Last update: September 12th, 2024 at 04:48 pm<\/p>\n
![\"BC](\"https:\/\/pintsizepilot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Outdoor-Ethics-for-Hikers.png\" "\\"Best")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nAffiliate\u00a0Disclosure:<\/strong> This best road trip from Vancouver post also contains additional affiliate links.\u00a0<\/i>For more information, please see our\u00a0Terms of Use<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Privacy Policy<\/a><\/span>.\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Looking for some ideas for BC road trips from Vancouver? I originally wrote this post during those dark Covid days when doing short road trips from Vancouver was our only<\/em> travel option. Truth be told, while we were reluctant at first (we dream of far-flung lands), we totally fell in love with our home province of British Columbia and discovered so many gorgeous places that we might have overlooked otherwise.<\/p>\n Whether you are a local or come from abroad, I hope you find inspiration in this guide to 5 of the best road trips from Vancouver to take this summer, and beyond. Please use the following menu to find what you need quickly.<\/p>\n Book vacation rentals or hotels that are 100% refundable so that you have the flexibility to make changes. You can quite easily filter results on sites like VRBO,<\/a> Consider the logistics of getting to your desired destination. Reservations on BC Ferries<\/a>, for example, are often necessary during the busy summer season. (Be sure to check for sailing availability before<\/em> booking your accommodations.) Alternatively, consider visiting places that you can drive directly to without relying on a ferry.<\/p>\n If you are planning on driving an EV on road trips from Vancouver, plan those charging stops ahead of time around BC\u2019s network of fast charging stations (DC). Download the EV charging station app<\/a> in advance.<\/p>\n Keep in mind the fact that A\/C consumes more juice from your battery and your range will drop. (I only bank on 2\/3 of the range that my EV is registering.)<\/p>\n Before you set out on Vancouver road trip, check your route on the\u00a0DriveBC website<\/a>\u00a0for unexpected events that could result in delays (construction etc.).<\/p>\n 2-5 Nights (~250 to 300km)\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Considered one of the most scenic roads in Canada, the Sea to Sky highway offers some incredible coastal mountain scenery. It is perfect if you are looking for a 2 to 3 day road trip from Vancouver (although there is lots to do if you have more time). Check out all these great stops:<\/p>\n The town of Squamish provides an excellent base for adventurers with a wide array of outdoor pursuits. Visitors can indulge in rock climbing, white water rafting, hiking, kayaking and more.<\/p>\n For those who love a great view without a lot of effort, the Sea to Sky Gondola<\/a> whisks you up a mountain in minutes. At the top, you can choose from several hikes, traverse the suspension bridge, or relax on the beautiful patio.<\/p>\n If you would prefer a good workout, you can also hike from the bottom of the gondola to the Sea-to-Sky lookout (3-4 hours). Then for a small fee ($19), you can take the gondola back down.<\/p>\n After exploring the great outdoors, Squamish has an abundance of craft distilleries and locally-run restaurants to enjoy in and around town.<\/p>\n Where to stay:<\/strong> Sunwolf Riverside Cabins<\/a> \u2013 Unplug for a few days by booking a secluded cabin by river. While most sleep 2-3, their gorgeous Fisherman\u2019s Cottage can sleep up to 6. The property is pet friendly (small fee). Sunwolf also has an excellent restaurant on the property \u2013 Fergie\u2019s Cafe<\/a>.<\/p>\n Here is a 1 minute video of Sunwolf Squamish:<\/p>\n Learn more at:<\/strong> Explore Squamish<\/a><\/p>\n See also:<\/strong>\u00a0Tripadvisor\u2019s Top 15 Things to do in Squamish<\/a><\/p>\n Drive 45 minutes further north and you will arrive in the world class resort town of Whistler. Not only do you have great hikes, mountain biking, paddle boarding, caneoing and more, you also have access to a wide array of resort shops and lovely full-service hotels. Restaurants range from tasty food carts to award-winning fine dining.<\/p>\n Whether you want to have a laid back afternoon by the lake, or ride one of the longest ziplines in North America \u2013 there is something for everyone.<\/p>\n Where to stay:<\/strong>\u00a0The\u00a0Nita Lake Lodge<\/a>\u00a0is located right beside the lake of the same name and has gorgeous west coast-styled studio to 2 bedroom suites. If you prefer something right in Whistler Village, the Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel<\/a> is a big favourite among visitors.<\/p>\n Learn more at:<\/strong> Tourism Whistler<\/a><\/p>\n See also:<\/strong>\u00a0Tripadvisor\u2019s Top 15 Things to do in Whistler<\/a> Drive just a little further north (+60km roundtrip) and you will arrive in the agriculturally rich Pemberton Valley. Go on a horseback riding adventure, get your bounty at the farmer\u2019s market, or relax over a pint at the\u00a0The Beer Farmers<\/a> brewery.<\/p>\n Where to stay: <\/strong>The\u00a0Pemberton Valley Lodge<\/a>\u00a0suites hotel offers upscale amenities, an outdoor heated pool, and a hot tub with views of Mt. Currie.<\/p>\n Learn more at:<\/strong> Tourism Pemberton<\/a><\/p>\n See also:<\/strong> Tripadvisor\u2019s Top 15 Things to do in Pemberton<\/a> To return from your Vancouver to Whistler road trip, you can backtrack along the same Sea-to-Sky Highway route. (The coastal views are actually better on the way back.) Alternatively, you can make a loop of it, carrying on from Pemberton to Lillooet, and then returning via the Fraser Canyon (which used to be the main highway into the BC interior before the Coquihalla Highway was built).<\/p>\n Also known as the Coast Mountain Circle Route<\/strong>, you can learn more about it here<\/a>.<\/p>\n 7 Nights (~1700 to 1800km Loop)<\/em><\/p>\n See also this post on: A Kootenays Road Trip<\/a>.<\/p>\n From backcountry adventures to luxury mountain lodges, The Kootenays deliver for people who love the outdoors. Located in the province\u2019s southeast corner, this region includes 4 mountain ranges (the Rockies, Purcells, Selkirks and Monasheees), 4 National parks and 75 provincial parks.<\/p>\n Imagine\u00a0hikes to aqua-hued lakes and majestic waterfalls, river rafting adventures, wildlife excursions and relaxing in natural hot springs at the day\u2019s end. Here are some stops you should consider.<\/p>\n Note:<\/strong> This itinerary is great if you are looking for a 7 day road trip from Vancouver as there is a lot to see and do!<\/p>\n Within easy reach of Mount Revelstoke and Glacier National Park, Revelstoke is the perfect place for mountain biking, dirt biking, and hiking, as well as white water rafting and stand up paddle boarding. This charming town, steeped in Canadian railway history, also has some excellent coffee houses, restaurants, brew pubs and distilleries.<\/p>\n Where to stay:<\/strong><\/p>\n Basecamp Revelstoke<\/a> is a boutique hotel situated just a short walk from Downtown Revelstoke, overlooking the Colombia River and only a 15 minute shuttle ride to the world-famous Revelstoke Mountain Resort. If Basecamp is fully booked (it usually is), The Coast Hillcrest<\/a>\u00a0on the outskirts of town is a nice (and well-priced) option.<\/p>\n Learn more at:<\/strong> See Revelstoke<\/a><\/p>\n See also:\u00a0<\/strong>Tripadvisor\u2019s Top 15 Things to do in Revelstoke<\/a> This little mountain town is a wonderful base from which to explore both Yoho National Park and Glacier National Park. Both have incredible hikes for all levels, ranging from less than an hour to several days for the more advanced.<\/p>\n Just a 15 minute drive outside of town is Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, where you will find some fantastic adrenaline-inducing activities such as mountain biking and a very exciting Via Ferrata<\/em>. Italian for \u201ciron road\u201d, a Via Ferrata<\/em> is a protected climbing route with a steel cable running along the route that is fixed to the rock.<\/p>\n No visit to Kicking Horse is complete without stopping in to catch a peek of Boo the orphaned grizzly in his 20 acre habitat (daily tours available). Animal lovers might also enjoy visiting the Northern Lights Wildlife Wolf Centre\u00a0<\/a>and Rocky Mountain Buffalo Ranch<\/a> just outside of town (they are located very close to each other).<\/p>\n Recently, a brand new adventure park opened up in Golden. The Golden Skybridge<\/a> offers two of Canada\u2019s highest suspension bridges, an exhilarating zip line over a canyon, a Mountain Coaster, a treetop obstacle course, axe-throwing and much more. When my husband and I visited, we spent twice as long as we expected to because we were having so much fun!<\/p>\n5 Best Road Trips from Vancouver<\/h2>\n
BC Road Trip Tips<\/h2>\n
Book Flexible Accommodation<\/strong>s<\/h3>\n
Consider Logistics <\/strong><\/h3>\n
EV Chargers <\/strong><\/h3>\n
Check Road Conditions <\/strong><\/h3>\n
5 BC Road Trips from Vancouver <\/h2>\n
1. The Sea to Sky \u2013 Whistler Road Trip<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\u00a0<\/h4>\n
Squamish<\/strong><\/h4>\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/a>Whistler<\/strong><\/h4>\n
<\/a><\/figure>\nPemberton<\/strong><\/h4>\n
For the Drive Back<\/strong><\/h4>\n
2. The Kootenays<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/a>\u00a0<\/h4>\n
Revelstoke<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Golden<\/strong><\/h4>\n
<\/a>