寻找8月初自驾游 rock mountain

[zenozhu]

i have 2 adults and a 3 yrs kid, i will drive my dodge caravan. looking some other family with 2-3 people to go together. this van will fit 7 passengers. wish you have experience of highway driving. i am holding a commercial A license, always driving on highway, if there are 2 driver, we will make it more faster.
this long trip will take at least 10 days for round way:
Ottawa- Edmonton
Edmonton-Rock mountain
Rock mountain- Vancouver
Vancouver-Ottawa

 

[Coast]

it's not a good idea to drive all the way from Ottawa to Edmonton, too boring!

Better fly to Edmonton or Calgary and rent a car.


Safety is the most important! Because you have a three-year old kid, you better to find the safe route. You should be able to find lots of discussion about how to drive to east to west. I remember many people suggest to drive through US, because driving at northern Ontario is not a good choice.

Enjoy the trip!

 

[Buckwheattobe]

Takes about one week to drive to Vancouver one way. So a conservative estimate for your trip takes at least 3 weeks, more like 4 weeks.

I drove to Winnipeg once. The drive around the great lakes is not too bad but it is long. Took us 22 hours to get out of Ontario. Driving around Lake Superior was interesting. That lake is so big it felt like an ocean. It took us 2 and half days to get to Winnipeg. Stopping over at Sault Ste. Marie and Thunderbay.

The boring part of your trip is driving through Manitoba, Saskatchewan and part of Alberta. Your kid will be counting hydro poles. The terrain is flat and featureless.

Sitting at the back of a minivan for that many hours is very uncomfortable though and especially when the van is fully loaded with passengers. I suggest you and your spouse take turn in the driving. One of you can get some rest at the back lying down. (Kind of ignoring the seat belt law..). And forget about sharing the trip with another family.

 

[zenozhu]

thanks for your kind of suggestion. the maximum i could spend 2 wks
on this trip, so suggested as above i would be flying over then renting a car, the original idea that i had was based on the past experience, you drive for a vacation is better than go with tour team, anyway i am still planing.

 

[Buckwheattobe]

Then fly into Calgary and do Banff and Jasper area. If you like camping, it is the best spot. You will have the experience of a lifetime, that is, if you are not afraid of occasional visits by bears.
The drive to Vancouver from Calgary is about 12 hours. You can stop at Golden, B.C. I visited a resort called Kicking Horse this February to do some skiing. I cannot get over the majestic view on top of the mountain there.
Best way is to return your car in Vancouver and fly back if you can. Ask how much the drop off charge is.

 

[merrywind]

Do not drive over to Canadian Rockies from Ottawa. The reason is simple: save your energy and the time for the shockingly beautiful scenes at the Canadian Rockies. Fly there and rent a car. Tour at your own paces. Truly relax and enjoy.