How Long Does It Take To Drive Across Canada?
Canada's unique geography, beautiful landscapes, and friendly residents have made it a desirable place for a road trip. While it's a long journey from one side to the other, it's less daunting when broken into sections - driving a little each day and exploring different parts of this beautiful country along the way.
The drive from Newfoundland in Canada to Alaska in the US will take 23 days to drive in total, but to get the most out of your experience, take the pressure off, and have a safe drive on this long journey, we recommend allowing up to 3 months.
The route you choose to take depends on which parts of Canada you most want to see and how much time you have to make the trip. In this handy guide, we'll provide you with all the information you need to successfully plan your drive across the Great White North.
How long does it take to drive across Canada?
With nearly 10 million square kilometers of land, it can be a challenge to define exactly what driving across Canada entails. The easiest way to define the route across the country is from east to west, from Newfoundland and Labrador to Alaska.
On this journey, you'll travel an incredible 8,500 km - but don't let that put you off. It'd be achieved across at least 23 days and include stops for petrol, sleep, and food.
You can extend the travel period too to really make the most of the beautiful nature and cityscapes you'll see on the route.
There are several ways to drive across Canada
While the drive from Newfoundland to the Alaskan border is the maximum journey length across the country, you'll get a good sense of this varied country through shorter road trips.
Halifax, Nova Scotia to Long Beach, Vancouver Island is a 6,060 km drive taking 17 days to complete. By adding a couple of city stops, you'll be able to complete this journey in around 3 weeks.
The journey from Quebec City to Vancouver is nearly half the distance of Newfoundland to Alaska, but you'll still get to see lots of the country. Quebec City to Vancouver is a 4,810 km journey that takes 11 days less than the Newfoundland to Alaska option.
The table below presents the different options you can consider, including total distance and suggested travel time.
| Origin | Destination | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quebec City, Quebec | Vancouver, British Columbia | 4,810 km | 12 days |
| Halifax, Nova Scotia | Long Beach, Vancouver Island | 6,060 km | 17 days |
| St John's, Newfoundland | Victoria, British Columbia | 7,490 km | 20 days |
| St John's, Newfoundland | Alaskan border | 8,500 km | 23 days |
The fastest way to drive across Canada
With so much ground to cover, it's understandable if you're slightly anxious. Don't worry; we're on hand to let you know the fastest route across Canada.
Driving on the Trans-Canada Highway is the fastest way to travel
The Trans-Canada Highway is an incredible network of roads that have been designed to get from one side of the country to the other quickly. There are two networks to choose from. The first runs close to the border with the United States in the south of the country, while the second is further north.
As the Trans-Canada Highway was built for the purpose of quick travel from east to west, you can rest assured that any road carrying its name will get you across the country as quickly as possible.
There are only two occasions when this isn't true. The first is when you're driving along the Ontario-Quebec border. Following the Trans-Canada Highway here will add 3 hours to your journey.
Instead, you should follow Highway 101 north of Rouyn-Noranda and then take Route 388 until it becomes Ontario Highway 101. Follow this to Matheson before rejoining the Trans-Canada Highway.
The second exception to the rule is if you're heading to the Alaska border once you reach Victoria on Vancouver Island. The Trans-Canada Highway ends here, and you'll need to follow a different set of roads north.
The quickest route from coast to coast across Canada
If you're a fan of coastal areas, you'll want to consider the road trip from Halifax, Nova Scotia, to Long Beach, Vancouver Island. Following this route, you'll start and end your journey in beautiful coastal locations that are perfect for long breaks and seaside walks.
Traveling from coast to coast across the second-largest country in the world can be a startling prospect, but it's achievable and enjoyable when following the quickest route.
Take the Trans-Canada Highway from Truro in Nova Scotia to Horseshoe Bay near Vancouver. Don't forget to avoid following this highway around the Quebec-Ontario border, as we mentioned above, to save some time.
This plan is the quickest coast-to-coast route and should only take 17 days to complete. If you want to take your foot off the pedal a little and take in the sights at your own pace, allow yourself 3 to 4 weeks.
Things to keep in mind while driving across Canada
The sheer beauty of Canada will no doubt delay your journey somewhat. But don't worry about that - the beauty of life is in the journey and not the destination. Take in the landscape, stop to make some memories, and be open to the idea of minor detours here and there.
You'll pass a range of remarkable nature reserves and national parks that you'll want to stop and get a closer look at. Add at least 10 days to your travel time to ease the pressure and open your trip up to opportunities for exploration and adventure.
One important thing to keep in mind is to check weather conditions before you set off as Canada has cold and snowy winters that might mean road closures.
However, this won't be too much of an issue because Trans-Canada Highway is well-maintained and any detour you might end up taking will be just as scenic and inspirational as the main route.
Allow up to 3 months for a leisurely drive across Canada
You can definitely drive across Canada in less than 3 months, but what is the point of hurrying when it means that you will miss out on the majestic sights and have to skip visiting charming towns and buzzing cities? A faster drive might also mean more stress for the driver and the passengers.
The route from St John's, Newfoundland to the Alaska border takes 23 days in total, assuming you're only doing 400 km per day. You can't enjoy yourself if you feel rushed, so we strongly suggest you allow up to 3 months for this journey.
By giving yourself extra time, you'll be able to stay a few nights in places you love, explore the nature offerings on foot, and enjoy delicious Canadian food and world-famous Canadian hospitality.
Some of the many things on the way include the Great Lakes, majestic valleys of British Columbia, Jasper National Park and the Canadian Rockies, if you want to make the best of your time. Amazing scenery of Banff National Park alone might make you want to add an extra day or two to your trip.
So why not take some extra time off, put visits to Quebec City, Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg and Montreal on your calendar and enjoy the best that Canada has to offer? This might mean a longer trip, but it will be one that you will remember for a lifetime!
