tressa11

I am looking for suggestions on traveling from Kalispell to Banff. What is the best route? I would like to get there quickly and then spend extra time coming back and stopping in Glacier on the return.

tomfuller

Check with the car rental agency about the cross border policy. Make sure you are covered with insurance in Canada.
Go through Columbia Falls to West Glacier and over the Going to the Sun road to St. Mary. US 89 takes you to the border where it turns into Alberta Route 2.
On the way back if you have the time take the detour over to see Waterton on the Canada side of Glacier.
If the GTTS is not open due to snow, you will have to take US 2 along the southern border of Glacier and go north on 49 from East Glacier through Two Medicine to get on US 89.
Beware of horses licking road salt on US 89 (not kidding).

tressa11

Thanks for your help in your opinion is this too early in the season to travel? I was planning June27 to July 7

John

From Kalispell, the QUICKEST route is Highway 93 all the way from Kalispell to Banff going through British Columbia. It will be a 5 to 6 hour ride approx. 300 miles. Returning from Banff to Glacier, take the Trans Canada highway to Calgary Alberta, then to highway 2 to Cardston Alberta and the border crossing. That will be about 4 to 5 hours and will put you close to the east entrance to the park at Many Glacier.
Be aware you will need passports or an enhanced drivers license to enter the U.S. and to enter Canada
Late June early July is always a gamble. We are having a "tough" snow year so I would travel late July early August to be safe.