Trans-Canada Highway RVing Tips?

LiveWorkDream · January 12, 2022

DH and I are planning a cross-Canada RV trip this summer as long as the border stays open.

We will take the Trans-Canada from BC to PEI, taking our time and checking out the sights. Everyone says there's "nothing" in the middle, but I'm determined to find out if that's true or not.

If anyone here has done the Trans-Canada from start to finish, or heck even in segments, and you feel like sharing your experience, I'd love to hear more!

Kirk W · January 12, 2022

Be sure to spend some time in Ottawa. We spent 4 days but could have stayed longer. It is a very interesting city.

Darryl&Rita · January 12, 2022

The Qu'Appelle Valley, while not on the TC, is well worth the slight detour. A little island of French-Canadian ancestry, in the middle of the Great Plains. Regina has it's tunnels, as does Moose Jaw. Manitoba, I'm drawing a blank, but all of Ontario and Quebec is packed with history. Get ahold of each provincial tourism board for free mailings for their sights and activities.

FULLTIMEWANABE · January 12, 2022

We have driven back and forth across the Transcanada 5 or 6 times. Our last trip in 2019 (took 4 months), we commented how bad condition the road surfaces were compared to back in the 90's and early 2000's. Even moreso on the "rock". This last trip we finally made it all the way across to the last two provinces we hadn't visited namely Newfoundland & Labrador. It all depends on your interests but for us we target stops around Lakes for fishing and Kayaking, odd casino nights, Provincial and National Parks, Farmers Markets, small neat architecture towns with a neat bakery, and don't tend to find it that boring. Qu'appelle Valley as mentioned is pretty neat and many don't venture off the TC to experience it. It does pay you to weave North and South on and off the TC to see other attractions. Google is your friend for provincial "must see and do's" and if you have specific interests google them to. It's surprising just how many hidden gems there are. Bygone years, pioneer villages, The Mint. Moosejaw Al Capone history of the tunnels is definitely worth a good couple days stop.

Take your time, don't rush it in 3 or 4 days like many do and you'll for sure enjoy exploring along your route.

Happy Travels. FTW.

PS: BC has awesome waterfalls and white water rafting on the Kicking Horse. Check out the Fraser Valley, Shuswap (Houseboat Capital), Mt Robson, as well as the more known Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper. Yoho National Parks. The latter NP's you could spend 3 weeks in and not see much at all of what they have to offer. Salmon runs in August are awesome to explore and walk boardwalks along their returning rivers and holding pools = strong chance seeing bears feasting.

Edited January 12, 2022 by FULLTIMEWANABE

docj · January 12, 2022

We've done the TC in pieces from BC all the way to PEI. The road varies is quality but we've never had any serious concerns. To answer your question, there really is a "a lot" in the middle of the country--lots of canola fields! LOL

LiveWorkDream · January 13, 2022

Ooooh I knew you guys would have great feedback for the trip! Thank you so much. I've been doing some reading in a Canadian Bucket List book but many of the things / ideas you mentioned aren't in there. Much appreciated!

We do plan on taking the entire summer, from about mid-May through early fall. The we'll blaze a path back to the west coast for winter. Just hope the fuel prices don't kill us before it's over!