When you’re a student, nothing beats taking a road trip with your friends as a way to spend your summer. Whether you want to stay close to home or visit the other side of the country, here are some great options for you all around Canada.
1. Sea to Sky Highway, BC
For a short road trip, consider taking the Sea to Sky Highway to travel between Vancouver and Whistler. Although the journey itself is only two hours, you can make plenty of stops along the way to extend the trip. For instance, you could visit Shannon Falls, Britannia Mine Museum, and Whytecliff Park. Make sure you also take the Sea to Sky Gondola to view the scenery from up high.
2. Icefields Parkway, Alberta
Not only is Icefields Parkway one of the best places to take a road trip in Canada, it’s one of the top road trip destinations in the whole world. The journey is 232 kilometres, passing through Banff National Park and Jasper National Park. You should give yourself at least two or three days at each to take in all the sites, which include a glacier, lakes, waterfalls, and an ice field. You’ll be spoilt for choice with food on your journey, with some great restaurants in Banff and Canmore.
3. Vancouver Island, BC
If you want to drive across Vancouver Island, a good option is to go from Victoria to Tofino. These are two of the most popular destinations and are on opposite sides of the island. You’ll have various options for parks and towns to include in your journey, but make sure Cathedral Grove is one of them.
4. Georgian Bay Coastal Route
For a road trip with plenty of beaches, consider the Georgian Bay Coastal Route. You’ll see some of the most picturesque places in Ontario, including Killarney Provincial Park, Wasaga Beach, and Manitoulin Island. If you want to continue your road trip beyond the Toronto area, head along the Chatham–Kent Corridor, which will take you past Niagara Falls, ending at Amhertsburg.
5. Dempster Highway, Yukon
If you’re ready for a serious adventure, take the Dempster Highway. You’ll need to prepare in advance for this trip, as there’s just one service station along the entire 700 kilometre highway. Plus, it’s a dirt road, meaning you’ll need a suitable vehicle. However, it will all be worthwhile for the chance to visit the Arctic Circle.
6. Trans-Canada Highway
The ultimate road trip to take is the Trans-Canada Highway, as you’ll see the entire country. If such a long journey is out of your budget at this time, explore the section between Calgary and Vancouver, which has some of the most stunning scenery. You’ll be able to visit places like Banff National Park, Yoho National Park, Mount Revelstoke National Park, and Glacier National Park of Canada. If you want to include some time in a city as part of your road trip, have a couple days in Vancouver.
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