11 Best Stops on a Road Trip from Vancouver to Banff 

Embarking on a road trip from Vancouver to Banff? Along the way, pay a visit to some of the most fascinating destinations in British Columbia and the Canadian Rockies, from ancient glaciers to stunning mountain resort towns. 

The 900km drive from Vancouver to Banff is widely heralded as one of the best road trips in North America. While following the route, you’ll pass by national parks with snow-capped mountains, quaint resort towns hidden in scenic valleys, and natural wonders that include vast glaciers, azure lakes, ancient cedar forests, and wildlife ranging from bald eagles to grizzlies (if you’re lucky). 

Some of the best stops on a road trip from Vancouver to Banff include world-famous destinations like Whistler and the Yoho National Park. But there are also plenty of lesser-known hotspots to discover, such as the laid-back mountain resort of Squamish and the rapids that traverse the town of Golden. 

While it’s possible to drive from Vancouver to Banff in around nine hours, I recommended allocating at least a week to completing this epic road trip. That way, you’ll have plenty of time to soak up the incredible sights on this amazing route. 

The best stops on a Vancouver to Banff road trip 

From the heritage museums of Kamloops to the Olympic Park of Whistler, here are 11 of my favourite attractions and destinations to visit while driving from Vancouver to Banff. 

Map of the route from Vancouver to Banff