Written by Julian

Is a Vancouver to Calgary Road Trip Worth It? Here’s the Truth

06 March 2025 | 0 comments

Thinking about taking a Vancouver to Calgary road trip?

You’re in for one of the most iconic and dramatic drives in Western Canada — from coastal cityscapes to Rocky Mountain grandeur in under a day (if you’re in a rush).

But is it worth racing through? Or should you stretch it out and make it an epic adventure across BC and Alberta?

Here’s how I’d break it down 👇

Why Take a Road Trip from Vancouver to Calgary?

Let’s be honest — flying might be quicker, but it skips all the good stuff: glacial lakes, dusty roadside diners, and stretches of highway that look like something out of a car commercial.

This trip has everything: epic mountains, cool little towns, and jaw-dropping views around nearly every corner.

Here’s why I think driving wins:

🚿 You can stop for spontaneous swims, coffee, or naps whenever you feel like it
🏞️ See the Diversity of BC’s Interior, check out Okanagan wine country, and finish in the Rockies — all in one go
🎧 Works for families, couples, road trippers, and solo podcast junkies alike
✈️ Usually cheaper than flying — especially if you’ve got a few people and a solid playlist

And no matter the season, this drive always brings something new.

🛻 Need a rental car? Check out RentalCars.com for deals or click on the widget below:

How Much Time Do You Need for a Vancouver to Calgary Road Trip?

If you’re going nonstop, it’ll take about 10.5 to 11 hours. That’s assuming good traffic and no unexpected detours.

If you’re in a hurry, travelling direct is just fine. But if you want to actually enjoy the trip (and not show up to Calgary in a zombie state), I’d give it at least 3 to 5 days.

There is just so much to see along the way. Personally, I like to break up the trip with a couple of days relaxing on the lake or wine-tasting in the Okanagan.

Also, no trip from Vancouver to Calgary is complete without a stop in Banff. Here, you’ll see mountain terrain straight out of a postcard. If you drive directly, chances are you’ll be driving through Banff in the dark—this is no bueno.

🛑 More time = more freedom to take side roads and find secret spots
📸 The best memories come from places you didn’t plan for
🧘‍♂️ The journey’s half the fun, and you’ll want to stop often for snacks, views, and short hikes

⏱️ Feeling short on time? Check out our list of the 15 best day trips from Vancouver for a list of summer getaways closer to town.

How Far is Calgary from Vancouver?

Here’s what to expect if you’re driving the Vancouver to Calgary route:

📍 Distance: ~975 km (606 miles)
🕓 Drive Time: ~10.5 to 11.5 hours (without stops)
🌞 Best Time to Go: Late May through early October for good weather, open mountain passes, and park access
🧳 Ideal Trip Length: 4–6 days (if you want to make it awesome)
🛣️ Direct Route: Hwy 1 (Trans-Canada Highway) all the way
🛞 Recommended Route: Hwy 1 → Hwy 3 (Crowsnest Highway) → reconnect with Hwy 1 through Sicamous into Calgary

The direct route is scenic — but the real charm comes from the slight detours.

Road Trip Itinerary: Vancouver → Calgary

You’ll want Google Maps downloaded offline for this one. Reception gets spotty in the mountains.

Set your map to follow Highway 3 to Keremeos, then detour into the Okanagan. From there, head to Highway 1 through Revelstoke, Golden, and Banff before hitting Calgary.

Each region has its own flavour, and none of them feel repetitive.

Right now, here’s a taste of where I’d stop 👇

Suggested Vancouver to Calgary Road Trip Stops

🍷 Keremeos: Quick and easy — Canada’s fruit stand capital has roadside markets bursting with cherries, peaches, and plums in late summer. Best in July and August, or just after harvest.
🏖️ Kelowna: A lakeside city with wineries, sandy beaches, and warm water you can actually swim in. Perfect for lunch, a winery stop, or a paddleboard rental. This would be a great overnight stop.
🚠 Revelstoke: Mountain town with ski-bum charm and killer summer hiking. Take the Revelstoke Mountain Resort gondola up for panoramic views. I like to grab a sandwich at La Baguette before heading back to the highway.
🏞️ Glacier National Park: Not to be confused with the US version — this park has short trails right off the road with views of glaciers and waterfalls. Check out the Hemlock Grove Boardwalk — great even if you’re just stretching your legs.
🐻 Golden: Home to the Golden Skybridge and lots of rafting tours. If you like animals, the Northern Lights Wolf Centre is super cool — and kind of surreal.
⛰ Jasper: Jasper National Park is home to beautiful mountain terrain, the Columbia Icefields, and world-class outdoor recreation opportunities.
🗻 Banff/Lake Louise: Mountain vibes and postcard-perfect views. It would be a crime not to make a stop here on a leisurely summer road trip to Calgary. Another great overnight option.

🍇 Prefer to spend more time in the Okanagan? Check out our detailed Okanagan Road Trip guide for more info.

Why Should I Visit Calgary?

Calgary doesn’t always get the spotlight, but those who make the trip? They get it. It’s big and bold like Alberta beef, with wide skies and a western vibe that feels both relaxed and energetic.

The downtown skyline stands tall, and beyond it, the Rockies feel close enough to touch.

Pair that with the scenic journey through BC’s interior—think wine tasting in Kelowna, towering peaks in Banff, and deep-blue mountain lakes—and you’ve got one of the best road trips in Canada.

People who visit love it for:

✅ Big sky energy and golden prairie sunsets that stretch for miles
✅ That laid-back cowboy charm mixed with a lively arts and festival scene
✅ Fresh Alberta beef and bold local flavours that actually taste like something
✅ Epic mountain access—Banff’s practically your backyard
✅ A city that knows how to throw a party (hello, Stampede!)

This destination is perfect for outdoor adventurers, culture lovers, and anyone who wants wide open spaces without losing the city buzz.

If there were one negative about a road trip to Calgary, it’d be that it’s not exactly close to Vancouver. But honestly, the drive is part of the magic.

Every hour brings something new—lakes, forests, beaches, and glacier views that’ll have you pulling over way more than you planned.

💯 Calgary: The Must Sees

The Calgary Stampede

This 10-day festival started in 1912 and calls itself “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.” And yeah… it lives up to the hype.

The last time I went, I got beer on my boots, dust in my hair, and zero regrets. There’s rodeo, live music, carnival eats, and a whole lotta denim.

It’s loud, wild, and totally unforgettable—perfect for folks who love a good party and don’t mind getting a little dusty. In 2025, the Stampede runs from July 4th to 13th.

✨ Don’t leave without: Grabbing a deep-fried something and catching the evening chuckwagon races, followed by fireworks. Goosebumps guaranteed.

Downtown Calgary

It’s more than suits and office towers—this place mixes steel and glass with indie shops, craft cocktails, and riverside trails you’ll actually want to walk.

What I like about downtown is the energy. I’ve biked along the Bow River in the morning and sipped local gin in a rooftop bar that same night. It’s the kind of area where you could wear hiking boots or heels and nobody bats an eye.

If you’re looking for a vibrant and lively atmosphere, head to 17th Avenue. This bustling street is lined with trendy boutiques, cafes, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs.

✨ Don’t leave without: Going up the Calgary Tower for a view that stretches clear to the mountains—plus, that glass floor is not for the faint of heart.

Visiting Banff

This alpine town inside a national park looks like an AI creation—but it’s real, and it’s ridiculously close to Calgary (just a 90-minute drive).

I remember the first time I saw Lake Louise in person. I didn’t speak for a minute, and that’s saying something. Banff is where the mountains show off—every corner is photo-worthy, and the town’s cozy cafés make it easy to stay awhile.

You can stop along the way, or there is a host of Banff tours available from Calgary. Either way, we’re talking must-visit stuff, and probably the most popular activity for tourists while visiting Calgary.

✨ Don’t leave without: Paddling in a canoe in Lake Louise or Moraine Lake. The turquoise waters are simply breathtaking.

The Banff Tours from Calgary
Visit Alberta’s Mountain Paradise

⛰ Want to learn more? Check out our dedicated Vancouver to Banff Road Trip guide.

Check out the Badlands

While Banff is usually what comes to mind for Calgary side trips, dinosaur lovers prefer to head east. You can make your own way or take a packed Badlands tour from Calgary.

A trip to the Alberta Badlands is like stepping onto another planet. This unique landscape of eroded hills, canyons, and hoodoos is a treasure trove of dinosaur fossils and a place of stark, otherworldly beauty.

Driving through the Badlands felt like falling into a Western movie set. I took a day trip to Drumheller and couldn’t stop gawking at the rock formations. If you like weird landscapes and ancient history, this one’s for you.

✨ Don’t leave without: Visiting the Royal Tyrrell Museum. It’s packed with dinosaurs—and not in a cheesy way.

The Alberta Badlands
Visit the World’s Largest Display of Dino Fossils

Where to Stay Between Vancouver and Calgary

Break up the trip and actually enjoy your evenings.

Penticton
💸 Budget: Valley Star Motel
💰 Mid-range: Penticton Lakeside Resort
🏨 Luxury: Fairfield Inn & Suites

Kelowna
🏨 Central: Hotel Zed Kelowna
🏨 Quiet: Hillcrest Farm Market B&B
🏨 Boutique: The Royal Kelowna

Banff
🏨 Central: Banff Ptarmigan Inn
🌲 Quiet: Tunnel Mountain Resort
🎨 Luxury: The Fairmont Banff Springs

Calgary Arrival
🏨 Central: Hotel Arts
🌲 Quiet: Deerfoot Inn & Casino
🎨 Boutique: Alt Hotel Calgary East Village

📅 Book early: During the summer or Stampede season, Calgary fills up fast.

Best Campsites Between Vancouver and Calgary

Camping on this route is easy and wildly scenic.

🏕️Snowforest Campground (Revelstoke): In Mount Revelstoke National Park
🏕️ Haynes Point (Osoyoos): Literally on the lake, great for sunsets
🏕️ Tunnel Mountain Campground (Banff, near Calgary): Close to everything, book ahead!

📲 Pro tip: Reserve sites via BC Parks or Parks Canada — they go fast in peak season.

Best Food Stops Between Vancouver and Calgary

Trust me — skip the chains when you can. Here’s what I’d go for:

🍇 Kelowna: The Restaurant at Mission Hill — a stunning winery lunch.
🧁 Keremeos: Sanderson Farms Fruit Stand — fruit pies are unreal
🐟 Revelstoke: The Village Idiot — fun vibe, great burgers and beers
🌮 Banff: El Patio Taqueria — Sun-drenched Mexican-style rooftop patio with great vibes
🍑 Bonus tip: Buy fruit from roadside stands — no website, but they’re everywhere in the Okanagan

Things to Know Before Your Vancouver to Calgary Road Trip

Some quick wisdom I’ve picked up over the years:

⛽ Fill up in Hope & before the Rogers Pass stretch — There is no gas for a while in each instance
🗺️ Download Google Maps offline
🧥 Pack layers — mountain mornings get chilly, even in July
🧾 Summer = book campsites and hotels early
💵 Bring cash for fruit stands and remote cafes

Vancouver to Calgary Road Trip Essentials

These always ride up front with me:

⛽ Full tank + extra washer fluid
🔌 Charger + battery pack
🥤 Water, snacks, gum
🕶️ Shades + sunscreen + hoodie
🔦 Flashlight + wipes + first aid kit
🎧 Podcasts downloaded — no signal in some spots

Tips for a Smooth Drive

It’s not a hard route, but a little prep helps:

🌅 Leave early — roads are quieter and views are better
🔁 Switch drivers if possible — keeps everyone fresh
🧍 Stretch every few hours — coffee breaks count
🧭 Take weird turns — sometimes they lead to waterfalls or wineries
📸 Keep your camera ready — mountain views come and go fast

📋 Looking to visit Banff? Check out our guide to the top things to do in Banff to fill out your travel itinerary.

Final Thoughts: Is a Vancouver to Calgary Road Trip Worth It?

Short answer? Definitely. Calgary doesn’t always get the hype it deserves, but once you’re there, it hooks you.

There’s something special about a place where you can wander a buzzing downtown one minute, then watch cowboys fly off bucking broncos the next. The Calgary Stampede alone is reason enough to plan a trip—it’s wild, it’s welcoming, and it’s one of those “you had to be there” experiences

The drive east from Vancouver treats you to vineyard views and warm beaches through the Okanagan Valley, where a peach or a bottle of cold wine is never far away. Then you roll through the mountain magic of Banff National Park, where even your coffee breaks look like they’re out of a postcard.

You’re basically stringing together the best places in Western Canada—and somehow, each stretch of highway feels better than the last.