driving from Vancouver airport to Smithers
Nov 24th, 2016, 04:20 AM
#1
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driving from Vancouver airport to Smithers
Hi Everyone,
We are planning to do a grand tour of Canada in June 2017. As we are flying from UK and slightlyshort of time, trying to see as much as possible.
Is it possible to drive from Vancouver airport to Smithers in a day. I believe it is a bit more than 12 hours
Planning to go to Watson Lake the next day. Any advice would be appreciated greatly.
Thanks in advance
We are planning to do a grand tour of Canada in June 2017. As we are flying from UK and slightlyshort of time, trying to see as much as possible.
Is it possible to drive from Vancouver airport to Smithers in a day. I believe it is a bit more than 12 hours
Planning to go to Watson Lake the next day. Any advice would be appreciated greatly.
Thanks in advance
Nov 24th, 2016, 08:55 AM
#2
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Of course it's possible, but I certainly wouldn't try to do it, especially with jet-lag fresh off a transatlantic/ trans-continental flight.
The estimate may be twelve hours or so, but that's without stops for fuel, meals and rests. And then to drive the next day to Watson Lake? That's crazy.
How long do you have in Canada and where to you plan to visit on your grand tour? I think you might want to rethink your aim to see as much as possible and concentrate on an enjoyable visit.
The estimate may be twelve hours or so, but that's without stops for fuel, meals and rests. And then to drive the next day to Watson Lake? That's crazy.
How long do you have in Canada and where to you plan to visit on your grand tour? I think you might want to rethink your aim to see as much as possible and concentrate on an enjoyable visit.
Nov 24th, 2016, 12:01 PM
#3
Of course it is *possible* if you want to get to Watson Lake, Yukon in the quickest possible time without seeing anything. But would you really want to do it?
According to Google Maps, the total elapsed *wheels turning* driving time to get to Watson Lake will be 23 hours, 45 minutes, not including stops to eat, gas, and sleep ... all that in 2 days. You will likely be jet lagged, driving on a different side of the road than you are used to, with much of the drive on curvy highways through rugged mountains.
There is lots to see along the way - you'll miss seeing it, just speed on by.
But if you some reason you need to get to Watson Lake quickly, and if you and a partner are used to driving long distances (I wouldn't even think about doing it without a partner who could share driving every few hours), and if you don't intend to enjoy the scenery, you *could* do it. I've done similar drives in the area, but only because I needed to and I wasn't interested in the scenery. I don't recommend it.
If you want to get to Watson Lake, the easiest and quickest would be to buy an airline ticket from the UK through to either Prince George or Smithers or possibly Whitehorse and renting a car there, changing planes in Vancouver (or Edmonton or Calgary). (Note: at Smithers you may or may not be able to rent a car, but at Prince George or Whitehorse you would be able to.)
According to Google Maps, the total elapsed *wheels turning* driving time to get to Watson Lake will be 23 hours, 45 minutes, not including stops to eat, gas, and sleep ... all that in 2 days. You will likely be jet lagged, driving on a different side of the road than you are used to, with much of the drive on curvy highways through rugged mountains.
There is lots to see along the way - you'll miss seeing it, just speed on by.
But if you some reason you need to get to Watson Lake quickly, and if you and a partner are used to driving long distances (I wouldn't even think about doing it without a partner who could share driving every few hours), and if you don't intend to enjoy the scenery, you *could* do it. I've done similar drives in the area, but only because I needed to and I wasn't interested in the scenery. I don't recommend it.
If you want to get to Watson Lake, the easiest and quickest would be to buy an airline ticket from the UK through to either Prince George or Smithers or possibly Whitehorse and renting a car there, changing planes in Vancouver (or Edmonton or Calgary). (Note: at Smithers you may or may not be able to rent a car, but at Prince George or Whitehorse you would be able to.)
Nov 24th, 2016, 03:00 PM
#5
PPS.
If your goal is to get to Watson Lake, Yukon from the UK, it would be significantly less driving time if you flew from to UK to Edmonton (or even Calgary). Per Google maps Watson Lake is 17hr 15 min from Edmonton and 19hr 50 min from Calgary, both doable in 2 days and much shorter than the almost 24 hours from Vancouver, and they are over much better roads. (All times "wheels turning" not including stops for gas, eating, sight seeing, or sleeping)
If your goal is to get to Watson Lake, Yukon from the UK, it would be significantly less driving time if you flew from to UK to Edmonton (or even Calgary). Per Google maps Watson Lake is 17hr 15 min from Edmonton and 19hr 50 min from Calgary, both doable in 2 days and much shorter than the almost 24 hours from Vancouver, and they are over much better roads. (All times "wheels turning" not including stops for gas, eating, sight seeing, or sleeping)
Nov 25th, 2016, 07:30 AM
#7
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Thank you so much for your advice. We will probably stay in Vancouver for 2/3 days before starting this journey.
Flying in/out of different airports and consequently car hire costs are quite significant, hence we have to drive. My partner and I would share this drive, more him than me!
Looks like we have to drive from Smithers to Watson lake in one go anyway as it looks like there is no decent place to halt for a night.
Is that correct or is there any accomodation between these 2 places.
Thanks again for your replies.
Flying in/out of different airports and consequently car hire costs are quite significant, hence we have to drive. My partner and I would share this drive, more him than me!
Looks like we have to drive from Smithers to Watson lake in one go anyway as it looks like there is no decent place to halt for a night.
Is that correct or is there any accomodation between these 2 places.
Thanks again for your replies.
Nov 25th, 2016, 04:00 PM
#8
There are a few places to stay between Smithers and Watson Lake ... in New Hazelton, a little less than an hour from Smithers and in Dease Lake, about 3.5 hrs from Watson Lake.
In the past I have driven between Vancouver and Granisle (quite close to Smithers) a number of times. Even though I am a fast driver, familiar with the country, and was not interested in sightseeing (just needed to get between the two), I almost always broke the trip into two, usually stopping in Williams Lake (only because it was convenient).
In the past I have driven between Vancouver and Granisle (quite close to Smithers) a number of times. Even though I am a fast driver, familiar with the country, and was not interested in sightseeing (just needed to get between the two), I almost always broke the trip into two, usually stopping in Williams Lake (only because it was convenient).
Nov 27th, 2016, 08:01 AM
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UK residents can realise some serious savings by using Canadian Affair to book car rentals
https://www.canadianaffair.com/
https://www.canadianaffair.com/
Nov 27th, 2016, 11:40 AM
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