Bill 993

I'm driving from Seattle to Banff. Have 1st night hotel in Revelstroke, and then 2nd night in Banff.

Looks like the logical route is Seattle - Vancouver (cross border at Lynden) - Merritt - Kelowna - Revelstoke.

Any suggestions on better routes or points of interest along the way? Hwy 20 thru North Cascades NP in Washington would be nice, but maybe too long.

Thanks in advance.

DJF1

I have driven from Vancouver to banff. I took TransCanada HWY 1 all the way and its a very cool road! Much like highway 101 than a proper Interstate, full of twisties and nice curves with some pretty good asphalt for the most part. It can be a bit slow at times because you go through small towns, so give yourself plenty of time. Dont forget to stop by lake Louise and visit the Fairmont Hotel. Its one of the places that it actually looks better than the postcard.
Enjoy!

MyOtherCarIsASubaru

You might consider coming down through Idaho and Spokane on the way back. Slightly longer, but faster and you get very different scenery. Similarly going to California is much faster if you go east through Bend.

Monique

You are smack dab in the peak tourist season... slow going! One of the most beautiful roads in the world is the ride from Banff to Jasper. About 200 miles IIRC and it is amazing scenery.

Safe journey.

Terry Adams

I have done a variation of Merritt - Kelowna - Revelstoke a couple of times. I got some routes from Destination Highways BC . Very nice, and an interesting railway museum at Revelstoke. I'll post a map and some pics later today. Off for a drive now.

Bill 993

Thanks!

I been the route from Coeur d'Alene to Seattle a couple of times. Agree it would be faster, but wanted something new.

Right now I'm thinking of going Canadian HWY 1 out and maybe Hwy 97 thru Washington comming back.

MyOtherCarIsASubaru

If you take 97, let me know if Nighthawk is any bigger than I remember. When I was about 8 (1974?) my folks and I took a drive from Bellingham, across Manning Park via 3 and crossed back into the US on 97. The place was called Nighthawk, and it was the smallest town I'd ever seen...literally a border station and two houses. I think the actual town may be further down the road, but that place has always stuck in my mind.

Brett - 1996 C4

Rather than taking Highway 1 all the way across, you might want to take the Coquihalla Expressway (toll road) up to Kelowna. Some excellent mountain scenery to be had.

Also, if you take 97 down through Washington, you might want to take Highway 20 (N. Cascades Highway) back over the mountains. Lots of twisties through there.

Brett - 1996 C4

I'm FROM North Central Washington (Wenatchee) and I've never heard of this place. Plus my mom's family is from Kelowna and we used to go up 97 every summer for a week there. And I thought Riverside was small...

pstoppani

HWY 20 is worth it

Brett - 1996 C4

Also, if you come down from Canada by 97, my parents like the Tinhorn Creek winery up by Osooyos. I've had some of their whites and they are pretty good.

ientre9y11

I have lived in these parts most of my life. If you want the best scenery, take the Trans-Canada all the way. The part from Hope to Kamloops is real scenic, particularly in the Fraser Canyon. It is two lane and twisty so it will be slower.

From Kamloops to Banff go the Trans-Canada. The part from Revelstoke to Banff is breathtaking. I have done it 50+ times and it still blows me away.

bjzorn

On the way back look at going back on US Hwy 2 it can be slow moving at times but a fun drive.

Brandon

pjc

Visited Banff and stayed overnight at Revelstoke (next to the golf course) twenty five years ago - still have the photographs to remind me why I should go back - HW1 was majical.

Have a great trip.

PJC

Mike J

Why don't you come up through Vancouver up the 99 to Whistler through Pemberton to Lilolett and then to Kamloops? Two lanes, lots of hills and curves.

Don't take the Coquihalla, its the most boring road around. They made it straight and wide...you want curvey! And the highway from Vancouver to the Coquihalla is the most boring one as well...just straight out the valley. If you do go from Vancouver to Hope then take the old Lougheed highway...its more interesting but slower. Up the Fraser Canyon is pretty good as well but can be slow....

Cheers,

Mike