Road Trip from Vancouver to Banff + Calgary: 5 BEST Routes

Are you planning a road trip from Vancouver to Banff National Park, and maybe continuing to Calgary? You’re going to LOVE it!

These 5 best routes from Vancouver to Banff include my favorite stops to make the most of your drive, whether it’s your first time driving from Vancouver to Banff or you’re a veteran looking for a few new ideas.

How long does it take to get from Vancouver to Banff by car?

The fastest drive from Vancouver to Banff is 9.5 hours (850 kilometers). You’ll reach the Rocky Mountains in 8 hours. After Banff, Calgary is another 1.5 hours by car.

Where should I stop between Vancouver and Banff?

The best stops between Vancouver and Banff include:

• Squamish and Whistler (north of Vancouver)
• Osoyoos, Penticton and Kelowna (southern/central BC)
• Golden and Lake Louis (you’re in the Rockies now!)
• Emerald Lake, Peyto Lake, Moraine Lake and Johnston Canyon (near Banff)
• Fairmont Hot Springs and Radium Hot Springs (southern route)

I recommend taking a separate day trip from Vancouver to Whistler. Otherwise, you’ll have to choose between the Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler and the Okanagan Valley drive to Kelowna. Both are gorgeous.

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5 BEST Routes: Road Trip from Vancouver to Banff + Calgary

Are you ready for the five BEST routes for your road trip from Vancouver to Banff and Calgary? These are:

• The FASTEST drive to Banff National Park from Vancouver through Kamloops.
• The NORTHERN route that first takes you along the famous Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler.
• The CENTRAL route through Kelowna’s lovely vineyards and bustling boardwalk.
• An expanded central route that includes Osoyoos, so you experience the full OKANAGAN VALLEY.
• Or, take the SOUTHERN route along the USA border, skirting the Rocky Mountains and its bountiful hot springs.

All routes end in the beautiful Rocky Mountains and Banff National Park.

And all routes can continue to Calgary, only 1.5 hours away. Follow the glacier Bow River on an easy divided-highway drive.

Calgary has a major international airport for your return trip or next adventure, and is a beautiful city with plenty to see and do. Stroll along historic Stephen Ave, the pristine Bow River at Prince’s Island Park, and boutique shops in Kensington. Feel the adrenaline at Canada Olympic Park, visit penguins at the zoo, and finish up at a local brewery. I love this city.

For ideas on what to do in Banff and Calgary, visit Getaways near Calgary and Weekend Ideas in Calgary.

Continuing on past Calgary? Check out our massive Cross-Canada Toronto to Vancouver Drive post, but in reverse!

1. FASTEST Road Trip from Vancouver to Banff + Calgary

The fastest road trip from Vancouver to Banff (and Calgary) is through Kamloops and Golden, at about 9.5 hours (850 kilometers). I’m not a fan of Highway 5 up to Kamloops (it’s boring but fast), but once you reach Kamloops the scenery improves significantly.

Push along to Kamloops and reward yourself with a stop. Stretch your legs at Riverside Park or on a hike up Battle Bluff cliffs. Say “hi” to the rescues at the wildlife park or enjoy a tasting at Monte Creek Winery.

You’ll pass through Salmon Arm and Sicamous, which is houseboating and lake country. Make a quick stop by the waterfront for ice cream to watch the boats.

Once you reach Revelstoke, you’ll get into the mountains. Then you’ll drive through Glacier National Park and Golden, which is known for incredible whitewater rafting and heli-skiing. 

Now, the drive between Golden and Lake Louise is GORGEOUS but slow. It’s mountainous with few passing lanes, and guaranteed you’ll get stuck behind slow-moving vehicles at least a few times. Take lots of breaths and enjoy the scenery!

The final leg between Lake Louise and Banff is much faster.

Where to stay between Vancouver and Banff:

Push on to Salmon Arm or Revelstoke, which are just over 5 or 6 hours from Vancouver. This will give you more time on your second day for scenic mountain stops.

• Hilltop Inn (Salmon Arm): A pretty little resort, with a freeform outdoor pool, delicious restaurant and classy comfortable rooms. Price includes wifi and parking.
• Coast Hillcrest Hotel (Revelstoke): A comfortable hotel easily accessible from the highway, featuring a hot tub, sauna, day spa and onsite dining with mountain views. Price includes wifi and parking.

Where to stay in Banff:

• Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel (Banff): If you’ve never stayed at this hotel, it’ll be the highlight of your  trip! This resort was built in 1888, is styled after a Scottish Baronial castle, and is a National Historic Site. You’ll have plenty to keep you busy, with a spa, indoor and outdoor pools, 11 restaurants and 14 shops. It’s also near the Banff Hot Springs and Banff Gondola.
• The Hidden Ridge Resort (Banff): This resort is nestled in a wooded area on the outskirts of town, with a gorgeous outdoor hot tub area and private cabins with real wood fireplaces, balconies and lofts. There’s a free shuttle into downtown and a stocked kitchen so you can make your own delicious meals. We loved it here. 
• Buffalo Mountain Lodge (Banff): Rustic and awesome, with a restaurant and lounge onsite instead of hot tubs. Enjoy a wood-burning fireplace and balcony here, too.

2. NORTHERN Road Trip from Vancouver to Banff + Calgary

To avoid the painstakingly boring highway drive between Vancouver and Kamloops without adding too much time to your road trip, opt to go north through Whistler. This adds about 1.5 hours to your drive, at just over 11 hours (900 kilometers).

The famous Sea-to-Sky Highway between Vancouver and Whistler is AMAZING. If you haven’t driven this route before, you should. And although it only adds 1.5 hours to your road trip, plan for LOTS of time between Vancouver and Whistler, with an overnight stay in Whistler.

Then, continue on to Kamloops, Golden and Lake Louise.

Where to stop:

• Shannon Falls (Squamish): The third tallest waterfall in BC at 1,099 feet (335 meters) and easily accessible. Take the 200-meter paved path to the waterfalls and nearby hikes.
• Sea to Sky Gondola (Squamish): Take a year-round gondola up to spectacular views of Howe Sound, walking and hiking trails, a suspension bridge and restaurant. 
• Whistler Village (Whistler): A pretty mountain village in any season. In winter, it’s all about skiing, ski jumping, snowshoeing, skating and sledding. In summer, it’s hiking, biking, beaches, ziplining, mountain-top dining, and a glass-bottom gondola.

Where to stay:

• Fairmont Chateau Whistler (Whistler): A gorgeous 5-star resort at the foot of Blackcomb Mountain, with a spa, restaurants, and live entertainment. An indoor pool, hot tubs, saunas, and Eucalyptus steam rooms. Price includes wifi.
• Winston Lodge (Golden): In just under 8.5 hours, you can spend your next night in the Rockies!
• Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise (Lake Louise): It’s a long drive from Whistler, at just over 9 hours, but once you arrive you won’t want to leave!

3. CENTRAL Road Trip from Vancouver to Banff + Calgary

If you haven’t driven through the Okanagan Valley before, it’s really a shame to miss the opportunity on a road trip from Vancouver to Banff. It’s a reasonable compromise if you take Highway 5 up to Merritt and then head east along Highway 97C. This central route adds less than half an hour, at 10 hours (850 kilometers).

Your first stop is Kelowna. Kelowna is famous for its wineries, golf and downtown boardwalk along Okanagan Lake. It’s the perfect spot for waterfront activities, boutique shopping and incredible food.

After Kelowna, continue north along the Okanagan Lake. You’ll join up with the Northern route at Sicamous and continue to Golden, Lake Louise and Banff.

Where to stop:

• Kelowna Boardwalk: My favorite part of Kelowna! At the north end, enjoy quiet walks through Rotary Marsh Park and Tugboat Beach. Stroll past pretty parks, lakefront resorts, restaurants and marina. And then take in the action at Kelowna City Park, which often hosts buskers and festivals. The downtown shops and restaurants are fun, too.
• Winery tours: Our favorite tours are Mission Hill and Summerhill. And while they both have excellent restaurants with amazing views, Quails’ Gate is really excellent!
• Kangaroo Creek Farm: This kangaroo farm has expanded to a petting zoo with bunnies, parrots, goats and more. It’s especially fun feeding baby kangaroos! Friendly staff will give you snacks to feed them. Cash only.

Where to stay:

• Delta Grand Okanagan Resort: A terrific resort right on the boardwalk, with easy walking distance to the best of Kelowna. Features in indoor/outdoor pool, hot tubs, spa, fitness centre, excellent restaurant, wine bar, lounge and adjoining casino and marina. 
• Manteo at Eldorado Resort: A more private resort experience, 10 minutes south of downtown Kelowna. Features a private beach, boardwalk, movie theatre, indoor pool, sauna, steam rooms, games room and restaurant. Enjoy meals and views from the lakefront patio. Variety of room options, including fireplace, balcony and 3 bedrooms. Price includes parking.
• House Rental (Kelowna): Search VRBO for the perfect home or apartment with lake views. Like this lovely 3-bedroom home just north of Kelowna.

4. OKANAGAN VALLEY Road Trip from Vancouver to Banff + Calgary

Now, I LOVE the Okanagan Valley. I’d argue that you’re missing out if you don’t experience the valley in its glory, right from Osoyoos in the south. This Okanagan Valley road trip from Vancouver to Banff is 12 hours (1,000 kilometers).

Many of the small wineries and orchards are located between Osoyoos and Oliver. Plan for plenty of random roadside stops in this area.

Between Oliver and Kelowna are Penticton, Summerland and Peachland. All of these communities have lakefront beaches, quaint shops, delicious eateries and epic views. We love floating down the Penticton channel in inner tubes, followed by fish and chips. You’ll have Summerland beaches mostly to yourselves. And Peachland is our go-to spot for ice cream with a view.

Then, meet up with Kelowna (see CENTRAL route) and continue on to Golden, Lake Louise and Banff.

5. SOUTHERN Road Trip from Vancouver to Banff + Calgary

The longest but arguably most relaxing road trip from Vancouver to Banff is the southern route through pretty Osoyoos and Radium Hot Springs, at 13 hours (1,100 kilometers). This route skirts the United States border for much of the way, with quaint mountain villages, gurgling brooks and hot springs as your main road trip stops.

Your first stop is pretty Osoyoos, at the southern tip of Okanagan Lake. It’s known for its orchards, wineries and beachfront activities. Continuing on to Cranbrook, you follow mountain streams that wind through mountainous countryside and villages.

After Cranbrook, you skirt the Rocky Mountains and pass through Fairmont Hot Springs and Radium Hot Springs. You also have easy access to free Lussier Hot Springs up a (terrifying) mountain logging road, which is stinky but amazing with tiers right beside a mountain stream.

Between Radium Hot Springs and Banff, you’ll drive through the gorgeous Kootenay National Park. It certainly rivals the Yoho National Park drive between Golden and Lake Louise.

Where to stay:

A good half-way point to stay on the southern road trip from Vancouver to Banff is Rossland or Red Mountain ski village nearby. This pretty area is just over 7 hours from Vancouver and 6 hours to Banff.

• The Josie: A charming boutique hotel at Red Mountain, with a restaurant, bar and shared lounge. Large rooms with sitting areas, cozy bathrobes and some with a balcony. Rent ski equipment and bikes. Price includes wifi.
• The Flying Steamshovel Inn: A tasteful inn right in Rossland, with a great restaurant, bar and billiards room. Price includes wifi and parking.
• Home Rental: Find your gorgeous mountain cabin at Red Mountain or eclectic home right in Rossland.

If you plan to stop at Lussier, Fairmont and Radium Hot Springs, you’ll want a relaxing place to stay in Radium. There are some lovely places to stay, including:

• Prestige Radium Hot Springs Resort: Features an indoor pool, hot tub, family rooms and restaurant. Parking and wifi included.
• Bighorn Meadows Resort: Located on the Springs Golf Course, with a seasonal outdoor heated pool, hot tub, playground and lovely grounds. Parking and wifi included.
• Inn on Canyon: An elegant two-story Victorian-styled inn for adults only, with air conditioning and separate room entrances. Some rooms have veranda access and electric fireplaces. Highly-rated breakfast. Parking and wifi included.

When to drive from Vancouver to Banff

The BEST timing to drive from Vancouver to Banff is early spring or early fall. In spring, you’ll catch spring run-off and the best waterfalls. In fall, your toes won’t be quite as cold in those glacier lakes. And both will mostly avoid the swarms of tourists.

Visiting Banff in summer is a frustrating exercise of tour bus lineups and slow-moving campers (without nearly enough passing lanes). You also need to book accommodations and activities well in advance. But if you’re a patient soul, summer is beautiful and warm.

Winter is stunning for beauty AND cold temperatures! You’ll find plenty of winter activities in the Rocky Mountains, including cozy ski resorts and backcountry adventures. The worst thing about driving from Vancouver to Banff in winter is unpredictable weather and road conditions. Check road conditions each morning, keep your fuel topped up, and be prepared to wait if they close the road for avalanche control. You’re legally required to have winter tires, too.

Make it your best road trip ever with our how-to planning guide!

How many days do you need in Banff?

You can spend as little as one day or an entire lifetime in Banff and have a wonderful time! With less time, you just need to be a lot pickier about which experiences mean the most to you.

In one day, you can enjoy the town, a nearby hike, and nightlife. With more days, you can explore the backcountry and go on adrenaline-pushing adventures. Or, relax at the hot springs, exquisite spas and the top of the gondola. AND eat a lot more amazing food.

When are you making your drive from Vancouver to Banff and Calgary? What are your must-do stops? Please share in the comments!

You may also like:

• Romantic Getaways in BC
• Romantic Getaways in Southern Alberta
• Toronto to Vancouver Drive Through Canada

Featured photo credit: Bobby M from Unsplash.