One of the most popular driving routes in Canada is the drive from Vancouver to Banff. Not only because these are two of the most visited destinations in the country but because the scenery along the way will have you mouthing ‘wow’ every couple of minutes, it’s so pretty!
The fastest route from Vancouver to Banff will take you just 9 hours, without stops but taking that route would mean missing out on Whistler and Pemberton – two of my favorite places in B.C.
Therefore, we recommend driving the Sea to Sky Highway (Highway 99) from Vancouver to Whistler and from there driving past Pemberton and Lillooet before joining Highway 1 close to Kamloops for the rest of the drive into Banff. It will only add on an extra two hours if you don’t stop – but we recommend allowing around 3-5 days for this 906-km-long route from Vancouver to Banff!
Travel Tip: The cost of renting a car in Canada can be expensive. However, there are some ways you can save money. We tend to always book our rental car through Discover Cars. This is a search engine for rental cars and allows you to filter by price if you’re on a budget or by vehicle type if there’s a specific car you’re after.
How many days is the road trip from Vancouver to Banff?
The quickest route to get from Vancouver to Banff is 840 km (522 miles) long. This route goes via Surrey, Abbotsford, Merritt, and into Kamloops. From there, you will follow Highway 1 past Revelstoke and Golden before reaching Banff. To drive it without stopping would take just over 9 hours, but that doesn’t include stops for food, gas, and toilet breaks. And it also doesn’t take into account traffic – which can be bad leaving Vancouver and coming into Surrey.
However, the first section of this route isn’t particularly scenic which is why we recommend driving instead from Vancouver to Whistler and rejoining Highway 1 at Kamloops. This route is slightly longer (11 hours without stops) but so much prettier and this is the route we have outlined below!
As I said, without stopping the route via Whistler to Banff would take over 11 hours (it’s 906 km long). But because this drive is so gorgeous we recommend allowing between 3 – 5 days to complete it!
Is it worth it to drive from Vancouver to Banff?
Yes, it’s 100% worth driving from Vancouver to Banff!
There are so many great places to stop between Vancouver and Banff some are quick stops like Brittania Mine and Golden, and others require more time (or even a few nights), like Revelstoke, and Lake Louise. The route follows Highway 99 and the Trans-Canada Highway (BC Highway 1) and is considered a fairly easy drive. During the Winter months, the snow is cleared regularly of snow and ice, drive carefully (and pull over if needed) if you get caught in any heavy snowfall.
Keep in mind the weather when driving this route as conditions can get pretty snowy and icy during the Winter months, especially around Revelstoke, and Glacier National Park of Canada.
The BEST Stops Between Vancouver and Banff
As I mentioned this road trip is 906 km long and will take you from Vancouver to Whistler and from there into Kamloops and up to Revelstoke and Golden before hitting Banff. It’s slightly longer than the fastest route from Vancouver to Banff but it’s SO MUCH PRETTIER and well worth the longer drive!
1. Capilano Suspension Bridge
Your first stop is just a short drive from downtown Vancouver (around 15 minutes) but believe me, it’s well worth stopping so early on in the drive to experience the famed Capilano Suspension Bridge. This feat of engineering hangs 70 meters over the Capilano River and it’s 137 meters long. And the views are stunning – think lush green forest and a gushing bright blue river! But, it’s all about the bridge here there are also a few short hikes, a glass-floor viewpoint, and The Birds of Raptor Ridge where you can see birds of prey.
Tickets for the Capilano Suspension Bridge cost from $80 CAD per person.
2. Horseshoe Bay
Your second stop should be the quaint coastal village of Horseshoe Bay which is famous for being the spot the ferry leave for Vancouver Island. Spend around an hour here strolling around the sweet downtown area – grab a coffee from the Lookout Coffee Shop, which boasts lovely views of the Howe Sound, and then sit by the water to watch the huge ferries coming in and out.
3. Brittania Mine
Your next stop is a bit of a unique one, the Brittania Mine was once the biggest copper mine in the world, and at its peak, it employed around 60,000 people. Today you can learn all about the history of the mine at the on-site interactive museum. During your visit, you’ll get to ride on a train into the heart of the mine to see where miners dug for the copper.
There’s also a new show called BOOM which takes place in a 20-storey building – it details the close-to 100-year mining history of the area.
You can buy a ticket to Brittania Mine here and it costs $41 CAD per person!
4. Shannon Falls
Before you get to Squamish you’ll come to Shannon Falls, which is one of the tallest waterfalls in the state at 335 meters (1,099 feet!) It’s a short walk from the car park to the falls and there are several viewpoints for you to marvel at this natural beauty and of course snap lots of photos!
5. Squamish
Squamish is a lovely little outdoorsy city – with a similar vibe to Banff but less crowded. It’s so scenic here and the popular Netflix TV Series ‘Virgin River’ is filmed close to Squamish (my mom loves that show!) We recommend spending a couple of hours in Squamish strolling around the shops maybe grabbing lunch and a coffee (we love Zephyr Cafe here) before heading up the Sea to Sky Gondola.
The Sea to Sky Gondola is a must-do while in Squamish, the gondola takes you up 2,900 feet and along the ride you can enjoy spectacular views of Howe Sound. Once at the top you can go for a hike, walk across the Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge, and admire the views from the various viewing platforms!
A day ticket for the Sea to Sky Gondola costs $73 CAD per adult.
6. Brandywine Falls
Just before you reach Whistler, we recommend stopping at another gorgeous waterfall – although not as big as Shannon Falls, they’re still very much worth seeing!
Brandywine Falls is a spectacular 70-meter waterfall that can be seen from a viewpoint, a short walk from the car park. Or if you’re fit, you can do as the locals do and hike to the base of the falls.
To get to the base of Brandywine Falls from the viewing platform, you’ll need to pass the fence on the far left side. Walk straight through the forest, following the edge of the cliff until you reach a rocky area. Make your way down a makeshift set of steps. Continue on the trail until you come to a white rope you will need to use this to carefully climb down. Follow the track over the boulders until the track turns left into the forest. After this, the track is well-marked and follows through the forest until it meets the stream that goes into the falls.
7. Whistler
Whistler is undoubtedly one of the most popular tourist destinations in Canada – with well over 3 million visitors vacationing here annually. Its popularity lies in the fact it is breathtakingly beautiful (think looming mountains and bright blue lakes). I recommend allowing at least one night here so that you can enjoy the best this stunning town has to offer.
The best things to do in Whistler:
We’ve been living in Whistler for a few years now and we reckon some of the best things to do here include –
- Going skiing – Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort is consistently rated as one of the top ski resorts in the world, thanks to its tree-lined runs and powder conditions. If you’re visiting in the winter we recommend waking up early to go skiing on Whistler mountain (between 7.15 and 8 am) for the popular Fresh Tracks. This ticket includes a yummy buffet breakfast at Roundhouse Lodge on the mountain before skiing in fresh powder and perfectly groomed corduroy before anyone else. Fresh Tracks is limited to 650 people max., so tickets can sell out very quickly, especially on weekends or during school holidays.
- Helicopter tour – See the jaw-dropping beauty of Whistler from high up above on a bucket-list worthy scenic helicopter flight. You’ll see Whistler like you’ve never seen it before – spot ancient glaciers, hidden lakes and cool ice formations from the comfort of a top-class helicopter. You’ll even get to land on a glacier! This tour starts from $471 CAD per person.
- Off-road buggy tour – Learn how to drive your very own 4×4 offroad buggy and drive up backcountry mountain roads and narrow thick-forested tracks. You can book the 3-hour Odyssey Tour here, prices start from $335 CAD per person! Which I think is pretty reasonable for this bucket-list-worthy experience! It’s a must-do activity in Whistler in the summer.
- Ziplining – Ziptrek Ecotours offers 4 distinct zipline tours and the TreeTrek canopy walk. It’s also home of the Sasquatch – the longest zipline in Canada and the USA. The Sasquatch is 2km in length! There are several tours to choose from the Bear Tour (4 ziplines); the Eagle Tour (5 ziplines) and the Sasquatch one monster zipline. Prices start from $178 CAD for the Eagle Tour, which is 3 hours long.
Where to stay in Whistler:
We recommend the Four Seasons Resort – this is probably the most luxurious hotel in Whistler, located in Whistler’s Upper Village and close to Blackcomb Gondola this hotel is frequented by celebrities. Another good option is Nita Lake Lodge in Creekside, a 10-minute drive from Whistler Village, and looking onto stunning Nita Lake this is one of my favorite hotels in Whistler!
Related Read: 3 days is the perfect amount of time to spend in Whistler. You can check out our guide to 3 days in Whistler here!
8. Pemberton
Just under a 30 minute drive from Whistler is the small town of Pemberton. While here, stop for a coffee at Mt Currie on Arbutus Street, home to the best coffee in the area. If you’re hungry you can’t go wrong with the burgers at Mile One Eating House.
If you have time, one of the best things to do in Pemberton is to hike to Joffre Lakes. This hike can take up to 5 hours to complete. I would say it’s a medium level of difficulty as there are a couple of uphill sections – a reasonable level of fitness is required for this trail. But I promise the views along the way and the glacier-fed lakes (Gatorade blue in color) are well worth the long hike.
On the trail, you will see evidence of this National Parks glacier history with U-shaped valleys, glacial silts, and lateral moraines all to be spotted here. In Summer or on warmer days you can go swimming in any of the 3 lakes but be warned they are very cold – an average water temperature of 45 fahrenheit (7 celsius)!! The Joffre Lakes hike is super-popular and the car parks fill up early so get here early to secure a spot.
9. Lillooet
A scenic little town on the Fraser River that is popular for fishing, boating and biking. It’s also one of the hottest places in Canada and has a semi-desert climate.
In Lillooet, a visit to the stunning Fort Berens Estate Winery is a must. Try their wine (it’s one of Canada’s leading wine producers) and enjoy the stunning views over the river. The Lillooet Musuem and Visitor Center on Main Street showcases historical memorabilia and the staff are a wealth of knowledge on the town and surrounding areas. There are numerous cute little stores and restaurants along Main Street too.
10. Kamloops
The city of Kamloops is a great place to spend a night on your road trip from Vancouver to Banff. It’s one of British Columbia’s best-kept secrets in my opinion. There are awesome restaurants, craft breweries and wineries a-plenty. Forno on 5th has a Mediterranean-inspired menu and is a lovely modern restaurant in downtown Kamloops. Whilst, Bright Eye Brewing and Monte Creek Ranch Winery are also worth a visit if you love beer and/or wine.
Pay a visit to Riverside Park for a walk in the evening there’s a sandy river beach, various walking trails, and live music events some weekend evenings.
If you’re traveling with kids a great place to take them is to the BC Wildlife Park. This is a zoo which homes native animals like grizzly bears and arctic wolves. And tickets cost as little as $18.95 CAD!
Fun fact – Jurassic World 3 and Twilight Zone were both recently filmed in the Kamloops area.
Where to stay in Kamloops:
There are two hotels I highly recommend in Kamloops -The first one is where we stayed when we did this road trip – Best Western Plus a 3-star hotel with an indoor pool and hot tub and comfortable rooms which come with a flat-screen TV and, microwave. Free WiFi is available throughout the property. Rooms here start from about $200 CAD per night.
Our second recommendation is the luxurious Delta Hotel by Marriott, which has an outdoor pool and air-conditioned, spacious rooms. There’s also a gym, a terrace area with lovely views, and a 24-hour reception. A room here averages around $260 CAD per night.
12. Sicamous
The Sicamous area has over 1,000km of coastline so it’s no surprise that some of the best things to do here are water-related. Swim in the warm waters of Sicamous Beach Park or try kayaking, canoeing or SUP paddle boarding all popular activities here.
Treat yourself to homemade ice cream and artisan cheese at D Dutchman Dairy, this bright red building can’t be missed from the road and is very photogenic. We also loved Blondies Cafe for great coffee and yummy smoothie bowls.
Did you know – Sicamous is known as the houseboat capital of Canada
Where to stay in Sicamous:
Spend your first or second night of the road trip in Sicamous, I loved the Pines Motel, which is very reasonably priced. It’s a 3-star property which is decorated in a cabin-esque style and the rooms are cozy and come with air-con and a flat screen TV. There’s also a BBQ area and free private parking. A room here costs from $120 CAD per night.
13. Shuswap Lake Provincial Park
A very very popular Summer destination, the Shuswap Lake Provincial Park is packed to the rafter from July through to early September!
Situated on the old delta of Scotch Creek, the park boasts a beach that is 1 km long. It’s a great place to visit with children, especially since there’s a big grassy play area and a playground. There’s also a lovely nature trail here.
Copper Island is 1.3 km away and if you have a boat (or you can rent one) I advise taking a trip to it. There’s a scenic hiking trail on Copper Island with epic views, it’s about 2.8 km in length. Please note that overnight camping, including houseboats and campfires, is prohibited on the island.
There’s also bumper boats, a mini-golf driving range, go-karts, para-sailing, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, and jet-skiing available in the Park.
14. Revelstoke
‘Small town charm, big mountain adventure” is the motto here in Revelstoke. In the town, there are lots to do, think small museums, a brewery tour, an escape room, and even axe-throwing.
Revelstoke Mountain is the mecca of alpine mountain biking and offers incredible lift-accessed biking. If you’re visiting in Winter – the mountain has 65 ski runs. In the summer, you can enjoy the Pipe Mountain Coaster, the Aerial Adventure Park, and mountain biking, as mentioned above. No matter the season, there’s a full day of activities at the Resort.
Another unique activity near Revelstoke town is the Enchanted Forest – the fairytale-themed buildings are great for kids. It’s also home to BC’s tallest treehouse.
Where to stay in Revelstoke:
I advise spending the night in Revelstoke to break up your journey nicely. I loved the Mount Revelstoke Alpine Chalets! Each chalet comes with a balcony (overlooking the mountains), a fully equipped kitchenette, and a seating area with a TV. Expect to pay around $119 CAD per night here.
15. Mount Revelstoke National Park
Mount Revelstoke National Park is a great place to go hiking – there’s dramatic mountains, alpine lakes, and in the summer very colorful wildflowers. Some of my favorite hikes in Mount Revelstoke National Park include Eva Lake Trail (12 km loop track); Giant Cedars Boardwalk; Skunk Cabbage Boardwalk and Heather Lake.
It’s easily accessible because you can drive through the park and even up to the top of Mount Revelstoke.
16. Rogers Pass
Rogers Pass is a stretch of road that passes through the Selkirk Mountains. It does in fact have the highest risk of avalanche of all urban roads in North America!!
Here, you can stop at the Rogers Pass Discovery Center to learn about the history behind the construction of Rogers Pass, and watch the avalanche control movies. The center includes a theater, natural history exhibits, a hall of railway model trains, and railway tunnels.
17. Glacier National Park of Canada
Glacier National Park is an adventure junkies heaven. Climb up mountain peaks, camp next to a glacier-fed river, go hiking amongst the stunning scenery, and take a mountain bike ride on one of the trails. One of my favorite hikes in the park is the 7.2 km trail that takes you along the abandoned railway tracks of Canada’s first trans-continental railway.
You can even explore what’s left behind of the Glacier House hotel – Western Canada’s first luxury mountain resort. A series of avalanches starting in the year 1910 caused the railway line that passed the hotel to be moved, thus taking away their tourist traffic, so it eventually closed and was left to go to ruin!
Did you know – the Glacier National Park is home to the world’s only inland cedar rainforest?
Another lovely hiking trail here is the Asulkan Valley track which is 13.8 km and should take about 6 hours – watch out for glacier views and waterfalls on your way.
18. Golden
Explore more of the great Canadian wilderness at Golden, it’s a popular stop on the route from Vancouver to Banff because of its closeness to Yoho National Park, Banff, and Jasper.
There’s a rising star of Canadian Ski Resorts – Kicking Horse Mountain Resort located here. Which is slowly becoming a world-famous ski destination.
You can also get the chance to walk with the wolves at the Northern Lights Wildlife Wolf Center. On this unique activity, you will join members of a wolf pack on a hike through the Rockies! You can interact with the wolves and take photos with them and of them!
Where to Stay in Golden:
If you want to stop and spend the night here in Golden, I highly recommend the Best Western Mountainview Inn. The rooms are spacious and modern and the hotel has an indoor pool! Free breakfast is included in the rate, which starts from $140 CAD per night.
19. Wapta Falls
Wapta Falls have been described as a hidden gem in Canada, and to be honest, the falls are much bigger and more impressive than I expected. A well-trodden 2.4 km hiking trail leads into this huge waterfall standing at 98 feet tall.
The trail is bug heavy so bring lots of spray.
20. Emerald Lake
Emerald Lake is located in Yoho National Park, and it’s one of the most popular and photographed in the area. It’s the largest lake in the park and is surrounded by the President mountain range.
Located just a few kilometers off the TransCanada highway. Emerald Lake gets its name because it looks emerald green on a sunny day. It gets its unique color from the glacial waters, which refract light.
The hike around the lake, clocking in at about an hour, is a great way to see the lake as well as the world-famous Burgess Shale fossil beds, the Michael glacier, and an avalanche slope carpeted by meadows where moose often graze.
Other than moose, you are likely to see bald eagles, ospreys, and waterfowl around the lakes edge.
Canoe and rowboat rentals are available to rent here, as are cross-country skis and snowshoes in the winter. Fishing at Emerald Lake is also quite popular during the summer months. There’s a surprising amount of activities available to book here in Emerald Lake. With my favorite being canoeing on the lake during the warmer months.
One of the most beautiful hotels in Canada, in my opinion, is Emerald Lake Lodge built right on the lake – it’s a truly bucket-list place to spend the night.
21. Peyto Lake
Peyto Lake is famous for its turquoise blue glacier-fed waters. The brilliant display of blue is fed by the Peyto Glacier high above the lake and part of the Wapta Icefield.
It is located 50 km north of Lake Louise and a popular stop on the drive from Vancouver to Banff.
The viewpoint is one of the most spectacular in all of Banff National Park and a super popular spot for photographers. In my opinion, its as pretty as nearby Moraine Lake but without the crowds. The trail to the viewpoint starts at the far end of the car park. The hike up to Peyto Lake Lookout is short and sweet and takes around 10-15 minutes uphill.
22. Lake Louise
Lake Louise is world famous for its gatorade-blue waters and it attracts millions of visitors every year. The Victoria Glacier, the luxurious Fairmont Lake Louise hotel, and the incredible hiking trail and skiing on offer all add to its appeal.
Rent a canoe from the boat dock and see the lake from a different perspective. Worth noting is that the lake is frozen over half the year, so, ice skating is a popular activity during the winter. You can also enjoy sleigh rides, ice climbing, skiing, and snowshoeing during these colder months.
Pop into Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise for lunch or spend the night here if you want to feel really fancy. It truly is bucket-list-worthy and many of the rooms come with a view of the famous lake.
Related Read: The drive from Lake Louise to Jasper is rated as one of the best roads in the world for wildlife spotting!
23. Bow Lake
The gorgeous Bow Lake is approximately 30 minutes north of Lake Louise, off the Icefields Parkway (Hwy 93) The lake sits at an elevation of 1920 meters and spends most of the year locked away in ice. This makes it a popular spot for winter activities like snowshoeing and ski touring. While during the Summer many tourists rent a canoe and take it out on the lake.
The lake shore here is a great family-friendly hike. If you’re looking to stretch your legs and enjoy the sublime nature along the shoreline, it’s the perfect stop and one of the easiest hikes in Banff. The trail is a nice mellow grade and gains no elevation. It does move over some large sections of roots, so a stroller would not work on the lakeshore trail.
24. Banff
And you’ve reached your final stop – the drop-dead gorgeous mountain town of Banff! Now, be sure to enjoy it after all that driving! Banff is often compared to Whistler as both towns are home to some of the best ski runs in North America and attract a mostly young, fun crowd.
There’s lots to do in Banff but some of my favorite things to do here include:
- Taking in the jaw-dropping scenery from the Banff Gondola – this 8-minute gondola ride takes you to the top of Sulphur Mountain. As you can imagine, the views on the way up and from the top are astounding and you’ll be able to see Banff town as well as 6 different mountain ranges. The highest Starbucks in Canada is located in the lower terminal here.
- Joining a 3 hour white water rafting trip – In the summer months you can book this fun whitewater rafting tour on the nearby Kicking Horse River, which is known to have some of the best rapids and whitewater in the country! It costs from $143 CAD per person.
- This awesome Via Ferrata climbing tour on nearby Mount Norquay – During the 2.5-4 hours tour you’ll climb up rock faces, across a suspension bridge and basically test your climbing skills. No experience is necessary! It costs from $195 CAD per person.
- You can even do a grizzly bear tour from Banff, where you go in search of the elusive grizzly bear in nearby national parks. This tour is a firm favorite of mine! This tour includes lunch at Canada’s highest restaurant.
Related Read: If you have time, you could continue driving from Banff to Jasper. This drive is known as one of the prettiest in North America!
Where to Stay in Banff
- Fairmont Banff Springs – the epitome of luxury, this giant historic hotel is located within Banff National Park
- Banff Rocky Mountain Resort – located in the heart of Banff town, all suites and apartments here have kitchens and fireplaces
- Banff Boutique Inn – a quaint 3 star hotel that is very close to the hustle and bustle of Banff town but tucked away enough that you feel at peace
- Royal Canadian Lodge – featuring elegant rooms and suites, this intimate Banff boutique hotel offers 99 guestrooms, with a modern mountain-themed décor.
There are also lots of awesome hostels in Banff for those travelers on a budget!
Thanks for stopping by!
And there you have it a whopping 23 stops on the drive from Vancouver to Banff! We’ve done this drive a few times now and each time we fall in love with it more than the last time!
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You may also enjoy reading –
Best Stops on the drive from Whistler to Jasper
What It’s Really Like to Live in Whistler for a Ski Season
Luxury Travel Guide for Whistler (By a Local)
What you need to know about Renting in Whistler (2024 Guide)
Last Updated on August 14, 2024 by snaphappytravel