Vancouver To Calgary Road Trip: Top 18 Tips

Traveling from Vancouver to Calgary is one of the best journeys you can experience in Canada. The 1,074 km road trip from Vancouver to Calgary takes around 11 hours and 33 mins of driving without stops.

This article includes 18 top tips that turn your Vancouver to Calgary drive into an unforgettable journey. So if you’re looking for the best hotels, restaurants, and places to visit on the road trip from Vancouver to Calgary, take your coffee and keep reading!

6 Best Hotels On The Road Trip From Vancouver To Calgary

On the Vancouver to Calgary road trip, you may want to stay at some points on the way. Here are the top six hotels on the Vancouver – Calgary route!

1. BROOKSIDE INN Boutique Hotel: BROOKSIDE INN Boutique Hotel is one of the best hotels where you can stay on the Vancouver to Calgary road trip. Driving from Vancouver to BROOKSIDE INN Boutique Hotel might take around 55 mins. The Brookside Inn Boutique Hotel is a luxurious option for accommodation, situated next to a working vineyard with a magnificent view of Mount Baker. The three-story inn, built in the Tudor style, features 9-15 foot high ceilings, creating a stately yet warm atmosphere. Check the BROOKSIDE INN Boutique Hotel, one of the best hotels in Abbotsford, Canada, on TripAdvisor and Booking.com for recent reviews, prices, and availability.
2. Evergreen B & B, Hope, Canada: Another top hotel where you can choose the stay on the road trip to Calgary from Vancouver is Evergreen B & B, Hope, Canada. Located in Hope, Canada, the hotel is 152 km away from Vancouver, and it would take 1 hour and 42 mins to drive. Instead, experience the charm of a minor, friendly boutique Bed & Breakfast with all the modern conveniences you desire. Our lovely furnishings, convenient location near shops and restaurants, and hospitable owners will make you feel at home. And relax in our large soaker tubs after a long day of exploring! If you want to learn more about Evergreen B & B, Hope, Canada, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.
3. South Thompson Inn & Conference Centre: Didn’t our first two hotel suggestions interest you? So we would like to introduce you to the South Thompson Inn & Conference Centre. South Thompson Inn & Conference Centre is located in Kamloops, Canada, and it’s 377 km away from Vancouver. You can arrive there in 3 hours and 55 mins of non-stop driving. The “Unique Boutique” Inn is situated on 55 acres right on the South Thompson River. Guest accommodations are all individually decorated and feature balconies overlooking the mountain or river views, luxurious bathrobes, soaker or jetted bathtubs & complimentary wireless internet service. Check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of South Thompson Inn & Conference Centre for more information.
4. The Explorers Society Hotel: If you are taking the road trip from Vancouver to Calgary, Revelstoke, Canada, it must have a place you should visit. The Explorers Society Hotel is one of the best hotels in town. It is The Explorers Society Hotel, 565 km from Vancouver, and it would take 6 hours to drive. The Hotel Windham provides a luxury experience for adventurers, groups, and business/social events with its nine beautiful wood-trimmed and historically detailed hotel rooms, huge rooftop indoor/outdoor guest lounge with hot tub, secure parking, and the Boiler Room – a mysterious place for private dining and whisky. If you need more info about the price and availability of The Explorers Society Hotel, check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages.
5. Bighorn Meadows Resort: Our next hotel is Bighorn Meadows Resort, Radium Hot Springs, Canada. It will take 8 hours, and 46 mins of car ride o reach this hotel from Vancouver. Bighorn Meadows Resort offers stunning views of the Purcell and Rocky Mountain ranges and the emerald green fairways of the prestigious Springs Course. Guests can enjoy mountain vistas, cozy fireplaces, decks with BBQs, high-end finishings, and full kitchens where they can stock groceries, snacks, and drinks in one of the Resorts 1, 2, or 3-bedroom vacation condos. Check the Bighorn Meadows Resort on TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Bighorn Meadows Resort for reviews, prices, and availability.
6. Mount Royal Hotel: Another hotel you can accommodate on the road trip from Vancouver to Calgary is Mount Royal Hotel. It’s possible to arrive at this hotel in Banff, Alberta, within a 10 and 20 mins drive from Vancouver. The stylish mountain-chic accommodations and relaxed approach to luxury at the Alpine Village Resort promise to elevate your Canadian Rockies experience. After a day of adventure, head to the rooftop for a soak in one of the outdoor hot tubs. The views from here are truly next-level. Before making the reservation, we suggest you read the latest reviews on TripAdvisor and Booking.com.

In this part, we explained six different hotels you can stay at on the road trip from Vancouver to Calgary. You can pick one of them that suits your taste. Don’t forget to share your experience by writing a comment to this post. It will help people who will take the exact Vancouver to Calgary route.

Now, it’s time to discover the best restaurants from Vancouver to Calgary. We have six restaurant recommendations worth your attention.

6 Best Restaurants On The Vancouver To Calgary Road Trip

If dining is a pleasure, some restaurants will please you on your Vancouver to Calgary road trip. In this section, we list the six different restaurants to dine at on the road trip from Vancouver to Calgary. Stay hungry and enjoy!

1. Greek Islands Restaurant, Abbotsford: We would like to start our restaurant recommendation list on the Vancouver to Calgary road trip with Greek Islands Restaurant, Abbotsford. Greek Islands Restaurant, Abbotsford, is located in Abbotsford, Canada, 72.0 km from Vancouver. It would take 59 mins of driving. The award-winning and family-owned Greek restaurant in Abbotsford, BC, have three convenient locations. Each dish is delicious and very plentiful! For more information about Greek Islands Restaurant, Abbotsford, you can visit the TripAdvisor or Google Maps pages of the Greek Islands Restaurant, Abbotsford.
2. Owl Street Cafe: Another top restaurant you can choose to eat at on the road trip to Calgary from Vancouver is Owl Street Cafe. Located in Hope, Canada, Owl Street Cafe is 150 km from Vancouver and would take 1 hour and 42 mins to drive. This cafe is full of character. The interior is filled with owls, and there is a charming garden patio to enjoy. The coffee is excellent, and the pastries are delicious. This is a great place to relax and enjoy a cup of coffee. If you want to learn more about Owl Street Cafe, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
3. Hello Toast: Another restaurant that can be preferred by those who are fond of food is Hello Toast. It will take 3 hours and 42 mins of car drive to take 354 km from Vancouver to Hello Toast, Kamloops, Canada. Hello, Toast is a popular breakfast and lunch spot in downtown Kamloops. They’ve been a part of the community for over 20 years and are known for their delicious food and friendly service. So if you’re looking for a great place to eat in Kamloops, Toast is worth checking out! You can check Hello Toast on TripAdvisor or Google Maps for more information.
4. Quartermaster Eatery: Quartermaster Eatery deserves to be on our list. It is one of the most recommended restaurants in Revelstoke, Canada. Working with local farms, boutique ranchers, and wild/sustainable fisheries, chefs create innovative takes on timeless cuisine for the modern diner. Crafting carefully, in-house, and from scratch is their way of doing things because good food shared amongst good people is a powerful source of connection, emotion, and joy. Quartermaster Eatery is 565 km from Vancouver and would take 6 hours of non-stop car driving. If you want to learn more about Quartermaster Eatery, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
5. Helna’s Stube Restaurant: If you enjoy dining, Helna’s Stube Restaurant would be an excellent choice in Radium Hot Springs, Canada. It’s 816 km from Vancouver and would take 8 hours and 44 mins of car driving. Helna’s Stube is a restaurant specializing in delicacies from Austria and the surrounding areas. The menu features a variety of appetizers, entrees, and desserts that change regularly. If you want to learn more about Helna’s Stube Restaurant, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
6. Sky Bistro: Another restaurant we recommend you visit on the road trip from Vancouver to Calgary is Sky Bistro, Banff, Alberta. It will take 10 hours and 26 mins of driving to reach Sky Bistro from Vancouver. Sky Bistro offers stunning views of Banff and six Rocky Mountain ranges from its position on Sulphur Mountain. Guests can ride on the Banff Gondola to reach the restaurant, where they can enjoy locally inspired dishes made from fresh regional ingredients. Canadian culinary traditions are showcased in the Sky Bistro’s menu, making it a truly unique dining experience. For more information about Sky Bistro, you can check the TripAdvisor or Google Maps pages of the restaurant.

This section lists our six restaurant recommendations for you to eat on your road trip from Vancouver to Calgary. We hope these suggestions will help you turn your 1,074 km journey into a feast of taste. Of course, you can choose a suitable restaurant from the list according to your preference. Remember, like you, people planning a Calgary road trip need your opinion. Therefore, we kindly ask you to share your experience with us in the comment field at the end of the blog post.

In the next section, we list the destinations worth seeing along the route from Vancouver to Calgary. Keep reading.

6 Places To Visit On The Vancouver To Calgary Drive

A unique experience awaits you in Calgary. However, some unique destinations, like Abbotsford, Canada, are on your road trip. We want to explain the top six destinations we recommend on the Calgary route.

• Mill Lake: Mill Lake will be the first destination we recommend you stop by on your Vancouver to Calgary road trip. Located in Abbotsford, Canada, Mill Lake is 71.3 km away from Vancouver, and it would take 59 mins to drive. Whether you are a serious walker, runner, jogger, or out for a pleasant stroll, the path around the lake offers a wide variety of views of the surrounding area. Views include Mt. Baker, the kids’ park, an eagle’s nest, and too many gooses! If you want to learn more about Mill Lake, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website.
• Art Walk, Hope, Canada: Art Walk, Hope, Canada, Hope, Canada is one of the destinations we recommend you stop by on the Vancouver to Calgary route. It’s 152 km from Vancouver, and it’ll take about 1 hour and 43 mins of driving. At each of the locations in black below, you will find featured wood carvings or work by local artists. If you want to learn more about Art Walk, Hope, Canada, you can check it on TripAdvisor or their website.
• Monte Creek Winery: One of the stops you should not neglect to stop by when you take the road trip from Vancouver to Calgary is Kamloops, Canada. And if you visit Kamloops, Canada, we suggest you visit Monte Creek Winery. You can arrive at Monte Creek Winery after 3 hours and 58 mins of driving. With a focus on quality, innovation, and sustainability, Monte Creek Winery in the Thompson Valley is turning unique growing conditions into award-winning premium wines. Situated on a 1,200-acre property, Monte Creek Winery has 75 acres of grapes planted in the Thompson Valley, plus 40 planted acres in the Similkameen Valley. The winery’s focus on sustainable and regenerative farming has resulted in wines celebrating the purpose and place. You can visit TripAdvisor and the official site of Monte Creek Winery for more information.
• Giant Cedars Boardwalk Trail: Do you also like to travel and experience new things? Then, it would be best to visit Giant Cedars Boardwalk Trail, Revelstoke, Canada, on the Vancouver to Calgary road trip. Giant Cedars Boardwalk Trail is 592 km from Vancouver, and you can arrive there after the 6 hours and 18 mins of drive. Are you looking to beat the summer heat? Take a refreshing walk through the lush rainforest. Stand at the point of no return, where champions once launched themselves down a world-famous ski jump, and imagine the thrill of flight. In addition, you should check TripAdvisor and the official website of Giant Cedars Boardwalk Trail before going there.
• Kootenay National Park: Located in Radium Hot Springs, Canada, Kootenay National Park ranks fifth in our list of tourist destinations on the road trip from Vancouver to Calgary. You must take 8 hours and 45 mins of driving to arrive at Kootenay National Park. Kootenay National Park was established in 1920 as part of an agreement to build a new road across the Rockies. This park is a place of unique contrasts, from icy mountain rivers to steamy hot springs. Take a 60-minute scenic drive and discover a new surprise around every bend. If you want to learn more about Kootenay National Park, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website.
• Banff Gondola: Another attraction you can visit on the road trip from Vancouver to Calgary is Banff Gondola, Banff, Alberta. Banff Gondola is 955 km from Vancouver, and it would take 10 hours and 28 mins to drive. Travel to the top of Sulphur Mountain for stunning views of six mountain ranges. The adventure begins with an eight-minute journey to the summit in a modern, fully enclosed four-passenger gondola cabin. You’ll enjoy breathtaking vistas in every direction. You can check their TripAdvisor page or official website for more information about Banff Gondola.

FAQ of the Road Trip From Vancouver to Calgary

Here we are answering the frequently asked questions about the Vancouver to Calgary drive.

How Long Is The Road Trip From Vancouver To Calgary?

• With ideal traffic and weather conditions, the Vancouver to Calgary road trip takes approximately 11 hours and 33 mins to drive. Therefore, the driving distance between Vancouver to Calgary is 1,074 km.
• If you want to make the Vancouver to Calgary road trip by bike, the time you spend on the road will be two days and 13 hours.
• If you are crazy enough and plan to walk the Vancouver-Calgary route, you will have to walk for nine days and 22 hours.

Where Do You Stop On Driving From Vancouver To Calgary?

There are many beautiful pit stops along the way to Calgary. You can visit Abbotsford, Canada; Hope, Canada; Kamloops, Canada; Revelstoke, Canada; Radium Hot Springs, Canada; Banff, Alberta on the road. Here we list six places to visit for you. For more information about the best places on the Vancouver to Calgary journey, you can check the 6 Best Places To Visit On The Way From Vancouver To Calgary part.

1. Mill Lake: 71.3 km / 59 mins to drive from Vancouver | 1,006 km / 10 hours and 45 mins of driving to Calgary.
2. Art Walk, Hope, Canada: 152 km / 1 hour and 43 mins to drive from Vancouver | 924 km / 9 hours and 56 mins of driving to Calgary.
3. Monte Creek Winery: 385 km / 3 hours and 58 mins to drive from Vancouver | 692 km / 7 hours and 40 mins of driving to Calgary.
4. Giant Cedars Boardwalk Trail: 592 km / 6 hours and 18 mins to drive from Vancouver | 483 km / 5 hours and 19 mins of driving to Calgary.
5. Kootenay National Park: 816 km / 8 hours and 45 mins to drive from Vancouver | 165 km / 1 hour and 44 mins of driving to Calgary.
6. Banff Gondola: 955 km / 10 hours and 28 mins to drive from Vancouver | 132 km / 1 hour and 34 mins of driving to Calgary.

Where Should You Stay On The Road Trip From Vancouver To Calgary?

There are many excellent hotels during your road trip from Vancouver to Calgary. We have selected six hotels for you. These hotels are listed below. Remember, you can find detailed information about these hotels in the 6 Best Hotels On The Way To Calgary From Vancouver section.

• BROOKSIDE INN Boutique Hotel: 66.9 km / 55 mins to drive from Vancouver | 1,014 km / 10 hours and 49 mins of driving to Calgary.
• Evergreen B & B, Hope, Canada: 152 km / 1 hour and 42 mins to drive from Vancouver | 923 km / 9 hours and 55 mins of driving to Calgary.
• South Thompson Inn & Conference Centre: 377 km / 3 hours and 55 mins to drive from Vancouver | 708 km / 7 hours and 50 mins of driving to Calgary.
• The Explorers Society Hotel: 565 km / 6 hours to drive from Vancouver | 511 km / 5 hours and 37 mins of driving to Calgary.
• Bighorn Meadows Resort: 817 km / 8 hours and 46 mins to drive from Vancouver | 261 km / 2 hours and 53 mins of driving to Calgary.
• Mount Royal Hotel: 951 km / 10 hours and 20 mins to drive from Vancouver | 126 km / 1 hour and 25 mins of driving to Calgary.

Where To Eat Between Vancouver to Calgary?

If you are thinking of taking a break and having a nice meal on your Vancouver to Calgary drive, you can consider the six restaurants we have chosen. In addition, you can read detailed information about the restaurants in the section titled 6 Best Restaurants On The Way From Vancouver To Calgary.

1. Greek Islands Restaurant, Abbotsford: 72.0 km / 59 mins to drive from Vancouver | 1,007 km / 10 hours and 45 mins of driving to Calgary.
2. Owl Street Cafe: 150 km / 1 hour and 42 mins to drive from Vancouver | 927 km / 9 hours and 56 mins of driving to Calgary.
3. Hello Toast: 354 km / 3 hours and 42 mins to drive from Vancouver | 722 km / 8 hours of driving to Calgary.
4. Quartermaster Eatery: 565 km / 6 hours to drive from Vancouver | 511 km / 5 hours and 37 mins of driving to Calgary.
5. Helna’s Stube Restaurant: 816 km / 8 hours and 44 mins to drive from Vancouver | 260 km / 2 hours and 51 mins of driving to Calgary.
6. Sky Bistro: 955 km / 10 hours and 26 mins to drive from Vancouver | 131 km / 1 hour and 33 mins of driving to Calgary.

Conclusion

So, there you have it- a complete guide to planning a road trip from Vancouver to Calgary. We have listed six hotels, six restaurants, and six places to visit on the Vancouver to Calgary drive. We have also given you detailed information about each place so that you can make an informed choice about where to stay, eat, and what to see. We hope this guide has helped make your road trip from Vancouver to Calgary as enjoyable as possible.

Share Your Thoughts

Have you ever taken the Vancouver to Calgary road trip? So, it would be perfect if you shared your experience with other travelers who want the same experience. You can share your thoughts about the road trip from Vancouver to Calgary and your recommendations about this route by using the comment field below.