Coast to Coast: Four Great Canadian Driving Roads

Travel writer Kasey Wilson puts it succinctly: "Road tripping is the quintessential travel tale. The only question is where to?" With almost 900,000 kilometres of road to explore in Canada, there are a lot of destinations to explore. We searched and found four of Canada’s most spectacular driving roads: quintessential motoring destinations that make the journey the true destination.

Let’s start on the Pacific Coast, with the Malahat Drive, also known as the Malahat Highway. Located on the southern part of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, the road was once used for spiritual enchantment. Today, the Malahat Mountain Peak is still regarded as one of the most sacred sites on the island, though it is entirely drivable. The route consists of a series of swooping hills and valleys adorned with Arbutus trees, framing spectacular views. The drive connects Victoria to the Cowichan Valley.

Moving into the Canadian Rockies of Alberta, our next destination is the Icefields Parkway, also titled Highway 93 north. 230 kilometres of captivating sights, including the expected jagged peaks of the Rockies, waterfalls, active glaciers, and of course, ice fields. Besides scenic beauty, with any luck you’ll also encounter the splendor of
the animal kingdom: wild moose, big
horn sheep (look for them perched on mountain “ledges”), and elk. Writer Paul Buchanan suggests before completing your journey, visit the observation
deck of Sulphur Mountain for a final
striking view of the Icefields – the
perfect photo op.

1.  The Malahat, Vancouver Island

2.  The Icefields Parkway, Canadian Rockies

3.  Southwood Road, Gravenhurst, Ontario

Sweeping into Ontario, set your course for the town of Gravenhurst, and a 36 kilometre driving escapade named Southwood Road. The hilly landscape, deep green forests, and rocky topography decorate this gravel-sectioned gem. Don’t be in too much of a hurry, though: A 60 kmph speed limit is enforced on the narrow lanes with their many hairpin corners.

It’s been a long trip, but now we’ve reached the Maritimes, and we have an opportunity to compare the Atlantic and Pacific coastlines. Nova Scotia’s Cabot Trail measures 299 kilometres and features gorgeous views of the Cape Breton coastline, leading on to grand uplands that turn riotous with color in the fall, plus some striking stretches where mountains meet the sea. Along the way, the Highlands National Park provides a perfect venue for hiking and camping. Jeffrey Lansdell, author of Ten Great Canadian Driving Roads, notes "Throughout the trail, you’ll find a colourful tapestry of woodland, tundra and bogs, and the Maritime breeze will force you to relax and just drive."

4.  Nova Scotia’s Cabot Trail