5 Epic Must Do Canadian Road Trips
Happy Canada Day! In case you didn’t know July 1st is Canada Day aka the day that Canada became a country. Today, I am celebrating by sharing five of the best Canadian road trips!
One of my favourite adventures to have is a great long (or short) road trip! I love having the wind blow through my hair and singing (loudly) to my favourite songs while experiencing the freedom of the open road! I have been on some great Canadian road trips in my life and each one has been a unique experience filled with laughter, love and fun.
Not only are road trips super fun but they are also great ways to explore the area around you and go on an adventure (with or) without spending billions of dollars. If you want to explore the beautiful country of Canada, pack up the car and bring your favourite mixtape and get ready to enjoy all of these perfect Canadian Road Trips. Ps. I added the perfect song by a Canadian artist to add to your playlist on each of these road trips.
Five Of The Best Canadian Road Trips
1. East Coast Dream aka New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island
I feel like when people think of Canada they only think about our stunning west coast and the rocky mountains, and forget about the beautiful east coast. One of the most perfect road trips is driving around Canada’s Maritimes provinces – New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. This scenic route has some gorgeous coastlines, sandy beaches, funky coves and amazing wildlife. Exploring these provinces by car is one of the best ways to fully appreciate all of their amazing natural beauty. Pro tip: The Maritimes have a low key Ireland/Scotland vibe, embrace the culture and enjoy learning more about it.
Total Drive Time: 25 hours
Shorter Option With The Same Vibes: Halifax to Cape Breton + Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia – 5 hours
Sound Track: Snowbird by Anne Murray
2. Trans Canada Highway – Hwy 1
Canada is the second-largest country in the world – it is huge. HUGE. If you want to see as much as of Canada as possible, enjoy a road trip that goes from coast to coast. Pack up your car and drive along the Trans Canada Highway aka Highway 1. This amazing journey starts (or ends) in St. John’s Newfoundland, goes through all 10 provinces and ends (starts) in Tofino, BC. This epic Canadian road trip is definitely the ultimate Canada road trip, and will allow you to see most of the magic and wonder of Canada. Pro tip: I would only drive this whole route in the summer. Winter brings a lot of snow and ice to some of the provinces and might not be the safest time to travel across the country especially if you aren’t used to driving in snow.
Total Drive Time: +100 hours
Shorter Option With The Same Vibes: Do sections of the Trans Canada Highway at different times.
Sound Track: It’s All Coming Back To Me Now by Celine Dion
3. Toronto to Kenora
I may be biased, but I think that Ontario is one of the most beautiful provinces in Canada, and I think it gets overlooked. If you want a fun, adventurous road trip that is filled with thick forest, gorgeous rock formations, beautiful lakes and moose, then the road trip from Toronto to Kenora is for you. Start in Toronto, explore the city for a bit (it’s great), and then head up Highway 400 for one of my favourite drives in the world.
Total Drive Time: 20 hours
Shorter Option With The Same Vibes: Try Toronto to Hunstville – 3 hours
Sound Track: Bobcaygeon by The Tragically Hip
4. Banff to Tofino
One of the most beautiful road trips that I have ever done was driving from Banff to Tofino. It is breathtaking. If you love the mountains and the ocean, this Canadian road trip is for you. On this stunning drive, you will go through the Rocky Mountains, see perfect emerald blue lakes, visit Vancouver, take the ferry across the water to Vancouver Island, drive through more mountains, drive through the rainforest, and end up on Canada’s best surf beaches. Pro-tip for this adventure: lookout for bald eagles, bears and other amazing wildlife on this perfect Canadian road trip.
Total Drive Time: 15 hours
Shorter Option With The Same Vibes: Try the sea to sky highway (Vancouver to Whistler – 1.5 hours)
Sound Track: Islands by Alle
5. Dempster Highway
If you want to experience the true Canadian North, then the Dempster Highway is for you. This Canadian road trip goes from Dawson, Yukon to Inuvik, Northwest Territories, and actually crosses into the Arctic Circle. This drive is probably one of the most unique road trips anyone can go on. If you are ready to see amazing landscapes hop in your car and enjoy the Dempster Highway. Pro tip: You can only drive this route in mid-July – August because of the snow and ice.
Total Drive Time: 14 hours
Shorter Option With The Same Vibes: Whitehorse, Yukon to Skagway, Alaska
Sound Track: Up! by Shania Twain
Which of these epic Canadian road trips are you going to go on next? Let me know!
Wishing you the happiest Canada Day, and a lifetime full of road trips!
xoxo,
I haven’t been on any of those routes but would love to go back to Canada and do at least one of them. We spent 7 months on Vancouver Island, Victoria and Banff Area. So, we really appreciate the beauty of nature and possibilities of great road trip options you have in Canada.
That so great love! Hope you get to go back after COVID- 19
I love that you put music with the trips! Toronto to Kerona is a winner for sure – I may also be biased! and I will listen to Bobcaygeon next time I drive it!
I just moved back to Australia after living abroad in Toronto for 3 years. I totally agree, Toronto is AMAZING and often overlooked!!
When I lived in Canada, I never did any of these exact road trips but I did do Vancouver-Banff which was amazing! I also did a lot of small day trips around Ontario to places like Algonquin and Blue Mountain which were amazing!
I am saving this article for when I get to go back to Canada post covid!
Banff to Tofino is my favourite! I’m lucky as my sister lives on Vancouver Island so I get to be a semi-regular visitor. The Rockies are out of this world. Good to have some ideas for future trips to this most spectacular corner of the world.
Banff to Tofino is my favourite! I’m lucky as my sister lives on Vancouver Island so I get to be a semi-regular visitor. The Rockies are out of this world. Good to have some ideas for future trips to this most spectacular part of the world
A Road Trip in Canada has been something I’ve been keen to do. Growing up I used to spend time in Quebec and Nova Scotia, but have always wanted to travel further west. This gives me some great ideas and I’ve pinned it for later as a resource when I finally get a chance to plan that dream trip!
As a Canadian, I’m a bit embarrassed to say that I have heard of some of these road trips. Definitely want to drive Dempster highway now though, sounds like a true Canadian drive 😛