Step-by-step Guide for Planning a Road Trip Across Canada

Planning a road trip across Canada can be exciting but also a little (nah, A LOT) overwhelming. Canada has so much to offer, from mountains and lakes to coastlines and charming small towns. With so many routes to choose from, where do you even start when it comes to creating the perfect road trip itinerary?

This guide will walk you through the steps to create a clear and flexible itinerary for your next Canadian road trip. Whether you’re heading out for a week-long trip or a full month, we’ve got you covered with practical tips.

I’ll also share my free downloadable itinerary template in Google Sheets and Google Docs to help you stay organized on the road.

Let’s start planning your Canadian road trip adventure!

Ready to Plan Your Adventure? Download Your FREE Template
Grab your FREE Road Trip Itinerary Template here! Available in: Google Sheets Google Doc.

Step 1. Choose Your Travel Dates

Before you map out where you’re going, you’ll want to figure out when you’re going.

🔄 Season matters in Canada

Canada is a country of seasons, and they can be intense. Summer (June to August) is the most popular time for road trips: school’s out, the weather is warm, and most attractions are open. But that also means busier roads, full campgrounds, and higher prices.

Spring and fall can be great options too: fewer crowds, cooler temperatures, and gorgeous scenery. Just double check that places you want to visit are still open during shoulder season.

** If you have a flexible schedule, I highly recommend visiting the Canadian Rockies in the fall (September or October) or late Spring (June). It’s the best time in my opinion.

Winter road trips are possible, but they come with extra challenges: snowy roads, shorter days, and more planning. 

🕐 How long do you have?

Your itinerary will be shaped by your time. Canada is huge, and you won’t be able to do it all in one trip. And that’s okay!

Here’s a quick look at what’s realistic:

• 7–10 days: Focus on one region (e.g., Vancouver to Banff or Toronto to Quebec City).
  
• 2–3 weeks: You can combine two provinces or explore more deeply.
  
• 1 month+: Cross-country trip? Now we’re talking—but be ready for long drives!
  

Start by blocking off your travel dates, and then you can build a suitable route.

Step 2. Set Your Budget

Once you know when you’re going, the next step is figuring out how much you want to spend.

Spoiler Alert: It’s expensive to travel within Canada, but it’s really worth it (I’ll share a few tips on how to lower your expenses in a few paragraphs)

💰 Start with the big expenses

There are a few major categories to keep in mind when road-tripping across Canada:

• Fuel: This can be a big one, especially if you cover long distances or drive through the Rockies. Use apps like GasBuddy to estimate gas prices along your route.
  
• Accommodations: From campgrounds to hotels to cozy cabins, there are options for all budgets. Booking early can help you get better prices. And of course camping is the cheapest option.
  
• Food: Will you be eating out, cooking at campgrounds, or packing meals? Grocery stops and a cooler can save a lot.
  
• Activities: Some attractions are free (hello, national parks!), while others, like museums or boat tours, may require tickets.
  

🚐 Hidden costs to consider

• Park passes (like the Parks Canada Discovery Pass or the Ontario Park Pass)
  
• Ferries (for example, from Vancouver to Vancouver Island)
  
• Parking fees in cities
  
• Emergency costs (tires, tow trucks, roadside help). It can be worth it to purchase a CAA membership (plus it gives you discounts on lodging and many attractions)
  

💡 Budget-saving tips

• Use loyalty points for hotels or gas if you have them.
• Travel with reusable water bottles and snacks to avoid frequent stops.
• Consider a mix of free and paid activities each day.
• Plan a camping trip (instead of staying in hotels). You can also check out Harvest Host or Terego to save on campgrounds.

Knowing your budget will help shape your route and travel style. Once that’s in place, you’ll better understand how far you can go and how comfortably you can get there.

Step 3. Pick Your Destinations

Canada is massive. Driving coast to coast takes a few weeks (we did Quebec City to Victoria in 30 days the first time). So the best way to start planning is to choose a region (or two) to focus on and YOUR must-sees.

This is where you’ll start planning your itinerary.

For example, you’re driving from Montreal to Vancouver and have 5 weeks. You’ve never been to the Canadian Rockies before and it’s where you want to spend most of your time. Then, you would split your time approximately like this:

• one week to drive from Montreal to Banff
• two weeks in the Canadian Rockies
• one week from Banff to Vancouver (and back)
• one week to drive back to Montreal

👉 Family Tip:
If it’s your first big Canadian road trip, and you have limited time, you might want to consider sticking to one region, flying instead of driving all across Canada. You’ll get more time to explore and less time spent just driving. You can always plan another trip next summer!

4. Plan Your Route

Now that you know when you’re going, how long you’ll travel, and which region(s) you’re exploring, t’s time to map out your road trip route.

This is one of the most fun (and important) parts of planning a road trip across Canada!

💡 Don’t feel like doing all the planning for your road trip across Canada? Let me do it for you. Less time planning = More time enjoying. 
Find all the information here for your custom itinerary

🗺️ What tool to use to map out your route?

I personally use Google Maps. It’s been working well for us. But it’s not possible to add all the places you’ll want to stop on a road trip across the country, but you can do it in multiple phases.

Then, I also use My Maps to pin ALL the places (attractions, hikes, restaurants, hotels, roadside attractions, …) we researched and might want to see. It integrates with Google Maps, so it’s perfect to use on the road.

If you’re interested, I created a map with over 500 pins across Canada, from Northern Ontario to Vancouver Island. You can purchase it here. 

It’s always good to carry a few paper maps too (just in case).

How to create a road trip map using Google Maps

It’s pretty straightforward to create a road trip map with Google Maps:

• Go to Google Maps
• Click on “Directions.”
• Add your departure point
• Add your first stop
• Click on “Add destination” to add more point

And that’s it! But the downside of Google Maps is that you can’t add more than 10 points.

🚗 Be Realistic About Drive Times

Canada has long stretches of road and sometimes not much in between. Not considering well the driving time is one of the biggest mistakes you can make on a road trip across the country.

As a general rule, with kids in the car, I suggest:

• 3 to 5 hours of driving per day is a good max.
  
• Plan for longer stays in certain places so you’re not packing/unpacking every night.
  
• Include time for breaks (gas, food, bathroom stops, and those random playgrounds) that suddenly save the day.
  

💡 What to include in your route planning

When sketching out your daily itinerary, think about:

• Starting point & final destination
• Major stops or cities
• Nature stops or hikes
• Playgrounds or rest areas
• Where you’ll sleep each night
• Fuel & grocery stops (especially in remote areas)
• Fun or spontaneous stops (big roadside moose? Yes, please.)
  

✨ Bonus Tip: Always Have a Plan B

Construction, road closures, wildlife crossings… things happen, and plans need to be changed. It’s smart to have backup ideas. 

This happened to us when we drove from Thunder Bay to Kenora. There was construction or an accident on Highway 17, which closed the road. We had to detour through Highway 11, which added an extra hour (and almost 100 km) to our already long driving day.

Step 5. Choose Stops & Activities

Once your route is mapped out, it’s time to fill your itinerary with fun things to do along the way. A good Canadian road trip balances driving time with stops the whole family will love.

Remember: It’s not about cramming in everything, it’s about finding the right mix of must-sees, kid-friendly stops, and downtime.

When planning our own road trips, we rarely plan all our activities. I have a long (way to long) list of things we can do and see and we pick as we go.

So, instead of planning for specific activities on driving days, here is what I suggest:

1. Research the things to see along the way (add to your Notes or a Doc or add the pins to an interactive map).
2. Start driving and make stops according to the kids’ mood or time of day (do they need to stop for the bathroom? Is it time for lunch?). Then, it’s time to look at your notes and see what would be fun to do in the area.

Of course, some things there are so MUST-SEE on the route and we just gotta stop and explore.

🔎 Where to Find Ideas

Here’s where I usually start when planning stops:

• Travel blogs (like this one!)
• Facebook travel groups (like Family Road Trips USA & Canada)
• GoWhee App (if you’re travelling with kids)
• Provincial tourism websites
  Pinterest or Instagram for scenic spots
• Google Maps – zoom in on towns along your route for parks, beaches, and attractions
  

📝 Kid-Friendly Stops Make a Huge Difference

Long car rides can feel even longer with little ones. Planning regular breaks at playgrounds, beaches, or short trails helps a lot.

You can search on Google things like:
→ “Best playgrounds in [city name]”
→ “Short hikes for kids near [location]”
→ “Free family activities in [town]”

Trust me, even 30 minutes at a small-town playground can reset the vibe for everyone.

💡 Tip: Leave Room for Spontaneous Stops

Some of our family’s favourite road trip moments have been totally unplanned (a cute bakery in a tiny town, a roadside beach, or a wildlife sighting).

Don’t pack your schedule too tight. Canada has plenty of surprises waiting for you along the way.

Step 6. Book Key Accommodations Early

Canada is an amazing place for road trips, but in busy seasons (especially summer), accommodations can book up fast.

 Once your route is set, it’s a good idea to reserve your key overnight stays, especially in popular spots or if you’re planning to camp in National Parks.

However, I don’t recommend booking your short one-night stay in between driving days in advance. You never know how the days will go, so it’s best to stay flexible and start looking a few hours in advance or the day before.

🔑 When to Book in Advance

Some places in Canada always book up early. Plan ahead if you’re staying in:

• Banff & Jasper (Alberta)
• PEI in July/August
• Cabot Trail (Nova Scotia)
• National or Provincial Park Campgrounds
• Remote lodges or cabins or unique accommodations
• Long weekends & holidays anywhere
  

Booking early gives you better rates and more options. But try to leave some flexibility — maybe book your first few nights and see how things go.

Tools We Use to Book:

• Booking.com (hotels/motels)
• Airbnb or Vrbo (homes/cabins)
• Parks Canada (national park campsites & oTENTiks)
• Provincial Park websites (Ontario Parks, BC Parks, etc.)
• Hipcamp Canada (private campgrounds & unique stays)

Step 7. Map Out Your Daily Itinerary

Now that you know your route, stops, and accommodations, it’s time to organize it all into a clear, day-by-day plan.

This is where the FREE Road Trip Itinerary Template (Excel & Word) comes in super handy! It helps you stay organized and makes travel days smoother, especially with kids in tow.

🗓️ What to Include in Your Daily Itinerary

Here’s what I usually add to each day of our road trip plan:

Section	Example
Date & Day	Day 1 – Saturday, July 20
Departure Location	Vancouver, BC
Destination	Kelowna, BC
Driving Time	4.5 hours
Main Stops	Hope (playground + coffee stop), Othello Tunnels hike
Accommodation	Airbnb in Kelowna
Notes	Gas up in Hope, grocery stop in Kelowna

💡 Plan, But Keep it Flexible

Your itinerary should be a guide — not a strict schedule. Things happen on the road:

• Kids get tired.
  
• Weather changes.
  
• You find the perfect beach and want to stay longer.
  

Build in buffer time. Don’t plan every minute. Some of the best road trip memories come from those “should we stop here?” moments.

Ready to Plan Your Adventure? Where to Download Your FREE Template

Grab your FREE Road Trip Itinerary Template here!

Available in:
✔ Google Sheets (perfect for digital planners)
✔ Google Doc (easy to print and fill out by hand)

And if you need help building a custom family itinerary for Canada, I’d love to help! Reach out here!

Final Thoughts on Planning Your Canadian Road Trip Itinerary

Planning a road trip across Canada doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With a little preparation (and a flexible mindset), you’ll be ready for an unforgettable adventure.

Start with your travel dates, pick a region, map your route, and plan those fun stops along the way. Remember: a great road trip isn’t just about the destination. It’s about all the little moments in between.

Also, the best family memories often come from the unplanned stops, silly roadside attractions, and surprise ice cream breaks.

Final Tips for Your Canadian Road Trip Itinerary

• Don’t overpack your schedule — leave time to be spontaneous.
• Be flexible — weather and road conditions change fast in Canada.
• Stop often — those little towns and scenic spots might be the highlight of your trip.
• Most of all — have fun and enjoy the journey!
  

Happy road tripping across Canada! 🚗🍁

Start planning your Canada road trip here:
🗺️ Let me create your road trip itinerary
📍Download the cross-Canada road trip map
☎️ Book a Discovery Call With Me (and get started on your itinerary)
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