When planning a holiday to a destination that's close enough to drive, yet far enough to invoke panic in parents of young children, it can be tempting to put the pedal to the metal and just get to your destination as quickly as possible. However, what's often missed along the way - towns you wouldn't think of visiting, parks to explore, restaurants, scenic sights - can in fact be just as fun to discover as whatever awaits you at the end point, and provide much needed breaks in a long journey. 

The classic British Columbia road trip which most of us who live on the west coast have taken at least once in our lives (or more if you belonged to a competitive high school choir or sports team) is to some destination in Alberta via the Trans Canada Highway (which is one of the world's longest national highways, spanning 8030 km (4990 miles) coast to coast from Victoria BC to St. John's, Newfoundland).  Fortunately, this is a beautiful trip, starting from either Vancouver Island or Vancouver city, weaving through mountain ranges, and arriving at the Alberta border some 10+ hours later (this trip is of course also taken in reverse by many travellers coming from the east of the Rockies). 

The downside: it's a long, long trip to tackle in a single day. Those of us who were under the gun to get to a singing competition on those school trips which didn’t fork out the cash for an overnight stop had to suffer on a crowded bus, too claustrophobic and restless to appreciate the world-class scenery outside the window.  It may have saved time, but it sure sapped morale (mind you, these trips predated the iPad).  Savvy road-trippers - particularly those with children - would be wise to take advantage of the charming towns and make a couple of fun days out of it, rather than arriving at the final destination burnt out and ready to torch the family station wagon and all of its contents.  

Let's assume for the sake of this article that you're travelling from Victoria, BC to the Alberta border.  There are really two ways to get off Vancouver Island and onto the BC Mainland (well, actually there are more, but these are the most common).  Most people coming from Victoria will take a BC ferry from the Swartz Bay terminal.  The ferry will deliver you and your family to Tsawwassen in Delta - about 45-minutes outside of downtown Vancouver - after a scenic 90-minute trip through the BC Gulf Islands and lovely Active Pass, maybe even with a bonus whale sighting to boot.  The other main way to get off Vancouver Island is from Nanaimo via the Horseshoe Bay BC Ferry, which drops passengers off in West Vancouver.  All in all, it takes about 3.5 to 4 hours to get from downtown Victoria to downtown Vancouver - perhaps a bit longer if you're traveling on a holiday weekend and want to arrive at the ferry terminal early.  Regardless of how you got there, you're now on the Mainland and this is where many people wonder if it they should just get onto the #1, kick it into 5th gear and get to their destination in Alberta ASAP.  But speaking from personal experience, it may be best for everyone involved to make a pit stop in one of Vancouver's surrounding areas for a little R&R or meal break.  Depending on the time of the ferry you caught, you could be approaching the evening, and it's a shame to drive all night and miss the amazing scenery.  Some good places for stops in the Fraser Valley region include Abbotsford (plenty of hotels and restaurants), Langley (home of children's paradise The Great Escape), or if you go a little further east, the District of Hope with its history of fur traders and the gold rush.

Besides sticking to the Trans Canada Highway, there is also an alternative and more direct route east from Hope, via the Coquihalla (Hwy 5), which runs through the Cascade Mountains and is considered to be a bit of a shortcut passing through a beautiful section of semi-arid landscapes. Merritt is the first main town you'll reach after you pass Hope on the Coquihalla, and it's certainly worth a stop for it's interesting history and folksy small-town diners.  Further northeast is Kamloops, the second largest city in the Thompson Okanagan region, popular for its numerous public playgrounds and beer tasting walking-tours (all the more reason to book accommodation for the night) as well as both summer and winter outdoor recreation.  Another mid-trip pit-stop spot is Salmon Arm - "Salmon Arm", you say? - don't be put off by the anatomically incorrect moniker.  Salmon Arm is a neat town with plenty to do and eat, with fabulous year-round weather, particularly known for hot summer days best spent on the shores of the famous Shuswap Lake. 

A bit further east on the Hwy 1 brings you through the Kootenay Rockies region, towards Revelstoke and Golden - you're nearing the Alberta border but there's still a ways to go, and there are some great places to stop along this route to get out and stretch your legs. Revelstoke's Enchanted Forest is adored by families everywhere, there's a golf course nearby, and Glacier National Park is just a short drive away. On that note, Rogers Pass National Historic Site - a big slice of Canadian Pacific Railway history - is located within the park on the highway, and has a pull-over spot for great picture taking. The town of Golden looks like something out of a Wild West movie; surrounded by jagged, towering mountains and on the shore of the Kicking Horse River, this is a true outdoor recreation mecca. Fabulous restaurants and true Canadiana accommodation make this lively community true to its name. If you choose to overnight in Golden, you can have a leisurely breakfast and be in Banff, Alberta just an hour or so later.  

Maybe you'll be having so much fun exploring British Columbia's Highway 1 stops you'd rather just turn around and weave your way back and check out everything you missed…although your kids will probably never forgive you for skipping the West Edmonton Mall.  Either way, you won't regret taking a bit of extra time to explore BC's highway gems.

Seasonal Driving Conditions:

When driving this route during the wintertime, it's best to be as prepared for snow and ice and take the necessary precautions.  Things like keeping a safe following distance, accelerating and braking slowly, and checking planned routes ahead of time for weather conditions will help ensure the trip goes smoothly.  Of course, a good ice scraper for your windshield and appropriate winter tires go a long way too. 

Summertime drives are a little more straightforward, of course…just make sure your windows roll down or the car is equipped with air conditioning!  This last tip is useful year-round: always watch for wild animals on the side of the highway.  You never know when they'll decide to cross! Fortunately, road improvements with the safety of motorists and our four-legged friends in mind, sections along the Trans-Canada Highway are being upgraded from a two-lane to four-lane divided highway with fencing and wildlife crossings.

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Deanna Ladret, My Destination British Columbia
September 2011