I just got back from our very first roadtrip through Canada and can I just say …wow?? If anything lived up to its hype, it’s definitely the nature and landscape you witness while roadtripping through the second largest country of the world. I am now a firm believer of the statement that everyone should do a roadtrip through Canada at least once in their life, especially during autumn! Here are my 10 Tips for an Epic Canadian Road Trip Through Canada!
1. Scenic Routes > Highways
Sure, highways are fast, but the real magic happens on the scenic routes. I cannot stress enough how much you are missing out on by limiting yourself to the highways.
Unfortunately, when I checked the times and distances on Google Maps when planning I completely forgot to adjust the times for the scenic routes. They are much slower (often double the time) but SO worth it. The Gaspésie Tour, Route du Fleuve (the second most beautiful route in all of Canada) or the route along the St. Lawrence River will knock your socks off with views that’ll live rentfree in your head from here on. In my opinion, it makes little sense to do a roadtrip through Canada taking only the highway, so make sure to plan enough time and check which routes are along the way.
2. Weather: Expect the Unexpected
Pack for all four seasons, even if you’re going in summer. Canadian weather is like a box of chocolates – you never know what you’re gonna get. One minute you’re sunbathing, the next you’re building a snowman. Be prepared! I found the Canadian weather app WeatherCAN quite a lot more accurate than the generic weather apps. I also had a variety of different layers with me to adapt to the everchanging weather. Check out these Outdoor Styles to get inspired and rock the good old “onion layer style” that we Germans are so famous for. One day I was wearing a dress, the next day I needed three layers and a scarf.
We were very lucky with the weather in the first two weeks of October by mostly sunny, warm days. A sudden thunderstorm as well as soupy thick fog one morning was also part of the play and will definitely affect how much and far you can drive in a day.
3. Choose the Right Car
Be sure to be especially prepared for the winter roads in Canada that are notoriously hard on cars if you aren’t properly prepared. Make sure to equip winter tires and drive an SUV with AWD, especially if you’re heading towards the mountains. We rented a Nissan Rogue via Check24 where we found the best deal and had the best time.
Even just 1-2hrs outside of Quebec on the big roads the inclines were, frankly, a bit insane. We were so happy to have a car where we felt safe and comfortable. Given the heavy snowfall that virtually the whole country receives in winter, the roads are heavily salted to keep them navigable, so keep an eye out for rust and your tires.
4. Poutine Pit Stops
Even if you wanted, you will not be successful to avoid the holy grail of Canadian cuisine: poutine. Make it your mission to try a different poutine at every stop. We were surprised to also find many vegan versions! Every version tasted different, but never not great. My favorite one that we had was the vegan poutine from Le Korrigane in Quebec City.
5. Wildlife Spotting: Not Just For Postcards
While on the road, keep your eyes peeled for Canada’s furry and feathered residents. It’s also the reason why speed limits are notoriously low (at least from a German perspective) Moose, bears, and beavers aren’t just for souvenir shops! But remember, they’re not exactly keen on selfies, so admire from a safe distance. If you can, avoid to drive through the night and early dawn on rural roads, as this is when nightlife is most active.
6. Plan for Distance
Let’s get one thing straight: Canda is MASSIVE. In remote areas, gas stations can be as rare as a unicorn sighting almost. I would recommend to always fill up whenever your tank reaches the 1/2 mark at the latest. If you go really rural, keep a jerry can (or two) in the trunk. Running out of gas in moose country isn’t exactly a party.
I found it very hard to accurately judge distances when you’re not used to such vast spaces with no cities inbetween. In fact, you can drive for many hours and barely see any signs of civilization for some stretches. For that reason, you’ll want to pack food and water to keep yourself satiated and hydrated in case of an emergency.
7. Embrace the Quirky Roadside Attractions
Canada is full of wonderfully weird roadside stops. The giant nickel in Sudbury, the world’s largest axe in Nackawic – these kitschy attractions are what road trip memories are made of. In autumn, you will likely pass by numerous farms that sell pumpkins and other seasonal produce. Make sure to stop and endulge in their homemade soups and snacks! We did this a lot and the food was always incredible. There are also often free things to do such as tractor rides or corn mazes.
8. Stay flexible
It’s great to have a plan and a detailed Google Maps with lots of saved spots but leave some wiggle room for spontaneous stops. If you plan everything down to a minute, you might lose out to have that extra hour to stop at a viewpoint you had no idea existed or that cute town that you saw on the drive. After all, a big advantage of an independent road trip is the freedom to do what you want – stay longer in a place you like or take a side trip when a local tells you about a cool place that you hadn’t heard of before.
We actually changed our plans after a local told us to drive a different road, that took more time but was a lot more scenic than the one that popped up on Google Maps. It’s little things like that that make a roadtrip truly worthwhile. (the road we took ended up one of our favorites of the trip!)
9. Offline Maps
Don’t rely blindly on your smartphone or GPS and map out the roads you plan on taking beforehand. Depending where you go, mobile service could be scarce and the more rural you go the more difficulty Google Maps seem to have. At some point the mountain road we took turned into pure gravel – which wasn’t a big problem since we rented an SUV. Make sure to download the map you’re needing beforehand for offline use and always have a paper map ready, in case your phone dies etc. You don’t want to be stranded unsure which direction to go in the second biggest country in the world.
I put all our planned stops in our GPS beforehand, had multiple offline maps saved in Google Maps on two phones so we would always be sure of where to go next.
10. Leave No Trace (Except in Your Memory)
Last but not least, remember to be a responsible traveler. Canada’s natural beauty is off the charts, so let’s keep it that way. Pack out what you pack in, and leave those stunning landscapes as pristine as you found them.
There you have it, folks! Your foolproof guide to conquering the Canadian roads like a pro. Now go forth and create some maple-syrup-sweet memories. And remember, if all else fails, just follow the trail of Tim Hortons cups – they’ll lead you to civilization eventually! Happy travels, eh? 🍁🚗
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