There’s nothing more rewarding than hitting the open road, soaking in the sun and taking in the world with your closest friends. If the travel bug has bitten you this season, then this list is the inspiration you’ve been waiting for. Here are the top 10 Canadian road-trips that need to be on your bucket list this summer.
Pacific Rim Highway In Your Ford Mustang
Located in British Columbia, this scenic highway runs westward across Vancouver Island from Port Alberni to Tofino. Stretching between two and three hours, drivers can expect to see rugged mountain ranges, ancient forests, waterfalls, glistening beaches and the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.
For history buffs, riding the restored Alberni Valley Railway steam train is a real treat, as well as marvelling at the steam-powered sawmill at McLean Mill National Historic Site. For the outdoorsy types, paddling a 25-foot canoe in Tofino can be a trip to remember, while those travelling with families can discover wonderful marine life at the Ucluelet Aquarium.
If a fun-drive is what you’re after, the Ford Mustang is definitely a worthwhile option. The unique combination of solid fuel-economy and muscle, make this car the perfect fit for a coast-to-coast road trip.
Sunset along the coast of Pacific Rim National Park, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
Icefields Parkway In Your Honda CR-V
This 230km stretch runs between Banff National Park to Jasper National Park and features one of the most scenic drives on Earth. The journey takes approximately three houses and showcases sparkling glaciers, beautiful waterfalls, blue lakes, limestone cliffs and snow-topped peaks.
Drivers can also expect to see some wildlife, such as grizzly bears, wolves, caribou and lynx. For the outdoorsy types, visiting Mount Temple and hiking down Panther Falls is a must. For a more relaxing adventure, the Lake Lousie Gandola is great for the whole family, look out for alpine wildflowers, dramatic glaciers and bubbling springs.
The Honda CR-V is the perfect road-trip SUV all around, with enough seating for 5 and ample cargo-space for the whole family. The advanced driver assistance features and superb fuel-economy are a must for any road trip you take this summer.
A Spring evening view of Icefields Parkway extending towards Bow Lake, with BowCrow Peak, Crowfoot Glacier and Crowfoot Mountain rising high behind, Banff National Park, AB, Canada.
Trans-Canada Highway In Your Toyota Prius
Located on the world’s longest national road, the 4,860-mile long highway connects all 10 provinces from the Pacific to the Atlantic. If you’re in for a scenic journey, the views from Revelstoke, BC to Lake Louise, AB are worth the two-and-a-half hour drive.
Keep your eyes peeled for green forests, cattle ranches, glaciers, mountain peaks and breathtaking lake views in the heart of Banff National Park. For a romantic Getaway, consider overnight camping at Revelstoke’s Canyon Hot Springs.
This is a perfect time to put the metal to the pedal and test out the adaptive cruise control on a Toyota Prius. Since it’s hybrid, you’ll also be sure to save a ton of money in gas.
Moraine Lake is a glacially-fed lake in Banff National Park 14 km outside of Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada. It is situated in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, at an elevation of approximately 1885 m.
Sea-to-Sky-Highway In Your Honda Civic
Located in beautiful British Columbia, the 2-hour long (150km) sea-to-sky-highway is more officially known as Highway 99. This beautiful view begins in the seaside village of Horseshoe Bay near Vancouver and ends at Highway 97 near Cache Creek.
Drivers can expect to see insta-worthy mountain views, a glistening ocean, breathtaking waterfalls, white glaciers, green forests and multiple suspension bridges.
The stretch also comes along with multiple activities, such as a 230-foot-high viewing platform of the Brandywine Falls, climbing a creek bed at Shannon Falls, windsurfing, hiking, mountain biking and riding the Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish for breathtaking views.
Be mindful of the long trip by choosing a gas sipper, like the Honda Civic, which will get you 6.5L/100KM on the highway.
Aerial view of the Sea to Sky Highway in Howe Sound, North of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Viking Trail In Your Subaru Crosstrek
This five-hour long highway stretches 489-kilometres and is renowned for being the largest themed highway in Newfoundland. The highway is also the only route to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Gros Morne National Park and L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site of Canada.
Drivers can expect to see beautiful wooded valleys, glaciers, waterfalls, cliffs, dunes and wildflowers. If you’re a history buff, make sure to check out the multiple historic sites and museums on the way, showcasing Newfoundland’s aboriginal people and their culture. The L’Anse aux Medows National Historic Site of Canada is also the spot where Norse sailors first settled in North America and is a must-see!
The Subaru Crosstrek is a reliable, practical and capable car for the long ride! If you’re planning on going with family or a few friends, this car will give you the space you’re looking for while saving money on gas.
Dramatic view of one of the natural rock formations at The Arches Provincial Park on the west coast of the Viking Trail in Newfoundland, Canada.
Canadain Badlands In Your Jeep Wrangler
Located in beautiful Alberta, the Badlands are in a league of their own, featuring imposing cliffs and hoodoo rock formation. This region is home to the worlds richest deposits of fossils, as well as the UNESCO Dinosaur Provincial Park (located two-and-a-half hours southeast of Calgary).
Unlike the other sights on our list, nothing comes close to the 35,000-mile region of coal and dinosaur bones that were discovered in the late 1800s.
Driving over the rough terrains would be especially fun in a Jeep Wrangler – Canada’s most capable Off-Road SUV.
Golden sunrise over the Hoodoo badlands at Writing on Stone Provincial Park and Aisinaipi National Historic Site in Alberta, Canada. The area contains the largest concentration of First Nation petroglyphs (rock carvings) and pictographs (rock paintings) on the great plains of North America.
Highway 60 Algonquin Park Corridor In Your Ford F-150
Passing through central Ontario and travelling through Algonquin Park, the hour-long corridor is home to some mesmerizing wildlife sightings. Drivers can expect to see moose, beavers, bears, turtles, wolves, moles, chipmunks and different types of birds.
The park is also known for its lush green forests, tranquil beaches and thousands of available campsites along the way. Set up your tents, have a picnic, go on a hike or take a canoeing trip. The possibilities are endless, with multiple biking trails, fishing and swimming opportunities set up on the way.
With over 4,536 kg of towing capacity, the Ford F-150 is a great choice for towing a boat or for laying in the back and stargazing on a beautiful summer night.
Canoe bow at sunset in Algonquin Park, Ontario, Canada.
St. Lawrence Route In Your Chrysler Pacifica
Located in beautiful Quebec, along the St. Lawrence Route on Highway 362, the route is home to multiple picturesque villages and plenty of historical sites.
Pit stops can be made for art museums, microbrew pubs, beaches and gourmet restaurants. If you’re lucky, you may even catch a whale in the waters of Estuary and the Gulf of St. Lawrence, close to the shore.
If you’re going with the family and looking for plenty of headroom, legroom and an enormous amount of storage room in the trunk, than the Chrysler Pacifica is the obvious choice.
Baie-Saint-Paul in Quebec, Canada beach shore and coast with waves and green grass.
Cabot Trail In Your Chevrolet Bolt
See Novia Scotia’s Cape Breton Island like never before. With stunning ocean vistas, prehistoric rock formations and dense green forests, the 300km long trail is full of adventure. Set aside some time to pass through the quaint towns, praised sea-food restaurants, music festivals, serene lakes and a picture-perfect ocean.
The trail is also home to wildlife, such as moose, black bears, coyotes, Canadian lynx and bald eagles. Other activities include golfing, swimming, horse-back riding, whiskey tastings and multiple lobster and crab restaurants for the foodies.
The all-electric Bolt has a 390km range on a single charge and has the ability to recharge quite quickly. With seating for five and ample cargo space, the Bolt can comfortably accommodate a weekend’s worth of travelling.
The winding Cabot Trail road is seen from high above on the Skyline Trail at sunset in Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Nova Scotia.
Fundy Coastal Drive In Your Kia Sorento
Running along New Brunswick’s Southern Shores, this drive extends about 400km from the coast of Maine to Nova Scotia. If jaw-dropping views are what you’re after, this coast drive will do just that. With Canada’s most inspiring landscapes, highest-tides on the planet and the Bay of Fundy on the Atlantic Coast, this road-trip is a must for any adventure seeker.
Drivers can expect to see lighthouses, beautiful lush forests, wetlands, lookouts, footpaths, picnic spots, small towns, villages and beautiful beaches. For the full experience, make sure to check out the museum and farmers’ markets in Saint John, the Reversigin Falls Zip Line and the Moncton Magic Mountain Water Theme Park.
For an above-average highway gas mileage, spacious interior and ample tech features, the Kia Sorento is a great ride and an even better bang for your buck.
Park visitors explore the ocean floor at the Bay of Fundy at low tide.