Epic Canadian Road Trips

Great road trips define Canada. Every province and territory can lay claim to a rich selection of magnificent journeys, but at the top of the list are a clutch of big-hitting scene-stealers – epic strips of asphalt doused with glints of only-in-Canada magic. Expect massive glaciers, foraging fauna, stormy coastlines, and the kind of raw, uncompromising wilderness that’s rare if you head further south.

In this modern and affluent country, roads are generally wide and well-maintained, while drivers are notably polite. However, you can often go a long way without seeing a gas station or decent food, especially in the north. Therefore, it’s best to stock up on supplies and emergency gear before hitting the road.

To sample our favorite road trips in Canada, load up your playlist with Drake, Rush, and the Tragically Hip, and kiss the urban traffic snarl-ups goodbye.

1. Sea to Sky Highway, British Columbia

Best Road Trip for Families
Vancouver–Whistler; 121km (75 miles); allow 4–5 hours

From the deluxe, hill-hugging homes of West Vancouver to the neo-alpine ski village of Whistler, the Sea to Sky Highway rarely lets you out of its rapture. Comprising the most spectacular section of Hwy 99, which runs for 377km (234 miles) from the US border to Cache Creek, this drive traverses the steep-sided slopes of Howe Sound before contouring north through the Coast Mountains to Whistler.

If you can take your eyes off the collage of peaks, forests, and fjords, this winding thoroughfare has many worthy stops, especially if you’re interested in hiking, climbing, or mining history. Horseshoe Bay is the city’s main ferry terminal and the starting point for a tough, rocky hike up to Eagle Bluffs, offering eagle-eye views over Vancouver.

Further north, Britannia Beach is a one-time company town whose former mining facility – now a museum and national historic site – concertinas down a steep hill. The small but growing town of Squamish is an obligatory stop for refueling and enjoying local cafes.

Planning Tip: Locals fondly recommend an extended stop at Function Junction a few kilometers south of Whistler, where you can hike through the forest to find a 1950s train wreck turned inspirational art installation.

2. Icefields Parkway, Alberta

Best Road Trip for Mountains and Glaciers
Lake Louise–Jasper; 230km (143 miles); allow 5–6 hours

The Icefields Parkway – or the Promenade des Glaciers, as it’s romantically known in French – is the crèeme de la crèeme of Canadian drives. This 230km (143-mile) trip links the nation’s two most emblematic national parks, Banff and Jasper, leaving even the most verbose travel writers flailing for adjectives.

Starting near the robin-egg-blue waters of Lake Louise and the elegant Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise hotel, the route penetrates north through some of the most elemental scenery on the planet. Giant mountains, craning trees, and powerful waterfalls are mere supporting acts to the gargantuan glaciers and abundant wildlife, which gets even more copious as you approach Jasper.

You will encounter many potential stops en route, many offering access to superb viewpoints and short interpretive hikes. Highlights include cerulean Peyto Lake, Jasper’s “hanging” Skywalk, and the monumental Athabasca Glacier.

Planning Tip: Thundering Athabasca Falls is at its best during the spring snowmelt.

3. Klondike Highway, Yukon

Best Road Trip for Wilderness
Skagway–Dawson City; 708km (440 miles); allow 2 days

This sealed highway follows the same basic route as 19th-century’s greatest gold rush, starting in Skagway, Alaska, and crossing into Canada near Fraser. The scenic drive continues through Carcross, showcasing the world’s smallest desert, before reaching Whitehorse, where you can explore the territory’s gold rush history.

As you head north of Whitehorse, prepare for unadulterated wilderness. Be sure to stop at Braeburn Lodge, known for its massive cinnamon buns. You will encounter self-sufficient communities like Carmacks and Pelly Crossing along the way.

As you approach Dawson City, mine tailings from century-old dredging operations dot the roadside, creating a genuine atmosphere that immerses you in gold rush history.

4. Cabot Trail, Nova Scotia

Best Road Trip for a Coastal Drive
St Ann’s Bay–St Ann’s Bay; 298km (186 miles); allow 1 day

Travelers come to Nova Scotia mainly to drive the Cabot Trail, the looping, dipping road that wraps around the northern tip of Cape Breton Island. Offering epic views of rolling seas and thick forests, this maritime classic traverses the edge of Cape Breton Highlands National Park, home to the province’s grandest scenery and richest wildlife.

Whether you encounter Ingonish Beach, a popular whale-watching hub at Pleasant Bay, or the Skyline Trail that meanders through evergreen forests, you’re in for a treat. Additional must-see stops include Cheticamp, a vibrant Acadian community, and Baddeck, site of a museum dedicated to Alexander Graham Bell, the telephone pioneer.

5. Gaspésie Tour, Québec

Best Road Trip for French-Canadian Culture
Sainte-Flavie–Sainte-Flavie; 822km (511 miles); allow 3 days

Towering cliffs, freshly-caught seafood, and Québécois sea shanties are highlights as you circle La Gaspésie, a stunning peninsula along Québec’s eastern shores. Along the drive, schedule stops at places like Pointe-à-la-Croix to discover key historical sites.

The tour showcases the wonders of Parc National de Miguasha and iconic landmarks such as Rocher Percé, famous for its limestone rock formation and archway. The rugged cliffs of Forillon National Park offer spectacular views and a chance to spot whales.

Planning Tip: Be sure to fit in a visit to Parc National de la Gaspésie for exceptional hiking options amidst dramatic mountainous terrain.

6. Viking Trail, Newfoundland

Best Road Drive for Archaeology
Deer Lake–St Anthony; 434km (270 miles); allow 1 day

The Viking Trail in Newfoundland unveils ancient indigenous burial grounds and the remains of 1000-year-old Viking settlements. This scenic route passes through Gros Morne National Park, which features stunning fjords and impressive geological formations that showcase the region’s history.

Important archaeological sites include Port au Choix, a national historic site dedicated to the burial grounds of ancient indigenous peoples. The trail concludes at L’Anse aux Meadows, an archaeological marvel marking the arrival of Leif Erikson and his Viking crew, the earliest known European settlers in North America.

Planning Tip: The trail ends at St Anthony, a charming fishing village ideal for whale- and iceberg-watching.

7. Lake Superior Coastline, Ontario

Best Road Trip for Lakes
Sault Ste Marie–Thunder Bay; 700km (435 miles); allow 2 days

Even Canada’s most populated province can feel remote as you drive along the northern shores of the world’s largest freshwater lake, following a quiet segment of the Trans-Canada Highway through several provincial parks.

Pancake Bay Provincial Park boasts some of Canada’s finest stretches of sandy beaches. If you visit off-season, you might even find secluded spots just for yourself. Lake Superior Provincial Park protects a rugged coastline adorned with the exposed rock of the Canadian Shield.

This route offers indigenous pictographs, exceptional stargazing opportunities, and encounters with wildlife such as moose and lynx. As you approach Thunder Bay, keep an eye out for the Sleeping Giant Peninsula, characterized by flat-topped ridges resembling a reclining figure.