A cross-Canada road trip is the ultimate Canadian adventure: about 7,000–8,000 km along the Trans-Canada Highway from St. John’s to Victoria. Here is how to plan routes, timing and budget.
How long does it take?
Allow at least three weeks to drive coast to coast with a few stops, and five to six weeks to enjoy it properly.
Suggested route
- St. John’s and Newfoundland
- Cape Breton and Halifax
- Quebec City and Quebec
- Montreal and Ottawa
- Toronto and Niagara Falls
- Lake Superior’s north shore
- The prairies and Winnipeg
- Banff and the Rockies
- Vancouver and Victoria
Hit the road prepared
- Best dash cams for road trips VerdictFox
Record scenic drives and protect yourself if something happens on the highway. - Best budget 12V portable fridges VerdictFox
Keep drinks and picnic food cold on long road trips without buying ice every day. - Best portable power stations VerdictFox
Run a cooler, charge cameras and power a CPAP at campsites without hookups.
Partner links: these go to our sister review sites, which may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Best time
June to September, when all roads and attractions are open.
Budget
| Travel style | Per person per day | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | C$150–C$220 | motel, hostel or campsite, casual meals, self-drive |
| Mid-range | C$300–C$480 | good hotel, restaurant meals, some tours |
| Luxury | C$700–C$1,400 | resort or historic hotel, fine dining, guided experiences |
Fuel is a major cost; expect several thousand dollars for a full crossing, depending on your vehicle.
Tips
- Book ferries (Newfoundland, BC) ahead.
- Get a Parks Canada Discovery Pass.
- Expect long gaps between services in northern Ontario.
- Watch for moose at dawn and dusk.
Highlights along the way
St. John’s
St. John’s is North America’s oldest English-founded city, with colourful Jellybean Row houses, Signal Hill, icebergs and lively George Street. Read our St. John’s travel guide.
- Best time: June to August
- Getting there: About 30 minutes to Witless Bay
- Don’t miss: Signal Hill, Jellybean Row and Cape Spear
- Mid-range hotels: C$220–380 a night
Cape Breton Island (Cabot Trail)
Cape Breton’s Cabot Trail is a 298 km loop of coastal highlands, Celtic music and whale watching, one of the world’s great drives. Read our Cape Breton Island (Cabot Trail) travel guide.
- Best time: July to mid-October
- Getting there: About 4.5 hours from Halifax to Baddeck
- Don’t miss: Cabot Trail, Cape Breton Highlands National Park and Skyline Trail
- Mid-range hotels: C$220–380 a night
Quebec City
Quebec City is the only walled city north of Mexico, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with French charm, the Château Frontenac and a famous winter carnival. Read our Quebec City travel guide.
- Best time: June to October; February for Carnival; December for Christmas
- Getting there: About 3 hours from Montreal
- Don’t miss: Old Quebec, Château Frontenac and Petit-Champlain
- Mid-range hotels: C$220–380 a night
Banff
Banff is Canada’s first national park (1885) and its most famous mountain town, surrounded by turquoise lakes, hot springs, wildlife and the peaks of the Rockies. Read our Banff travel guide.
- Best time: June to September for lakes and hiking; December to March for skiing
- Getting there: About 1.5 hours from Calgary; 3.5–4 hours from Jasper via the Icefields Parkway
- Don’t miss: Moraine Lake, Banff Gondola and Banff Upper Hot Springs
- Mid-range hotels: C$320–550 a night
Victoria
Victoria, BC’s capital on Vancouver Island, has a mild climate, a historic Inner Harbour, gardens and whale watching. Read our Victoria travel guide.
- Best time: May to September
- Getting there: About 1.5 hours by ferry from Vancouver (plus terminal drives); 35 minutes by floatplane
- Don’t miss: Butchart Gardens, Inner Harbour and Royal BC Museum
- Mid-range hotels: C$220–380 a night
Planning tips for your trip
- ID for flights: Domestic flights require government-issued photo ID; carry a passport if you might cross into the US.
- Money: GST or HST is added to most prices at the till, so budget 5–15% more than the shelf price; tipping 15–20% at restaurants is standard.
- Insurance: Provincial health plans may not pay the full cost of care in another province, and ambulance and air-ambulance costs can be high, so check whether an out-of-province travel insurance policy makes sense for you. Read our guide to out-of-province travel insurance.
- Driving: Most Canadians road-trip in their own car; rentals are widely available, and winter tyres are required on many BC highways and in Quebec in winter. Fuel is usually cheapest in Alberta and most expensive in BC and the North.
- Saving money: see our Canada budget travel and cheapest places to travel in Canada guides.
What a trip costs
Typical spending per person per day, excluding flights:
| Travel style | Per person per day | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | C$150–C$220 | motel, hostel or campsite, casual meals, self-drive |
| Mid-range | C$300–C$480 | good hotel, restaurant meals, some tours |
| Luxury | C$700–C$1,400 | resort or historic hotel, fine dining, guided experiences |
Prices rise in peak season and on holiday weekends, and fall sharply in the shoulder seasons.
Travelling responsibly
Follow Leave No Trace principles: stay on marked trails, pack out everything you bring in, and never feed wildlife. Support locally owned restaurants, guides and shops, and visit popular places early or late to spread out the crowds. In busy parks, use shuttles where they exist to cut traffic and parking pressure.
Safety basics
Carry water and layers on outdoor outings, check weather and road conditions before long drives, and tell someone your plans in remote areas, where mobile coverage can be patchy. In cities, use normal precautions with valuables at night. The emergency number is 911.
Gear up for the trail
- Best portable power stations VerdictFox
Run a cooler, charge cameras and power a CPAP at campsites without hookups. - Outdoor gear picks Buyzello
Headlamps, multi-tools and camping essentials for park trips. - Outdoor gear reviews VerdictFox
Honest reviews of the camping and outdoor kit worth packing.
Partner links: these go to our sister review sites, which may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
How many km is a cross-Canada road trip?
About 7,000–8,000 km.
How long does it take?
Three to six weeks.
What is the best route?
The Trans-Canada Highway, with detours.
When should I go?
June to September.
Is a Parks Canada pass worth it?
Yes.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Best Road Trips in Canada
- Parks Canada Discovery Pass 2026: Prices, Free Admission and Is It Worth It?
- Canadian Rockies Road Trip: 7-Day Banff and Jasper Itinerary