There’s no feeling of freedom quite like hitting the open road. And Canada has it all. The country is a mecca of natural beauty - roads lined with snowcapped mountains, feeling the whipping sea breeze as you cruise down the coast, and everything in between.
The best way to experience a country is by road, and as the world’s second largest country, you’re spoilt for choice with Canada. But such a vast landscape can be daunting to take on, and even more of a challenge to know where’s worth the visit. So, we’ve put together five of Canada’s best driving roads to help you. There’ll be plenty of places to stop, take in the scenery, and head into some historical hot spots. Buckle up and get on the road, Canada awaits!
We’ve given estimate driving times, although you’ll probably want to spend a bit longer to really take in the sights. Be sure to consider this when planning your trip.
The Bow Valley Parkway, Alberta
Distance: 30 miles Driving time: 40 minutes
Starting off in the stunning town of Banff, known for its endless lakes and mountains, the route spans 30 miles until reaching Lake Louise. There’s something quite glamorous about the Bow Valley Parkway. Interestingly, the parkway was actually built to be a scenic route for guests that were heading to the luxurious Chateau Lake Louise Hotel nearly 100 years ago. That’s commitment to maintaining an air of glamour! Today, we get to benefit from its delightfully twisty roads and various stop offs along the way. Being in a National Park, wildlife is abundance. Most commonly seen are deer, elk, moose, and bighorn sheep. Sometimes even bears! Just make sure to stick to the limit, as the animals have a tendency to trot along the roads. Even they can’t resist the beauty of the Bow Valley Parkway.
Make sure to stop off at Johnston Canyon along the way, just 15 miles from Banff. Here, you’ll see thrashing waterfalls and deep canyons. We recommend walking along the rugged canyon walls - you can take a 20-minute ‘easier’ walk, or a 45-minute hike towards the upper falls. Both will offer a sense of adventure and spectacular views.
As if the drive wasn’t beautiful enough, you reach Lake Louise at the end. The famous Victoria Glacier, actually named after Queen Victoria in 1897, is a prominent backdrop behind the icy blue waters of the lake. It’s a jaw dropping scene - you’ll probably want to spend a while here. In the Winter, you can skate over the water, or rent a canoe in the Summer. If you get peckish, there are a couple of charming tea houses to satisfy your appetite. They’re a bit of a hike away, but completely worth it.
Sea-to-Sky Highway, British Columbia
Distance: 254 miles Driving time: 4 hours
Sea-to-Sky Highway, or Highway 99, is curving road starting from the tiny but lovely seaside village of Horseshoe Bay, and ending at High 97 by Cache Creek. It’s a long journey, stretching across 254 mile and taking over 4 hours, but time will fly by as you zip down the windy, coastal road. This drive is a wonder for dramatic scenery, with snow capped mountains, cliffs, and lakes along the way. The area is also particularly good for chasing waterfalls! With Cypress Falls, Shannon Falls, and Brandywine Falls, and all of them worth the visit.
Between Vancouver and Whistler lies the Sea to Sky Gondola, a must-see on this journey. Hop on to the gondola as you ascend the steep mountains of the Coast Range and gape at at the Howe Sound, a UNESCO Biosphere Region.
Back on the highway, you’ll soon reach Whistler - a town known for its adventure sports. We highly recommend having a look around, or even stopping over in a quaint lodge, overlooking the breathtaking alpine vista.
St. Lawrence Route, Quebec
Distance: 26.5 miles Driving time: 40 minutes
This iconic route is short but sweet, hugging the St. Lawrence River for just 26.5 miles. Despite being such a short drive, the picturesque villages and idyllic stops are what makes this journey so popular. That’s not to take away from the sweeping view of the mighty St. Lawrence River - driving along this coast is perfect for opening your window, breathing in the fresh air, and singing at the top of your voice.
The quaint town of Les Éboulements is a far cry from the city life. The sparsely populated municipality is gorgeously vast and lush with greenery, with large farmhouses dotted between trees. In the Autumn, the red and brown hues that appear are particularly lovely.
Make sure you pop into as many of the region’s celebrated art museums, local boutiques, craft shops, microbrew pubs, and eateries that time allows. You’ll find many of these in the La Melbaie municipality, although they’re dotted all over the area. Weather permitting, head to the lovely beach of Saint-Irene. There are plenty of restaurants nearby to grab some lunch and tuck it on the sand, spotting seabirds and seals enjoying the beach with you.
Fundy Coastal Drive, New Brunswick
Distance: 286 miles Driving time: 7 hours
For a Summertime adventure, this 286-mile drive stretching across the entire southern shore of New Brunswick fits the bill. There is plenty to be seen on this scenic drive, but the main attraction is one of the world’s greatest natural wonders, the Bay of Fundy. Astonishingly, 150 billion tonnes of water flow in and out of the bay every six hours, which results in the world’s highest tides at 50 feet. Stroll around the ocean floor at low tide, spotting sea creatures and unique rock formations - just make sure you make it out before it fills up! The Fundy Coast is home to several types of whales, including Humpback, Minke, and Northern Right Whales, which you can even see by kayak.
There are plenty of places to rest your weary head in the area’s many charming coastal towns, full of brightly coloured houses. Towards the end of the drive, St. Martins’ red-rock sea caves are beautiful to kayak around.
The Cabot Trail, Nova Scotia
Distance: 186 miles Driving time: 5 hours
The Cabot Trail of the world’s most well known driving routes, and for good reason. The trail is named after Italian explorer John Cabot, who landed on these very shores in 1497, and loops around a chunk of Nova Scotia’s Cape Breton Island. A stunningly rural, wild, rugged island with a jaw-dropping coastline. It’s the perfect place to take to the open road.
Drivers travel through a smooth highway punctured by awe-inspiring beaches, sleepy fishing villages, old-growth forests, prehistoric rock, and the surrounding Cape Breton Highlands. Be sure to stop off at the clifftops to admire the glistening Bras d’Or Lake.
The Cape Breton Highlands National Park is home to an array of wild animals - moose, black bears, coyote, Canada lynx, and bald eagles - so be sure to keep a look out! If you fancy stretching your legs, the National Park has 26 hiking trails to choose from.
We recommend stopping off at the traditional Acadian town of Cheticamp; Acadians are descendants of the French who settled in what is now Eastern Canada, so the area is rich with history and culture. You’re bound to be hungry after a day of driving, and the region is famed for its lobster and crab dishes. Super fresh seafood washed down with a local beer sounds like an idyllic pitstop. Although, you may want to stop over, as sampling Canada’s only single malt whiskey at the Whisky Warehouse is bound to tempt you.