How Long Does It Take to Drive Across Canada?

Whether you are a Canadian citizen, driving across Canada might be an interesting experience.

This road trip can last for months or even years, and many people have questions about the process and what it takes to get across the country.

So, in this post, I will answer these questions and then provide some maps so you can track your progress along the way.

To begin with, when driving from Vancouver, BC to Montreal, QC, it takes approximately nine hours total with six hours of driving time. However, going from Vancouver, BC to Toronto, ON, or vice versa will take much longer.

I would say it takes at least 14-16 hours. This includes the time it takes to drive through the countryside and ample breaks.

The driving distance ranges around 4,937km 3,087 miles from end to end, which is not too bad!

Driving from the East Coast to the West is much easier than going West to East for two reasons – The weather and terrain.

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Choosing the Best Possible Route to Cross Canada

I suggest taking the route starting in Vancouver, BC, and following the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) until you reach Port Hardy on Vancouver Island.

You can cross over to Prince Rupert and follow Highway 16 as it heads south. Stay on this highway until you reach Whitehorse.

This is where your journey across Canada will begin – we will continue with a flight westward to Inuvik, NU.

If you’re only traveling from Vancouver to Montreal QC, taking the more common route is a good option: continue northward on Highway 1 until reaching Jasper.

You will head to Prince George and take Highway 97 East. Then travel along Highway 57 from Prince George to Alberta and then north on Highway 16 until you get to Whitehorse.

You can go south onto highway 43, which will take you past Yellowknife and on North of the Arctic Circle to Inuvik, NU.

Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk will require a charter or bush plane flight along the Mackenzie River until you reach the Arctic Ocean. You can take the highway across Tuktoyaktuk and enter Alberta through Fort Mcmurray.

The journey’s final stretch is along Highway 63 until you cross into Ontario and continue on Highway 17 until Montreal, QC.

Now, if you want to get from Vancouver to Toronto ON or vice versa, the route I would suggest taking begins in Vancouver and crossing over to Prince George.

You will continue on Highway 97 and take Highway 16 until you reach Whitehorse. You can follow the same path as mentioned above.

Two alternative routes are listed on the map image above. The dark blue route starts in Vancouver and takes the more common route of Highway 1 until you reach Jasper.

You will head to Prince George and then onto Highway 97, which will take you past Prince Rupert and into Alberta. Hopefully, your next leg of the journey is along Highway 16 towards Whitehorse.

Once you’ve arrived in Whitehorse, travel along the Historic Alaska Hwy through Kluane National Park, Atlin, and Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park before crossing into British Columbia.

You will continue along Highway 1 to Hope, a beautiful area of British Columbia. From Hope, you will continue on Highway 1 until you reach Merritt.

You are only minutes away from the US border from Merritt and can enter into Blaine, Washington, before continuing to Bellingham, WA. Located in Bellingham, WA is the Peace Arch Border Crossing.

You’ll enter Canada again and continue along Highway 17 until you reach Toronto ON, smack dab in the middle of Ontario.

The white route starts in Vancouver, BC, and continues onto Highway 1 until reaching Prince George. From there, you will head north and continue on the highway.

Once you arrive in the Yukon Territory, you will follow along Highway 41 as it heads to Dawson City, Yukon.

Continue on Highway 2A as it passes through Eagle Plains and Haines Junction before you get to Watson Lake, where you will follow Highway 16 until finally arriving at Whitehorse.

Once you’ve arrived in Whitehorse, take the Alaska Highway as it passes through Kluane National Park, Atlin, and Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park before crossing into British Columbia.

From there, you will continue on Highway 1 to Hope. From Hope, drive along Highway 7 until you get to Merritt. You will then cross over into Washington State, from where you can continue your journey as I previously outlined above.

The red route takes you from Vancouver, BC, and continues on the Trans-Canada highway until Hope, British Columbia. From Hope, continue along Highway 7 until you reach Merritt and enter Washington State, continuing along Highway 1.

In Washington, continue until you reach Bellingham, WA. From Bellingham, WA, drive along Highway 3 and take a left onto Highway 20, which will bring you to Interstate 5.

Take Interstate 5 until it merges with Interstate 205, where you will take a right and drive onto Interstate 90.

Take Interstate 90 until you get to Everett, WA, where you can head south on Highway 99. Follow Highway 99 as it passes through Seattle, WA.

Once you reach Seattle, continue along Highway 99 and merge onto Interstate 5, heading northbound towards Vancouver, BC. Then continue on the Trans-Canada Highway and follow Highway 1 until you reach Hope.

Drive along Highway 7 until you reach Merritt and then cross over into Washington State, where you will continue on Interstate 5.

From there, follow Interstate 5 to Bellingham, WA, where you will follow directions as I previously outlined above.

Naturally, you can take this path from Bellingham, WA, back to Vancouver, BC, by way of Interstate 5 as well.

If you choose to take the yellow route, you will pass through Seattle, WA. You will want to head south on Interstate 5 and follow along with Interstate 90 until you get to Everett, WA. Once you get to Everett, continue south along I-5 and merge onto Highway 99.

Follow Highway 99 as it passes through Seattle, WA. Once you reach Seattle, you will follow along with Highway 99 and continue south until you get to Vancouver, where you will follow along with the Trans-Canada Highway until reaching Hope.

Drive along Highway 7 until you reach Merritt and then cross over into Washington State, where you will continue on Interstate 5 for the final leg of your journey. Follow directions as I outlined above.

Once you’ve arrived in Whitehorse, take the Alaska Highway as it passes through Kluane National Park, Atlin, and Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park before crossing into British Columbia.

From there, you will continue on Highway 1 until you reach Hope. From Hope, continue along Highway 7 until you get to Merritt.

You will then cross over into Washington State, from where you can continue your journey by following directions as I outlined above.