Western Canada is one of the great road trip destinations on earth — and most people only scratch the surface. Mountains that go on forever, coastlines that look stolen from a dream, desert canyons, glacier lakes, and cities you'll want to come back to. Whether you pick up a Wicked Camper in Calgary or Vancouver, you're already in the right part of the country. Here's where to point it.
Calgary to Banff & the Icefields Parkway
The classic Alberta road trip. Pick up in Calgary, head west on Highway 1, and within 90 minutes you're pulling into Banff National Park — one of the most spectacular places on the planet. From Banff, drive north through Lake Louise and onto the Icefields Parkway, 232km of glacier lakes, mountain passes, and scenery that makes you pull over every 10 minutes. End in Jasper and wonder why you don't live here.
Best for: First-time Rockies visitors, mountain lovers, anyone who wants to walk on a glacier.
Pickup: Calgary | Time needed: 5–7 days minimum
Calgary to Drumheller & the Badlands
Two hours east of Calgary, the landscape does something unexpected — it drops away into a canyon of hoodoos, red rock, and prehistoric weirdness. Drumheller sits in the heart of the Alberta Badlands and is home to the Royal Tyrrell Museum, one of the best dinosaur museums in the world. The valley roads wind through scenery that feels genuinely alien.
Best for: Something completely different, dinosaur nerds, photographers chasing dramatic landscapes.
Pickup: Calgary | Time needed: 2–3 days
Vancouver to Whistler & the Sea-to-Sky Highway
One of the most scenic drives in Canada starts right outside Vancouver. Highway 99 north — the Sea-to-Sky Highway — runs along the edge of Howe Sound with mountains on one side and ocean on the other. Stop at Shannon Falls and Squamish, then carry on up to Whistler for a mountain town that's worth a night or two regardless of the season.
Best for: Epic coastal mountain scenery, accessible road trip from Vancouver, outdoor activities year-round.
Pickup: Vancouver | Time needed: 2–4 days
Vancouver Island Loop
Hop the ferry from Vancouver to Victoria and you're on one of the best island road trips in the world. The island stretches 450km and packs in ancient rainforests, surf beaches, whale watching spots, and small towns with serious food scenes. Drive up to Tofino on the wild west coast for Pacific swells, old-growth cedar, and campfire nights on the beach.
Best for: Island life, surfers, wildlife (bears, whales, eagles), people who want nature without the crowds.
Pickup: Vancouver | Time needed: 5–7 days
The Okanagan — Wine, Lakes & Desert Roads
Four hours east of Vancouver lies the Okanagan Valley — Canada's wine country, and one of its most underrated road trip destinations. Long hot summers, turquoise lakes like Okanagan Lake and Skaha Lake, sandy beaches, and hundreds of wineries lining the valley roads. It feels more like the south of France than Canada, which is exactly the point.
Best for: Warm weather, wine lovers, lake swimming, a slower pace after the mountains.
Pickup: Vancouver | Time needed: 3–5 days
Calgary to Vancouver — Cross the Rockies
The big one. Drive from Calgary through Banff National Park, over the Rogers Pass through Glacier National Park, and down through the Thompson Canyon into Vancouver. This one-way trip covers about 1,000km and runs through some of the most diverse and dramatic scenery in Canada — from prairies to peaks to rainforest coast.
Best for: The full Western Canada experience in one shot, one-way campervan hire.
Pickup: Calgary or Vancouver | Time needed: 7–10 days
Road Trip Tips for Western Canada
- Best time to go: June to September for reliable weather and open mountain roads. July–August is peak season — book campgrounds ahead. Shoulder seasons (May, October) have fewer crowds and dramatic light.
- National Park passes: If you're hitting multiple national parks (Banff, Jasper, Glacier, Pacific Rim), a Parks Canada Discovery Pass pays for itself quickly. Buy online before you go.
- One-way trips: Calgary to Vancouver (or reverse) works well as a one-way hire — ask Wicked about one-way options when booking.
- Wildlife: Bears, elk, moose, eagles, and whales depending on your route. Carry bear spray in mountain areas, keep food stored properly, and enjoy the wildlife from a safe distance.
- Fuel: Fill up in towns — gaps between services can be long in the mountains and interior BC.
- Ferry bookings: If you're heading to Vancouver Island, book the BC Ferries crossing ahead in summer. They fill up.
Western Canada rewards slow travel. The more time you give it, the more it gives back. Pick up a Wicked Camper in Calgary or Vancouver, choose your direction, and let the roads do the rest.