Best BC Road Trips: 12+ Routes, Maps & Tips by a Local

British Columbia and road trips go hand in hand. The province’s vast, spectacular landscapes make every drive feel like an adventure in itself. BC is a place where the journey and the destination are equally rewarding.

In this post, I’ll share our top picks for BC’s best road trips, from Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast to the West Kootenays and the Canadian Rockies.

JR and I have lived in British Columbia since 2011 and have road tripped the province pretty extensively over the years (we’re just missing the Cariboo/Chilcotin and Haida Gwaii!) For a couple of years, we even travelled in our van full time.

The following road trip routes are all ones we have personally tried and tested multiple times.

For most of them, we already have dedicated road trip guides filled with detailed trip planning information. I hope this provides some BC road trip inspiration!

Here’s what to expect:

• Pacific Marine Circle Route
• Highway 4 – Nanaimo to Tofino
• Highway 19 – North Vancouver Island
• The Sunshine Coast
• Sea to Sky Highway
• Vancouver to the Okanagan Valley
• West Kootenays
• Kootenay National Park and the Columbia Valley
• Highway 1 – Vancouver to Banff and Calgary
• Highway 3 – Vancouver to Calgary
• Canadian Rockies Loop
• Coast and Rockies Route
• North BC Loop

So let’s get straight into it, starting with our favourite road trips on Vancouver Island.

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Pacific Marine Circle Route

Total kilometres: 263km
Suggested time: 2 to 4 days
When to go: All year round
More info: Pacific Marine Circle road trip guide

The Pacific Marine Circle Route is a super satisfying Vancouver Island road trip loop filled with salty sea breezes, beach waterfalls, massive trees, ocean vistas and even a mountain summit.

Starting and finishing in Victoria, this BC road trip offers both coastal and inland experiences, with a mix of urban and natural attractions. Some areas are surprisingly remote. Some of the highlights:

• Beautiful beaches – Mystic Beach (cliffs, waterfall), Sombrio Beach (secret canyon waterfall!), Botanical Beach (tide pools), Pacheedaht Beach (2km long)
• Old growth trees – Avatar Grove, Big Lonely Doug, Harris Creek Spruce and more
• Cowichan Lake – Huge lake with swimming, boating, camping
• Duncan – World’s largest outdoor collection of publicly displayed totem poles
• Cowichan Bay – Cute seaside community with artist studios, boardwalk, nearby wineries/cideries
• Kinsol Trestle – One of the tallest free-standing timber rail trestle structures in the world

Port Renfrew, a sleepy coastal community, is the most popular place to stay along the route though there are other options in Sooke, Lake Cowichan and Cowichan Bay.

Campers have an even bigger choice of overnight spots – some of my favourite Vancouver Island campgrounds are located along this route!

Highway 4 – Nanaimo to Tofino

Total kilometres: 414km return
Suggested time: 3 to 4 days
When to go: All year round
More info: Nanaimo to Tofino road trip guide

The Nanaimo to Tofino route is a BC road trip classic! Perched on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, Tofino is a spectacular destination and the journey is just as good, with plenty of potential stops. My favourites include:

• Englishman River Falls – Huge waterfall dropping into a canyon
• Cathedral Grove (MacMillan Provincial Park) – Beautiful old growth trees next to the highway
• Hole in the Wall Waterfall – Unique cascade with oval opening in a rock
• K’ak’awin/Sproat Lake petroglyphs – Some of BC’s best preserved rock carvings
• Long Beach – Spectacular 16km long sandy beach in Pacific Rim National Park

The most popular option is to drive the 207km one-way distance in a day and spend 2/3 nights in Tofino or neighbouring Ucluelet. Plan for the journey to take around 5 to 7 hours each way with a couple of stops.

The only downside of this road trip? The popularity – you certainly won’t be alone! It’s also not the best choice for nervous drivers or folks with motion sickness. The last section, near Kennedy Lake, is particularly twisty and narrow.

Highway 19 – North Vancouver Island

Total kilometres: 466km return
Suggested time: 3 to 6 days
When to go: May to October
More info: Campbell River to Port Hardy road trip guide

Looking for a beyond the beaten path road trip on Vancouver Island? Go north. Beyond Campbell River, Vancouver Island becomes a much wilder place to explore with smaller towns, rugged scenery and far less tourists.

This area is best explored with a vehicle that can be taken on unpaved industrial (logging) roads. Even so, there are still plenty of places to go just off the main highway, like:

• Elk Falls Provincial Park – Short hike to 25m high waterfall with suspension bridge
• Dalrymple Creek – 1km loop trail through an old growth forest
• Telegraph Cove – Colourful boardwalk community next to Johnstone Strait, whale watching and kayak tours available
• Port McNeill – Scenic coastal town with ferries to Sointula and Alert Bay plus whale watching tours

A high clearance vehicle with good tires provides access to such places as San Josef Bay, Raft Cove, Little Huson Caves, Devil’s Bath and more. Multi-day hikers will love Cape Scott Provincial Park.

Short on time? Even driving from Nanaimo to Campbell River offers something a little different to the standard Victoria/Tofino trip. The Highway 19A has some lovely coastal sections, with sandy beaches and mountain views (Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Saratoga Beach).

Have time to spare? Extend your trip from Campbell River to Gold River, via Strathcona Provincial Park. This place has it all – easily accessible waterfalls, paddling opportunities, alpine lake hikes.

The Sunshine Coast (+ optional Coastal Circuit route)

Total kilometres: 300km (270km circuit)
Suggested time: 3 to 4 days, 4 to 6 days for circuit route
When to go: May to October
More info: Coastal Circle Route road trip guide

The Sunshine Coast is one of my top picks for underrated destinations in BC. In fact, JR and I almost bought a house in Powell River at one point! The whole area is very down to earth, with lots of outdoor adventure opportunities, local produce and the chance to see incredible sunsets every night.

There are two sections of the Sunshine Coast to explore, with both north and south offering a range of unique experiences:

• Princess Louisa Inlet – Magnificent 6km long and narrow fjord, with a huge waterfall at the end. Guided boat tours are available from Egmont
• Easy hikes – Soames Hill, Smugglers Cove, Skookumchuck Narrows (tidal rapids!)
• Characterful coastal towns – Gibsons, Sechelt, Powell River
• Sunshine Coast Trail – 180km long hiking route through old growth forests, lakes, coastal sections with free huts
• Paddling destinations – Desolation Sound, Powell Forest Canoe Route

The nature of the rugged coastline in this area of BC means that ferry travel is required to reach both north and south sections. Allow plenty of time – the Earls Cove/Saltery Bay ferry is first come, first serve (no reservations).

Rather than travel back along the same route, an alternative option is to continue to Vancouver Island and explore there as well, completing a full circuit with four ferries total. This is called the Coastal Circle Route (see below map) and is a great option to see a lot of the coast all at once!

Sea to Sky Highway – Vancouver to Pemberton (+ optional circuit route)

Total kilometres: 150km one way (580km circuit route)
Suggested time: 1 to 3 days, 3 to 5 days for circuit
When to go: June to September

For many, Vancouver to Whistler/Pemberton is the classic BC road trip. True to its name, the Sea to Sky Highway (99) winds through a dramatic landscape of ocean views, temperate rainforest and steep mountain peaks. My favourite places to stop are:

• Squamish – Small town with incredible views of the Stawamus Chief, a huge granite monolith
• Waterfalls – Shannon Falls, Brandywine Falls, Nairn Falls
• Garibaldi Provincial Park – Many day/overnight hike options including Elfin Lakes, Garibaldi Lake, Panorama Ridge, Wedgemount Lake, Cheakamus Lake (day pass required)
• Whistler – Trendy mountain resort with gondola rides into the alpine plus ziplines, spa, lakes, huge choice of restaurants and the excellent Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre
• Joffre Lakes – Very popular day hike to three turquoise coloured alpine lakes (day pass required)

Pemberton doesn’t have to be the end point – continue along Highway 99 to the small community of Lillooet, which sits in a mountainous yet very dry area. The transition between the lush rainforest to the arid, desert-like landscape is fascinating!

Have extra time? Make this road trip a loop – return to Vancouver via Highway 1. The drive through the Fraser Canyon is both incredibly scenic and historical. Go white water rafting on the Nahatlatch River (so wild!), pan for gold in Yale or hike the Lookout Trail in Hope.

Vancouver to the Okanagan Valley

Total kilometres: Around 800km return
Suggested time: 3 to 5 days
When to go: May to October
More info: Vancouver to the Okanagan Valley road trip guide

The Okanagan Valley is such a perfect road trip destination from Vancouver. Located in BC’s southern interior region, it is also an easy detour from so many other BC road trips, such as Vancouver to Calgary.

Renowned for its striking lakes, outdoor recreation, award-winning wine and reliable summer heat, this desert-like region is a must-visit.

Based in Penticton, we regularly make the trip from Vancouver to the Okanagan. We usually drive it in 5 to 6 hours with a few stops. Highway 3 is my preferred route, with these attractions:

• Bridal Veil Falls – Short and steep loop trail to base of dramatic waterfall
• Othello Tunnels – Recently reopened railway tunnels, accessible via short flat walk
• E.C. Manning Provincial Park – Picnic areas, hiking trails, large lake with canoe rentals, a scenic roadside viewpoint (Cascade Lookout), alpine flowers, camping, lodge
• Bromley Rock Provincial Park – Popular locals’ swimming hole on the Similkameen River
• Keremeos – The fruit stand capital of BC! Stock up on cherries, peaches and nectarines

Once in the Okanagan Valley, there are so many options for things to do. My top picks can be found in this detailed Okanagan Valley road trip guide. I’d suggest staying at least two or three nights, exploring from a base like Vernon, Penticton or Osoyoos.

West Kootenays (+ optional circuit route)

Total kilometres: 250km one way (Nelson to Revelstoke)
Suggested time: 3 to 5 days, 7 days for suggested circuit
When to go: June to October
More info: Nelson to Revelstoke road trip guide

Firmly beyond the beaten path, the West Kootenay region delivers a truly local experience. Quiet, laid back and occasionally quirky, this is an ideal place to go for a relaxed rural road trip.

There’s no compromise on scenery, however, with the West Kootenays offering beautiful lake views, dramatic waterfalls, forested valleys and rugged mountains. There’s a lot of history to discover as well and hot springs to soak in.

With so many options for road trips in this region, it’s hard to narrow down the perfect route. Nelson to Revelstoke via Kalso (see below map) is a favourite of mine, with these potential stops:

• Nelson – Artsy community on the West Arm of Kootenay Lake with historical downtown area
• Kokanee Glacier and Valhalla Parks – Incredible alpine hiking opportunities (unpaved access)
• Hot springs – Ainsworth, Nakusp, Halcyon, Halfway Hot Springs
• Small communities – Kalso, New Denver, Sandon, Nakusp
• Waterfalls – Fletcher Creek Falls, Wilson Creek Falls, Ione Falls, Begbie Falls
• Revelstoke – Cool yet down-to-earth mountain town with national park and great downtown

To make this road trip a circuit, I would skip Revelstoke and connect to the Okanagan Valley via Highway 6 and the Needles Ferry on Lower Arrow Lake. Travel the length of the Okanagan and circle back via Osoyoos and Boundary Country.

Kootenay National Park and the Columbia Valley

Total kilometres: Around 300km (Kootenay NP to Canal Flats return)
Suggested time: 2 to 4 days
When to go: May to October
More info: Columbia Valley guide

Despite being located adjacent to the immensely busy Banff National Park, Kootenay National Park somehow escapes a lot of hype. It deserves it though, with such incredible hikes as the Stanley Glacier Trail and Floe Lake Trail.

Combine a trip to Kootenay National Park with a stay in the wonderful Columbia Valley, home to cute communities, hot springs, wildlife-rich wetlands and even more fabulous trails. Be sure to check out:

• Hot springs – Radium (my favourite developed pool), Fairmont, Lussier (my favourite natural springs)
• Short hiking trails – Dutch Creek Hoodoos, Sinclair Canyon, Wilmer Wetlands Trail, Columbia Wetland Viewpoint Trail
• Longer hiking trails – Diana Lake, Welsh Lakes, Conrad Kain Hut (Bubaboos), Lake of the Hanging Glacier
• Columbia Wetlands float – Relaxing 4 to 5 hour canoe or kayak ride down the Columbia River from Invermere to Radium
• Kootenay National Park – Olive Lake, Numa Falls, Paint Pots, Marble Canyon, the incredible multi-day Rockwall Trail

Thanks to the wide river valley and wetlands, temperatures are warmer on this side of the Rockies. The Columbia Valley is also usually a little quieter and more affordable as well. I’d suggest staying in Radium Hot Springs or Invermere.

Highway 1 – Vancouver to Banff and Calgary

Total kilometres: 970km one way
Suggested time: 3 to 5 days
When to go: May to October
More info: Vancouver to Calgary Highway 1 road trip guide

Vancouver to Calgary is undoubtedly one of the most popular BC road trips. While Highway 1 may be the fastest route, it’s also incredibly scenic too, winding through the Fraser Canyon, along Shuswap Lake, through Rogers Pass and into the heart of multiple national parks.

Driving from Calgary to Vancouver involves a full day of driving – expect 11 to 12 hours with no stops. Note also that there is a time zone change before Golden (you’ll lose an hour when heading east).

For visitors, I’d recommend spending at least two nights along the route, with three or four being preferable. British Columbia has a lot to offer – don’t rush all the way to Banff! I’d suggest stopping overnight at:

• Salmon Arm – Charming small town situated on Shuswap Lake with great downtown area, nearby trails (Margaret Falls!), scenic lookouts, lots of local produce
• Revelstoke – Vibrant and historic downtown, nearby national park, waterfalls, mountain coaster, hiking trails and more
• Golden – A great base for exploring Yoho and Glacier national parks as well as the Columbia Wetlands, plus popular Golden Skybridge activities

Discover other must see places and stops in our Highway 1 road trip guide. Planning to return to Vancouver? Check out the Vancouver to Banff Loop later in this post or consider detouring into the West Kootenays, Okanagan Valley or Columbia Valley on your return journey.

Highway 3 – Vancouver to Calgary

Total kilometres: Around 1500km
Suggested time: 4 to 7 days
When to go: May to October
More info: Vancouver to Calgary Highway 3 road trip guide

This BC road trip from Vancouver to Calgary stays close to the US border and climbs over some of the province’s highest mountain passes, weaving through many small towns along the way.

I would say that it is best suited for travellers who enjoy straying from the usual route and discovering the hidden gems that come with it. A few extra days are needed to make the most of the slower moving Highway 3, so keep that in mind if you’re short on time.

The route starts with the same highlights at the already described Vancouver to the Okanagan Valley road trip. After reaching Keremeos, continue on Highway 3 to discover:

• Spotted Lakes – Saline alkali lake featuring hundreds of small, colourful mineral-rich pools
• Anarchist Mountain – Scenic viewpoint over Osoyoos and its unique arid landscape (learn more at the Osoyoos Desert Centre or the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre)
• Greenwood – Check out the heritage buildings in BC’s smallest city – population 702
• Grand Forks – Cute downtown area with many great food options (including borscht)
• Christina Lake – BC’s warmest tree lined lake, perfect for a swim
• Creston – Fill up on fruit and other local produce in this laid-back agricultural town
• Fernie – My favourite mountain town in this area!
• Frank Slide – Learn about the province’s deadliest landslide in 1903

In Alberta, I’d suggest making the detour to Waterton National Park. It’s absolutely spectacular and quieter than Banff National Park.

Canadian Rockies Loop

Total kilometres: Around 1400km
Suggested time: 9 to 12 days, more is even better
When to go: Mid June to early October
More info: Canadian Rockies Loop road trip guide

Keen to see both sides of the Canadian Rockies – BC and Alberta – on one epic round-trip drive? This may be the road trip route for you! It features all of the iconic sights of the Rockies (Icefields Parkway, Banff, Jasper) as well as some quieter, more local locations too (Wells Gray, Revelstoke).

The nine day itinerary looks like this:

• Day 1: Banff
• Day 2: Banff
• Day 3: Banff to Jasper
• Day 4: Jasper
• Day 5: Jasper to Valemount
• Day 6: Valemount to Kamloops
• Day 7: Kamloops to Revelstoke
• Day 8: Revelstoke to Golden
• Day 9: Golden to Banff

Plan to ‘join’ the loop from either Calgary (126km one way to Banff) or Vancouver (add another day to drive 560km to Revelstoke). If you have more time, check out this 2 Week Western Canada road trip guide instead.

Coast and Rockies Route

Total kilometres: Around 2200km
Suggested time: 14 days minimum
When to go: Mid June to early October
More info: 2 Week Coast and Rockies road trip guide

Trying to choose between visiting BC’s coast and the Canadian Rockies? You may not have to – this BC road trip combines them, showcasing ocean and mountain regions as well as lush temperate rainforest and dry grasslands.

The 14 day itinerary looks like this:

• Day 1: Vancouver
• Day 2: Vancouver to Victoria
• Day 3: Victoria
• Day 4: Victoria to Tofino
• Day 5: Tofino
• Day 6: Tofino to Parksville
• Day 7: Parksville to Whistler
• Day 8: Whistler to Salmon Arm
• Day 9: Salmon Arm to Revelstoke
• Day 10: Revelstoke to Golden
• Day 11: Golden to Banff
• Day 12: Banff
• Day 13: Banff
• Day 14: Banff to Calgary

If you have more time, all the better. This is a pretty faced paced itinerary, so having a few extra days having means you can slow down, linger in your favourite spots, or fit in some side trips (such as a detour into the Okanagan Valley or West Kootenays, as already mentioned in this post).

North BC Loop

Total kilometres: Around 2500km from/to Prince George
Suggested time: 10 days minimum
When to go: Mid June to late September

No BC road trip list would be complete without mention of the great wilderness that is the northern section of the province. The Alaska Highway and the Stewart-Cassiar (Highway 37) form a huge loop route, covering some exceptionally remote and beautiful terrain.

JR and I once spent three months exploring the Yukon, heading north via the Stewart-Cassiar and returning south on the Alaska Highway. It was every bit as wild as we imagined—our days filled with mountains, glaciers, and regular wildlife encounters. Some road trip highlights:

• Smithers – Year round ski town vibes in this friendly town surrounded by nature
• Salmon Glacier – Incredible road-accessible glacier near Stewart, worth the detour
• Liard Hot Springs – Natural-ish pool set into lush boreal spruce forest
• Northern Rockies Provincial Park – Hoodoos, wildlife, vast forests and valleys
• Muncho Lake – Large jade-green coloured lake by Alaska Highway

If you can, combine this route with a trip into Yukon as well – 2/3 weeks is ideal, longer if you can manage it!

Essential tips for BC road trips

• DriveBC is the best website to check before embarking on a long driving trip in British Columbia
• Always travel with water, food, extra clothing, a good spare tire and emergency supplies (first aid kit, blanket)
• Phone signal is not always available in BC, even on major highways. Tell someone where you’re going and where you plan to go back
• Download Google Maps before travelling so you can access them offline
• There is almost one public holiday every month in British Columbia. Holiday weekends are the busiest and most expensive time to go on a road trip
• British Columbia has a network of ocean ferries, all run by BC Ferries. Some routes operate with a first come, first serve system, while others have spots available for reservation. If you can reserve, I’d highly recommend it
• For most travellers, the best time to road trip British Columbia is June to September. These are the warmest and driest months. The weather can be good in the shoulder season months too but keep in mind that the alpine lakes may be frozen, some hiking trails will not be open etc.
• British Columbia is home to both black and grizzly bears. Black bears can be spotted across the province while grizzlies are much less widespread. If you do see a bear (or any other large animal), stay in your vehicle
• Take some time before your visit to understand what to do if you see a bear outside of your vehicle and how to avoid encounters in general

For more tips and advice, head to our BC trip planning guide. It includes links to other useful road trip resources. You may also find our wildfire season guide helpful as well.