The No-Nonsense Guide to the Ultimate Canadian Road Trip

For fledgling and seasoned travelers alike, the road trip is an obligatory rite of passage—especially if you happen to find yourself wandering around Canada, one of the world's definitive road trip destinations.

In Canada, road-tripping opportunities are nearly endless, and figuring out where to start can send even the most dedicated trip planners into a frenzy.

Ready to crank the alternator and thump the gas pedal? Here are a couple of tips for experiencing the ultimate Canadian road trip.

Go coast to coast

If time is on your side, nothing can beat the thrill of dipping your foot in the Atlantic, knowing that in a few short weeks, you'll be dunking it in the Pacific.

The Trans-Canada Highway stretches from St. John's, Newfoundland in the east to Victoria, British Columbia in the west, covering the entire width of the world's second largest country. Driving along it, from sea to shining sea, you can easily encounter the full depth of Canada, a country as diverse in culture as it is in landscape.

Don't stick to the cities

Every aspiring Canadian road tripper dreams of basking in the French culture of Montreal, admiring the Toronto skyline from atop the CN Tower and wedging oneself between mountains and sea in Vancouver. But there's much more to Canada than these world-famous cities; don't make the mistake of limiting yourself to them!

Any Canadian will tell you that the country reveals itself best in its quieter moments. From the coastal fishing villages of the Maritimes to the high-altitude national parks of Western Canada, no Canadian road trip is complete without plunging into the wild.

Veer off the Trans-Canada

Crafting a basic itinerary in Canada is easy, just follow the Trans-Canada Highway and see where you end up. But believe or not, there's life beyond Canada's cross-country transportation artery.

Following the Trans-Canada you'll surely visit some amazing places like St. John's, Quebec City, Montreal, Ottawa, and Vancouver.

Unfortunately, you'll also miss out on many.

Even Toronto, Canada's largest city and one of its most popular tourist destinations, isn't on the route, let alone interesting places like Saint John, Halifax, Jasper or Lake Louise. Want to plan the definitive Canadian road trip? Get creative and veer a little off-course.

Hang out with the some locals

Years from now when you reflect on your Canadian road trip, it won't be the cities and sights you'll remember most; it'll be the people.

Wherever you choose to visit in Canada, grab every opportunity you can to get to know the locals; from coast to coast, we are generally a hospitable, fun-loving, friendly, and polite bunch, who works hard to make everyone feel at home in the Great White North.

Don't be afraid to share a few laughs, a bite to eat, or a couple pints: we don't bite (except maybe those mystical pet beavers that the world still truly wants to believe we all own).

Ever thought about driving across Canada? What would you do on your ultimate Canadian road trip? Drop us a line in the comments section below; we'd love to hear from you!

Note: Available plans and coverages may have changed since this blog was published.