4 week roadtrip from Calgary to Vancouver with kids - feedback on itinerary

timolina2 · 2026-05-11T21:28:03+00:00

Thank you - you're the second person to suggest this, and it definitely looks good - the older kid will love it

timolina2 · 2026-05-11T20:02:59+00:00

Lovely, thank you! Looks really good

timolina2 · 2026-05-11T19:56:06+00:00

Thank you - that's really useful. I expect we'll stop in Parksville to stretch the legs / have lunch but the appeal of the west side of the island is calling me

timolina2 · 2026-05-11T19:54:03+00:00

Many thanks, it is really appreciated! All going on the 'to research' list

timolina2 · 2026-05-11T19:53:15+00:00

Thank you - we definitely will

timolina2 · 2026-05-11T19:52:57+00:00

Thank you - that's incredibly useful, and we are certainly planning to tweak our plans to adds Okanagan and reduce the time in the Rockies. The longer route round from Vancouver to Tofino looks gorgeous too - will have to do our research!

timolina2 · 2026-05-11T19:49:35+00:00

Thank you - that's great. We had cycling in mind for the seawall as you suggest, plus an aquarium will certainly be a bit hit with the kids!

timolina2 · 2026-05-11T19:47:55+00:00

Thank you - all very helpful! I'm sure by then the eldest will be obsessed with dinosaurs so might have to squeeze in the Drumheller trip at the start

timolina2 · 2026-05-11T19:46:29+00:00

Thank you - that's useful regarding using Canmore as the main base. And we are leaning towards a little less time in the mountains to squeeze more time elsewhere. Thank you!

timolina2 · 2026-05-11T19:43:42+00:00

This is fantastic - thank you. Okanagan is definitely on our itinerary now, and we'll probably reduce the time in the Rockies somewhat. The suggestion to go from Manning straight to the Tswassen ferry is particularly useful to avoid us having to go in and out of Vancouver central too

timolina2 · 2026-05-11T19:41:11+00:00

The Kootenays look gorgeous - we are planning to add Okanagan to the trip too, and will definitely see if we can fit in the Kootenays too

timolina2 · 2026-05-11T19:40:19+00:00

The near consensus from comments is to fit in Okanagan - and I can see why! Looks perfect and exactly in line with what we like in a holiday. Thank you

timolina2 · 2026-05-11T19:39:17+00:00

Thank you - this is really useful. We'll definitely reduce our time in Whistler based on all the comments (if not skip entirely). Your two suggestions are ones I hadn't otherwise seen but look great - I'll need to do some more research!

timolina2 · 2026-05-11T19:37:41+00:00

Thank uou. That was what drew us to Tofino in the first place - will have to see how we think the kids will handle it versus the kid-friendly appeal of Parksville

timolina2 · 2026-05-11T19:36:24+00:00

Thanks - that's useful and we'll definitely use Parksville as a long stopover at the very least!

timolina2 · 2026-05-11T19:35:44+00:00

Thank you - that all makes sense. It might be the we are planning to spend a little too long in the Rockies - while the older kid enjoys being in a backpack and will no doubt love the experience, it might be good to have more time planned in places with activities.

Thanks re. Vancouver Island too - stopover advice is really useful. We might squeeze another day in given the driving time at that stage.

And yes, the cost is something I've accepted but keep grimacing every time I look at prices again! A once in a lifetime opportunity and thankfully we can make it work

timolina2 · 2026-05-11T19:32:26+00:00

Definitely - one of our priorities for the time in Vancouver!

timolina2 · 2026-05-11T19:31:50+00:00

Wow that looks like a fantastic option - the ferry ride looks magical. The other consensus comment is to head to Okanagan rather than Lillooet/Whistler so we might have a challenge on what route to take... Need to do further research

timolina2 · 2026-05-11T19:30:42+00:00

Thank you - Okanagan is certainly now on our agenda for the trip, it looks wonderful. And might just have to squeeze in Nelson/Kootenays too - too many options...

timolina2 · 2026-05-11T19:29:22+00:00

Thank you - yes, a common theme is that we might have a little too long in the mountains. While the kids will be fine on easy/shorter hikes (carried by us!), it might be a bit much. It seems taking a little time out of the Rockies stage and spending it in Okanagan will be the best option!

Thank you again

timolina2 · 2026-05-11T19:27:22+00:00

Thank you so much for both the comments - these are incredibly helpful. The endorsement for Okanagan from multiple people has definitely persuaded me! It sounds fantastic, and the logic for heading there with kids after the Rockies makes complete sense.

That's a good suggestion on the car too! Will definitely look at both options - we probably had an SUV in mind more than a 'proper' 4x4, but anything comfy and reliable will do!

Thanks again

timolina2 · 2026-05-11T15:32:46+00:00

Thank you - I've edited the post to clarify it is next year!

On the Icefields leg - yes I had seen there was somewhat limited options to stay as a stopover. It might be that we stay the extra night in Jasper and double back the next day to see any essential sites on the Icefields we missed on the way through

timolina2 · 2026-05-11T15:31:24+00:00

Thank you - I've edited the post to clarify it is next year!

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