Rocky Road Trippin Adventure

Are you an adventure enthusiast looking for an adrenaline-filled getaway? Look no further! Join me on a thrilling Rocky Road Trippin Adventure as I embark on a solo road trip like no other.

Picture yourself surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, rugged terrains, and towering mountains. This is just some of the beauty you will experience while road tripping through the Rocky Mountains from Vancouver to Banff. From cascading waterfalls to crystal-clear lakes, every turn will leave you mesmerized.

This road trip guide will journey through the Canadian Rocky Mountains from Vancouver to Banff, and will cover tips you need to know along the way.

Canada has so many fantastic road trips, however visiting the Canadian Rocky Mountains has always been near the top of my bucket list. I had booked an Alaskan cruise out of Vancouver, British Columbia.  After much internal debating, I decided what the hell, why not scratch two destinations off the bucket list.

I had never done a solo road trip of this magnitude before, and it didn’t take long before panic set in.  In the end, my desire to see the Rocky Mountains far surpassed my fears. After much research, I decided on my route, where I would stop for one night, what I would do once I arrived in Banff, and where I would stay for my three nights in Banff National Park, and what I need to pack for the perfect road trip.

Arrival Into Vancouver, British Columbia

I didn’t arrive into Vancouver until early evening, so I decided to book a hotel, spend the night and start off towards Banff, Alberta first thing in the morning.  Afterall, I had a 10 hour road trip ahead of me through mountains which I had never driven, so I needed lots of rest.  I picked up my rental car from the airport, which I had booked well in advance.

JUST ONE TIP: I highly recommend that you have a paper map whenever driving through the mountains, as cellphone service is spotty at best

Since I was travelling during the off-season, I didn’t see a need to pre-book the over-night stays going to or returning from Banff. I didn’t have any issues finding vacancies, however, I highly recommend pre-booking if you’re travelling during peak season.

….And the Rocky Road Trippin Adventure Begins

In order to beat the Vancouver traffic, I recommend grabbing a coffee and hitting the highway bright and early.  The first part of the drive between Vancouver and Merritt is quite easy and not too mountainous. Once you reach Merritt, the white knuckles will begin it your’e not use to driving through the mountains.

This part of the highway rises to an elevation of up to 1200 meters, or just under 4,000 feet.  I had hiked this elevation plenty of times, but had never driven it in a car. Much of the one hour drive on this part of the highway was spent gripping the steering wheel and desperately trying not to look over the edge of the mountains.  The drop is steep and there are many areas that don’t have anything more than a small guardrail, if it even had that.  There are many bends and a continuous rise and fall in the elevation, not to mention that the speed limit remained at 120 km per hour.

I am a girl from Ontario where the only “mountains” are ski hills, so I did find this part of the drive extremely intimidating, but I made a through.  It is definitely not a drive for the faint of heart.

There are no stops through this area of the drive, so I highly recommend that you gas up either in Merritt or Kamloops, depending on which way you are going.  I would also stock up on water and snacks before continuing as the weather is apt to change drastically throughout this area.  I would also advise having a car charger for your phone to keep it charged in the case of an emergency.

While the entire drive is mountainous, I didn’t find it too intimidating after the initial shock. I suggest taking your time, as the scenery is magnificent.

Half Way Over-Night Stop in Revelstoke, British Columbia

I arrived in Revelstoke around 4:00 p.m., which is a little more than the half way point between Vancouver and Banff.  This provided plenty of time to rest up for the second half of the journey.  

In Revelstoke, the first hotel I came across was the Sandman Hotel. The Sandman Hotel isn’t fancy, however, it provides everything you need, and it’s right off the main highway.  A Tim Horton’s and gas station are close by and a Denny’s restaurant is on the premises.  As a bonus, the Sandman offers a Seniors Discount for patrons over 50! 

Revelstoke is breath-taking and my only regret is that I didn’t allow for more time in Revelstoke so that I could hike Sutherland Falls in Blanket Creek Provincial Park.  I would recommend staying at least one full day to explore all of the beauty that Revelstoke has to offer.

Revelstoke To Banff Road Trip

Revelstoke is approximately 3.5 to 4 hours from Banff, so there’s no need to hit the road too early, although you will want to leave enough time for coffee breaks and lots of pictures. During Spring, Summer, and Fall, is when constructions occurs in the mountains. Be prepared for many construction stops on this stretch of the journey.

National Parks Between Revelstoke and Banff

The stretch between Revelstoke and Banff is a nature lover’s dream come true. During this leg of the trip, you will pass through several national parks, including:

• Mount Revelstoke National Park
• Glacier National Park
• Yoho National Park
• Banff National Park

You will also pass through some iconic small towns, including Golden and Lake Louise.

To see how to spend your time in Banff, this 2 day itinerary will give you a bit of a start to your planning

Wildlife You Might See On A Rocky Mountain Road Trip

When driving between Revelstoke and Banff, it’s important to be alert and on the lookout for wildlife. This part of the Canadian Rockies is home to:

• grizzly bears and black bears
• moose
• elk
• wolves
• cougars

Elk especially are in abundance and it’s important that they be given the right of way 🙂

Return Road Trip Back to Vancouver, British Columbia

After spending 3 nights and 2 full days exploring the tourist attractions in Banff, I return to Vancouver taking the same route. I drove as far as Kamloops before taking a break for the day. It’s important to note that from Kamloops, Highway 1 is the main and only highway leading into Vancouver.

It is important to leave yourself plenty of time w:hen driving this route, taking traffic and potential accidents into account. If you do encounter a slow-down or even a complete stop, it’s difficult to find an alternate route into Vancouver.

There are many routes to take driving between Vancouver and Banff, however Highway 1 is the quickest and most direct route, taking approximately 10 hours of non-stop driving.  

There are many tourist attractions along the way and the scenery is spectacular. You could easily spend an entire week doing this adventurous road trip through the Rocky Mountains.

Rocky Mountain Road Trip Adventure: In Conclusion …

The journey through the Canadian Rockies is not just about adventure; it’s also about self-discovery. Allow the majestic beauty of the Rocky Mountains to inspire and rejuvenate you. Take a moment to pause and appreciate the wonders of nature. Let the mountains whisper their secrets and the rivers cleanse your spirit.

Are you ready to embark on the Rocky Road Trippin Adventure? Pack your bags, leave your worries behind, and join me for an experience of a lifetime. Get ready to create memories, push your boundaries, and unlock the adventurer within. It’s time to embrace the wild and embark on the ultimate Rocky Mountain adventure.

HAPPY ROAD TRIPPIN 🙂

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