Recently updated on September 17th, 2025 at 09:52 am
Oh Canada, you’re a roadtripper’s dream destination. The Cape Breton Highlands. The Howe Sound. The Athabasca Glacier. Canadian highways stretch across some of its most gorgeous landscapes. Buckle up and get ready to binge on poutine, donair, and beavertails: the best road trips in Canada showcase the Great White North in all its glory.
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1. Icefields Parkway, Alberta
The Canadian Rockies have got to be one of the most extraordinary places on earth, so it makes sense the Icefields Parkway is one of the most scenic road trips in North America. The drive takes you from Banff National Park to Jasper National Park, with spectacular views of glaciers, lakes, waterfalls and canyons all the way. There are plenty of incredible scenic stops including Bow Lake and the Columbia Icefields and we’ll take you along the Parkway to see the Athabasca Glacier and famous Lake Louise. While the Rockies are beautiful in any season, fall is particularly breathtaking as the blue waters and snowy mountains contrast against the red and gold foliage.
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FAQ: What is the most beautiful drive in Canada?
It’s hard to pick just one route as the most beautiful drive in Canada. The Icefields Parkway is stunning and combines visits to two amazing national parks. The Sea to Skyway is a beauty itself, showcasing British Columbia’s coastal elegance. Here are ten of our favorite Canadian road trips featuring jaw-dropping scenery.
2. Cabot Trail, Nova Scotia
Located on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, the Cabot Trail is undoubtedly one of the most scenic roadtrips in Canada. The trail is around 187 miles through the Cape Breton Highlands and we’ll take you there on our Canada trips. It’s so stunning you’ll be stopping constantly to take photos and soak up the ocean views and highland scenery… And it’s extra beautiful in fall as all shades of red, gold and yellow paint the old-growth trees. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for bald eagles and moose; better yet, pull over and enjoy the serene whale watching in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
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3. Sea to Skyway Highway, British Columbia
Stretching from Vancouver to Whistler, the Sea to Sky Highway is one of the most scenic road trips in Canada. You can drive this British Columbia route in two hours, but you’ll want to take your time and enjoy all the wonders along the way like the Britannia Mine Museum National Historic Site. September is also one of the best times for this road trip as all the trails are open and the scenery is ablaze with bright fall colours. It all looks stunning next to the glacial mountain peaks and the amazing blue waters of Howe Sound, the southernmost fjord in North America.
Don’t forget to stop at Squamish, where you can take the Sea to Sky Gondola for incredible views of Howe Sound. Plus you can explore over 600 miles of hiking and biking trails. One of the best hikes is the Stawamus Chief with the Sea to Sky Highway passing below the trail.
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4. Trans-Canada Highway, Canada
Got a lot of spare time up your sleeve this fall? Why not take on the Trans-Canada Highway? Spanning around 5,000 miles from Victoria, British Columbia to St. John’s, Newfoundland, this is the longest national highway in the world. You’ll marvel at the changing landscapes as you cruise across Canada and it’s especially beautiful in fall… Plus there are fewer travellers in the fall shoulder season. Plan at least three weeks for this great Canadian road trip so you have time to see all the amazing sights.
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FAQ: How many days to drive across Canada?
If you’re driving across the Trans-Canada Highway, you’ll want to keep at least three to four weeks of your schedule free. Ferries are available from both Newfoundland and Vancouver Island, but keep in mind that the Trans-Canada Highway isn’t a single route. For example, you can take the southern route west of Winnipeg to Vancouver via Calgary or take the northern route to Prince Rupert via Edmonton.
5. Top of the World Highway, Yukon
Technically to complete the Top of the World Highway, you’ll need to cross the international border into Alaska. But no worries if you forgot your passport! This route’s hallmark vista is just before the customs station. Start in Dawson City then cross the Yukon and Klondike Rivers before reaching an elevation of 1,376 meters at the highway’s summit.
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6. Viking Trail, Newfoundland
The Viking Trail is one of the best road trips in Canada that fly under the radar. Kicking off the drive in Gros Morne National Park, this near-700km route touches the Tablelands, Port au Choix, St. Anthony, and L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site. Glacier-carved fjords and herds of caribou, and an 11th-century Viking settlement await your arrival.
7. The Call of the North, Manitoba
Two roads diverged in a Canadian province and you won’t be sorry that you can travel both. The Call of the North route begins in The Pas and leads to Clearwater Lake Provincial Park. Follow the northwestern split and you’ll head to Grass River Provincial Park, the two-millennia-year-old Cranberry Portage route, and Bakers Narrows Provincial Park before arriving at Flin Flon. Follow the northeastern leg of the route to Snow Lake where a relaxing stop at Wekusko Falls Provincial Park is a must.
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8. The Georgian Bay Coastal Route, Ontario
The best of Ontario is on display thanks to the 1,350km Georgian Bay Coastal Route. Fantastic for summer road trips and leaf peeping in autumn, this route includes a visit to the world’s largest freshwater island: Manitoulin Island. Your mileage will take you across the Bruce Peninsula, into the vibrant city of Sudbury, and around the amazing outdoor attractions surrounding Killarney, before stopping at the gorgeous French River Provincial Park.
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9. The Badlands Parkway, Saskatchewan
For fans of a short journey that’s best explored at a slow and steady pace, the Badlands Parkway is perfect. This scenic route in Saskatchewan’s Grasslands National Park is a mere 11km long. Six viewpoints offer plenty of reasons to pull over: from free-standing buttes and hoodoos to the eponymous badlands and grasslands themselves. Better yet, keep the car in park and explore the national park’s trails for more stunning geological and wildlife sightings.
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10. The Fundy Trail Parkway, New Brunswick
The Bay of Fundy is a popular destination on its own, but we recommend that roadtrippers take full advantage of the Fundy Trail Parkway. This 30km scenic drive grants gorgeous glimpses along the Bay of Fundy, allowing you to watch the tide change as you cruise through the provincial park. Part of both the UNESCO Fundy Biosphere Reserve and Stonehammer Geopark, this park has 35km of hiking trails offering plenty of opportunities to stretch your legs.
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FAQ: What is the best month to road trip in Canada?
Late-May to early-September are the best months to road trip in Canada, however, each has its own caveat. Northern destinations or areas of higher elevation may still be thawing out in late-May or starting to freeze in early-September. June through August see the most tourists and highest prices, though it’s a fair trade for the warmest temperatures and longest hours of daylight.
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