How much time would you allot for a car trip from Toronto to Vancouver return? We are interested in visiting Drumheller, Banff, Lake Louise, Icefield Parkway, Jasper,Prince George, taking the ferry from Prince Rupert to Port Hardy, visting Tofino, Victoria and Vancouver. Planning on pretty much driving through Manitoba and Sask. Due to monetary concerns we are trying to avoid having to fly from Toronto to Edmonton for example and then rent a car. We are hoping to drive our own car, and camp in a few places(i.e. Jasper) in order to save money. My question is, is this doable? Would 20 days be enough travel time for this? If not, what are the most essential things for us to see? Time is an issue since I am a student and I need to devote most of my summer to working. Also, is early May a good time to go? I have been to Alberta (we flew to Edmonton) before in July, and we camped then, but would May be too cold to camp? Thanks for your help!

We're planning a similar trip in July, for 23 days. We, too, gave up on the flying idea. We're camping as far as Edmonton, then B&B'ing it from there. I'll e-mail you our itinerary, if you would like. I think it's partly do-able, although we won't be able to get as far as Tofino. We're coming back through the States, and taking a couple of extra days to see things on the way, so it might be all right for you.

Do you realize the size of Canada? Do you think you could drive from Seatle to NYC and return in 20 days, including stopping to see all that you want to see?<BR><BR>Sorry - that sounded a bit rough. It really is a very far distance. The majority of yuor trip will be driving, not sightseeing/visiting. I think you will find it at least as expsensive to drive out - given gas, potential repairs if your car is not really new, etc. I think you might want to consider picking a province and then doing a tour of it. Or go east from Toronto along the Gaspe Bay and back - you could get out to the eastern provinces and back to T.O. in 20 days and have time to really enjoy your trip. Otherwise - check out Air Canada's website and watch for a seat sale on Toronto to Vancouver, then rent a car out there, since most of what you listed is out West. Also - check out West Jet, an airline servicing the West from Hamilton I believe - prices are much better than Air Canada, but the frills have been cut (not sure if they even serve a meal. Air Canada also operates Air Tango (see their website) - which has better prices, just not the most flexability in departure times.<BR><BR>Make sure your trip is one that you'll feel good about and from after it, not needing another vacation to recover.

I don't know, Ariel -- maybe I'm just cheap, but I'm figuring on about $1,000 for gas for our entire trip (and that's driving a minivan, pulling a tent trailer). That compares with 4 x at least $900 for plane fare to Edmonton. Of course, we're going in high season, and there are four of us, so it might be more economical for Mitchell to fly in May. But don't forget the cost of renting a car at the other end (since you haven't brought your own). The overnight costs for the extra time to drive (four driving days, three overnights from Toronto to Edmonton)-- $120 max. for campsites -- plus food (and you have to eat for those four days anyway) don't nearly equal the extra you'd pay to fly. But I think camping in May would probably be pretty frosty. In terms of time, maybe I am just cheap, as I say, but I still think it's doable. And don't forget the added bonus that you get to actually SEE a large chunk of this amazing country of ours, instead of just flying over it.

I'm with Ariel on this one. I would concentrate on a smaller area. Years ago, my ex and I drove between Alberta and Toronto a few times - all I remember are long long hours in the car. Mitchell has listed several places he wants to visit - Drumheller, Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, Prince George, Print Rupert, Tofino, Victoria, Vancouver, etc. Assuming he spends a day in each place, that's 9 days - not to mention the time to go between those places. For me, that itinerary is too ambitious when you factor in the drive from Toronto. That could easily take 3 days each way. <BR><BR>I guess it depends on how you like to travel. For me, spending long hours in the car isn't fun. I don't like to always be on the move. <BR><BR>Mitchell, I used to do a lot of camping years ago in Alberta - May might be cold (and probably will be), but some people don't mind that!

Mitchell, I wrote a long, detailed response, which seems to have disappered.<BR><BR>But perhaps the most important parts were skip Edmonton, Japser, Prince Rupert and Northern Vancouver Island.<BR><BR>Stay in mpotels on the way out, making reservations in the morning for that night, so you can drive further instead of trying to set up camp in the dark.<BR><BR><BR>Come back via the interstate highways in the USA, quickly. Do your sightseeing on the way out, in order to figure out your pace.<BR><BR>That's a very long drive.<BR><BR>BAK<BR><BR>

Last summer, we took 2 weeks, and drove out to Revelstoke, BC from Toronto, where we live. <BR><BR>If you enjoy car trips, then this is a wonderful way to see the country. <BR><BR>Note, that it will take you a good 2-3 days, just to get out of Ontario, but Northern Ontario has some spectacular scenery..especially around Lake Superior. <BR><BR>Manitoba and Saskatchewan are both fairly flat...(Manitoba, more-so than Saskatchewan, despite the rumour is)...but you can easily get through these two provinces in a day - or take 2-3 if you want to take it slower. <BR><BR>Alberta has to be the most beaufitul province, definitely take in the West Edmonton Mall, then head down to Jasper. Note, that the drive from Edmonton to Jasper, while visiting the Columbian Icefield, is a LONG drive, taking into consideration the many photo stops along the way. Take a side trip to Lake Maligne, it will definitely be worth it.<BR><BR>I would suggest taking a good 3-4 days just around the Icefield, Jasper, and Banff, and would strongly suggest, for money-sake, that if you are planning on staying in a hotel around the Banff area...(you mentioned camping around there instead), but we stayed in Canmore, AB, rather than Banff, as Canmore is approximately 30 minutes out of Banff, and a LOT cheaper!! Still pretty, but you're not paying for the name. <BR><BR>We then continued West, and did Rogers Pass...(to Revelstoke). Take your time along this area, as again, the scenery is wonderful. <BR><BR>You should easily be able to do BC in 3-4 days...then head back East, and hit Calgary/Drumheller, on your way back. <BR><BR>We found this to be the best time to visit this area, as we were too far north on the way out.<BR><BR>You should easily be able to do this entire trip in 20 days...just plan your time accordingly. <BR><BR>Also remember, depending on when you want to go, there are a few LONG WEEKENDS during the summer, where hotels/campgrounds, may be booked up - so plan ahead, and I would also strongly suggest, (as this affected us), but rather than booking hotels via the 800 numbers, call the hotels directly. <BR><BR>AAA/CAA can give you all the information you need before you head out. (We were going to be late checking in, in Golden BC, and I booked all my hotels that summer via the 800 numbers, but I called the 800 number to advise them that I'd be late, and despite my confirmation number, the hotel, (once I got there) had given my room away, saying I should have called them to say I'd be later arriving, not the 800 number....live and learn. <BR><BR>Sounds like a wonderful trip, I'd do it again in a second...nothing is as beautiful as the mountains in the summer...I am sure you will have a great road trip. Enjoy!

Thanks everyone for all of your helpful comments! Brian, how much time would driving back through the States save? Ariel, I do realize how vast Canada is. I actually live in Canada. I guess you could just call me an optimist I personally wouldn't mind flying or taking the train at least part way, but one of my family members insists that driving would be cheaper, and that it is the only way we are going to go. Anyway, I'm glad to hear that at least some people have done the trip, and enjoyed it!