As much as the US, Canada is a country well suited to be visited during a road trip. It has stunning and scenic nature that you can enjoy along the road and the infrastructure needed to drive even to the farthest north safely.
If you’re a foreigner visiting Canada, you’ll need an international driver’s license and a national permit in order to be able to drive. You’ll also need to provide a photo ID, in most cases, a passport. These documents are also required to rent a vehicle as a foreign citizen.
A Ride Through the Dempster Highway
This trip should take you about 2 to 4 days one way round since it stretches for relatively long distances. It’s not one of the most famous road trips in Canada, but it does have a lot to offer. The trip is 736 km long, and it goes through two provinces and crosses the Arctic Circle.
The ride will take you through the most beautiful Canadian wilderness, and for the most part, the trip will end in Dawson City, where you can take a plane ride back to a more populated area.
Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia
This trip can be crossed in one day, but it’s best to spread to 3, if not 5, in order to make all the stops and enjoy it as much as you can. It’s probably the most famous road trip in Canada that most tourists take.
It follows the coastline and features some of the most beautiful beaches in Scotland. Don’t miss one of the many hikes that are available along the way. It pays off to get out of the car and enjoy the countryside firsthand.
Icefield Parkway – Trip through Alberta
This, too, is a commonly taken road trip, and depending on the size, you’ll probably find it to be rather busy and filled with tourists. It can take from one to seven days, and if you have the time, don’t hesitate to make as many stops as you want.
It’s one of the most beautiful parts of Canada, and especially so on the stretch between Banff and Jaspers national park. Both of these deserve a visit of their own. Icefield Park has an austere and raggedy beauty that you can find only in the northern parts of the world.
British Columbia – A trip from Sea to The Skys
British Columbia is probably the most scenic road in all of Canada and possibly the world. The trip will take you anywhere from one to seven days. It starts in Vancouver, and it ends in Pemberton, which makes it about 150 km long.
The famous sites that you should stop and visit along the way are Shannon and Brandywine Falls, both of which are great for photo enthusiasts. You should also visit Britannia Mine and step into the past of this region as you do. Most tourists also stop in Vancouver to rest and explore one of the most important cities in Canada.
Fundy Coast in New Brunswick
The country’s northern shore provides one of the best views and most scenic drives on our list. Don’t rush through this trip and try to leave aside at least five days for it. The Bay of Fundy, with its high ties, is the most critical stop along the way, but there are others as well.
The Hopewell Rocks are one of those stops as well. It’s a beautiful rock formation covered with flowers. You can walk on top of it as long as you come when the tides are low, and the rock is exposed.
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is the smallest province in Canada, but you still need about three days for this trip. Most tourists usually combine it with a trip to New Brunswick since you can pass from one to the other via a bridge with a beautiful view.
It’s best to start your visit in the capital, which is Charlottetown. Make the circle around the province going counter-clockwise and enjoy the coastal view and many lighthouses along the way. Some of these are still in use, but others are museums you can visit and explore.
From Sudbury to Thunder Bay
This road trip can include Lake Superior, but it doesn’t have to. If you decide to visit it as well, it will take you about seven days to complete the drive. It will take five if you don’t include the lake in your itinerary.
A trip from Toronto to Sudbury doesn’t have that much to offer compared to other trips on our list, but as you go from Sudbury, you’ll start going through the region’s famous lakes. It’s also a place to visit some of the quirkiest and cutest small towns in Canada.
A Trip To Quebec
Quebec City is the oldest city in North America that’s still used. It, therefore, appears to be one of the charming and ancient European cities, at least when it comes to its aesthetic. It’s a UNESCO world heritage site.
It’s also a good idea to visit Montreal and to make a trip from one city to the other, to complete the French experience of Canada. This trip also gives you a chance to visit some of the most beautiful and well-preserved wildlife in the country, located in between the two largest cities in the region.
Southern Alberta – The Cowboy Trail
Banff and Jaspers are the most popular places to visit in Alberta, but Cowboy Trail isn’t to be overlooked either. It’s also one of the longest trails on our list – it will take you about ten days if you make all the stops.
The trip is filled with ranches and trail rides; therefore, it looks a lot American midwest, and it shares a lot of cultural heritage with it. The landscapes are breathtaking, and for most visitors, they are the trip’s main attraction. Don’t just rush past the area – take the time to savor it.