Banff to Waterton and on
 

We will be driving from Banff, ultimately to Whitefish, Montana. We will be spending time first in Waterton before moving on. Has anyone driven the Banff to Waterton portion?? If so, welcome suggestions for best routes (scenic and/or fastest). We won't be in any particular rush and won't be doing this until mid September. Hoping traffic will have lessen by then.

There's two main ways of getting there.

1. Head west from Banff on the #1 to Castle Junction and take #93 south through Kootenay Nat'l Park. Continue south past Fort Steele and take the #3 east and then the #6 south to Waterton.

2. Head east from Banff and take the #22 south, then #3 and #6 to Waterton.

The #22 is one of my favourite drives. It's in the foothills and may provide a nice change from being in the mountains all the time depending on how much time you're spending in Banff before hand. It's probably a little faster driving time.

(you could also take the #2 south from Calgary, but it's a pretty boring drive).

thanks ShelliDawn. It looks like option 2 will take us thru Calgary to pick up 22 south. Is that a problem?? Taking it slow, any idea how long either route will take. We'll be in Banff for 3 nights, 2 1/2 full days before driving to Waterton.

You don't have to go through Calgary to take the #22. It crosses the #1 just west of Calgary and go through the town of Bragg Creek then east to Priddis and south from there.

OK, just listen to me! Go east of Banff and turn south through the Kananaskis, highway #40 - spectacular. Continue south to Longview, then take #22 south to join highway #3, east to Pincher Creek, then south to Waterton. This last part is also amazing. In Sept. it's a perfect time to travel with the fall colors. I've done this trip many times and it never gets old.