Best Road Trips From Edmonton

Edmonton is the biggest northernmost metropolis in Canada with many amazing places to visit nearby. From hiking in mountains and crystal lakes, to walking in the footsteps of cowboys, or unwinding in charming towns, you have endless road trip opportunities.

Top Road Trip Destinations From Edmonton

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Our rankings are based only on editorial opinion, not any commercial consideration.
Maligne Lake, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada with a panorama view of the beautiful Spirit Island, trees in the foreground, the stunning lake before the striking mountains in the distance and taken on a sunny day.
1.

Jasper National Park

πŸš— 315 km ⏱️ 3 hours, 15 minutes

Visit Jasper National Park for spectacular views of glaciers, blue lakes and snow-capped mountains. This UNESCO World Heritage site offers endless outdoor activities year-round.

This drive to Jasper National Park is a feast for the eyes with Wabamun Lake Provincial Park and William A. Switzer Provincial Park on the way.

Charming townhouses with majestic mountains in the background in autumn
2.

Canmore

πŸš— 390 km ⏱️ 3 hours, 45 minutes

Visit the lakes, go on a hike or two, and take your time as you leisurely drive along this scenic roadway to Canmore, a mountain town perfect for exploring Banff and Kananaskis Country.

On your way to Canmore, you can visit the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in Red Deer, the beautiful Sylvan Lake and even detour to Calgary.

Banff National Park, Canada taken at Moraine Lake under the ice at morning spring time with mountains in the distance.
3.

Banff National Park

πŸš— 415 km ⏱️ 4 hours

Banff National Park is possibly most iconic park in Canada, with towering mountain peaks, turquoise glacial lakes, glaciers and therapeutic hot springs. Ideal for skiing in winter and hiking in summer.

We recommend putting aside some time to explore Red Deer, Calgary and Bow Valley Provincial Park on your way to Banff.

A colorful sunrise sky over downtown Calgary in the summer
4.

Calgary

πŸš— 300 km ⏱️ 3 hours, 10 minutes

If you are looking for a cosmopolitan experience, Calgary will definitely tick that box. Famous for its beautiful skyline and Calgary Stampede, the city is also a great place for shopping and dining.

As you drive to Calgary, you can make a short detour to Wetaskiwin to visit the Reynolds-Alberta Museum and spend some time in Red Deer.

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada with a beautiful view of the city in the background and the bridge crossing the water, plus mountains in the distance on a sunny clear day.

πŸš— 1,165 km ⏱️ 13 hours

Vancouver is one of Canada's most diverse and beautiful cities, with a spectacular mix of coastline juxtaposed with mountains. You can go whale-watching and see the ocean, and the weather is mild in summer and winter.

We recommend stopping at Red Deer and Calgary for an urban fix and Kootenay, Banff and Yoho National Parks for some stunning scenery.

Athabasca River, Alberta, Canada where the glacial Silt turns the Athabasca River blue on Icefields Parkway, surrounded by trees and snow-capped mountains in the distance against a clear blue sky.
6.

Athabasca

πŸš— 150 km ⏱️ 1 hour, 50 minutes

This destination is a charming town on the bank of the Athabasca River. The Athabasca Riverfront is perfect for a leisurely stroll or a picnic, and the historic buildings provide a glimpse into the area's past.

On the way to the charming and friendly town of Athabasca, you can make a short detour to Cross Lake Provincial Park.

Yoho National Park, Canada with a bridge over Emerald Lake, a coniferous forest and mountains in the background on a sunny day.
7.

Yoho National Park

πŸš— 485 km ⏱️ 5 hours, 10 minutes

See the stunning Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park, which is equally as scenic as Banff but much less crowded. This park is known for its high elevation scenery, with rugged peaks, ice walls, glaciers and wildlife.

On your way to Yoho National Park, enjoy otherworldly views of Columbia Icefield, Banff National Park and Lake Louise.

Downhill skiing at Revelstoke ski resort in British Columbia, Canada
8.

Revelstoke

πŸš— 700 km ⏱️ 7 hours

Revelstoke is a mountain community with small-town hospitality - it has everything from high class dining and craft beer drinking, to adventure mountain sports, beautiful scenery and romantic charm.

As you drive from the city towards the Canadian Rockies past Red Deer and Calgary, you can also visit Banff, Yoho and Glacier National Parks.

Glacier National Park, British Columbia, Canada with the amazing Rocky Mountains and view from Abbott Ridge on a cloudy but sunny day.
9.

Glacier National Park of Canada

πŸš— 605 km ⏱️ 6 hours

You will fall in love with the rugged beauty of Glacier National Park of Canada. Known for its historic Rogers Pass, the park offers challenging hikes, stunning vistas, and historic Canadian rail and alpine exploration.

Another stunningly scenic drive, Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay National Parks are only a few of the breathtaking landscapes you will enjoy en route.

Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada with a vineyard in the foreground overlooking Okanagan Lake and the town in the distance in the fall.
10.

Kelowna

πŸš— 890 km ⏱️ 9 hours, 30 minutes

Located in the heart of a fantastic wine region of Canada, Kelowna is home to plenty of vineyards to tour. A chance to escape the typical mountain settings of Canada, you can head to this lush wine valley.

Past Calgary, some of the amazing national parks you can visit on this drive to Kelowna are Banff, Yoho and Glacier National Parks.

Kamloops, Canada with a scenic Lookout at the town and river and mountains beyond, taken at sunset with a dramatic sky.
11.

Kamloops

πŸš— 810 km ⏱️ 8 hours, 30 minutes

Kamloops is a hub for outdoor sports and activities, featuring everything from hiking and biking to golf and water sports. It's also known for its popular seasonal festivals.

In addition to the incredible national parks en route, such as Banff National Park, make sure to add charming towns, such as Sicamous and Salmon Art, to your itinerary.

Giant sculpture of a pysanka, a painted egg, on a sunny day
12.

Giants of the Prairies Loop

πŸš— 530 km ⏱️ 6 hours, 10 minutes

This quirky road trip takes in some of the unique and random roadside attractions and giant statues across Alberta. It's a fun way to explore the lesser-travelled townsβ€”you'll certainly get a few artsy Instagram pictures!

As you visit one giant, quirky culture after another, you can also spend some time at Elk Island National Park and the cute town of Vegreville.

Red chair look over Waterton Lake Marina Point in autumn foliage season sunny morning. Blue sky with colourful clouds reflect on the lake water surface.
13.

Waterton Lakes National Park

πŸš— 550 km ⏱️ 5 hours, 20 minutes

Waterton Lakes National Park borders the US Glacier National Park and pulls its weight in terms of scenery, offering vistas of mountain peaks, colourful lakes and crashing waterfalls.

As you drive to the national park, you can visit cities like Red Deer and Calgary or enjoy the small-town charm of Nanton and Fort McLeod.

Northern Lights in the sky over the national park at night
14.

Elk Island National Park

πŸš— 50 km ⏱️ 35 minutes

Just a short drive from Edmonton, here you can see majestic elk and bison roaming, and explore a boreal forest (or β€œtaiga”) within this fenced national park that features fantastic hiking trails.

This is a short drive, so we recommend extending your road trip to make a detour to visit Cooking Lake - Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area.

Old train bridge over Red Deer River, now part of the bike path. The river can be seen from both sides of the bridge where it connects on both sides of the path to forested downtown area.
15.

Red Deer

πŸš— 155 km ⏱️ 1 hour, 40 minutes

Red Deer is located along the scenic Red Deer River and offers quaint shopping, swimming holes, and parks to explore. Sylvan Lake nearby is a popular getaway where you can swim, boat, or fish.

If you'd like to spend more time on this otherwise relatively short drive, you can visit William F. Lede Park just outside Edmonton and Pigeon Lake Provincial Park.

Small bird sitting on reeds in Rotary Park next to the river
16.

Hard Luck Canyon

πŸš— 200 km ⏱️ 2 hours, 10 minutes

Visit Hard Luck Canyon near Whitecourt for a scenic adventure. The canyon features stunning geological formations and a series of waterfalls that provide a great backdrop for hiking and photography.

If you are not in a hurry to reach your destination, you can visit Wabamun Lake Provincial Park and Rotary Park Outdoor Waterpark en route.

"Welcome to Drumheller" sign with dinosaur at the entrance to town on a sunny day
17.

Drumheller and Dinosaur Provincial Park

πŸš— 490 km ⏱️ 4 hours, 50 minutes

Located in Drumheller, make this a dinosaur-themed road trip and see rare, preserved dinosaur bone fossils and active paleontological dig sites at this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

On your way to Drumheller and Dinosaur Provincial Park, you can spend some time at Sylvan Lake and Red Deer and detour to Calgary.

Wetaskiwin Historic City Hall Night Shot, Alberta, Canada
18.

Wetaskiwin

πŸš— 70 km ⏱️ 1 hour

Visit Wetaskiwin to see a whole host of unique cultural centres and museums to learn about indigenous people. The town is located on Treaty 6 Territory and is rich in First Nations ancestral history and influence.

If you have time, stop at Millet & District Museum, Archives and Visitor Information Centre and learn more about the small towns of the area.

White exterior of a Ukrainian Catholic Church during sunset
19.

Vegreville

πŸš— 100 km ⏱️ 1 hour, 10 minutes

Discover Vegreville, home to the world's largest pysanka (Ukrainian Easter egg). This unique attraction symbolizes peace and cultural identity, nestled in a lively community with a rich Ukrainian heritage.

One stop you will not want to miss en route from Edmonton to Vegreville is the beautiful Elk Island National Park.

Exterior of historic buildings in downtown as the sun sets
20.

Nanton

πŸš— 380 km ⏱️ 3 hours, 40 minutes

A drive to the charming small town of Nanton is a nostalgic journey through time. Explore its antique shops, the Bomber Command Museum of Canada, and other historic sites that offer a peek into the past.

Make sure to plan for stops in Red Deer and Calgary on your way to this pretty small town, and enjoy sightseeing and a meal en route.

Longer road trips from Edmonton

Northern Lights above teepees in Aurora Village

Yellowknife

πŸš— 1,450 km ⏱️ 15 hours, 10 minutes

Yellowknife is the capital of Canada's Northwest Territories, known as one of the best places to view the Northern Lights.

Seattle skyline during sunset with Space Needle in view and mountain in the background

πŸš— 1,560 km ⏱️ 16 hours, 30 minutes

While in Seattle, make sure to visit the iconic Space Needle, the bustling Pike Place Market, and enjoy the city's vibrant music scene.

Anchorage, Alaska, USA with the city skyline in winter at dusk with the Chugach mountains behind.

πŸš— 3,120 km ⏱️ 34 hours

Experience Alaska's rugged beauty and vast wilderness, where you can witness both the Northern Lights and the midnight sun.