With two weeks, we recommend undertaking a road trip across southern or northern British Columbia, where you can take in a diverse range of highlights. Alternatively, you can also explore some of the province's more remote regions, such as the Great Bear Rainforest or one of the vast tracts of remote wilderness accessible only by floatplane.
Itinerary #1: Vancouver to Calgary Mountain Adventure
Highlights: Mountains, waterfalls, glaciers
Driving time: 18 hours
Distance: 800 miles (1,280 km)
This is the perfect road trip to truly experience the mountains of British Columbia. You won't feel rushed and will have enough time to explore the highlights around Whistler, Jasper, and the Canadian Rockies. You'll also pass through some lesser-known highlights, such as Wells Gray Provincial Park and Joffre Lakes. Once you reached the Rockies, you'll have shorter driving days so you can explore the countless trails that escape the crowds and take you up to alpine lakes. See the full itinerary.
Day
Highlights
Overnight
Day 1
Arrive in Vancouver
Vancouver
Day 2
Explore Vancouver's Downtown & Neighborhoods
Vancouver
Day 3
Vancouver to Whistler (2 hours)
Whistler
Day 4
Explore around Whistler
Whistler
Day 5
Whistler to Wells Gray Provincial Park (6 hours)
Clearwater
Day 6
Wells Gray Provincial Park to Jasper (3 h 30 min)
Jasper
Day 7
Explore Jasper National Park
Jasper
Day 8
Jasper to Icefields Parkway (45 min)
Icefields Parkway
Day 9
Icefields Parkway to Lake Louise (2 h 30 min)
Lake Louise
Day 10
Explore Yoho National Park (from Lake Louise)
Lake Louise
Day 11
Lake Louise to Banff (1 h 15 min)
Banff
Day 12
Banff to Canmore (20 min)
Canmore
Day 13
Day Hikes in Kananaskis Country
Canmore
Day 14
Canmore to Calgary, Depart (1 h 30 min)
Itinerary #2: Calgary to Vancouver: Rockies, Kootenays, & Okanagan
Highlights: Mountains, lake towns, wineries
Driving time: 18 hours
Distance: 830 miles (1,340 km)
You can also drive across British Columbia from east to west, starting from Calgary and ending on the coast in Vancouver. This route begins with the grandeur of the Canadian Rockies, best experienced by hitting the trails and hiking up into alpine. After the Rockies, drive through the scenic mountain towns and lakes of the Kootenays, stopping for a couple of nights in Nelson. From here, you'll leave the mountains for the desert hills of the Okanagan Valley, the warmest region of British Columbia, where you can explore the countless wineries and orchards before ending in Vancouver. See the full itinerary.
Day
Highlights
Overnight
Day 1
Arrive in Calgary, Drive to Banff (2 hours)
Banff
Day 2
Explore around Banff
Banff
Day 3
Banff to Yoho National Park (1 h 30 min)
Field
Day 4
Yoho National Park to Revelstoke (2 h 30 min)
Revelstoke
Day 5
Explore around Revelstoke
Revelstoke
Day 6
Revelstoke to Nakusp (2 hours)
Nakusp
Day 7
Nakusp to Kaslo (1 h 30 min)
Kaslo
Day 8
Kaslo to Nelson (1 hour)
Nelson
Day 9
Explore around Nelson
Nelson
Day 10
Nelson to Osoyoos (3 hours)
Osoyoos
Day 11
Explore around Osoyoos
Osoyoos
Day 12
Osoyoos to Vancouver (4 h 30 min)
Vancouver
Day 13
Explore Vancouver's Downtown & Neighborhoods
Vancouver
Day 14
Depart Vancouver
Itinerary #3: Vancouver Island Road Trip
Highlights: Coastline, wildlife, mountains
Driving time: 20 hours
Distance: 660 miles (1,060 km)
If stunning coastline, whale watching, sea kayaking, and coastal rainforest are your jam, this route is for you. Start the adventure with a floatplane flight to northern Vancouver Island for some of the best whale watching in the province. Then, head to Quadra Island to explore the beaches and coves by foot or kayak. Before reaching the Pacific Rim, stop for a couple of nights to see the mountains and waterfalls of Strathcona Provincial Park, British Columbia's oldest park. The trip culminates in the Pacific Rim where the rainforest meets rugged coastline. Cozy up in your lodge next to the coast for a few days before returning back to Vancouver. See the full itinerary.
Day
Highlights
Overnight
Day 1
Arrive in Vancouver
Vancouver
Day 2
Explore Vancouver's Downtown & Neighborhoods
Vancouver
Day 3
Vancouver to Telegraph Cove (2 h 30 min)
Telegraph Cove
Day 4
Explore around Telegraph Cove
Telegraph Cove
Day 5
Telegraph Cove to Quadra Island (3 h 30 min)
Quadra Island
Day 6
Explore Quadra Island
Quadra Island
Day 7
Quadra Island to Strathcona Provincial Park (2 hours)
Strathcona Provincial Park
Day 8
Explore Strathcona Provincial Park
Strathcona Provincial Park
Day 9
Strathcona Provincial Park to Pacific Rim (4 h 30 min)