We are taking advantage of a wedding we are attending to travel from Jackson Hole WY to the Canadian Rockies. We will go through Glacier National Park, Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper, ending in Calgary to see the Stampede. However, renting a car in the U.S. and returning it in Canada is about $2,500 more than returning it to a city in the U.S. To save that money, we plan to drive from Calgary to either Great Falls MT (6 hrs. and 325 miles) or Spokane WA (8.5 hrs. and 430 miles) to return the car. It looks like the roads are better to Great Falls as well as being a shorter route. Is there any reason that it would be better to drive to Spokane instead, such as much nicer scenery?

According to Google Maps, the route to Spokane would be to take highway 93 through Kootenay National Park and then continue south. That would be a lovely mountain drive with great scenery.

The route to Great Falls takes highway 2 south and that is a pretty boring drive. However, you could take highway 22 from Calgary to Pincher Creek and the over to the #2. The 22 is one of my favourite drives. You are in the foothills with the mountains to the west and the prairies to the east.

For more scenic driving, I'd opt for the Spokane route. I don't think the roads are that much better going to Great Falls unless you like freeway driving. Not much to see compared to the alternate.

I'm going to presume that you will not have passed through Great Falls on your way to Calgary?

It seems to me that, if you opt for Spokane, you will be driving through the same mountains that you have already have spent hours driving through (although by a different route).

If that is attractive, fine. But I would find the two saved driving hours attractive. But the deciding point for me would be the opportunity to revisit the Charles Russell Museum. I'd opt for Great Falls. But, then again, I find driving along the rocky mountain front and on the Great Plains endlessly fascinating.

Where is your entry point to Canada? Where do you have to fly home from? Spokane is a lot bigger than Great Falls and have a much better airport.

Trust me, Calgary to Great Falls is not 6 hrs drive. I would say more like 8, plus a stop (for gas and food) plus extar time at the border crossing.

It is more like 10 hours from Calgary to Spokane plus pt stops (probably need 2). So, can you do 10 to 12 hours non stop in a day )to Spokane) or you want to get it done and over with on a one day drive (Great Falls)?

If you go to Glacier National Park, then you should go and visit Waterton Park first on the Canadian Rockeis, then Calgary, then Kananaskis, and then Banff, Lake Lousie and on to Jasper. You can come back the same way or go through to Edmonton, then return to Calgary (2.5 hrs @70mph between Calgary and Edmonton on 3 lane divided highway)

Everyopne wants to go to Banff. It is over-rated. If you want to see unspoiled nature and the true Canadain Rockies, my pick is Wateron, Kananaskis, a drive through the Icefield Parkway, Lake Louise/Morraine Lake, Jasper area and then Banff. There really isn't anyting to see at the Banff town site.

If you plan to be in Calgary for the Stampede week, be prepared to be gouged. Hotel rates would double and food and drinks at restaurants and bar would be pricy. You will be looking at $300+ for a downtown hotel room and at least $150 for a cheapo motel room.

A couple corrections to Eschew's post.

1. The #2 highway is 2 lane divided, not 3
2. It's a 3 hour drive between Calgary and Edmonton (city center to city center) unless you are driving considerably above the speed limit.

I think the Spokane route is the most scenic. We have done that drive many times and it has never taken more than 8 - 9 hours of driving time. We usually stop in Sandpoint which is about 7 hours from Calgary - it is such a lovely spot.
http://www.visitsandpoint.org/

For more detailed info, we are traveling to Glacier from Jackson Hole so won't be traveling through Great Falls on the way up. We had planned to take the Going to the Sun Road and stay at Lake McDonald. Eschew, perhaps that is a mistake and we should go to the Waterton area? Then we are going to be based in Banff with the idea that we can travel to Lake Louise and other spots on day trips. Then we visit the ice fields on the way to Jasper and stay in a cabin on Lake Patricia. Finally, we would go to Calgary. Yes, we know we will spend lots in Calgary because of the Stampede but thought it might be nice to see one of Canada's big annual events up close. Don't know if that helps in considering your advice to me.
Ron, the Charles Russell Museum sounds interesting in Great Falls. Isn't there is also a park that covers some of the Lewis and Clark expedition history too. Is that worthwhile visiting?
Traveller 69, is there a hotel/inn at Sandpoint where you like to stay? Is it just a scenic area or is there something specific you enjoy? Is it different from what we would already have seen? From the comments, this may be one of those times, my husband and I just flip a coin.