Canada is perhaps one of the most beautiful places to embark on a road trip, mostly due to its diverse landscape. You have everything from towering mountains to beautiful glacial lakes, charming small towns, dense forests, and vibrant cities. When you are travelling through Canada, it’s not just about reaching the destination, but embracing the journey.
The best part about taking a road trip through Canada is that you can customise your experience to your travel style. For example, you can plan for hikes and sightseeing, and during the periods of downtime, you can try the latest casino slots. Canada is a good place to do that, especially since many of its cities are built on nightlife and gambling activities.
Canada is so vast that you will rarely run out of things to explore. Each highway is well-maintained and connects everything from coastal villages to natural parks and bustling metropolitan areas. Here are several routes you should add to your bucket list and see at least once in your lifetime.
Icefields Parkway in Alberta
The Icefields Parkway is one of Canada’s most beautiful scenic routes and a priority to drive through if it’s your first visit. Going over Highway 93, this 232-kilometre stretch takes you from Banff through Jasper National Park while letting you see all the beauty Canada has to offer. You can stop at popular points such as Peyto Lake, Athabasca Glacier, and the Sunwapta Falls (among others).
The route is convenient for travelers who enjoy photography, because aside from the scenery, you also have wildlife. It is normal to spot elk, bighorn sheep, and mountain goats, along with black bears and the occasional grizzly. The best season for this route is June through September, and while you can finish the route in 3 hours without stops, consider allowing a full day or two for it.
- Sea-to-Sky Highway in British Columbia
Those who want a shorter trip with cool scenery might want to try the Sea-to-Sky Highway, which runs between Whistler and Vancouver. This route takes you through the coastline before you climb into the Coast Mountains, offering both ocean and mountain views over a 120-km trip.
Casino enthusiasts love this route because there are two world-renowned places they can visit here: Hard Rock Casino Vancouver or Park Vancouver.
There’s also the opportunity of hiking towards the Shannon or Brandywine Falls, riding the Sea to Sky Gondola, or visiting the Whistler Village.
The Dempster Highway in Yukon & Northwest Territories
If you crave true wilderness, then the Dempster Highway is a must-add to your bucket list. Stretching from Dawson City all the way into Inuvik, it’s a good place for you to go off the grid.
Unlike other routes that were developed for fast travel, this one mostly involves gravel, limited services, and untouched landscapes.
This road is attractive for off-roaders whose cars can handle the rocky terrain, and it is also a haven for campers. It offers some fabulous views of the northern lights if you visit at the right time, namely between June and early September.
Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia
If you like mixing forested valleys with ocean viewing and landscape photography, then the Cabot Trail has a lot to offer. It’s shorter compared to other routes, and it loops around Cape Breton Island, but you have quite a few dramatic points to see. This includes rolling mountains, Atlantic cliffs, and picturesque fishing villages.
The 298-km trail is popular for its whale-watching tours and its rich Celtic heritage. Many travellers stop at the fishing towns to enjoy local seafood, and the foliage looks beautiful during the fall. You can travel between May and August for a relaxing experience, but late September is ideal if you like fall colours.
Bay of Fundy Coastal Route in New Brunswick
If you like driving through coastal scenery and charming maritime towns, then going through the Bay of Fundy can prove quite rewarding. You can visit a lot of places such as the Hopewell Rocks, along with the Fundy National Park, and even explore the St. Martins Sea Caves.
This location draws plenty of slots enthusiasts because the Casino New Brunswick is immediately en route, with plenty of entertainment choices. Travellers can try more than 600 slot machines in a modern and luxurious setting, making it a good place for a night stop.
Tips for a Smooth Road Trip
Planning makes perfect, and a successful road trip to Canada involves more than just picking a scenic route. The following tips can help you avoid delays, frustrations, and unwanted predicaments:
- Book Accommodations Early On: Summer and autumn are quite busy, especially around the national parks. If you don’t want to camp, book a place to sleep as early as possible.
- Plan the Fuel: Some highway stretches in Canada can go long distances without a gas station in sight. Plan carefully and always fill up when you have the chance.
- Get National Park Access: You can pay separate fees at the entrance, but a Parks Canada Discovery Pass covers every park for a year. This is a good option if you plan on visiting multiple parks.
- Check for Seasonal Closures: Some mountain passes have road closures depending on the season, be it for safety or practical purposes. Ferries might also have limited operations outside work hours.
It is best to plan weeks, maybe even months in advance, to be sure that everything goes without a hitch. Carry snacks and plenty of water, because limited gas stations mean you may not have anywhere to buy stuff either.
Road-tripping through Canada can be as memorable as the destination itself, especially if you choose the right route. Whether you want to see glacier-covered mountains, experience glamorous luxury at casinos, or watch whales coming to the surface, Canada packs a lot of diversity.
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Thoughts on this Canadian Road Trip Bucket List?
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