage au Canada à la dernière minute, vous risquez un manque de disponibilité ou encore, il y a fort à parier que les plus beaux endroits seront complets.

Enfin, plus vous réservez tôt et plus vous économiserez alors il n'y a aucune bonne raison d'attendre avant de réserver votre voyage.

Consultez notre section " Quand réserver votre voyage ? " pour en savoir plus.

Qu'est-ce que le roadbook Authentik ?

Le roadbook Authentik est un véritable guide de voyage personnalisé construit sur mesure pour votre circuit individuel. Votre conseiller Authentik élabore votre roadbook dès la réservation de votre voyage. 

Le roadbook peut vous être livré chez vous avant votre départ ou bien remis à votre arrivée au Canada.

Il s'agit en fait d' un assistant personnel qui vous aidera à découvrir les plus beaux endroits au pays de façon à ne rien manquer lors de votre voyage chez nous.

Consultez notre section " Roadbook " pour en savoir plus.

Quelle destination choisir entre l'Est et l'Ouest canadien ?

Vous planifiez un autotour au Canada et vous hésitez entre l'Est du Canada et son chaleureux Québec ou bien l'Ouest canadien avec ses belles montagnes Rocheuses ?

Consultez notre section " Est vs Ouest " pour vous aider à y voir plus clair.

Enfin, pour un voyage dans l'Ouest américain , consultez le site web d'Authentik USA.

Quoi choisir entre un voyage en voiture ou VR ?

Vous vous demandez si vous devriez partir à la découverte des grands espaces sauvages avec une voiture de location ou en VR  ?

Les 2 types de voyages ont leurs avantages et leurs désavantages. 

Et contrairement à la croyance populaire, ce n'est pas toujours vrai que la formule VR revient moins cher.

Consultez notre section " Voiture ou VR " pour en savoir plus.

See Authentik USA for a motorhome hire in the U.S.

Voir toutes les FAQ sur les road trips au Canada

Consultez notre FAQ complète sur les road trips  ou encore notre FAQ d' informations pratiques sur les voyages au Canada en général.

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Algonquin Log Cabin 3-Day Canoe and Hike Adventure

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3 Days Vancouver-Victoria, Duncan, Chemainus, Nanaimo Private Tour

"The Nature was breathtaking. We had a great overview of all places." karamjeetDhillon, traveled in September 2021

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Tofino & Ucluelet Pacific Rim Tour

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Algonquin Park 3-Day Canoe Trip

3 days Private Vancouver Cultural Tour

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Active Walking Adventure Mountain Hikes Coach / Bus Kayak & Canoe +3

Roadrunner - Road to the Rockies

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3-Day Vancouver, Whistler and Victoria road trip private tour

Vancouver to Nanaimo, Ucluelet, Tofino 3 Days Harbour City Tour Private

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Victoria, Vancouver & Whistler 3 Day Family Adventure Tour

Vancouver 3 Days Super saver Tour With Victoria & Whistler

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3 Days Canadian Rockies Tour from Vancouver Private

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Vancouver Wildlife 3 day Tour Private

Chinook - The Okangan Express

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Les 8 plus beaux endroits où partir pour un voyage de 3 jours

Tout le monde le sait: l'été, c'est la saison officielle des road trips!  C'est le moment parfait pour profiter d'un week-end pour s'évader (plus ou moins) loin de la ville et partir à l'aventure.

  13 Airbnb près de l'eau à louer entre amis au Québec cet été selon votre budget

8 destinations de roadtrip près de Montréal à explorer cet automne

12 roadtrips à faire cet été à 1, 2, 3 et 4 heures de Montréal

Les 18 destinations voyage les plus folles où faire le party dans ta vingtaine

Comme t’es probablement aussi du que moi pour partir loin,  faire un  road trip  entre amis, en famille ou en amoureux est l’occasion parfaite pour t'évader et avoir des minis vacances, ne serait-ce que le temps d’un long week-end. Et quand tu vis au Québec, les possibilités sont infinies!

Voici 8 endroits pas si loin où partir pour un voyage de plus ou moins 3 jours:

See on Instagram

Kingston, Ontario

Distance de Montréal: 3h

Visite le front de mer de Kingston

Visite le Fort Henry

Visite Kingston Mills

Va manger Chez Piggy

Va faire un tour à la Bread and Butter Bakery

New Hampshire, États-Unis

Distance de Montréal: 4h

Fais du hiking au Mont Washington

Va te faire bronzer sur la plage de Winnipesaukee

Visite Hampton Beach

Visite le parc d'état Franconia Notch

Lake Placid, États-Unis

Distance de Montréal: 2h

Fais du hiking à Cascade Mountain 

Ou va en faire au Mount Jo

Fais du camping à Whiteface Mountain

Va te baigner aux Beaver Meadow Falls

Va te faire bronzer au Heart Lake

Va faire un tour aux High Falls Gorge, si t'es game

Milles-Îles, Ontario

Distance de Montréal: 2h30

Fais une croisière ou un tour de canoe

Va manger au Harper's Burger Bar

Va faire un tour à Gananoque

Distance de Montréal: 4h30

Va faire un tour au Massif

Explore le mont du Lac des Cygnes

Visite le Musée maritime

Visite le parc national des Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie

Distance de Montréal: 5h

Visite l'Aquarium de Nouvelle-Angleterre

Visite le Jardin public de Boston

Visite le Musée des beaux-arts

Visite le Franklin park zoo

Marche sur le Freedom trail

Visite le Fenway park

Distance de Montréal: 10h

À lire:  La Gaspésie: une destination voyage à voir absolument!

Si j'étais toi j'irais pour un peu plus que 3 jours, y'a tellement de choses à y faire! Et la route va en valoir la peine.

Y'a pleins de choses à faire à Ottawa! Va voir le site de Narcity Ottawa pour des idées .

D'autres articles voyage:

Tous les festivals de bouffe où aller se bourrer la face au Québec cet été

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La nouvelle destination voyage plus cool que l'Islande que tu DOIS visiter

12 pays MAGNIFIQUES mais sous-estimés que tu devrais totalement explorer

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Les 11 sorties les plus romantiques à faire avec ton chum au Québec cet été

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8 petites villes parmi les plus romantiques pour un road trip estival à partir de montréal, 7 road trips à 5 h et moins de montréal pour des vacances paradisiaques au bord de l'eau, 9 road trips à moins de 4 h 30 de québec à faire sur un coup de tête cet été, 19 road trips près du québec pour faire changement du classique voyage dans le maine, 12 sorties incontournables au québec à mettre sur ta bucket list pour l’été 2024, 9 activités de couple pas trop quétaines à faire à québec et environs ce printemps, 8 petites villes au québec qui sont absolument magnifiques pour un road trip en hiver, 7 voyages en train et en autobus à partir du québec pour une escapade de rêve ce printemps.

Road trip Montréal-Vancouver: L’ultime road trip au Canada

Penses-tu faire un road trip de Montréal à Vancouver pour l’ultime aventure à travers le Canada? Mais tu te sens un peu dépassée par toute la planification? Je te comprends très bien!

En août 2020, on a fait nos valises et on a commencé ce road trip en voiture à travers le Canada avec nos deux tout-petits . Un road trip qui nous prendrait plus d’un mois (aller seulement), avec plus de 5000 km à parcourir.Dans cet article, tu découvriras un itinéraire pour faire un incroyable road trip canadien avec tes enfants. L’article comprend la première partie de l’itinéraire, d’Ottawa, ON à Victoria, BC, pour un total de 4 369 km .

Tu prévois un road trip au Canada? Procures-toi mon super guide pour les road trips à travers le Canada

Carte routière pour le road trip à travers le Canada

La meilleure façon de voyager à travers le Canada est de prendre l’autoroute Transcanadienne . Bien sûr, si tu as plus de temps, c’est une bonne idée de prendre un petit détour (c’est-à-dire de sortir de l’autoroute transcanadienne) et d’explorer les petites communautés. Voici quelques cartes pour te montrer l’itinéraire qu’on a fait.

Il y a plus de détails sur chaque étape du voyage dans les sections ci-dessous.

Road Trip de Montréal à Vancouver: un itinéraire complet

📝 Note: La plupart des lieux adaptés pour les enfants qu’on a visité sont documentés sur l’ application GoWhee , l’application de voyage pour les familles.

Arrive à Ottawa

Selon ton point de départ à Montréal, ça te prendra environ 2 heures te rendre à Ottawa. Le première étape de cet ultime road trip au Canada est Ottawa. Après tout, Ottawa est la capitale du Canada et une belle ville à visiter.

Je te conseille d’y passer au moins 3 jours.

Pour plus d’informations sur Ottawa, lis notre article: Visiter Ottawa avec des enfants: itinéraire d’une semaine – quoi faire, quoi voir . Aussi, si tu veux explorer la côte Est, lis notre itinéraire de 14 jours de Toronto (Ontario) à Halifax (Nouvelle-Écosse) où tu traverseras la ville de Québec, la baie de Fundy.

Ottawa à North Bay, un trajet de 358 km

D’Ottawa, diriges-toi vers le nord. Il faut 358 kilomètres pour atteindre North Bay, l’escapade du Nord. Sur ton chemin, arrêtes-toi à Pembroke .

🛏️ Où séjourner à North Bay: Homewood Suites par Hilton North Bay

North Bay à Sault Ste-Marie, un trajet de 436 km

De North Bay, il faut parcourir 436 kilomètres pour arriver à Sault Ste-Marie. Sur ton chemin, arrêtes-toi au Chutes Duchesnay, Sudbury où tu pourras voir l’emblématique Big Nickel, la Plage de Bootleggers Bay à Algoma Mills pour te reposer un peu et profiter du lac Huron avant d’arriver à Sault Ste-Marie.

🛏️ Où séjourner à Sault Ste-Marie: Microtel Inn & Suites Sault Ste-Marie

Sault Ste-Marie à Wawa, un trajet de 227 km

Le trajet entre Sault Ste-Marie et Wawa est d’environ 227 km. Tu devrais considérer t’arrêter en chemin au Chutes Chippewa (c’est le point à mi-parcours de l’autoroute transcanadienne), Old Woman Bay, les “Scenic High Falls” et la grande statue de Wawa Goose .

Wawa à Terrace Bay, un trajet de 260 km

Pendant le 4e jour de voyage, tu conduiras 260 km pour arriver à Terrace Bay. Sur ton chemin, arrêtes-toi à White River pour voir l’emblématique statue de Winnie l’ourson, le parc national Pukaskwa, Marathon et chutes Mink Creek . Termines ta journée à Terrace Bay où tu peux visiter le phare de Terrace Bay.

🛏️ Où séjourner à Terrace Bay: Drifters Motel & Restaurant

Terrace Bay à Thunder Bay, un trajet de 224 km

De Terrace Bay à Thunder Bay, tu devras parcourir 224 km. Arrêtes-toi au Chutes Agusabon, visites le parc provincial Rainbow Falls, l’aire de jeux pour enfants Paddle-to-the-Sea à Nipigon, ainsi que le belvédère commémoratif Terry Fox .

Profites de Thunder Bay (2 jours)

Après 5 jours consécutifs de conduite, c’est le temps de se détendre un peu et de profiter de Thunder Bay. Thunder Bay est une belle ville qui a beaucoup à offrir. Je te recommande de visiter: le Panorama de la mine Amethyst, le parc historique du Fort William, le Prince Arthur’s Landing, le parc provincial Sleeping Giant et le brise-glace Alexander Henry .

Assures-toi également de t’arrêter au Parc Hillcrest . Il y a une belle aire de jeux naturelle pour enfants. De plus, la vue sur la baie est magnifique.

🛏️ Où séjourner à Thunder Bay: Hôtels Delta par Marriott Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay à Kenora, un trajet de 488 km

Aujourd’hui est une longue journée, avec 488 km à parcourir de Thunder Bay à Kenora, mais… c’est ta dernière journée de conduite en Ontario (presque!).

Arrêtes-toi au Chutes Kakabeka, le poste de castor à Upsala pour une collation et un café, à l’aire de jeux pour enfants du Parc Kinsman et le Pont suspendu Roy Wilson à Dryden. Une fois à Kenora, visites le Husky le Muskie ou profites du Parc Norman avec une plage et une aire de jeux.

🛏️ Où séjourner à Kenora: Super 8 par Wyndham Kenora

Kenora à Winnipeg, un trajet de 210 km

Il y a 210 kilomètres entre Kenora et Winnipeg. Lorsque tu suis l’autoroute transcanadienne, il n’y a pas beaucoup d’arrêts autres que le Parc du Centre du Canada . Ceci est le point central du Canada.

🛏️ Où séjourner à Winnipeg: Country Inn & Suites par Radisson , Winnipeg

Explores Winnipeg (2 jours)

Winnipeg est une ville formidable à explorer avec des enfants. Le premier jour, tu voudras visiter quelques-uns des sites suivants: le Musée des droits de l’homme, le zoo et parc d’Asisboine (ne manques pas le musée de Winnie l’ourson), le Village du Patrimoine Mennonite et The Forks .

Le deuxième jour, conduis vers le Lac Winnipeg pour découvrir le patrimoine islandais et viking autour de Gimli.

Winnipeg à Regina, un trajet de 573 km

C’est une longue journée de conduite dans les Prairies avec plus de 570 kilomètres à parcourir. En route vers Regina, arrêtes-toi au Delta Beach, au musée des carrousels et des poupées à Brandon, au Swinging Bridge à Wolseley, et au Bell Barn à Indian Head .

🛏️ Où séjourner à Régina: Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Régina

Explores Regina

Regina est une ville amusante à découvrir. La plupart des attractions sont situées près du centre Wascana. Ne manques pas le Musée royal de la Saskatchewan, le Centre Wascana et le Centre du patrimoine de la GRC . Tu peux finir la journée à l’aire de jeux pour enfants du centre de loisirs Sandra Schirler et le parc aquatique.

Regina à Maple Creek, un trajet de 380 km

Cette journée de conduite de 380 km sera ta dernière avant d’arriver en Alberta. Tu devras t’arrêter au Moose Jaw (ne manques pas les tunnels de Moose Jaw), Chaplin Lake, Doc’s Town Heritage Village à Swift Current .

🛏️ Où séjourner à Maple Creek: Cobble Creek Lodge

Maple Creek à Brooks, un trajet de 209 km

Aujourd’hui, tu arrives en Alberta. Sur ton chemin vers Brooks, arrêtes-toi au Parc interprovincial Cypress Hills, visites le tipi le plus haut du monde à Medicine Hat et l’aqueduc de Brooks .

🛏️ Où séjourner à Brooks: Héritage Inn & Suites – Brooks

Parc provincial des dinosaures

Passes toute la journée à explorer les badlands canadiens au parc provincial des Dinosaurs. Il y a 5 courtes randonnées à choisir et un joli petit musée. Si tes enfants aiment les dinosaures, c’est un super endroit à visiter. De plus, le paysage est si unique.

NOTE: Si tu as un jour ou deux de plus, visites Drumheller , la capitale mondiale des dinosaures. Il y a beaucoup de choses à faire à cet endroit avec les enfants.

Brooks à Banff, un trajet de 314 km

De Brooks à Banff, tu conduiras 314 kilomètres. Essaies de partir tôt le matin pour pouvoir t’arrêter à Calgary (ne manques pas la Tour de Calgary, Stephen’s Avenue et Bowness Park ), mais sois certain de conduire vers Banff pendant la journée pour admirer les vues. Arrêtes-toi à Canmore pour te promener dans le centre-ville et peut-être faire le Policeman’s Creek boardwalk avant de se rendre à Banff.

🛏️ Où séjourner à Banff:     Banff Ptarmigan Inn

Explores le parc national de Banff (3 jours)

Tu peux facilement passer une semaine dans le parc national de Banff , mais trois jours te donneront amplement le temps de faire de la randonnée et de découvrir le magnifique parc. Avec les enfants, assures-toi de faire les activités suivantes: visiter les Sources thermales de Upper Banff; faire de la randonnée dans le Canyon Johnston et dans le lac Johnson; visiter les chutes Bow; explorer le lieu historique national Cave & Basin; visiter le lac Louise ainsi que le Garden of Time , …

Pour plus de choses à faire à Banff avec des enfants, consultes notre article ici .

Ensuite, passes une journée entière à conduire le long de la promenade des Glaciers. Il y a 230 km de route entre Lac Louise et Jasper. Si tu as plus de temps, passes quelques jours à Jasper. Sinon, tu peux conduire sur la promenade des Glaciers et faire demi-tour après avoir visité le champ de glace Columbia.

Tu peux trouver ici un exemple d’itinéraire de 7 jours pour un road trip de Calgary à Jasper .

Banff à Revelstoke, un trajet de 283 km

Il s’agit d’une route incroyable où tu traverseras 4 parcs nationaux de Parcs Canada: le parc national de Banff, le parc national Yoho, le parc national des Glaciers et le parc national du Mont-Revelstoke. Sur ton chemin, arrêtes-toi au Spiral Tunnels, le lac Emerald, le Natural Bridge, les chutes Takakkaw, Golden et le sentier Giant Cedars.

🛏️ Où séjourner à Revelstoke: Ramada by Wyndham Revelstoke

Explores Revelstoke

À Revelstoke, tu voudras aller à Revelstoke Mountain Resort et monter le Pipe Mountain Coaster et le Aerial Adventure Park. Ensuite, tu pourras profiter de l’eau au lac Williamson.

Revelstoke à Kelowna, un trajet de 198 km

De Revelstoke à Kelowna, tu devras parcourir 198 kilomètres. En chemin, arrêtes-toi à la Forêt enchantée et au pont suspendu de Malaka à Sicamous .

🛏️ Où séjourner à Kelowna: Econo Lodge Inn & Suites – Kelowna

Explores Kelowna

Kelowna est au cœur de la vallée de l’Okanagan. Tu devrais visiter un vignoble familial, profiter du lac Okanagan, dire «Bonjour» à Ogopoyo et visiter la ferme des Kangourous.

Pour plus d’informations sur Kelowna, lis notre article: Activités à faire à Kelowna avec des enfants .

Kelowna à Vancouver, un trajet de 390 km

Plus que 390 km pour cet ultime road trip au Canada avant d’atteindre la côte ouest. En route vers Vancouver, tu devrais t’arrêter à Merritt, à Coquihalla Canyon, le pont Alexandra, au Clayburn Village à Abbotsford, les 1001 marches à Surrey et le lieu historique national du Fort Langley .

🛏️ Où séjourner à Vancouver: Hampton Inn & Suites, par Hilton – Centre-ville de Vancouver

Vancouver (2 jours)

Avec deux jours à Vancouver , tu peux facilement explorer le centre-ville de Vancouver, le parc Stanley, la plage Kitsilano et l’île Granville . Ensuite, le deuxième jour, tu peux conduire jusqu’au Pont suspendu de Capilano et au pont suspendu de Lynn Canyon .

BONUS: Ile de Vancouver

Tu dois prendre le traversier pour arriver à Victoria sur l’île de Vancouver. Le trajet prendra environ 3h-3h30. Tu dois réserver ton billet à l’avance si possible (si tu voyages pendant la haute saison). Le port de Victoria est à 45 minutes en voiture de la ville. Sur ton chemin vers le centre-ville, tu peux t’arrêter à Sidney-by-the-Sea.

Si tu as le temps en fin d’après-midi, promènes-toi au centre-ville de Victoria .

🛏️ Où séjourner à Victoria: Quality Inn Downtown Inner Harbor

Explores Victoria (2 jours)

Commences ta journée en faisant une randonnée au Mont Douglas . Ensuite, détends-toi au bord de l’océan au Parc Cadboro-Gyro (il y a une belle aire de jeux pour enfants). Après le lunch, visites le Site historique national du phare de Fisgard et termines ta journée au Fisherman’s Whaft .

F.A.Q Road trip de Montréal à Vancouver

Ça coûte combien faire un road trip à travers le canada.

C’est une excellente question et cela variera beaucoup selon:

• Le type de voiture que tu conduis.
• Le coût de l’essence (2022 n’est peut-être pas une année bon marché pour les longs trajets en voiture).

Le prix de l’essence varie beaucoup d’une province à l’autre. C’est généralement moins cher en Alberta et plus cher en Colombie-Britannique. En avril 2022, il en coûte 1,53$ le litre en Alberta et 1,89$ le litre en Colombie-Britannique. CAA suit les prix de l’essence par province .

• Le type d’hôtel ou le lieu où tu séjournes.

Le coût de ton voyage road trip à travers le Canada variera également beaucoup selon le type d’accommodation que tu choisis: soit un hôtel où un terrain de camping. Tu peux prévoir en moyenne 125$-150$ par nuit si tu séjournes dans un hôtel et 50$ par nuit si tu séjournes dans un terrain de camping.

• Où tu achètes ta nourriture.

À quoi dois-tu t’attendre en conduisant de Montréal à Vancouver?

Même si tu séjournes dans le même pays, tu découvriras de nombreux paysages différents. C’est la beauté de faire un road trip à travers le Canada.

• Ontario – À toi de découvrir

L’Ontario est la province la plus peuplée du Canada avec près de 40% de la population canadienne, même si tu ne le crois pas en conduisant le long de l’autoroute transcanadienne😉. Après avoir parcouru plus de 2 000 km en Ontario, tu te rendras compte que l’Ontario est une grande province. En fait, c’est la deuxième plus grande, après la province de Québec. L’Ontario c’est long, long et long. Mais tu découvriras de beaux endroits à visiter et tu profiteras de la nature: il y a de nombreux parcs provinciaux, des tonnes de lacs et de forêts. Il est parfait pour les amoureux de la nature, les campeurs et les pêcheurs.

• Manitoba – Amis du Manitoba et de la Saskatchewan – Les terres de ciel vivant

Traverser le Manitoba et la Saskatchewan est beaucoup plus rapide que traverser l’Ontario. Du côté est du Manitoba, quelques kilomètres après Kenora, ON (un arrêt que tu feras probablement), au côté ouest de la Saskatchewan, à 30 minutes à l’est de Medicine Hat, AB, il y a moins de 1 200 km.

Après quelques centaines de kilomètres dans le Manitoba, le paysage change complètement de l’Ontario. Bienvenue dans les Prairies canadiennes. Tu ne pourras pas le manquer!

Les forêts et les lacs ont été échangés contre des fermes et des champs dorés. Bien que cela puisse sembler ennuyeux et long, c’est étonnamment très joli. Il y a aussi un sentiment de liberté, comme si tu conduisais partout et nulle part en même temps. Il n’y a pas des milliers d’activités à faire à Manitoba où en Saskatchewan, mais tu profiteras des beaux paysages.

• Alberta – Pays des roses sauvages

Principalement reconnue pour ses belles montagnes, l’Alberta fait encore techniquement partie des Prairies. Il y a beaucoup de fermes et de champs dorés pour une grande partie du trajet. L’Alberta abrite également les Canadian Badlands: une terre sèche avec des sols érodés et des roches sédimentaires. Ceci est un paysage complètement différent avec une ambiance préhistorique (alias: dinosaures ;)).

• Conduire dans les montagnes Rocheuses (l’Alberta et la Colombie-Britannique)

La route est étonnamment tranquille et sécuritaire dans la première partie des Rocheuses  canadiennes, jusqu’à Lac Louise, surtout en été. La conduite est tout simplement magnifique partout où tu regardes. Tu es littéralement entouré de montagnes, certaines avec des neiges éternelles et d’autres pleines d’arbres. Même si la plupart du trajet se fait sur une belle route bien entretenue, il est important de toujours être prudent car les animaux sauvages peuvent traverser l’autoroute à tout moment. De plus, parce que tu conduis en montagne, parfois à une altitude plus élevée, la température peut changer rapidement, alors sois toujours prêt.

• Colombie-Britannique – La belle Colombie-Britannique

En arrivant en Colombie-Britannique, tu te rendras compte que la province est dominée par de nombreuses chaînes de montagnes. Donc, la majeure partie du trajet de l’Alberta à Vancouver tu passeras par des cols de montagne. La météo varie beaucoup: tu peux partir de Kelowna avec un ciel bleu ensoleillé, et à quelques kilomètres dans les montagnes, ce sera nuageux et avec de la pluie.

Réflexions finales: L’ultime road trip: de Montréal à Vancouver

Le Canada est un pays immense et magnifique à visiter. En conduisant de l’Ontario à la Colombie-Britannique, tu verras de nombreux paysages différents. Il y a beaucoup de kilomètres à parcourir, alors prends ton temps. Je sais ce n’est pas tout le monde qui a 30 jours pour conduire seulement dans un sens, mais cela en vaut vraiment la peine.

Emilie is the founder of Love Life Abroad. She helps moms plan epic road trips and outdoor adventures with their families. Because who said adventuring had to stop once we have kids? She's based in the Canadian Rockies and shares her love for the region as well as other unique places in Canada & USA. She works with tourism boards and outdoor brands to inspire families to experience new unique destinations and outdoor activities.

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The Best 3 Month Road Trip in Canada Itinerary

This 3 month road trip in Canada is the road trip of a lifetime! When we created our cross Canada road trip itinerary we wanted to see everything, from wild bears to the Canadian Rockies. On our Canadian road trip, we spent 3 months living in a van and saw so many hidden gems. Vanlife in Canada is an experience we’ll never forget after travelling from eastern Canada to western Canada in the summertime. Let’s find out how to plan a road trip in Canada!

This post may contain affiliate links. We will receive a small commission if you make a purchase using these links, at no additional cost to you .

Planning a 3 month Road Trip in Canada

Canada is a dream for road trips. It has beautiful long roads, campsites in forests and hikes of a lifetime. If you love adventure, this is the country for you! From the Atlantic to the Pacific, Canada has ten provinces and three territories and only borders the United States (with a little bit of Greenland at the top).

Ultimately the best way to road trip across Canada is by using your own vehicle. This will truly give you the ultimate freedom to see places only accessible by vehicle and be completely on your own schedule.

However, even though we recommend travelling by car or van in Canada, there are also other ways of having the best travel experience in Canada, find out more at the end of this post!

Vanlife in Canada

This guide will be based around living in a van in Canada and we’ve included all the places to stay during your cross Canada road trip. We used iOverlander to find our free camping spots whilst living in the van. For a 3 month road trip in Canada, we only paid for 4 nights in campsites! Let us know if you’d like to know more about Vanlife in Canada, you can comment below or find us on Instagram – @thesunrisedreamers

Table of Contents (Skip to a section!)

How to plan a 3 month Road Trip in Canada Itinerary?

The best way to plan a cross Canada road trip itinerary is to start adding points of interest to your map! You will start to create your 1, 2 or 3 month Canada itinerary!

Have you always dreamed of seeing Lake Louise in Banff National Park? or have you always wanted to practise your French in Montreal or Quebec City? There is so much going on in Canada. After all, it’s the second-largest country in the world and takes about 60 hours to drive from Halifax to Victoria.

What you need to do:

• Write down all the places you already know you want to visit and mark them on Google Maps
• Read our Canadian road trip itinerary and if you find any more places you want to visit add them to your list too!
• How much time do you have for your road trip? Do you want to travel the east or west of Canada?
• How will you travel? The best way to road trip across Canada is by using your own vehicle.

Once you’ve worked out a few places you’d like to go, you can find your best route or decide if you want to explore the west, central or east side of Canada. If you’re ready to discover some places to visit on your Canadian road trip, carry on reading! We’ll show you our exact itinerary for a 3 month road trip in Canada.

Can I do this Canadian road trip in 1 month or 2 months?

Yes! You will have to change a few things around, but the majority of this itinerary can be done on a 1 month canada road trip or 2 month canada road trip! The only thing you should keep in mind if you’re trip is shorter is that breakdowns do happen if you’re travelling in your own vehicle. If this happens, you’ll just have to make up time and spend shorter days in other places.

You can drive the whole of Canada in less than a week, but if you want to spend time experiencing the country, a minimum of 2-3 weeks is definitely required! This itinerary also works the other way around if you’re starting on the West side of Canada heading east.

Where to start your road trip in Canada?

Depending on what you want to get out of your road trip in Canada, will determine where you start your trip. We started in Montreal as we were living there at the time, after exploring Quebec we headed west aiming for Vancouver Island and our end goal was Vancouver .

If your time is flexible you can head in one direction with a rough plan of places you must see!

Our cross Canada road trip itinerary starts in Quebec and ends in British Columbia. We started in Montreal and ended our road trip in Vancouver where we lived on a working holiday visa.

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3 month Road Trip in Canada Itinerary

We have created this itinerary based on our own experience. Unfortunately, we didn’t visit all the provinces and territories in Canada, although they are definitely worth a visit if you have an extended amount of time.

A brief summary of our cross Canada road trip itinerary: We visited Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba (briefly), Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. We travelled at the end of June – September from Montreal to Vancouver living in our Dodge Ram 2500 Campervan!

2 week Road Trip in Quebec

Montreal – 2-3 days.

Our starting point was Montreal as it was our home for a year. Montreal is definitely worth a visit if you’re on the east coast. A few things to do in Montreal: Explore Mont Tremblant, visit the underground mall, shop in mile end, discover downtown and Montreal’s china town. Where to eat in Montreal: Fairmount Bagels, La Banquise, Yuan, and grab yourself a falafel pitta from Yoni’s ($8).

As Montreal was our starting point, we packed up everything from our apartment into our van and hit the road!

Eastern Townships – 1 day

Fo our first day of vanlife in Canada and the beginning of our cross Canada road trip itinerary, we explored part of the Eastern Townships.

We walked a small trail in – Marais de la Rivière aux Cerises and headed into Magog. Things to do in Magog: Plage de Magog, Pointe-Merry Park. 1.5 hours drive from Montreal to Magog.

Where to sleep: Magog Truck Stop (Free wifi and a toilet)

Levis (Outside of Quebec City) – 1 day

In the morning we drove to Sherbrooke and parked up at Parc Jaques-Cartier and had a walk and skate around! It’s possible that you could park here overnight too.

It takes around 2-3 hours to drive from Eastern Townships to Quebec City and we actually chose to visit Quebec City on the way back as we got there pretty late. We visited Montmorency Falls and walked across the bridge before parking in Levis for the night.

Where to sleep: near Parc de l’Anse Tibbits, on the road in our stealthy van (toilets nearby)

Rimouski – 1 day

It rained all day! So this was a good opportunity to drive more into the Gaspesie. It was a 3.5 drive to Site Historique maritime de la Pointe-au-Père which is where we also found an awesome place to sleep! The Submarine Quay has beaches, a lighthouse and of course a submarine! There were lots of other campers there so it felt like a free campsite.

Where to stay: Submarine Quay (with lots of campers)

Gaspesie National Park – 1 day

It’s a 2 hour drive to Sainte-Anne-des-Monts before turning off into the Gaspesie National Park. The drive really starts to get beautiful now as you follow the coast and enter the area of the National Park. We chose to hike up to Mont Ernest-Laforce, which was a short trail with a high chance of seeing moose! You can also stop at Saint-Anne Waterfall on the way through the park.

We stayed overnight in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts and spent the evening on the beach, it really made us think ‘how is this Canada?!’

Where to stay: Not a popular car park (not sure if 100% allowed) As it was near to the beach there was a toilet and outdoor cold shower

Forllion National Park – 1 day

It’s a 2.5 to Forllion National Park. We parked at Grande-Grave and followed a trail to the stunning Cap-Bon-Ami viewpoint! Forllion National Park is one of the best places to see whales in Canada. We didn’t get so lucky whilst we were here but there are chances of seeing them from Gaspe – Perce.

It costs CA$15.80 to enter Forllion National Park for 2 people and you also have to pay or reserve a campsite if you want to stay here. Tip: If you have a National Park pass (which you’ll need for the Canadian Rockies) this park is included!

Where to stay: A car park at a community centre near Gîte Pétales de Rose (outside of the national park)

Gaspe – 1 day

It’s only a 30 minute drive to Gaspe and there are many lovely stops to make on the way. We managed to spot some seals in the ocean! Gaspe town is worth a visit on your Canadian road trip itinerary, especially if you’re visiting the Gaspesie. There’s a lot of Canadian history to learn about in this cosy town. There are also a few more shops here and restaurants if you’re interested in trying out some Quebec cuisine!

Where to stay: La Commune-de-Douglastown – Beach area it was quite bumpy to get here on this long strip of sandy dirt but very isolated and you can make a fire! You can also walk along the beach here!

Coin-du-Blanc – 1 day

After half a day relaxing on the beach near Douglastown we headed to Sentier de la Chute Rivière du Portage, a beautiful waterfall! It’s a short hike down to the waterfall but once you’re there you can swim and it’s also a good chance to refresh your body (Vanlife in Canada problems). It’s less than an hour drive to Coin-du-Blanc!

Where to stay: Sentier de la Chute Rivière du Portage – Beach area ( toilets nearby)

Perce – 1 day

Cap Mont Joli and Perce rock are two highlights of visiting Perce. Perce Rock is also iconic for travelling the Gaspesie Route! There are a few things to do in Perce and you can find out about more of them here – Perce Toursim. In the summer it’s also possible to catch a boat trip to see Northern Gannet Colonies on Bonaventure Island!

After Perce, we headed to Newport Chandler to find a place to free camp and chill on the beach.

Where to stay: Plage des Beaux Sables (Small beach parking lot, sleep to the sound of the waves)

Quebec City – 1 day

From Newport Chandler, we chose to make the long 7-hour drive back to Quebec City. We could have done this in two trips by spending some time in Carleton-Sur-Mer and Parc régional du Mont Saint-Joseph, however at the time we were happy to continue driving to carry on with our 3 month road trip in Canada!

We reached Quebec City at 8 pm and spent the evening admiring the capital of Quebec. We had actually already visited the city in the wintertime so we just ran around seeing all the hot spots again. We’d definitely recommend spending another day here if this is your first time in Quebec City.

Where to stay: Walmart (free wifi and toilets in Walmart)

Montreal – 1 day

Stopped back off in Montreal for one last time, before heading west for the rest of our cross Canada road trip. It’s a 3 hour drive from Quebec City to Monreal and we then headed to a Walmart in Vaudreuil-Dorion to stay for the night.

Ottawa – 1 day

Ottawa is Canada’s capital city and it’s actually in Ontario. It’s not as big as Toronto, Vancouver or Montreal but it’s still the capital! After a 1.5 hour drive, we spent the morning here walking around the city and then headed to Gatineau Park which is back in the Quebec province. Ottawa lies on the border between both provinces. We then drove 1 hour to Shawville to find a free campsite.

Where to stay: Mill Dam Park (a hidden gem!! free toilet & electricity)

That’s officially the end of our 2 week Quebec road trip, but only the beginning of our long cross Canada road trip itinerary!

10 day Road Trip in Ontario

Ontario surprised us so much! It’s full of lakes, hills and very friendly people!

We don’t actually visit Toronto on this Canadian road trip route. If you do want to go to Toronto this would be done at the beginning straight after Quebec, before continuing the rest of this itinerary. We have a 3 days in Toronto guide if you’re interested in visiting this urban city!

Golden Lake – 1 day

After a lot of driving over the last week, we decided to have a very chill day. We came across Golden Lake at 2pm, and when we realised it was named Golden Lake due to its sunsets it made us want to spend the day! It was amazing to enjoy Canadian nature in the best way. Here’s the exact location for the rest stop at Golden Lake , near Golden Lake Chinese.

From Shawville to the edges of Algonquin Provincial Park it’s about a 2-hour drive.

Where to stay: Tom and Mick Murray Millennium Park (We stayed next to a lake, looked like a locals free camping spot with pit toilets

Algonquin Provinicial Park – 1 day

We arrive at Algonquin Provincial Park early to explore in the quieter moments. We picked up a map and chose a few of the shorter hikes. There were SO many mosquitoes at 7 am, mosquitoes are pretty bad in Canada especially in the east. One of the trails we did was the Two Rivers Trail.

In total, we drove 2 hours through the park and to Huntsville where we luckily found a spot to stay.

Where to stay: Huntsville – in one small spot next to a lake, nearby there were lots of parking spots that say no overnight camping, so luckily we were okay!

Huntsville – 1 day

We explored Huntsville for a couple of hours and enjoyed the walk near the lakeside. They have big outdoor shops here along the high street if you need any extra gear for your van or camping set up. After wandering around Huntsville, we drove 3 hours and stayed near Lorne.

Where to stay: near Lorne – ( a remote lake near the highway , very bumpy to get to but beautiful! The exact location is on iOverlander)

Sault Ste Marie – 1 day

From Huntsville, we headed to Sault Ste Marie which took under 3 hours drive. Sault Ste Marie is on the border for Canada and the United States. There’s lots of shopping to do here, but we mainly stocked up on our supplies and walked along the boardwalk

A short drive north and you’ll reach Pancake Bay and also Lake Superior, one of the worlds largest freshwater lakes! It actually holds 10% of the world’s surface freshwater. In total, we drove 3.5 hours to get to Lake Superior and Pancake Bay

Where to stay: Free spot near Pancake Bay (near a lodge that serves food and groceries)

Lake Superior Provincial Park

When we woke up, we headed back over to Batchawana bay to The Voyageur’s Lodge and Cookhouse which we passed on on the way to Pancake Bay yesterday evening. They boast about their world-famous apple fritters , so we had to give them a try! They were actually pretty good, but beware they are HUGE.

Next, we headed to Lake Superior Provincial Park which cost CA$7.50. We recommend seeing Katherine Cove and the Agawa Rock Pictographs! There are lots of spots to swim in the lake here and there will be more opportunities over the next few days as Lake Superior is so big. From Pancake Bay, it’s less than a 2 hour drive to Wawa.

Where to stay: Sandy Beach (lots of free spots in Wawa)

Wawa – 1 day

The only driving we did today was to a new ‘camping’ spot next to the lake. So this is another one of our chill days and actually one of our favourite days of the whole road trip in Canada. We chilled to the max and blew up our rubber ring. It was a super hot day so we did our laundry in a bucket and hung it out to dry on a thick rope we brought with us.

Where to stay: Dr Roses Beach (we spent the whole day here and there’s a toilet block)

Nipigon – 1 day

After a relaxing day, we drove from Wawa to Nipigon which is a 4-hour drive.

On the way, we visited the hometown of ‘Winnie the Pooh’! In White River, there’s a very sweet Winnie the Pooh Memorial that explains the story of Winnie the Pooh.

A black bear cub in White River was named Winnie after the person’s hometown of Winnipeg, Manitoba. She was taken to London Zoo, which is where Christopher Robin saw the bear! They also have a monument and gift shop/museum. After White River, we stopped at Aguasabon Falls and saw the sunset at Nipigon Marina.

Where to stay: Carpark at Nipigon Lookout

Sleeping Giant Provincial Park – 1 day

Sleeping Giant Provincial Park is located on the west side of Lake Superior. It cost us CA$15.50 to enter Sleeping Giant Provincial Park and we hiked up to Top of the Giant. It was long but very rewarding! They do actually have a campground inside the provincial park if you’re interested in staying there.

We then drove to Thunder Bay and in total Nipigon to Thunder Bay with a stop in the Sleeping Giant Provincial Park will take 2.5 hours.

Where to stay: Walmart (free wifi and toilet)

Kakabeka Waterfall – 1 day

After arriving in Thunder Bay the night before all we did was sleep, so we decided to check out a few things to do in Thunder Bay. Kakabeka Waterfall was a highlight and cost a small price of CA$5.25.

From Thunder Bay, we drove 1.5 hours to an area near Raith. When we reached the Truck Stop there were so many beavers!

Where to stay: Central Time Zone Truckstop (toilets)

Driving day – 1 day

We took the day very chill and sorted a few things out, there weren’t as many things to do in western Ontario so we drove a lot on this day. We did stop by Dryden to see the huge Moose statue and also visited Kenora for some lake views and deer! From Raith, it’s a 5-hour drive to the Ontario Border.

Where to stay: Ontario border stop (toilets)

Just like that, we’ve finished our road trip in Ontario! Ontario is a very long province to road trip through, but it does honestly have some hidden gems and so many places to just unwind next to a lake.

2 days in Manitoba

Important information about Manitoba – we travelled in the year 2020 and Manitoba were asking travellers not to stay in the province and to just drive straight through. It is possible to drive through Manitoba in one day as it only takes a few hours. However, as we were set up in our van we decided to stop over in a park once to sleep.

Winnipeg – 1 day

From the Ontario border, we drove a total of 5 hours to Russell.

Even with the travel restriction, it was actually raining for the whole day that we arrived in Manitoba. We drove through Winnipeg and had a look at the city from the inside of our van. We then carried on driving to a spot we found on iOverlander that claimed to have free electricity.

Once we got to Russell Peace Park it felt like a campground, however, it was free! We don’t think the toilets were working anymore but free electricity when you’re in a van is awesome. Manitoba holds a very special memory for us as it’s the first time we’ve ever seen the Northern Lights! (they were magical).

Where to stay: Russell Peace Park (free electricity)

Russell – 1 day

After the surprising experience of seeing the northern lights, we chose to hang around the free campground the next morning and also cooked lunch here! We drove 3 hours across the border to Lanigan in Saskatchewan.

Where to stay: A parking lot just off the highway

2 days in Saskatchewan (plus 7 days broken down)

We drove into Saskatchewan in the evening and were blessed with views of these yellow fields.

Saskatoon – 1 day

Leaving Lanigan we headed straight for Saskatoon, we were more interested in visiting Saskatoon over Regina and we also chose this as our Canadian road trip route because we wanted to visit Jasper first.

Saskatoon was a small city and we actually had our first meal out on the road trip so far (and also in a few months due to restaurants being closed in 2020). From Saskatoon, it was only a 1 hour drive to North Battleford where we chose to stay for the night in a Walmart and also grab some supplies. Overall we drove a total of 2.5 hours from Lanigan to North Battleford

Where to stay: North Battleford Walmart

The Big Vanlife Breakdown – 7 days

Unfortunately, road trips in Canada aren’t always smooth sailing. When we tried to leave North Battleford our van wouldn’t start! 🙁 We were stuck and had to call our breakdown service to come help! This turned out to be a stressful process and a very stressful day of travel.

We’re including these days in the total of our road trip because within a 3 month road trip in Canada you really never know what’s going to happen. After making it to a garage we stayed in North Battleford for 6 more nights and even slept in a tent for two of those nights at a house (when our van was in the garage). Thankfully the van was fixed and we were able to hit the road again!

The positive part about this breakdown is that we reached the Rockies for the most perfect rain and cloud-free weather which apparently can be quite uncommon! We also had a lot of laptop time in Tim Hortons and booked a volunteering project to do in the next few weeks.

Saskatchewan fields – 1 day

From North Battleford, it’s a 3 hour drive to the outskirts of Edmonton, Elk National Park.

After a very long week, we were SO excited to be in our ‘working’ van and on the road again continuing our Canada road trip. We knew how close we were to the Canadian Rockies and the mountains. Here’s the next part of our cross Canada road trip itinerary!

Where to stay: Rest stop near Elk National Park

2 Week Road Trip in Alberta

We spent a total of 15 days in Alberta on our Canadian road trip and could have spent much more! If you’re on a road trip from east to west, Alberta is going to be your first glimpse of the beautiful Canadian Rockies! Get ready for the amazing views!

Elk National Park – 1 day

Our first stop in Alberta was Elk National Park, we highly recommend visiting Elk National Park on your Canadian road trip because you’ll have the opportunity to see bison! From Elk National Park it’s around a 1 hour drive to Edmonton where we stayed for the night.

Where to stay: Walmart in Edmonton

Edmonton – 1 day

A visit to Edmonton isn’t complete without visiting the largest mall in Canada and North America – West Edmonton Mall , they even have a water park inside! You can spend hours browsing even if you don’t need anything!

We parked our van in West Edmonton Mall for free and took a local bus into the city centre. Edmonton city will only take 2 hours to look around. Honestly, we were much more excited about the mall. After finishing up in Edmonton we hit the road for 1.5 hours to a rest stop near Nojak.

Where to stay: Rest stop in Nojak area

1 Week Road Trip in the Canadian Rockies

The Canadian Rockies are a must-visit on a cross Canada road trip itinerary! A lot of travellers in Canada only visit because of the Canadian Rockies and they are so worth it.

Jasper East – 1 day

After staying near Nojak, we drove 1 hour to Hinton, a smaller town in Canada. Hinton is a great base for campers to explore Jasper National Park. There are lots of free camping spots opposite Jasper East Cabins . A local grocery store – Freson Bros – also lets you sleep in the car park and they have free wifi, a cafe and fresh food!

It’s important to note that it’s illegal to camp in any national park in Canada unless you have a dedicated spot at a campsite which you have to pay for. Usually, these camping spots book up really fast, but it’s possible to get walk-in spots. Double-check your options before turning up at a campsite in Canada.

After arriving at Hinton, we met up with a friend and had a fire in the evening. This was the first time we ever saw shooting stars! It was the perfect conditions to star gaze as there were no clouds and it was very dark at 1 am.

Where to stay: Hinton (forest spots opposite Jasper East Cabins )

Jasper National Park – 4 days

Jasper National Park is one of the main highlights of a Canadian Rockies road trip, you can definitely spend a few days here.

Hiking & Jasper Town – Day 1

Our friend took us on our first hike in Jasper National Park, sadly we can’t remember the name of it, but there was a small parking lot and you have to walk through a bush to get to it…very awesome views from the top though!

Later in the day, we visited Jasper town for the first time for an evening meal!

Lake Annette – Day 2

The weather was perfect on this day, so it was a great opportunity to relax in Lake Annette. We spent almost all day in Jasper National Park and Lake Annette but still travelled back to Hinton to stay near Jasper East Cabins for free.

Maligne Canyon & Lac Beauvert – Day 3

To save ourselves the 1 hour roundtrip journey back to Hinton for a free camping spot we decided to stay in our first paid campsite of the trip. The spots were easy to book online and luckily there was availability! (The summer of 2020 was a unique summer for Canada due to low-tourism)

Maligne Canyon is an amazing experience on a road trip through the Canadian Rockies. The Maligne Canyon trail is a single large loop with several optional side trails and can take around 2-4 hours. The water is so powerful here, and there are many waterfalls to prove it!

In the evening we went to Lac Beauvert to admire the views. You can kayak on the lake here, or there’s a circle loop. We chose to stay at our very first paid campsite and it was lovely! The atmosphere of other campers was amazing and the views of the mountains in the Overflow Campground were impressive.

Where to stay: Overflow Campground – CA$16.05

Jasper Town & Hiking – Day 4

In the daytime, we explored more of Jasper Town and did some much-needed laundry. We also tried our first Beaver Tail after many months of being in Canada!

In the late afternoon, we hiked the Valley of the Five Lakes Trail. It’s a beautiful walk that takes around 2 hours and gives you the opportunity to see five lakes all different shades of green and blue. Wabasso Campground is right around the corner from this trail, so we headed over there to make some dinner! It’s located in the forest and we even saw wild foxes in the evening.

Where to stay: Wabasso Campground – CA$21.97

Icefields Parkway – 1 day

The Icefields Parkway is one of the best things to do on a trans Canada road trip! The Icefields Parkway is a long stretch of road that joins Jasper National Park and Banff National Park together. It takes about 3 hours to drive but with many stops, it will take you all day!

Seeing the mountains from your car windows is one of the best sights on a road trip in Canada and you’ll definitely want it to be a clear day.

Icefields Parkway Itinerary

• Athabasca Falls (1 hour)
• Sunwapta Falls (30 mins)
• Athabasca Glacier (1 hour)
• Wilcox Pass Trail (1 hour hike)
• Parker Ridge Trail (2-3 hour hike)
• Waterfowl Lakes Viewpoint (10 minutes)
• Peyto Lake (30 mins)
• Bow Lake Viewpoint (10 mins)

We didn’t get to do all of these activities, we missed Peyto Lake due to it being closed in 2020, and we didn’t hike the Wilcox Pass Trail. We also actually stopped at the Saskatchewan River for a night of free camping, but there is no service.

Where to stay: Saskatchewan River Crossing (no service)

Banff National Park – 2 day

Banff is the oldest National Park in Canada and also the most famous one! It’s definitely a highlight on any Canadian road trip and it was definitely our highlight of a 3 month road trip in Canada.

Banff Town & Lake Louise – Day 1

We were a little worried as we hadn’t reserved a paid campsite in Banff and wanted to stay in the National Park. We drove 1 hour straight to Protection Mountain campground as they had first come first serve spots. We were extremely relieved to find had many spots available, so we put our name down for 2 nights. Our friend from Jasper was also joining us for this trip!

After securing our place to stay, we drove to Banff town and explored the village for the first time. There are free spots everywhere to park, and many things to do. Later that evening we met our friend and visited Lake Louise for the first time. It is honestly better than the photos, such a beautiful lake to see and a must on a western Canada road trip itinerary.

Where to stay: Protection Mountain – CA$51.80 for 2 nights with a fire permit with free firewood

Moraine Lake & Teahouse Hike – Day 2

After lots of research on the best time to visit Moraine Lake, we decided to see what the famous sunrise at Moraine Lake was like. So, we woke up at 5 am to drive 30 minutes to the parking lot of Moraine Lake and it was so busy!!! We arrived at 5:50 am and were lucky to get one of the last parking spaces, although it is pretty small.

Another great time to see Moraine Lake is late afternoon. They usually block off the road if there are no spaces at the top of the lake. It’s also possible to hike at Moraine Lake, however, we chose to do a different hike this day.

We then headed to Lake Louise to hike the Lake Agnes Tea House and Big Beehive. This was one of our favourite hikes on our cross Canada road trip route and it was definitely because of the views at the top! It takes about 4-5 hours for a roundtrip hike and you get a beautiful view of Lake Louise from above.

Where to stay: (Mentioned above)

Banff Town & Canmore- Day 3

After experiencing some major highlights on our 3 month road trip in Canada bucket list, we explored the village again and saw the Fairmount hotel from a distance on a local trail from the town. We then drove to Canmore for the evening which is only a 30 minute drive away. Canmore is quieter than Banff Town and as it’s not in the National Park anymore it’s not illegal to camp for free!

Where to stay: Safeway Carpark in Canmore (lots of other campers)

Canmore – 1 day

The next morning we woke up early to hike the Grassi Lakes trail which takes up to 2 hours. The lakes are such beautiful colours of green and blue! We also spent the afternoon walking around Canmore before driving to Drumheller! As it was quite late we found a place to stay at one of the best sights in Drumheller.

Horsethief Canyon was our favourite place to stay on our 3 month Canada road trip! It was also another place we saw the Northern Lights which were once again, so beautiful. It’s a 2-hour drive from Canmore to Horsethief Canyon

Where to stay: Horsethief Canyon

Drumheller – 1 day

In the morning we woke up to the view of the impressive Horsethief canyon and chose to walk down into the lower area. Drumheller is a whole new version of Canada and is actually located in the Canadian badlands and nicknamed the dinosaur capital of Canada.

Popular things to do in Drumheller are Royal Tyrrell Museum (Dinosaur museum), see the statue of the World’s Largest Dinosaur, hike the Hoodoo’s trail, visit Horseshoe Canyon and walk on the Star Mine Suspension Bridge.

These activities can take anywhere between 1 or 2 days in Drumheller, we managed to fit everything in 1 day and even managed to drive back to Calgary as it’s only 1.5 hours from Drumheller to Calgary and we watched the sunset over the city at Scotsman’s Hill .

Where to stay: Walmart in Calgary

Calgary – 1 day

A day in Calgary can be done in many ways! We headed out into the centre of the city to see the Calgary Tower up close, we then walked through Chinatown and chilled in Prince’s Island Park. If you have time check out Mt Pleasant View Point for another view of this skyscraper city.

We also stocked up on some essentials at Dollarama and grocery stores whilst we were in a big city so we could continue our cross Canada road trip route! After Calgary, we headed to Canmore which is only a 1 hour drive. On the way to Canmore, we walked the Grotto Canyon Trail which was a great way to get back into nature.

Where to stay: A parking lot in Canmore

In the morning we headed to Rundle Forebay to do our very first Sup Boarding. Get there early to grab a sup board as it’s first come first serve. In the morning the Canadian Rockies are actually quite cold, even in August!

After enjoying Alberta one final time, we headed back West to Golden which was a 3-hour drive.

Where to stay: We actually stayed at the house we volunteered at, heading back west.

1 Month Road Trip in British Columbia

British Columbia is an amazing province to explore and great for vanlife in Canada. There is so much to do in both Alberta and BC on a cross Canada road trip that you can spend 3 months just creating a western Canada road trip itinerary!

Note: We spent 2 Weeks in British Columbia volunteering with a few day trips, plus a full 3 weeks exploring the province. So we’ve made this a 1 month itinerary.

Field – 1 day

From Banff, we said goodbye to our friend and hit the road for Field in the morning before heading to Golden in the afternoon. It was about a 2-hour drive from the Protection Mountain campsite.

Workaway in Golden – 2 weeks

Volunteering is something we really want to do more of on our travels. During our 3 month road trip in Canada, we had the opportunity to do a Work Away!

Back when we were in North Battleford we set up Work Away account and were messaged by a British couple building a house on their newly bought property. We arranged to volunteer with them for 2 weeks helping to build their new sustainable house in exchange for a place to stay and food.

Yoho National Park – 1 day

Another great park on our 3 month road trip in Canada is Yoho National Park! We spent one day here seeing some of the hotspots. We saw Emerald Lake , T akakkaw Falls , Natural Bridge , but we missed out on Wapta Falls and Lake O’Hara (as at the time you needed to reserve spots to see this lake).

Where to stay: Unfortunately we don’t have any recommendations here as we stayed at our Work Away site.

Thompson Falls Hike – 1 day

Thompson Falls hike was a great way to stretch our legs again after working on the house at our Work Away. It takes about 2-3 hours and we even took a huskie dog with us!

Cedar Lake – 1 day

We hung out with the other volunteers for the day at Cedar Lake! They have floating docks so you can jump into the lake, and on a sunny day, the lake is actually quite warm. Lakes in Canada are amazing!

Tip: All Provincial Parks in British Columbia are free!

Revelstoke – 1 day

We explored a few small trails in Mount Revelstoke National Park and explored Revelstoke town. Then we made our way to Salmon Arm and stopped by Rutherford Beach on the way which has amazing views of the Three Valley lake! We also found a spot to chill near the Rubberhead Trail System that gave great views of the town.

From Golden, we drove a total of 3.5 hours to Vernon!

Where to stay: Vernon (next to a lake)

Kelowna – 1 day

Before leaving Vernon we visited Davison Orchards Country Village for some fresh fruit and bakery snacks! Then headed to Kelowna, which impressed us! Their harbour area is lovely! We parked down a residential street nearby and walked into the city past a local man-made beach on the waterfront.

We arrived in Summerland in the afternoon and met one of our friends who was working there! We parked up along the river and took a dip in the warm Okanagan lake. Sadly, the Okanagan Valley was on fire during the time we were there. It’s around 1.5 hours from Vernon to Summerland

Where to sleep: Summerland campsite parking lot (stealthy)

Kamloops – 1 day

Before we hit the road, we grabbed some fresh Okanagan peaches to take with us. From Summerland, we drove 3 hours through Kamloops and to the area near Savona to find a spot to sleep. (We always use iOverlander to find out free camping spots) We didn’t look around Kamloops too much as we didn’t need anything from a city, however, Riverside Park is a great place to chill.

On the way to Savona, we stopped at Kamloops Lake View Point which gives you an amazing view of the dry plains.

Where to sleep: Savona area near wild horses

Whistler – 2 days

If you’re on a cross Canada road trip, Whistler has to be on your list! It’s so popular in Western Canada and it actually holds one of the largest ski resorts in the world and is the largest in North America. In the summer those slopes turn into hiking opportunities and Whistler village is always full of good vibes.

Cache Creek & Seton Lake – Day 1

It takes about 3.5 hours to make it to Whistler from Kamloops. We were so excited to reach this point after hearing about Whistler so many times from other travellers. There are a few stops you can make on the way:

• The iconic view of the U shaped road bend, on the east side of Seton Lake.
• Duffey Lake Viewpoint for more amazing lake views!
• North Arm Farm to pick all the fruit you can handle!
• You can also visit Joffre Lakes which needs around 4 hours of hiking time (however it was closed at the time we were there)

We arrived in Whistler in the evening and walked around Whistler village until finding our spot to sleep. (mentioned on day 2)

Whistler Village & Atla Lake – Day 2

We woke up early and headed into Whistler Village to walk around the Lost Lake! In the afternoon we walked the Train Wreck trail, where you can discover abandoned and graffitied old train carriages in the middle of the forest. In the evening we headed to Alta Lake and watched the sunset.

Where to sleep: Residential street parking in Whistler (Not actually allowed, so we’re not advising this. However we only parked there overnight to sleep straight away after cooking somewhere else). There are free camping spots outside of Whistler Village.

Garibaldi Hike – 1 day

We had been dreaming of hiking at Garibaldi Provincial Park for the whole of our cross Canada road trip. So the excitement was real when we started the hike up to Garibaldi lake! It takes about 6 hours there and back and from Whistler, it’s only a 30-minute drive from Whistler to the Rubble Creek trailhead. If you enjoy hiking, Garibaldi Lake should be on your Canadian road trip itinerary!

Where to stay: Walmart in Squamish

Squamish – 1 day

This day was another big highlight of our dream, we were still so happy from our Garibaldi lake hike, and we were about to hike again! The Chief is a famous hike in Squamish and that’s exactly what we did. It’s only a 1 hour drive from Squamish to Vancouver and Squamish is town is great to explore too!

Where to stay: Walmart in Squamish (we also showered in the Squamish community centre)

Sea to Sky Highway – 1 day

The Sea to Sky highway deserves its own day on a 3 month road trip in Canada itinerary. There are so many things to do in between Whistler and Vancouver. Here’s a few of them:

• Brandywine Falls (30 mins)
• Tantalus Lookout (10 mins)
• Shannon Falls Provincial Park (up to 1 hour)
• Murrin Park Loop Trail (2 hour hike)
• Admire the views of the Howe Sound from Portaeu Cove (20 mins)
• at Horsehoe Bay – Whytecliff Lookout Point (30 mins)
• Lighthouse Park (2 hours)

Where to stay: Walmart in North Vancouver (there are lots of campers staying around this Walmart too)

Vancouver – 3 days

OUR NEW HOME! It’s a strange feeling arriving at a city you’re planning on living in but never visited before…but we actually did this with Montreal too! Vancouver is amazing and definitely worth a visit on your 3 month road trip in Canada. We have a guide on the best things to do in Vancouver, you can check it out here!

One of our favourite things to do in Vancouver is to cycle around Stanley Park. Dan used to cycle this for fun in the morning before work, it’s absolutely beautiful! Vancouver is also filled with amazing restaurants including some of the best vegan restaurants, we’ve also written an ultimate guide to vegan restaurants in Vancouver.

We didn’t drive around too much in Vancouver but we did use public transport, walk a lot and even caught a sea bus!

Where to stay: Walmart in North Vancouver

Where to stay: Spanish Banks beach (free spots next to the allocated parking lot) Cold showers and toilet block open in the daytime

Chilliwack – 1 day

It’s a 2 hour drive from Vancouver to Chilliwack and the main reason we visited was to see a friend. However, it’s a popular place for locals to spend time away from the bustling city of Vancouver. Bridal Falls is a popular waterfall to see in Chilliwack and you can also visit Cultus Lake nearby to walk the Teapot Hill Trailhead. You can even catch a movie at Twilight Drive-In Theatre nearer to Abbotsford and Langley.

Where to stay: Walmart in Chilliwack

Vancouver – 1 day

After spending the day in Chilliwack, it’s another 2 hour drive back to Vancouver where we prepared to catch the ferry the following day.

It’s a short 30 minute drive to Horshoe Bay, but for some reason, we planned to travel on a busy long weekend! BC Ferries has reservable bookings and spaces for first come first serve. We wanted to make sure we grabbed a spot so we aimed to catch the first ferry at 5 am or 6 am, the best way to do this was to sleep in our van at Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal.

We really don’t know if this is allowed, but there were actually a few others with us! Some of them had missed the last ferry of the day back home so they were stuck in their car anyway!

Where to stay: Horshoe Bay Ferry Terminal

1 week Road Trip in Vancouver Island

Still part of the 1 month road trip in British Columbia, let’s explore Vancouver Island!

Nanaimo to Tofino – 1 day

We caught the earliest ferry of the day to Nanaimo to start a 1 week Vancouver Island road trip. The ferry journey from Horseshoe Bay is only a couple of hours.

Once we arrived we drove a total of 3 hours to reach Ucluelet and Tofino, but on the way, we stopped by the Old Country Market in Coombs. At Ucluelet we browsed around the area and walked a trail at Amphitrite Point Lighthouse!

Where to stay: A logging road near Tofino (about a 30 minute drive away)

Tofino – 2 days

The logging road to camp for free is a 1 hour roundtrip from Tofino, but the other alternative is to pay for pricey campsites!

Tofino Village – Day 1

We visited Tofino Village in the morning and Dan tried out surfing in Tofino at Long Beach in the afternoon! You can rent a board at many places in Tofino village. Our only problem was that you have to take the board with you to the beach and it’s a tight squeeze in our van. There are also lots of lessons you can do if this is your first time surfing in Canada or anywhere!

Surfing in Tofino – Day 2

We spent the morning surfing back at Long Beach before saying goodbye to beautiful Tofino and driving 2.5 hours to Port Alberni.

Where to stay: Walmart in Port Alberni

Victoria – 2 days

Little qualicum falls – day 1.

It’s a 3 hour drive from Port Alberni to Victoria which was our next destination. On the way, we visited little Qualicum falls and made our lunch at Qualicum Beach. In the afternoon we stretched our legs at Chemainus before arriving in Victoria.

A lot of travellers head to Victoria when they’re on a cross Canada road trip as it’s the end of the Trans Canadian highway. When we arrived we parked up near Beacon Hill Park and searched for the totem poles!

Where to stay: Residential area near a park in Victoria

Victoria City Centre – Day 2

The city of Victoria isn’t very big, but there are lots of things to do in Victoria over 2 days. We headed into the city centre to admire the oldest Chinatown in Canada and also checked out Fishermans Wharf Park. The legislative Assembly of British Columbia is a building you cannot miss in Victoria and it’s easy to find in the city centre!

Sooke – 1 day

The next morning we managed to reserve tickets for the British Columbia museum and learnt a lot about Canadian history. We then made our way to Sooke which is less than a 1 hour drive from Victoria. We watched the sunset at Creyke Point and saw wild deer!

Where to stay: Parking lot for a beach on the coast

Port Renfrew – 1 day

Sooke is known for its famous potholes in Sooke Provincial Park. There are a few trails and lots of rocks to climb over, but the best part is that you can get into the water (if it’s safe!).

In the afternoon we drove 1 hour to Port Renfrew and walked down to China Beach, the trees are so big here! We also checked out Sombrio Beach and walked some of the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail in search of the hidden waterfall!

Where to stay: Rest Stop in Port Renfrew

That’s actually the end of our 3 month road trip in Canada! There is still so much more you can do in Canada, we feel like we’ve only just scratched the surface with cross Canadian road trip’s. This trip was truly an amazing experience and we wish we could do it all over again, minus the breakdown!

If you have even more time, The Sunshine Coast is another beautiful area of Canada to explore. You can catch a ferry to The Sunshine Coast from Vancouver Island or Vancouver. Check out our guide to The Sunshine Coast and also our guide to visit Bowen Island , another great island to explore on a western Canada road trip.

So after finishing our 1 week road trip on Vancouver Island we headed back to Nanaimo to catch a ferry back over to Horseshoe Bay and Vancouver. It’s only a 2 hour drive.

A few Tips for a Canadian Road Trip

• Bring a big water container with you and make sure it’s filled along the way! (iOverlander has water locations!)
• You can wash in bathroom sinks (if you’re quick and it’s quiet!)
• Tim Hortons Wifi will be your saviour!
• No Frills is usually the cheapest grocery store (but it’s not in all provinces)
• If you’re travelling in summer, bring a mini fan!
• Cities are hard to park in when your van is too tall for underground parking.
• A 3 month road trip in Canada is never long enough!

Best apps for a 3 month Road Trip in Canada

• iOverlander – how to find the best free camping spots in Canada
• Googlesheets (the best way to write down your itinerary and keep it for memories!)
• GasBuddy – a quick way to find the cheapest gas.
• Husky – collect points from the gas station
• Duolingo – learn some french along your travels!
• GoogleMaps – a very obvious one, but download Offline Maps of areas you’ll be going, it will show you roads and restaurants even if you have no signal.

Other travel methods for a Canada Road Trip

It’s possible to use Canadian railways and catch a Train across Canada – Tickets from Toronto to Vancouver can cost from CA$444, find out more information here ! Megabus can help you to get around the east side of Canada, it can even take you to Niagra Falls! Find tickets for Megabus here ! You can always rent cars wherever you go if you’re staying in a city and want to explore nature. Canadian cities also have their own public transport that can get you to nature parks and lakes nearby.

Flying is another travel method you can use, although you will miss the road trip in Canada part of the journey! Hitchhiking is another way of getting around Canada and it can lead to some amazing adventures! Maybe there’s someone road tripping the same way as you! It’s also extremely budget-friendly.

Thank you for reading our big 3 month road trip in Canada! It’s one of the longest road trip’s we’ve ever been on and the first time we’ve tried out vanlife in Canada. We would definitely travel and live in a van or car again in the future! Please if you have any questions, let us know in the comments or reach out to us on Instagram – @ thesunrisedreamers!

Check out our other Canada posts!

• The Best 3 Days on the Sunshine Coast
• 3 Days in Toronto on a Budget
• The Best Day on Bowen Island
• Camping at Golden Ears in the Rain
• 20+ Vancouver Bucket-List Worthy Ideas

Vegan in Vancouver posts

Ultimate List of 100% Vegan Restaurants in Vancouver

Amazing vegan-friendly restaurants in vancouver.

• The Best Vegan Bakeries and Ice Cream in Vancouver

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Amy & Dan are the founders of The Sunrise Dreamers. They are travellers from the UK who have been on the road since 2017 whilst living in places like England, Canada, Thailand and the Canary Islands. They share their knowledge of travelling the world with detailed travel guides and tips. They're experts in vegan travel and show their audience how to travel on a budget.

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Love this 💕 so many beautiful photos (Banff, the lakes, waterfalls and the trail to China Beach) and lots of memories. Great tips and itineraries. Vanlife was an adventure! Can’t wait to go.

Thank you so much!! There’s so much to do in Canada, such a big country haha 🙂 Excited for you to go!

Hey guys.. great information. We are at the start of planning. Would you have any advice about buying / renting a van x 3 months? We are Australians. Assuming our international licenses are allowed, what about the ownership of a vehicle? Look forward to hearing from you when you can.

Hi Julie, thanks for your message! We swapped our UK licences for Canadian driving licences, but buying a vehicle (definitely rent) on an international licence may be possible too. We bought our van through Facebook Market for around $6,000 CAD in Montreal, QC and sold it in Vancouver, BC. When you take a vehicle into a different province, it has to go through an inspection/MOT (double-check, as this could have changed) and ours needed a bit of work (the screen cracked), so we sold it for around $3,000. We had a breakdown mid-trip which we also had to pay for. We would probably still buy a van again if we did this trip again, but if you are on a specific time frame a rental van could work for 3 months.

I’m not sure about rental prices, but definitely make sure you have car insurance in case anything goes wrong! The Rockies are hot & cold throughout the day and night so windows like to crack!

Excited to hear about your adventure! We want to do it all over again 🙂

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Road trip au Canada : itinéraire de 3 semaines dans la région du Québec

• 1 mars 2019 30 mai 2024
• 8 commentaires

Après notre mémorable road trip dans l’ouest américain , nous avons passé 3 semaines au Canada, 2ème étape de notre tour du monde . Nous tenions absolument à découvrir ce pays à l’automne pour assister au spectacle des couleurs de l’été indien .

Comme nous l’avions fait pour les États-Unis, nous avons choisi de parcourir le pays en faisant une location de voiture de Toronto à Montréal , en passant par les grands parcs nationaux comme le Mont Tremblant , la Mauricie , le Québec maritime avec Tadoussac , le parc du Bic et le Fjord du Saguenay avant de découvrir Charlevoix et de faire une escale aux Cantons de l’Est .

3 semaines au Canada : notre itinéraire

Du 26 septembre au 18 octobre 2018

• Me. 26/09/2018 Vol Los Angeles – Toronto (arrivée à 21h00) – nuit à Toronto
• Jeu. 27/09/2018 Visite de Toronto – nuit à Toronto
• Ven. 28/09/2018 Toronto / Niagara Falls jusqu’au feu d’artifice (130 km / 01h24) – nuit à Toronto
• Sam. 29/09/2018 Toronto / Ottawa (403 km / 04h30) – nuit à Ottawa
• Dim. 30/09/2018 Ottawa / Parc Mont Tremblant (152 km / 01h46) – nuit près du parc du Mont Tremblant
• Lun. 01/10/2018 Parc Mont Tremblant / Mauricie (241 km /2h30) – nuit  près du parc de la Mauricie
• Mar. 02/10/2018 Parc national de la Mauricie – nuit près du parc de la Mauricie
• Mer. 03/10/2018 Mauricie / Québec (175 km/2h30) – Parc national de la Jacques Cartier – nuit près du parc
• Jeu. 04/10/2018 Québec / Rimouski (350 km / 4h00) – nuit vers parc national du Bic
• Ven. 05/10/2018 Parc du Bic – 2ème nuit au parc du Bic
• Sam. 06/10/2018 Traversée Trois Pistoles / Les Escoumins réservée à 11h15 (à payer sur le traversier – y être 1h avant soit 10h15) – Nuit à l’Auberge La Rosepierre aux Bergeronnes
• Dim. 07/10/2018 Excursion baleine avec Essipit au quai des Bergeronnes à 09h45 – nuit à Sacré-Cœur à la Ferme 5 étoiles
• Lun. 08/10/2018 Rando dans le parc national du Fjord-du-Saguenay (secteur Baie-Sainte-Marguerite), possibilité d’aller virer aller/retour à Saguenay ou avant Sainte Rose du Nord – 2ème nuit à Sacré-Cœur à la Ferme 5 étoiles
• Mar. 09/10/2018 Traversée du fjord du Saguenay en ferry/bac gratuit de Tadoussac à Baie-Sainte-Catherine et route vers parc national des Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie (133 km/3h00) – nuit Charlevoix près du parc
• Mer. 10/10/2018 Charlevoix Parc national des Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie – 2ème nuit à Charlevoix 
• Jeu. 11/10/2018 Charlevoix / Québec (151 km / 02h00) – Chute Montmorency – nuit à Québec
• Ven. 12/10/2018 Québec – 2ème nuit à Québec
• Sam. 13/10/2018 Québec / Cantons-de-l’Est / SPA Bolton (252 km / 02h36) – nuit Cantons-de-l’Est
• Dim. 14/10/2018 – Parc du Mont Orford – 2ème nuit aux Cantons-de-l’Est
• Lun. 15/10/2018 Cantons-de-l’Est / Montréal (126 km / 01h22) – nuit à Montréal
• Mar. 16/10/2018 Montréal – 2ème nuit à Montréal
• Mer. 17/10/2018 Montréal – 3ème nuit à Montréal
• Jeu. 18/10/2018 Bota Bota SPA à Montréal – Vol Montréal – Paris

Louer une voiture au Canada

Pour visiter le Canada en toute liberté et profiter au maximum de chaque endroit, mieux vaut être véhiculé. Vous avez donc la possibilité de louer une voiture ou un camping car. Ayant choisi de partir de mi-septembre à mi-octobre, spécialement pour les couleurs de l’été indien, on s’attendait à un temps plutôt frais voir froid dans certains endroits. C’est pourquoi nous avons préféré choisir l’option voiture + hébergements afin de s’assurer le confort d’avoir un endroit chauffé pour dormir le soir. Et on ne regrette pas car nous avons eu pas mal de pluie et des journées bien fraîches oscillant entre 7° et 12° donc pas sûr que nous aurions apprécié l’option camping ! Nous avons réservé notre voiture avec Authentik Canada . C’est une agence locale qui en plus de fournir de supers conseils, propose des idées d’itinéraire et la location de voitures ou camping car à des prix vraiment raisonnables. Bien que nous soyons arrivés le 26 septembre à Toronto, nous avons choisi de ne louer la voiture qu’à partir du 28 car la ville se visite très bien à pied. De même, nous l’avons rendu à Montréal le 15 octobre et avons visité la ville à pied. Cela nous a permis de faire quelques économies.

Tarif location voiture de Toronto à Montréal pour 18 jours du 28/09/18 au 15/10/18 avec AUTHENTIK CANADA 821 € (en tant que partenaires, nous avons eu le droit à une réduction de 250 €).

Vous pouvez aussi utiliser le comparateur Discovercars pour trouver votre location de voiture au Canada au meilleur prix.

Budget essence

L’essence est moins chère au Canada qu’en France. Aussi nous avons dépensé 359 CAD soit environ 241 € pour parcourir 3 367 Km .

Nos hébergements au Canada

Pour ce pays, hormis Toronto où nous avons passé 3 nuits à l’hôtel, nous avons essentiellement dormi dans des Airbnb . Cela nous a permis de faire quelques économies contrairement aux hôtels et surtout de faire de belles rencontres. La région du Québec étant francophone, cela facilite les échanges. Nous avons aussi eu la chance d’être invité 3 nuits dans la région de Tadoussac par Québec Maritime qui nous avait concocté un super programme pour découvrir la région.

Budget de 3 semaines au Canada

Sur 23 jours passés au Canada, nous avons dépensé 4402 CAD soit environ 2936 € à 2 . Ce qui revient à un peu plus de 64 €/pers/jour . Ce budget inclut la location de la voiture , l’essence , les hébergements , la nourriture , les visites et les extras . Il n’inclut pas les billets d’avion.

Voici la répartition de notre budget :

Bilan de notre voyage au Canada

Le Canada a été un gros coup de cœur pour nous ! Le fait de l’avoir découvert sous les couleurs automnales de l’été indien était juste magique ! Nous avons beaucoup apprécié la gentillesse des canadiens , leur simplicité, leur accent et la facilité des échanges que l’on peut avoir avec tout le monde et notamment à Montréal. S’il n’y avait le froid qui s’y installe pendant de nombreux mois, nous nous verrions bien vivre dans cette ville…

Nous avons adoré nous balader dans ces grands parcs , souvent seuls au milieu d’une nature magnifique, calme et sereine . Nous avons traversé de charmants petits villages, sans oublier ces nombreux lacs où une multitude d’activités vous attendent. Nous avons vécu notre rêve canadien en passant 2 nuits dans un chalet au bord d’un lac , au milieu d’un calme absolu, sans réseau, avec la nature et les couleurs flamboyantes de l’automne pour seul horizon… Probablement l’un de nos meilleurs souvenirs !

Avant de partir, nous avions hésité à choisir l’option camping notamment dans les nombreux parcs qu’offre cette région du Québec. Néanmoins, nous ne regrettons pas d’avoir choisi des hébergements plus confortables car nous avons eu pas mal de pluie et des températures plutôt fraîches dépassant rarement les 10°. Dans ces conditions, pas sûr que nous aurions apprécié le camping…

Bref, vous l’aurez compris, on ne peut que vous recommander de partir découvrir le pays du caribou, particulièrement beau à l’automne mais certainement tout aussi agréable à d’autres saisons !

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8 commentaires sur “road trip au canada : itinéraire de 3 semaines dans la région du québec”.

Bonjour, Je compte effectuer un road trip au Canada avec des amies dans quelques mois, et on était justement à la recherche de conseils pratiques concernant la location de voiture et l’hébergement. Alors, merci pour ce partage.

Coucou, Je n’ai jamais eu la chance de faire un road trip, et encore moins de découvrir le Canada. J’espère pouvoir m’y rendre un jour, alors, merci d’avoir partagé votre expérience.

De jolies photos qui donnent envie de découvrir un pays que je ne connais pas.

Merci 🙂 On te le conseille vraiment ! C’est un pays magnifique et les canadiens sont adorables. Il nous tarde de découvrir l’ouest canadien un jour 😉

Bonjour je souhaiterais avoir la dresse du chalet au bord du lac svp merci!

Bonjour, voici le lien Airbnb où nous avions réservé le chalet au bord du lac : https://www.airbnb.fr/rooms/21860355?source_impression_id=p3_1667141844_LpRew6I19hh85UBi Mais je ne sais pas s’il est toujours à la location…

Bonjour, En escale à Toronto pour notre road trip ,auriez vous des adresses d’hebergement à me conseiller ?Ceux que je trouve sur les sites me semblent assez chers….Merci

Bonjour, nous avions dormi au Rex Hotel Jazz & Blues Bar . C’était un bon rapport qualité/prix car en effet les hébergements sont chers à Toronto. Par contre, c’est au-dessus d’un bar jazz donc pas pour les couche-tôt. 😉

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3 Days in Toronto: The Perfect Itinerary (First Time Visit)

How to spend 3 days in toronto: the best itinerary + where to stay.

You’re planning to spend 3 days in Toronto ?

Great idea!

In order to help you plan your stay , I have prepared for you the perfect itinerary to visit Toronto in 3 days.

I will start this guide with my best tips to avoid the long waiting lines in front of the CN Tower and other Toronto must-see attractions.

Then, I will give you my optimized and detailed 3-day itinerary to make the most of your stay in Canada ‘s largest city.

In addition to the best places to visit and activities for each stage of your itinerary, I will also give you all my best tips and accommodation suggestions depending on your budget.

So, what are the best things to do in Toronto in 3 days? Where to stay?

Let’s find out!

1. The Toronto City Pass

2. skip-the-line tickets for toronto’s tourist attractions, one last tip for a perfect 3-day stay in toronto, a. kensington market / chinatown, b. the distillery district, c. st. lawrence market, d. ripley’s aquarium, e. cn tower, a. casa loma, b. the royal ontario museum, c. the toronto islands, option 1 – stroll and sightsee in toronto, option 2 – excursion to niagara falls, where to stay in toronto, visiting toronto in 3 days with family, more things to do and see in toronto in 3 days, map of your 3-day itinerary in toronto, 3 days in toronto: flight prices, you’re traveling in canada these articles will help you, my best tips to save time at toronto’s must-see attractions.

Toronto, along with Montreal and Vancouver , is one of Canada’s most significant cities.

Many tourists treat themselves to a quick stay in Ontario’s capital during their Canadian itinerary , even if it’s just to check out the famous Niagara Falls !

Regardless of the time of year, you’re bound to face long lines at major tourist spots like the iconic CN Tower or the Royal Ontario Museum .

But fear not! I’ve got 2 straightforward tricks to skip the queues and get the most out of your 3-day Toronto trip. Let’s dive right into them!

The first solution you should go for to save money and avoid the queues during your 3-day Toronto stay is to purchase the Toronto City Pass .

You just need to click on the green button below to grab it. Simply enter the number of adult or child tickets you need to get your Toronto Pass with all the attraction tickets emailed directly to you .

You can simply show them on your smartphone or have them printed out . It’s hassle-free and convenient! Once activated (when you visit the first included site), the Pass is valid for 30 consecutive days .

When making the reservation, there’s no need to choose a specific date, the Pass just needs to be used in the year of purchase.

The Toronto City Pass includes access to 6 must-see places during your 3 days in Toronto :

• The CN Tower – Slated for the 1st day!
• Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada (also on day 1)
• Casa Loma – Schedule this for day two of your 72-hour Toronto adventure!
• The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) – Also on day 2
• Toronto Zoo (for the last day)
• The Ontario Science Centre (also on the final day’s itinerary).

As you can see, this Pass is truly the best solution to explore Toronto in 3 days!

Book your Toronto City Pass now by clicking the button below:

The second solution to avoid long waits at attractions is to purchase skip-the-line tickets on a case-by-case basis .

You’ll have the flexibility to tailor your selection according to your own 3-day tour program in Toronto. It’s all about making the choices that suit you best!

You also have the option to book guided walking tours or Segway tours , other activities like a cruise or a helicopter ride, as well as a trip to Niagara Falls for instance.

There are loads of super cool things to do in Toronto in 3 days .

To save you the hassle of searching, I’ve already compiled a list of priority access tickets and tours that I recommend in my itinerary.

You just need to click the links to book them , and I’ll also mention them throughout this article:

• The Royal Ontario Museum
• Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
• Guided walking tour of the Distillery District
• Segway tour of the Distillery District
• Gourmet tour at the St. Lawrence Market
• The Art Gallery of Ontario
• Guided tour of Kensington Market and Chinatown
• 3-hour bike tour of Toronto
• Cruise around Toronto Islands
• A helicopter flight over Toronto
• Excursion to Niagara Falls
• Helicopter ride over Niagara Falls
• Skylon Tower observation deck
• Journey Behind The Falls
• Zip-lining at Niagara Falls
• BATA Shoe Museum
• Little Canada
• Hop-on, hop-off bus tour
• A harbor cruise with lunch, brunch, or dinner included
• Private guided walking tour with a local 
• A night tour themed on ghosts 
• Guided beer-themed tour  

Feel free to check out all available tickets by clicking here: Book your tickets and guided tours in Toronto .

If you already know your travel dates (or as soon as you will have them!) , you should really book your accommodation.

As Toronto is one of the most touristic cities in the world , the hotels offering the best value for money are often fully booked months in advance.

As a seasoned traveler, I can assure you that it’s always by planning as far in advance as possible that I’ve found the best hotels or apartments deals.

You agree that it would be a shame to somewhat ruin your stay in Toronto by ending up in a not-so-great hotel that costed you a fortune, right? 😅

So your best bet is to take 5 minutes now to have a look at  traveler’s favorite hotels in Toronto.

And if you like one of the hotels you find, book it!

It’s fast, it’s easy and most accommodation offer free cancellation. That’s the best way to protect yourself from the inconvenience of finding nothing but mediocre rooms at exorbitant prices.

To check the best hotels deals in Toronto, simply click on the green button below:

After securing your dream stay, it’s time to continue reading this guide!

Visiting Toronto in 3 days: the best itinerary

It’s time to reveal my 72-hour itinerary for Toronto . All you have to do is follow this day-by-day sightseeing schedule to ensure an awesome time.

When creating this route, I presumed that you’ll be spending a full three days in Toronto and have chosen the Toronto City Pass or skip-the-line tickets to get the most out of your daily visits.

And hey, if you have any questions or need assistance in planning your stay after reading this post, don’t hesitate to seek advice in the comments section!

So, what should you see in Toronto in 3 days ?

Toronto Itinerary – Day 1

Day 1 visits:

A. Kensington / Chinatown B. The Distillery district C. St. Lawrence Market D. Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada E. CN Tower

I recommend kick-starting your 3-day Toronto itinerary by exploring Kensington Market . This neighborhood holds the distinction of being one of the oldest and most renowned in the city.

It has a super cool vibe, with a hippy and bohemian style . You can browse through the numerous thrift stores and vintage shops , where you’ll find products from all over the world .

There are also plenty of health-oriented restaurants offering organic, vegetarian, and vegan dishes.

Once you reach the intersection of Spadina Avenue and Dundas Street West , continue your leisurely stroll into the vibrant streets of Chinatown that adjoin Kensington. Chinatown is just as cosmopolitan as its neighbour, with its grocery stores selling exotic products and various Asian oddities.

You’ll also find the cheapest souvenirs in the whole city here! It’s time to buy the traditional postcard and fridge magnet to complete your collection.

Also, Chinatown is home to excellent restaurants serving traditional noodles, chicken soups, and dumplings.

While you’re in the area, I suggest you check out Graffiti Alley, a street perpendicular to Spadina Avenue. The walls of this street are completely covered in graffiti for about a hundred meters, some of which are by renowned artists.

To visit Kensington and Chinatown , you should opt for a guided tour . It’s the best way to not miss a thing and enjoy local stories and anecdotes about the two districts.

The tour lasts 2 hours , after which you can continue your day following my itinerary.

You can book this guided tour in Toronto by clicking on the button below:

Next on your 3-day tour of Toronto is another historic neighborhood: Distillery District .

You’ll find it in Old Toronto , approximately 45 minutes walk from Graffiti Alley , but if you don’t feel like walking, you can also take the tramway there .

The Distillery District consists of several typical red-brick buildings, which once belonged to one of the largest distilleries in the world.

Completely renovated and transformed into a pedestrian zone , the area has kept its tradition as many establishments offer tastings of local beers , but it has also morphed into a trendy zone with hip coffee shops and unique stores .

And if you’ve chosen to spend 3 days in Toronto at the end of the year, you’ll also find the Christmas market there!

To discover all the secrets of this iconic district , nothing beats a guided tour with an engaging guide. Book it using the button :

And for a mix of history with a fun experience , this guided tour is also available on Segway !

After a morning of exploring Toronto, I bet you’re starting to feel a little hungry. Head to the St. Lawrence Market for a delicious lunch break!

From the Distillery District, take “The Esplanade” street which runs along several parks for about a kilometre, and you’ll arrive right at the market.

In this charming covered market, steeped in authenticity for over 200 years , crowned the world’s best market by National Geographic, you’ll discover an array of fantastic local products that you can even sample right on the spot.

If you’re interested in delving deeper into its fascinating history, you can also take part in guided tours that include tastings . You can book this activity by clicking on the button below :

While you’re in the area and en route to your next destination, make sure not to overlook the Gooderham building , also known as the Flatiron Building . This striking red brick structure is an iconic symbol of the city and definitely worth a stop to capture some memorable photos.

I suggest you continue your afternoon by visiting Ripley’s Aquarium of Toronto . From the market, it’s only a 20-minute walk or a short tramway ride .

If you’ve visiting Canada with your kids , get ready for them to go wild with excitement as they discover a whole bunch of cool animals living in this zoo.

Even if you’re not usually into this kind of stuff, Toronto’s aquarium, which happens to be the biggest one in Canada , is actually pretty awesome. They’ve done a great job with it, and it’s definitely worth checking out.

Plus, the visit is free with the Toronto City Pass !

If you haven’t already purchased your city pass, I highly recommend grabbing your skip-the-line tickets right below to avoid any waiting time at the entrance. Trust me, it’s a game-changer.

CN Tower , THE must-see attraction of the city, is an essential part of your 3-day Toronto stay!

Luckily, it’s right next to the aquarium.

My tip? Head up there just before sunset to enjoy the daytime view of the city and then soak up the night-time panorama with the buildings all lit up .

At a dizzying 533 meters high , the CN Tower was once the tallest tower in the world . It has since been toppled by the likes of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai and Taipei 101 tower located in Taiwan .

But don’t worry, its height is plenty for a clear view of all of Toronto and a little thrill as you walk on its transparent glass floor ! Especially since the observation deck at 346 meters high is accessed by a glass elevator !

If you’re still in need of an adrenaline fix, no problem, I suggest you try the Edge Walk attraction . Strap on a harness and take a stroll along the tower’s external ledge.

Just bear in mind, given the price for the 30-minute experience, you’ll want to be sure you’re not going to chicken out!

To end your first day on a high note, you could also dine in the tower’s restaurant where the panoramic platform rotates during your meal, giving you the best view in the house.

A trip up the CN Tower is included in the Toronto City Pass .

You can also buy your tickets in advance on the official website .

Day two in Toronto: What to see and do?

Day 2 visits:

A. Casa Loma B. The Royal Ontario Museum C. The Toronto Islands

For your second day in Toronto, start by visiting Casa Loma .

The easiest way to get there is by taking the subway to Dupont station and walking the rest of the way.

Once there, you’ll be surprised to find that Casa Loma showcases quite unique architecture for Canada. With its turrets and raw stone walls , it looks very much like the medieval-style castles prevalent in Europe.

Built in 1914 by a wealthy industrialist, this magnificent structure took almost three years and required the labor of 300 men at a staggering cost of $3.5 million (equivalent to a hefty sum in today’s currency). Once inside, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the interior , which showcases a hundred lavishly appointed rooms , including an impressive library .

You can also enjoy one of the best views of Toronto from the castle’s turrets .

Next, enjoy a stroll through the 2-hectare park adorned with magnificent sculptures , fountains , and beautiful flower beds.

Entry to Casa Loma is free with the Toronto City Pass, and you’ll also get an audio guide in several languages .

If you don’t have a City Pass, you can buy your Casa Loma entrance ticket by clicking on this green button:

Next, take the subway from Dupont station to Museum station.

That’ll bring you to Canada’s largest museum: The Royal Ontario Museum , also known as the ROM.

Here too, its exterior architecture is particularly striking and a bit controversial: a modern structure of glass and aluminum embeds itself in the old stone facade . Pretty much impossible to miss!

The ROM exhibits cover world cultures and natural history . Personally, I loved the section on the history of Canada’s First Nations and the impressive collection of dinosaur skeletons.

It’s a great idea for a visit with kids!

Entry is included in the Toronto City Pass .

Otherwise, the only way to skip the line at the entrance is to buy your skip-the-line ticket in advance here:

For the remainder of the day, why not escape the bustling city and indulge in some well-deserved relaxation on the Toronto Islands ?

Hop back on the subway at Museum station and get off at Union station .

From there, take the tram to the Queens Quay Ferry Docks Terminal where you can catch the ferry which takes just 10 minutes to reach Ward’s Island or Centre Island.

While you’re on your way, don’t forget to take in the stunning panorama of the skyline and the CN Tower . Trust me, it’s totally worth it! And if you have the opportunity, make sure to do the return trip at night for an even more impressive view.

The Toronto Islands are car-free, so you can walk or cycle around (guided tours are also available, you can find more info by clicking here !).

You’ll find several beaches and charming 1920s-style houses there.

For details on ferry schedules and things to do on the islands, I recommend you check out this website .

If you’ve been busy exploring the city’s museums and don’t have enough time to visit the islands, don’t sweat it! Simply hop on an island boat tour instead.

The guided cruise lasts 1 hour and offers a great opportunity to admire the islands. You can book it by clicking the button below :

Day 3 in Toronto: Places to Visit

For the last day of your 3-day trip to Toronto, here are the 2 best options :

• Stay in the city and finish up visiting the main points of interest
• Or take a trip to Niagara Falls.

Let me break it down for you!

If you’re keen to continue your 72-hour Toronto circuit by staying in the city, here’s the morning itinerary I’d recommend:

• Visit the Art Gallery of Ontario , which showcases all forms of art: photography, sculpture, and painting.
• Stop by Nathan Philippe Square to admire Toronto City Hall .
• Go shopping at Eaton Centre , Toronto’s largest shopping mall that houses all the American brands (Abercrombie, American Eagle Outfitters, etc.).
• Check out Toronto’s mini Times Square: Dundas Square (located on the north side of the Eaton Centre).
• Take a harbor cruise with lunch included (book it here!).

For the afternoon, it all depends on what you fancy:

• For history buffs, head to Fort York , a historic site featuring a variety of period military installations . It’s an easy tram ride from downtown.
• For a breath of fresh air, I suggest going to High Park , a massive 160-hectare park with a miniature train, playgrounds , and a free mini zoo (access by tram).
• For an educational yet fun experience, visit the Ontario Science Centre which tackles tons of topics in a super playful way: nature, music, science, astronomy… Entry included with your Toronto City Pass .
• In the evening, you can opt for a night tour themed around ghosts (book by clicking here!) to uncover the most chilling tales of Toronto!

If you’ve got kids, you can also use this third day to take them to the Toronto Zoo , which is a 30-minute drive from downtown.

Entry is of course included in the Toronto city pass .

The second option, for those who don’t fancy staying in the city, is to explore the surroundings .

And if there’s one ultra-famous site not to be missed around Toronto on your Canadian trip , it’s Niagara Falls ! They’re just a 1.5-hour drive away from the city.

Once there, you’ll get the chance to to (click on the orange links to book your activities):

• Take the traditional cruise at the foot of the falls donning your best poncho!
• Take a thrilling helicopter flight over the falls for an absolutely extraordinary experience!
• Climb to the top of the Skylon Tower to admire the falls from the panoramic terrace
• Take a unique gondola suspended above the rapids of the falls.
• Stand at the foot of the falls with the Journey Behind the Falls attraction
• Take a zip-line descent over the falls

If you don’t feel like driving all the way, you can also book a day trip . The best one for a stress-free, all-inclusive day is offered by GetYourGuide .

They even pick you up straight from your hotel and drop you back off in the evening.

The day includes:

• The bus ride
• A visit to Niagara-on-the-Lake
• A photo stop along the Niagara Parkway
• The famous boat cruise to the heart of the Falls
• 3 hours of free time to wander and make the most of the day
• Optionally, you can even choose to live an extraordinary experience by flying over Niagara Falls in a helicopter!

To book this excursion , click on the green button below:

If you’ve decided to visit Toronto in 3 days with kids, here’s a recap of the absolute must-do family activities :

• Ripley’s Aquarium 
• Boat tour of Toronto Islands
• Bike or walk on the Toronto Islands
• Toronto’s Ontario Science Centre
• Toronto Zoo

I haven’t mentioned it in this post, but you could also take them to the Legoland Discovery Centre , which offers several attractions on the Lego theme and replicas of Toronto monuments in small bricks.

You can book the entry tickets right here:

If you’re on the lookout for a fun family evening activity , you gotta check out the Medieval Times Canada show . You’ll get to enjoy 2 hours of epic medieval tournaments , an incredible bird flight demonstration, and the best part? The ticket also covers your meal and drinks .

When it comes to getting around, you can definitely follow the exact itinerary I just laid out for you.

If your kids are tired of walking or too young, the city is superbly served by public transport . You can always take the tram or metro .

Want to tweak my 3-day Toronto sightseeing itinerary a bit? Add more activities?

Then I recommend you read my other post, a complete tourist guide listing all the things to do and see in Toronto . With this, you’ll be able to craft your own itinerary for these 3 vacation days in Toronto.

It’s super easy, just click on this link: All the Best things to do in Toronto !

To help you visualize your itineraries for these 3 days in Toronto , I’ve created a map listing the places to visit day by day .

You can display the map legend by clicking the button with a small arrow located in the top left corner. That will also allow you to visualize the itineraries for each day.

Flight prices to Toronto vary greatly, so it’s a good idea to compare them as soon as possible. For this, you can use our flight comparison tool, in partnership with Skyscanner. This ensures you get the best price.

Discover all my articles about Canada : All my articles to help you plan your trip to Canada are listed there.

• 20 Best Things to do in Canada
• 20 Best Things to do in Quebec – All best places to visit in the French-speaking province!
• Itinerary: One week in Canada: The perfect itinerary to visit Canada in 6, 7 or 8 days!
• Itinerary: 10 days in Canada: All my best tips for organizing your 10-day trip to Canada
• Itinerary: 2 weeks in Canada: How to visit Western Canada in 15 days.
• Itinerary: 3 weeks in Canada: My epic itinerary to visit Western and Eastern Canada in 21 days
• Itinerary: 1 month in Canada: How to visit Eastern Canada in a month!
• Itinerary: One week in Quebec: How to visit Quebec in 6, 7 or 8 days, with all my best tips!
• Itinerary: 10 days in Quebec: An amazing 10-day itinerary in Quebec
• Itinerary: 2 weeks in Quebec: All my best tips to visit Quebec in 14, 15 or 16 days
• Itinerary: 3 weeks in Quebec: the perfect 3-week road trip in Quebec !
• Road trip in Canada: The best itineraries for 7, 10, 15, 21 days and 1 month
• Road trip in Quebec: The best itineraries for 7, 10, 15 and 21 days
• Calgary : Top 11 things to do during your visit
• Montreal : 33 best things to see and do
• Ottawa : 15 epic places to visit
• Quebec City : Top 17 things to do and see
• Toronto : The 17 things to do during your stay
• Vancouver : Top 25 places to visit and activities
• Toronto in 3 days – The perfect itinerary to visit the city in 72 hours!

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Creator of the Voyage Tips blog, travel and photography lover. I give you all my best tips to plan your next trip.

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