British Columbia Road Trip – Best 10 Days Itinerary

Travel Attractions – Best British Columbia Road Trip

A road trip to British Columbia is one of the most enjoyable driving trips you can take in Canada.

British Columbia has a stunning coastline, as well as wineries, vineyards, forests, ski resorts and festivals. It also boasts some of the most friendly, laid-back people in Canada.

Are you ready to plan a BC road trip? This post will cover :

British Columbia Road Trip (10 Day Itinerary)

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Days 1 & 2 – Vancouver

Vancouver Airport (YVR), is the best place to start your British Columbia Road Trip. Rent a car and fly into Vancouver Airport. There are many things to do in this vibrant city.

Renting bikes is a great way to explore Vancouver, whether you are a first-timer or seasoned traveler.

Apart from its diversity, what’s most remarkable about Vancouver is the fact that it’s only a stone’s throw away from nature. Vancouver, located at the foothills the Northshore Mountains and along the Atlantic Ocean coast, is a great place to get both nature and city fix in one location.

Day 3 – Vancouver Island

We recommend taking the ferry from Vancouver to Swartz Bay, and then making your way to Vancouver Island to see the many activities. You may need to book your ferry ahead if you travel in summer.

You’ll arrive in Victoria when you dock at Swartz bay. It’s worth spending the afternoon here, having lunch and exploring Beacon Hill Park as well as the Butchart Gardens before heading up the coast.

Vancouver Island has so many incredible places. Some of our top picks include a whale watching tour and hiking to Ammonite Falls. You can also go salmon fishing in Campbell River.

Day 4 – Kelowna / Okanagan Valley

Kelowna is located in Canada’s Okanagan Valley, about a four-hour drive from Vancouver. Take highways 1, 3 and 97. It is surrounded by forests, vineyards and lakes.

Note: Alternatively, you could head north along the Sea to Sky highway, over to Kamloops, and then down to Kelowna. This is a beautiful drive, but it’s only recommended if you have more time.

You could also head north on the Sea to Sky highway to Kamloops and then to Kelowna. It’s a beautiful drive but not recommended unless you have more time.

A tasting tour of wine country is one of the most popular activities in this area, with over 40 wineries near Kelowna. There are everything from small, family-owned vineyards to large estates. There are many options available, no matter what your preference. This Kelowna wine trip will take you to the best of the area’s vineyards.

You don’t like wine? You have plenty of other options. You can also rent a bike to ride along the Kettle Valley Railway and the Myra Canyon Trestles. Also, you should visit Okanagan Lake Provincial Park and check out the suspension bridges at Kelowna Mountain.

Day 5 – Revelstoke

Revelstoke, located two and a quarter hours from Kelowna in the Columbia Mountains Natural Region, is a small community and one of British Columbia’s most scenic hubs.

It is best known as a ski destination with Revelstoke Mountain Resort in the heart of it all. 

There are many activities to enjoy in this beautiful town, whether you’re a winter sports enthusiast or not. You can also drive the Sky Parkway Mountains, take a paragliding lesson, visit the waterfalls and ride the famous pipe mountain coaster.

The following is a list of related articles: Pipe Mountain Coaster was opened in 2016. It is a cart-rollercoaster that can be used by one person attached to a monorail track. Once you are launched, you can travel up to 40 km/25 mph. 

The trip takes approximately 3 minutes. It feels longer when you race through the mountains in a tiny, but secure cart.

Day 6 – Yoho National Park 

Yoho National Park is located two hours from Revelstoke in British Columbia’s east end rocky mountains. Yoho, the Cree First Nations word meaning “awe” and “amazement”, is aptly named.

Yoho National Park is home to Lake O’Hara, Takakkaw Falls and Wapta Falls. Also, you can visit Emerald Lake, Burgess Shale Foliil Beds (UNESCO world heritage site) and Kicking Horse Pass National Historic Site.

This park is a primarily outdoor-oriented national park in Canada. There aren’t many indoor activities to be had. It’s impossible to resist an area as jaw-dropping!

👉 Pro Tip: Banff National Park is just across the provincial border from Yoho. Check out the list of  Best things to do in Banff National Park for all you need to know if you want to extend your trip!

Day 7 – Kootenay National Park / Hot Springs

It’s all about relaxing in the Kootenay Rocky to complete a week in British Columbia. Kootenay National Park is just a half hour drive from Yoho.

Our opinion is that Kootenay’s best attractions are Floe Lake and Numa Falls. We also recommend exploring Egypt Lake, Sinclair Canyon, and the paint pots.

After a long day exploring, we believe the hot springs are the star of the area. Radium, Canyon, Fairmont and Halcyon are some of the most famous hot springs in this region.

Some Tips For Your BC Road Trip:

1. Where to Rent a Car in BC

For a rental car in BC, we recommend booking with Discovery Cars. The platform’s customer-oriented service will assist you in choosing a car and finding the best rate. They also provide insurance. View reviews and compare prices from many BC car rental agencies.

You can also visit Motorhome Republic if you want to go on a campervan tour through British Columbia. This is one of the most popular and well-reviewed sites to book motorhomes, campervans, or other RVs.

2. Driving in British Columbia

Road trips in British Columbia are either laid-back cruises or high-energy adventures, depending on where and when you travel.

Additionally, depending on your origin, an international driver’s license may be required to drive through British Columbia’s scenic highways.

3. What’s the Best Time of Year to Road Trip British Columbia?

All snowshoeing, snowboarding, and skiing activities are best done in winter. Winter is a magical time to visit areas such as Whistler and Fernie. 

However, we wouldn’t recommend visiting Vancouver Island or Vancouver in winter. These areas don’t get much snow but are known for being rainy. While there is nothing wrong with the coast of BC in winter, you will find it much more sunny in summer.

The winter in BC is amazing. There are some of the most beautiful ski resorts in the country. However, the roads can be slippery and there may be avalanche dangers. Winter tires will also be required. You shouldn’t let that deter you from taking a winter BC road trip. I have done it before and still have the stories to tell.

Summer months, roughly May to September, are the most popular time for a BC road trip. Driving in summer is simple because of the long, warm days. You’ll find it easy to get around. 

A week of road trips in BC is just the beginning. There is so much more you can do along the way. If you want to extend your stay, consider focusing your trip on some of the most famous things in BC.

Check Out BC’s Iconic Ski Resorts

British Columbia has some of the most beautiful slopes in the world, if you are a keen skier/snowboarder.

This area attracts people from all over the globe to visit. They even offer “winter student” programs that allow you to travel to Canada to make extra money and work at the resorts.

The most famous ski resorts in British Columbia are:

• Big White Ski Resort
• Fernie Alpine Resort
• Whistler Blackcomb
• Summit Lake Ski Area
• Kicking Horse Mountain Resort

Enjoy a Festival in British Columbia

British Columbian festivals are quite different. Like all Canadian provinces, BC is unique in its culture. We can describe it as laid back, natural, bohemian and welcoming.

A direct reflection of its culture, BC festivals can be a whole lot of fun.

Here are some of the most popular festivals in BC:

• Shambhala Music Festival (Kootenay)
• Vancouver Island Music Fest
• World Championship Bathtub Race (Nanaimo)
• Vancouver Folk Fest
• Celebration of Light (Vancouver)
• Vancouver International Film Festival
• Spring Okanagan Wine Festival

Expert Suggestion

Please add this section and picture : If you are going on a road trip with a group, I think custom pins will add more cohesion to your group and add more fun, custom pins are very memorable and give the team a sense of identity

FAQs About British Columbia Road Trip