Vancouver ↔️ Edmonton Road Trip Guide

  • Timing
    • Leave early in the morning, arrive at dinner/evening
      • Good default option
      • Very doable with several stops to stretch
    • Leave in afternoon/evening, arrive at breakfast or early morning
      • Good for rush option with few stops and no sightseeing
      • Sleep for the morning upon arrival
    • Leave after early dinner, stop half way
      • Relaxing option
  • Routes
    • Eastern leg
      • Via Jasper
        • Nicest drive
        • More driving in BC on rural highways
        • More gradual inclines
        • Town of Jasper
          • is more "authentic" than Banff
          • 8:30 am Sunday Mass is a nice break on a westward drive
          • Bear's Paw Bakery is a nice coffee/pastry place
        • Valemount
          • About half way
          • Best Western has pool and included breakfast buffet
        • Mt Terry Fox Rest Area
          • Has playground and a few short walks to viewpoints
        • Lucerne Campground
          • On Yellowhead Lake in Mt Robson Park
          • Good en-route overnight stop
          • No running water or power
          • Pay on site, no reservations
          • $22/night
        • Portal Lake
      • Via Banff
        • Not recommended in winter due to...
          • Higher of whole highway being closed for hours at a time after accidents
          • More wear on breaks due to steeper inclines
          • More stressful drive
        • Town of Banff
          • is more "touristy" than Jasper
        • Going via Banff allows a stop in Calgary
        • More driving in Alberta on busy highways
    • Kamloops
      • Crossroads point to choice which of each leg you want
      • Hello Toast is a nice brunch spot
    • Western leg
      • Coquihalla pass
        • Quick
        • High altitude—potential for sudden harsh weather
      • Hwy 1/Lytton/Cache Creek alternate 
        • 90 minutes longer
        • More curvy
        • More little settlements to stop in/tourist moments