Best Road Trips From Winnipeg

Winnipeg, Manitoba's vibrant capital, is home to popular markets, picturesque scenery, and some of the most popular festivals in Western Canada. It is also aptly dubbed "Gateway to the West" and the perfect base for some of the most scenic road trips in Canada.

Top Road Trip Destinations From Winnipeg

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Our rankings are based only on editorial opinion, not any commercial consideration.
Aeriel view of the lakeside city during a purple sunset, with boats docked at the harbor
1.

Winnipeg to Kenora

🚗 210 miles ⏱️ 2 hours, 20 minutes

This scenic drive from Winnipeg to Kenora includes endless lakeside views, with the Lake of the Woods boasting an impressive 65,000 miles of beautiful shoreline. If you love fishing and boating then a visit here is a must.

Take the impressive Trans-Canada Highway into Ontario for this memorable trip. This famous highway will take you directly to Kenora on the shore of the Lake of the Woods.

Thunder Bay, Ontario with a rock formation called the Sea Lion, in the foreground and surrounded by Lake Superior, with trees in the distance on a sunny day.

🚗 930 miles ⏱️ 10 hours, 20 minutes

Travel from Winnipeg to Thunder Bay, and you'll get the chance to explore the rugged landscapes, historical sites, and the majestic Lake Superior along this stunning drive.

On this scenic drive, you'll get to explore the forested areas of northeastern Minnesota. Make sure to stop off at Voyageurs National Park and Kabetogama State Forest, before passing through Eveleth and towards the shores of Lake Superior.

Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada with a waterfall in Crescent Park.
3.

Winnipeg to Moose Jaw

🚗 640 miles ⏱️ 6 hours, 40 minutes

If you are looking for a change of scenery, then make your way to Moose Jaw and the vast prairies of Saskatchewan. The small town is steeped in history with the extra perk of relaxing geothermal soaks.

This drive from Manitoba to Saskatchewan will also take you to the historic city of Regina, which began as a European settlement in the 1880s, and here, you'll discover a city rich in history and culture.

Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada with a view of Horseshoe Fall on a sunny day.
4.

Winnipeg to Niagara Falls

🚗 1,265 miles ⏱️ 20 hours, 45 minutes

Journey from Winnipeg to the iconic Niagara Falls, and the drive is undeniably one of the most scenic routes, travelling right across the Great Lakes region and with national forests of breath taking beauty to explore along the way.

Ottawa National Forest en route is a stunning nature area, and you can enjoy wonderful hiking and wildlife viewing. Also make a visit to Hiaweyatha National Forest on the way, a great spot for canoeing and swimming.

Sunset view of Hecla-Grindstone Provincial Park Hecla-Grindstone Provincial Park, which includes Hecla Island, with bright canoes along the shoreline
5.

Winnipeg to Hecla-Grindstone Provincial Park

🚗 160 miles ⏱️ 1 hour, 50 minutes

Enjoy a short journey from Winnipeg to Hecla-Grindstone Provincial Park, a beautiful park, nestled beside a lake, home to wetlands, forests, and lakes. It is an ideal destination for wildlife watchers.

As you make this scenic road trip you'll pass through Hecla village and Gull Harbour, leading you to Lindsay Tower. Stop off and you'll be rewarded with panoramic views that show off the beauty of the region.

Crystal blue lake in the foreground with a sun kissed mountain range in the distance

🚗 1,660 miles ⏱️ 17 hours, 15 minutes

Take an unforgettable road trip from Winnipeg to Banff, experiencing the jaw-dropping Canadian Rockies and exploring Banff National Park, a world-renowned natural paradise.

Make this journey via Regina, and it's got a slightly more urban vibe alongside natural vistas. You'll get to drive through Moose Jaw and Medicine Hat, as well as Dinosaur Provincial Park, which is a UNESCO heritage sight, and Stone Hall Castle, an old stone mansion.

Historic fort building in Canada on a sunny day

🚗 1,350 miles ⏱️ 13 hours, 50 minutes

Embark on a scenic drive from Winnipeg to Edmonton, Canada's youngest and fastest-growing capital city, and you can expect an explosion of culture and big-city fun.

The journey itself is equally as epic, where we recommends stopping at Lake Manitoba, to enjoy picturesque beaches and endless wildlife. A slight detour to Manitou Springs Resort, renowned for its healing waters, is also defintely worth it.

Center Street Bridge, Bow River with Skyline of Calgary, Alberta, Canada

🚗 1,460 miles ⏱️ 14 hours, 40 minutes

Travel from Winnipeg to Calgary and you get the opportunity to experience the stunning landscapes of the Canadian Prairies alongside exploring Calgary's lively social scene.

A great route is via Moose Jaw, where we suggest stopping at Regina first, with sites including Wascana Park and Royal Saskatchewan Museum to enjoy, before arriving at Moose Jaw known for its attractions like the the Tunnels of Moose Jaw.

People on golden sandy beach by the lake on a sunny day
9.

Winnipeg to Grand Beach Provincial Park

🚗 100 miles ⏱️ 1 hour, 20 minutes

Escape Winnipeg for a quick trip to Grand Beach Provincial Park, where you can enjoy one of Manitoba's most popular sandy beaches, perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and volleyball.

Although this is a short trip it's still pretty sweet, passing points of interest including St Andrew's Rectory National Historic Site and Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site, before reaching Grand Marais, a charming harbor village located on the North Shore of Lake Superior.

Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba, Canada taken from high looking down at the vast lake and forests, stunning colours of the landscape on a sunny day.
10.

Winnipeg to Riding Mountain National Park

🚗 270 miles ⏱️ 3 hours, 10 minutes

Drive from Winnipeg to Riding Mountain National Park, a jewel of Manitoba and excellent spot to witness iconic Canadian wildlife in their natural habitat, right in the heart of Manitoba.

Start your adventure at Clear Lake, where you can book a sightseeing cruise from the marina. The lake's tranquil waters are the perfect backdrop for relaxation and provide some great photo ops.

Grand Prismatic Pool at Yellowstone National Park.
11.

Winnipeg to Yellowstone National Park

🚗 2,160 miles ⏱️ 20 hours, 25 minutes

Embark on a journey from Winnipeg to the majestic Yellowstone National Park, America's oldest national park, and a must-visit destination with its world-famous natural wonders.

Head south through Dakota, stopping at Sioux Falls before paying a visit to Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Make a longer stop at Gardiner too, a great base for exploring Yellowstone National Park.

Crashing waterfalls and lush forests at Thompson Manitoba Waterfalls
12.

Winnipeg to Thompson

🚗 770 miles ⏱️ 7 hours, 30 minutes

Travel north from Winnipeg to Thompson, known as the "Hub of the North," and here, you can discover the gateway to the untamed wilderness of northern Manitoba.

There are some stunning natural sites on the way to Thompson, and if you have the time we recommend stopping by at Lake Winnipeg and Pisew Falls Provincial Park before you reach Thompson.

Beautiful waterfalls in a forested area on a sunny day
13.

Winnipeg to Pisew Falls Provincial Park

🚗 690 miles ⏱️ 7 hours

Explore the rugged beauty of Pisew Falls Provincial Park from Winnipeg, with spectacular waterfalls and scenic hiking trails in the heart of the Canadian wilderness.

Along the way why not stop at Winnipeg Lake? It's a great haven for beach activities and fishing, and enjoying a relaxing few hours by the water.

Beautiful autumn view by the lake, with the reflection of auburn colored trees on calm water
14.

Winnipeg to Pinawa Dam Provincial Heritage Park

🚗 120 miles ⏱️ 1 hour, 30 minutes

Discover the historical Pinawa Dam Provincial Heritage Park near Winnipeg, where visitors can see the ruins of an early 20th-century hydroelectric plant along scenic waterways. The park's peace and quiet also makes it a popular spot for bird watching

Surrounding the dam are numerous hiking trails, which meander beside the Pinawa Channel, offering picturesque views of the wilderness.

Stone Viking statue, photo taken from below on a sunny day
15.

Winnipeg to Gimli

🚗 90 miles ⏱️ 1 hour

Take a short drive from Winnipeg to Gimli, a charming lakeside community on the shores of Lake Winnipeg. We highly recommend visiting The Gimli Art Club and Gallery and Gimli Beach during your visit.

Just outside Gimli you'll also find Winnipeg Beach, great for relaxing or water sports. Make a visit in the summer and you'll find an annual Boardwalk Days festival, which features a weekend of entertainment, live music, and a fireworks display.

Aerial view of Brandon's downtown during a bold, orange sunset
16.

Winnipeg to Brandon

🚗 210 miles ⏱️ 2 hours, 30 minutes

Looking for a relaxing, laid-back road trip? This drive from Winnipeg to Brandon will take you to the agricultural heartland of Manitoba. You'll get to admire vast prairies and extensive fields of wheat and canola, and a picturesque scene of Canada's rich farming heritage.

En route make a visit to the small city of Portage la Prairie. Here, you can visit Island Park, home to a beautiful crescent-shaped lake and the world's largest Coca-Cola can!

Longer road trips from Winnipeg

Beautiful Toronto skyline with CN Tower over lake. Canada.

🚗 2,280 miles ⏱️ 22 hours, 30 minutes

This unforgettable trip from Winnipeg to Toronto takes in epic landmarks across the northern United States and Canada's urban heart.

Pathway by the river with Vancouver skyline in the background

🚗 2,530 miles ⏱️ 27 hours

Take the Northern Route from Winnipeg to Vancouver, and you'll pass through breath taking landscapes of Canada's vast wilderness.