Overview

What a drive! From Montreal to Vancouver, this is a great Canadian road trip packed with stops along the Trans Canada Highway - offering you the ultimate cross-country road trip. We’ve put together a three-week journey to take you from the province of Quebec right through to British Columbia’s west coast. Celebrate small towns, big cities and all Canada has to offer through food, people and sights to see.
Duration
21 DAYS
Distance
5860km / 3641mi
Start / End
Montreal / Vancouver
Region
Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan
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Route - 5860 km / 3641 mi

Day Location Distance Duration
01 Montreal to Mattawa 494 km / 307 mi Approx. 5 hours 40 minutes
02 Mattawa to Sault Ste. Marie 497 km / 309 mi Approx. 5 hours 35 minutes
03 --
04 Sault Ste. Marie to Marathon 411 km / 255 mi Approx. 4 hours 25 minutes
05 Marathon to Ignance 527 km / 327 mi Approx. 5 hours 40 minutes
06 Ignance to Kenora 243 km / 151 mi Approx. 2 hours 45 minutes
07 --
08 Kenora to Winnipeg 209 km / 130 mi Approx. 2 hours 25 minutes
09 --
10 Winnipeg to Regina 573 km / 356 mi Approx. 5 hours 50 minutes
11 --
12 Regina to Medicine Hat 467 km / 290 mi Approx. 4 hours 31 minutes
13 Medicine Hat to Calgary 295 km / 183 mi Approx. 3 hours
14 --
15 Calgary to Banff 127 km / 79 mi Approx. 1 hour 25 minutes
16 Banff to Lake Louise 57 km / 35 mi Approx. 40 minutes
17 --
18 Lake Louise to Kamloops 428 km / 266 mi Approx. 5 hours 10 minutes
19 --
20 Kamloops to Vancouver 232 km / 144 mi Approx. 3 hours 45 minutes
21 --

Trip Details

Today you’ll leave Montreal and head to Mattawa, Ontario - a town that sits at the junction of the Ottawa and the Mattawa rivers. If you have an extra day or two, spend some time exploring Old Montreal, a gem tucked away within the gorgeous city of Montreal. Along your drive today you’ll pass through Ottawa, Canada’s capital city. Take advantage of this stop by dropping in for lunch, visiting Parliament Hill or checking out the Rideau Canal. Getting back on the highway, you’re about a three-hour drive from your final destination today - Mattawa, Ontario.

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On the shore of one of the Great Lakes – Lake Superior, and just along St. Marys River is the town of Sault Ste. Marie, where you’ll find comfort food and warm hospitality. Home to world-class fishing and original Group of 7 paintings at the Art Gallery of Algoma, there’s a diverse offering of things to do and see here. Get up early and fit in a round of golf or take advantage of the walking trails before hitting the road again. Check out our CanaDream app for nearby camping.

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Today you’re travelling to the north shore of Lake Superior, landing in Marathon, Ontario. This area is known as the heart of the Canadian Shield. It’s rumored that the best place to capture a panoramic view of Lake Superior is from Hawk’s Ridge. The area offers four-season activities, so no matter the time of year you’re stopping in here, there’s sure to be something for you to do after a day on the road. Hiking, walking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are just a few of the outdoor activities that keep the locals busy year-round.

 

You’re on the move again and now entering northwestern Ontario, arriving in the town of Ignance. According to locals, a must visit while you’re here is the White Otter Castle located on White Otter Lake. It’s a three-story castle built at the turn of the century by an eccentric hermit named James Alexander “Jimmy” McQuat. He lived off the land and built his dream home – being recognized as a Canadian frontiersman. There is no road access to the castle. Check with local operators for access information.

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Take a load off when you arrive in Kenora and spend a couple of days enjoying the beautiful lake country either on shore or by boat.

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  • Sioux Narrows Provincial Park
  • Caliper Lake Provincial Park 
     

Leaving lake country, you’re heading to the city of Winnipeg - the beginning of your adventure across the Canadian Prairies.

Visit The Forks, a historic shopping and dining area, or take a west-end walking tour - tasting your way through this neighbourhood while taking in murals and scoping out the latest artist creations. Visit the Royal Canadian Mint, an incredible building that produces coins for over 70 countries, or one of Winnipeg’s museums. Include the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (find out how to save on your visit here through our CanaDream Club App) or the Manitoba Museum.

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Welcome to the capital city of Saskatchewan, Regina. Visit historic churches, take a walking tour or have a picnic in Wascana Park.

This small prairie city has a variety of unique neighbourhoods to visit. Take advantage of the Regina Farmers’ Market and stock up your cooler or spend some your evening on the Dewdney Strip where you can eat, drink and take in local live music after a day on the road.

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The most westerly of the prairie provinces is in sight. Canada’s unofficial home of all things cowboy can be found in the province of Alberta.

Along the South Saskatchewan River in the southeast of Alberta is Medicine Hat. Check in with the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede to see if there will be any events happening while you’re in town. There may be an opportunity to take in the rodeo, a farmer’s market or free entertainment the organization offers in the summer. Just southeast of Medicine Hat is Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park – worth a detour if you have the time to spare.

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  • The Tunnels of Moose Jaw 
  • La Reata Ranch

Welcome to Calgary, the home to the greatest outdoor show on earth, the "Calgary Stampede".

Formerly referred to as "Cowtown", this city of more than a million people has evolved and adopted the city slogan "Feel the Energy". With the Rocky Mountains just a stone's throw away, Calgary is the last prairie stop before you head further west on your Canadian tour. Eat your way through what’s known as 17th Ave., take in a hockey game with the local Calgary Flames or visit the Calgary Tower and get a bird’s eye view of the city and mountains.

Be sure to check out our partners with the CanaDream Club app so you can take advantage of deals and places to stay on your stopover here.

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From the city centre of Calgary you can see the soaring Rocky Mountains. Today you’ll head west, driving right into the handsome mountains of Banff. Along the way, stop in Canmore for a coffee break or stop to snap some photos of the breathtaking mountain views. You’re entering bear country, so be aware and keep your distance if you spot one of these magical mammals on your journey.

Banff plays hosts to international guests year round. It’s town centre is easily walkable, offering lots of shopping and dinning options. Banff is also a place of play – whatever your adventure – ski, hike, bike, canoe – there’s endless opportunities to discover and be in your joy here. Check out our various partners on the CanaDream app to take advantage of experiences and discounts.

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Since the drive from Banff to Lake Louise is short, consider taking the scenic route by travelling along the Bow Valley Parkway. Stop and take advantage of the hiking trails or simply pull over and have a picnic – Muleshoe is a great spot for this. Another important stop along this way is Johnston Canyon. Ancient limestone cliffs meet breath-taking waterfalls. Also on this route is Castle Lookout, beneath Castle Mountain, and Storm Mountain Lookout, above the Bow River.

You’ll arrive in Lake Louise. The lake itself is an incredible emerald colour – no visit is the same, with the lake gifting you a new magical colour every time.

CanaDream Club Partners:

  • Banff Jasper Collection by Pursuit

Saying goodbye to the grand and awe-inspiring Rocky Mountains, head to the badlands of the Thompson Valley, arriving in the lovely city of Kamloops. Here the north and south Thompson Rivers meet. Skiers and boarders might be interested in checking out Sun Peaks Resort – also a place to mountain bike in the summer.

This vibrant community offers year-round adventure and incredible live music and entertainment. We have loads of CanaDream Club partners along this route so make sure to check our app so you can take advantage of discounts along the way.

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You’ve made it – from east to west you’ve travelled the Trans Canada Highway arriving in the stunning city of Vancouver. How will you celebrate?

Along your drive today, stop in at Spences Bridge and learn about the slide in 1905 that demolished the town prior to the Goldrush. Today the population is just 138 people. And, if you have an extra day to spare, a visit to Harrison Hot Springs is always some welcome relaxation after a long journey.

If you’re looking to stop and refuel along this leg of the journey, the town of Hope is a great place to do just that before arriving in Vancouver.

Vancouver, British Columbia’s most iconic city, is situated alongside the Pacific Ocean. There’s no limit to what you can see and do here. Since you’ve just travelled across the country, a celebration is most definitely in order. And, if you feel like a bird’s eye view of Canada, head down to Canada Place and watch FlyOver Canada for another perspective.

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