Vancouver to Tofino
 

Two American tourists, going to be in Vancouver for 3-4 nts in July with a rent car - how far is Tofino from Vancouver, and is it worth a visit - or a nts stay?

If you only have 3-4 nights in Vancouver, you don't have enough time for Tofino. It takes 5 hours to get to Tofino from Vancouver by car and ferry. 30 minutes to drive from Vancouver to Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal, 2 hours by ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo, and then a 3 hour drive from Nanaimo to Tofino. Once in Tofino you'll want to spend 2-3 nights there minimum.

Carmanah makes a good point that you would be hard pressed to visit both Vancouver and Tofino in 3 - 4 days. But in answer to your second question - is it worth a visit? Yes. The Tofino area, including spectacular Pacific Rim National Park, is special. Maybe you can extend your trip, or plan another visit in future in which you focus on Vancouver Island (where Tofino is located) and also see some of the other island attractions and destinations while there, like Victoria.

Echoing the other posters, yes, it's absolutely worth a visit, but only if you have at least 3 nights to spend.

Carmanah has is exactly correct.

It took us a bit longer because we took the ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Victoria and drove to Tofino from there. You might be able to shorten the journey by taking seaplanes, but you'd be missing out on the fantastic scenery, and you'd still need to spend at least 2 or 3 nights in Tofino once there. It's truly beautiful there.

M

Mathieu - I agree w/everything you said except the ferry trip.
The Horseshoe Bay route goes to Naniamo not Victoria.

Tofino is absolutely spectacular. Have you been to Vancouver b4? If so, you could go directly to Tofino. However if the 3-4 nites includes seeing Vancouver,then there is no way u could fit Tofino in unless u want to ferry and drive there, spend one night and turn around and return.