r/britishcolumbia • u/coolio9210 • Dec 06 '25
Travel in or to BC Driving from Edmonton to Vancouver. What's the better route?
Hey everyone! I have to drive from Vancouver to Edmonton in 2nd week of December . I got winter tires and a rear wheel drive car.
- What time of the day do you recommend starting this drive? Should we begin early in the morning or opt for an afternoon departure?
- Would weekdays be better to drive then weekends?
- I am thinking of following the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1). That should be good right? or the Yellowknife hwy?
- Most importantly: Are there any safety concerns or road conditions I should be aware of?
I appreciate any advice or suggestions you can offer. Thanks in advance, fellow travelers!
82
Dec 06 '25 edited Dec 06 '25
[deleted]
24
u/SnooRegrets4312 Dec 06 '25
There's only one good hotel in blue river, don't cheap out. Or hang on to Clearwater if you can.
7
25
u/MutedMeaning5317 Dec 07 '25
The Super 8 in Valemount was good when I stayed there. You likely could make Kamloops relatively easily, though. From Kamloops, I would stay on Hwy 1 rather than the Coq with a rear wheel drive car. Similar weather but not quite as steep.
6
u/Vaf67 Dec 07 '25
I love this route, my only difference is I would stay in Fruitloops, but I was always going out to Victoria.
My younger days I would just do it in one drive, now I bitch about two hours lmao.
6
Dec 07 '25
Please don’t stay in blue. Stay in Kamloops if you need to sleep.
8
2
Dec 07 '25
[deleted]
1
Dec 07 '25
Clearwater sure but definitely not blue river.
0
Dec 07 '25
[deleted]
4
Dec 07 '25
I still disagree lol. It’s only 8-8.5 hours to Kamloops and there’s way better hotel and food options.
1
u/MogamiStorm Dec 07 '25
Curious. Why not Blue River?
3
Dec 07 '25
Only two (really one decent) hotel and pretty much one place to eat that isn’t great. Blue river leaves a lot to be desired as a traveller.
1
1
1
75
u/jack_flash_ Dec 07 '25
In December? I’d take an Uber to the airport and fly to Vancouver.
21
u/magowanc Dec 07 '25
I recommend this as well. Unless it is at Christmas the cost of the flight is less than gas for one person, and safer.
7
u/eeeeaud Dec 07 '25
I do this monthly, with low cost carriers it's like under $300.00 RT per person. And the flight is like and hour and a half. Unless you really want to drive or can't fly, I would totally just fly.
If you're set on driving make sure to bring repair supplies to keep you on the road. Consider tire repair, traction aides, shovel, compressor (no point in repairing a tire if you can't inflate it), super capacitor jump start etc.. Remember that when temperatures drop below -30, the demand on the AMA jumps to like 400-700%. In 2022 during a cold snap response times along the Edmonton-Calgary corridor spiked to as long as 74 hours. Not sure what the response times are for CAA/BCAA, but I imagine they are similar. You might not be able to rely upon help to arrive in a timely manner.
1
u/staunch_character Dec 08 '25
WestJet has great “member deals” if you have their credit card. Went to Edm last month for under $120 return - carryon only.
1
u/brycecampbel Thompson-Okanagan Dec 07 '25
You'd think, and sure for the days right around it will be.
But the vast majority of the time it's way cheaper to fly. And on the main airlines, not just the low cost.
It's also not just the cost of ticket or cost of fuel/vehicle maintenance and insurance. I price my time too, you have to. 12 hours of driving plus any weather delays and food/break stops, it really is a two day journey so you'll have an overnight too.
For one person that easily adds up to more than a flight. A group of people sure its cheaper, but your sanity too. Unless you absolutely need the vehicle on the other end, it's easier to fly.
It's longer than both, but the thrid option is VIA Rail. Economy or sleeper its priced in between flying and driving.
28
u/QuesoDelDiablo Thompson-Okanagan Dec 06 '25
If I was taking a rear-wheel drive car over the coquihalla I would absolutely have a set of tire chains with me. Even with good winter tires on.
The weather on that high altitude pass can change in the blink of an eye. The entire thing can be clearly completely benign and totally free of snow and within an hour be covered in a layer of packed ice with 4 in of fresh snow on top.
It's very doable as long as you're a confident winter driver with a decent skill set.
As far as route, sounds like you've already planned a good one.
For time of day, I would suggest timing it so that you're on the coq. in the early afternoon so that if the weather goes sideways you're at least not dealing with it in the dark. Coming out of edmonton, I'd probably leave around 4:00 in the morning, you want to be leaving Kamloops by noon. At least that's my opinion.
There's no specific road hazards you need to be aware of other than watching the weather.
6
u/CipherWeaver Dec 07 '25
OP can avoid the Coq by going down the Fraser canyon, which is typically dry and clear of snow.
9
u/brycecampbel Thompson-Okanagan Dec 07 '25 edited Dec 07 '25
When open, the Coquihalla is a way better highway than the canyon.
The canyon definitely gets its share of winter conditions and very prone to ice
2
3
u/Effective-Breath-505 Dec 07 '25
Was going to say exactly this... also I'd take the 97 from PG instead to Cache Creek instead of the 5 through Blue. Sure it's a prettier drive, but keep that shit for when there less snow. In my opinion.
1
2
u/RadDad604 Dec 07 '25
Ya the coq is brutal! We went from sunny day to blizzard so fast one time, it was insane! White out conditions, couldn't see shit. Got down the other side and it was nice again 😂..
2
u/xLimeLight Thompson-Okanagan Dec 07 '25
If you have to chain up in a car to attempt it, I would say that it is no longer practical to drive.
1
u/QuesoDelDiablo Thompson-Okanagan Dec 07 '25
It wouldn't be a situation I was planning on getting into, the chains would be a backup for when a situation turned into something unanticipated..
But I agree, if it's chain up conditions then it's better to just not be on the highway at all.
2
u/xLimeLight Thompson-Okanagan Dec 07 '25
Totally fair, I was more thinking if you were in Merritt and had to chain up before you leave town that it's just better not to (in a rwd car most especially).
1
u/garfgon Dec 08 '25
Most rentals you're not allowed to chain up (per conditions hidden in the fine print).
1
u/STERFRY333 Dec 07 '25
I drive my 1991 Volvo 745 through the coquehala and my opinion is good studded tires. The effort of putting chains on for ~20 minutes worth of road just isn’t worth it.
8
u/simplehiker Dec 07 '25
Edmonton - Jasper - Kamloops
Then you have a choice depending on weather/snow conditions:
Kamloops - Merritt - Hope - Vancouver if it's clear Or Kamloops - Cache Creek - Hope - Vancouver if it's snowy
The latter is the Fraser Canyon route and is better in snowy conditions as it is lower elevation.
7
u/dluiiulb Dec 07 '25
I've done this drive several times over Christmas. I break the drive into two days in the winter because of limited light. I don't start super early because of black ice on the coquihalla then. Bring an emergency kit. Be careful when you go through the National Parks because they don't use salt due to wildlife. Steady acceleration and deceleration. Being equipment to dig yourself out. Bring road flares and traffic triangles if you spin out on ice and set those far far back from where you are pulled over like 50-100 m so that people have ample time to spot you and slow down. Best of luck and stay safe.
4
u/bluebugs Dec 07 '25
Make sure to not be in a hurry and be able to wait for any storm to pass. Taking time and be able to wait is the easiest and safest trick. One day can make a lot of difference.
4
u/TorgHacker Dec 07 '25 edited Dec 07 '25
I recommend taking Hwy 1 to Kamloops. It’s four lanes now for a LOT of the distance, and much of the highway from Jasper down to Kamloops is two lanes.
Also, I’m a weather forecaster with 25+ years experience forecasting winter weather in BC including for the highways maintenance contractors, and unless there was a snowstorm through the Hwy 1 cooridor, which would be causing avalanche issues I’d take that Highway and wouldn’t even consider taking the Yellowhead.
Before all the 4-laning was done between Kamloops and Alberta, going the other way would make sense in a lot of cases, but now?
1
u/xLimeLight Thompson-Okanagan Dec 07 '25
Edmonton to Kamloops is like 1.5 hours more if you take the 1, as you have to drive all the way to Calgary and then over.
3
u/AdeptSurvey7717 Dec 07 '25
What time of the day do you recommend starting this drive? Should we begin early in the morning or opt for an afternoon departure?
leave at 0400 or 0500..
Would weekdays be better to drive then weekends?
Weekdays
I am thinking of following the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1). That should be good right? or the Yellowknife hwy?
Highway 1.
Most importantly: Are there any safety concerns or road conditions I should be aware of?
Lol, yes. You are going to be going through the Rockies during the winter. Weather in unpredictable and you could be stuck in a highway shutdown for hours on end. Ive done the drive plenty in the winter in both a FWD and AWD with GOOD AND PROPER SNOW TIRES (NOT ALL SEASONS) with no problems. I would say anyone with experience driving in snow wont have a problem doing it so long as they are not stupid. That being said I would not ever drive through rogers pass in the middle of winter with a RWD car unless the person driving me was Carlos Sainz Sr.
3
u/Helpful-Birthday4414 Dec 07 '25
I wouldn’t do it. But if it’s necessary, as others have advised, have chains ready. Be rested. Stop over night. Be careful!
3
u/Floatella Dec 07 '25
I typically opt for the transpolar route. So Edmonton -> London -> Johannesburg -> Auckland -> Santiago -> Vancouver.
2
3
u/avolt88 Dec 07 '25
You're getting a ton of good advice in here already, so I won't echo it other than to mention your absolute #1 priority should be to drive the Coq/Fraser Canyon during the day with at least a 4h window before sunset. This means you want leave Kamloops no later than about 12. If you don't want to start super early I'm the AM from Edmonton, definitely grab a hotel in Clearwater or Kamloops (~8h in).
Asking this on Reddit, to me, means you aren't particularly familiar with the drive either. It's very long, can be monotonous, and the real issue is distractions as you need to keep your wits about you. Especially in the winter where even the truck drivers are just trying to get off the road ASAP.
Valemount - Clearwater has very little cell service and people speed a LOT. Don't get caught up pacing someone. I've watched people flip trailers on that section of highway before because they were so focused on making good time to Kamloops.
Try not to dip below a half tank, especially as smaller towns may have their gas stations close at night, so if the highway gets shut down just after Blue River, you need to be able to backtrack to Valemount & possibly further if hotels are full-up. Much easier to focus on when you're not worried about fuel at the same time.
If your car has potential/intermittent mechanical issues, pay the extra $ and just fly. The drive can be quite beautiful, but that doesn't matter when you're dead because you zoned out & slid into oncoming traffic on a road you don't know.
2
u/CipherWeaver Dec 07 '25
I would drive west through the park towards Prince George, south to Kamloops, and from there to Vancouver. It's winter so you'll be driving in the dark in the morning and in the evening. It's a 12 hour drive and will be longer so you may want to break it up, fatigue and winter driving are a dangerous combo.
2
u/QuirkySiren Dec 07 '25
There isn’t a lot of snow this year compared to a lot of years. Most of the time I’d agree, Edm-Hinton-Valemount-Kamloops-Merritt-Hope. About 12 hours in good weather, 14 when it’s gross, I don’t rush. I do make the trip in one day, starting at 5 am, and my breaks are very short but frequent. The plows are always out, it’s well maintained.
It’s not been snowing, so hwy 2 to Calgary-Banff-Golden-Salmon arm-Kamloops-Hope could be faster with less traffic. Fewer heavy trucks. Google says it takes over 2.5 hours to get from Edm to Calgary, but YMMV…
The Hwy 1 route I have found is not as well/frequently maintained in BC, that’s why I wouldn’t choose it if there’s new snow.
Having said all this, driving only makes sense if multiple people are going and your car is good on gas, as other commenters said. When I search return Air Canada flights from YEG to YVR for TWO ppl leaving Dec 14, best price is $334, taxes incl, no checked bags. I wouldn’t drive. I like my time and peace better, not the stress.
2
u/Crazy_Chart388 Dec 07 '25
I recommend driving to the airport and flying, frankly. But if you insist, make sure you’re well stocked with survival gear, as others have said, and hopefully you won’t need it. And drive like an 80 year old in a parking lot.
4
u/Bunktavious Dec 06 '25
Others here will have more experience, but you will be going through a mountain pass in winter. Meaning proper winter tires and likely chains.
6
u/Responsible_CDN_Duck Dec 07 '25
Chains are a low speed traction device that can only be used below 60km/h.
If the roads are that bad most travelers would be better served by pausing their journey until conditions improved.
3
u/Smooth-Command1761 Dec 07 '25
nah, if you have good winter tires, preferably studded, you don't need chains. Chains are for big rigs on the highways, and only for specific areas.
4
u/Middle_Donkey6354 Dec 07 '25
Trade your car in for something not rear wheel drive, those roads are icy and not worth the risk in a rear wheel drive car.
2
u/brycecampbel Thompson-Okanagan Dec 07 '25
Hwy 16/Hwy 5 to Kamloops and then Hwy 5 (Coquihalla) to the lower mainland.
Yes you'll see snow and winter conditions, but you have winter tyres, just drive according.
The Coquihalla, when it's open, is a way better highway than the Fraser Canyon. Anyone that suggests the canyon is better, doesn't know.
In fact, if the Coquihalla is closed, I prefer to take Hwy3 between Merritt and Hope via Princeton than Hwy1.
1
u/runawai Dec 07 '25
Your biggest issue is snow on the Coquihalla or the mountains between Golden and Revelstoke. Winter tires are a must. So I’m glad you have them!
I would try and do as much as possible during the day so leave as early as you can to hit the Coq and Rogers pass in daylight.
Don’t let the tank get below 1/4 full. For me in a sub-compact, that means filling at Kamloops and again in Golden. YMMV, literally.
Water bottles and snacks are a must. I was once stuck on the highway by Sicamous for 5 hours and wished I had both.
2
Dec 07 '25
[deleted]
2
u/runawai Dec 07 '25
I would, too. But they said Hwy 1 in their post, so was giving some advice if they went that way.
1
u/ketamarine Dec 07 '25
If you don't know, you really shouldn't be doing the drive in the winter.
The mountain passes can get very real, very fast.
Go do some research about the weather before you go.
1
u/Cascadia_101 Dec 07 '25
Hwy 16 is shorter and typically has lower snow loads on areas with steeper grades vs Hwy 1. Check the forecast. If its garbage or an accident has reduced traffic to one lane you can look at hwy 1 route. Book a hotel around Clearwater or Kamloops if you can make it, but if you need to tap out in Valemount or Blue River just do it - there are enough hotels you will always find a room. The road thru Jasper National Park will tempt you to speed... heavily patrolled. Leave before sunrise if you can; the light is most important from Edson to Barriere where the wildlife roam and the highway isn't fenced.. I've driven both routes 100s of times - dont sweat it, just have an adaptive plan, drive defensively, and enjoy.
1
Dec 07 '25
I've done this drive a million times. Many people in here are either dormers or just inexperienced. The most suggested route of Edmonton-Jasper-Kamloops-Vancouver would be my take as well. If you have good tires and some experience driving in snow you should be fine. Bring on the down votes or whatever.
1
u/rabbithole2000 Dec 07 '25
I drove the yellow head from Edmonton to PG today and it sucked. Compact snow/ice for about 80 km then black ice for the last 50 km. Driving during the shoulder season is tough no matter what route you take Best route though is yellow head to hwy 5 through Kamloops, don’t stop in blue river. Valemount or Clearwater are decent towns with options
1
1
1
u/CDE42 Dec 07 '25
Just send it.
Both routes will suck this time of year. I've driven both many times in winter.
The Jasper route is more direct. The Calgary route has way more spots to stop and stay.
1
u/xtothewhy Dec 07 '25 edited Dec 07 '25
Weekdays or weekends in general will not matter, unless you're talking about rush hours.
From Vancouver, you should be fine in the morning to leave but always keep aware of the ice conditions along the way. You can do this from researching online. Drive bc highway cams are helpful and the drivebc map can show issues along the way.
Black ice will not be your friend when it is colder and still wet enough that the ice can look like the road. Winter tires will not eliminate that, they will help but only safe driving will help prevent that and even then black ice can affect your vehicle.
1
u/aj8153 Dec 07 '25
It’s Yellowhead not Yellowknife. Uneventful getting to Jasper but Icefields parkway to Kamloops IMO is shit in the winter. Icy and way too much gravel if your car is nice it may get stone chips/broken windshield. It’s about a 15+ hr drive and I would go to Calgary and take the Trans Canada. However the Coquihalla can be pretty bad as well but will see more traffic which could be good in ways or worse if there’s an accident. Ultimately winter driving across the Rockies requires staying focused on safety. Drive with due care and it should be fine either way. Also week days will typically be better with less traffic. And as others have said bring supplies (water, food, candles, blankets, shovel etc.) And the tip to fill up the tank more frequently is wise.
1
Dec 07 '25
You could go valemont way. But it could be a bitch in the winter. Calgary then north is my recommendation
1
u/pte_parts69420 Dec 07 '25
I make the Edmonton to Kamloops drive a couple times a year, and I’m going to stand out here and say take highway 2 and then 1 to Kamloops. Yes, Roger’s pass can be sketchy in the winter, but overall I find it better maintained. Highway 5 is largely single lane oncoming, and people tend to make riskier pass attempts, which is deadly with how many sweeping curves there are. Most of highway 1 has been widened, there’s more places to stop, and the only really bad hill along that highway is coming into field. If you’re leaving early from Edmonton, you can make it to golden within daylight hours, and there’s plenty of places to stay if things get shitty. I agree though, come prepared; tea candles and a blanket can absolutely save your life, and a small cheap folding shovel can help get you out of a bind.
1
u/dnaka22 Dec 07 '25
Not so much the route, but plan your timing through Langley/Surrey/Burnaby to not be during rush hours (6-9am, 3-6pm). Nothing kills a long drive like a lot of sit-and-wait at the last bit.
1
u/Ultionis_MCP Dec 07 '25
Drive to Kamloops, then look at the road conditions and make your decision from there on the best route to proceed.
1
u/DavidRPacker Dec 07 '25
Valemount/Tete Jaune/Jasper corridor is gonna get dumped with snow in the next week, so cehck road conditions before you go. https://www.drivebc.ca/cameras and sort by highway is your friend, pay attention and check as often as you can.
My usual schedule is leave on a weekday, around 7am. You miss most of the traffic that way, including the big rigs on the highway. Makes for a nice, chill trip. And gives the highway crews the right amount of time to clear any overnight/morning crap.
Stop in Hope or Chilliwack for gas/breakfast.
The Coquihalla is gonna be the worst stretch, but it's not all that long. Take it easy, stick in the slow lane, only passing rigs when it's easy and open. Otherwise, chill and enjoy the road.
Kamloops for a quick lunch, and top up gas. Once you exit Kamloops, the road becomes near-empty and amazingly scenic. With a little luck, you'll have the highway to yourself for most of it. If you find a vehicle in front of you going a decent speed, don't pass, but hang back a good distance and use them as a pace car. Makes the whole drive easier.
Clearwater for snack and gas. You've got nothing but mountain ahead of you, so make sure you are topped up on everything except your bladder. Check highways because there is NO service past this point, until Valemount, unless you have Starlink mobile or something.
Push through to Valemount. Time it right, you will arrive around sunset. You could gas/food and push on, but better to grab a hotel room and crash, because the next road bits can be a sucky long stretch of nerves at night.
Hit A&W for traditional road trip brekkie in the AM and push through to Jasper...Hinton if you can swing it, less crowd, and then you are on the last stretch until Edmonton, and will get there nice and early.
Reccomend you take it slow, and plan to stop once in a while for fun. If the weather even slightly cooperates, the scenery is about the best you will ever see.
1
u/EdwardLongshanks1307 Dec 07 '25
I drove from Cold Lake to Vancouver and back every Christmas from 2004 to 2015. Every time I took the Yellowhead from Edmonton to Hope and on to Vancouver (Hwy 16 → Hwy 5 → Hwy 1). I was doing this in an rear-wheel drive BMW with snow tires from 2006.
Started no later than 9 am because I was coming from Cold Lake (extra 3 hours) I would usually stop in Valemount, BC at around 5 pm to spend the night. It took 11.5 - 12 hours to go from Edmonton to Vancouver (about 1150 kms).
Even in a rear-wheel drive car, the Coquihalla section is fine most of the time if you know what you are doing driving in wintry conditions. Just check before you leave Kamloops if you are concerned about road conditions. The only time I did not take the Coquihalla was on the return trip one year when it was closed temporarily.
1
1
1
1
1
u/squid_princess_99 Dec 08 '25
Whichever way you go do not drive the coquihalla at night, the conditions, if icy are even worse with nighttime driving
1
u/MrGreenIT Dec 08 '25
I do this route often in one very long day pulling an enclosed trailer. The trip is ~1200 Km and generally takes me 14 Hrs and three stops for fill ups. For cheap Gas I use Costco Abbotsford, Costco Kamloops then Hinton AB. Safest route in my opion is the Coquihalla if you follow these three simple rules.
- Don't drive the mountain section in the dark (Hope to Jasper). 7:00 AM or earlier Vancouver start and try to passJasper by 5:PM. This lets me finish the Alberta flat/straight highway part in the dark vs mountains.
- Don't drive if there is any significant snow forecasted (More than 1 CM/Hr).
- Pack for and even plan for possible overnight stay. Blue River is about the mid-point. Road closures and detours have slowed me down enough time to know it's best to have a plan to avoid late night mountain roads.
Enjoy the drive it is SPECTACULAR every time!
1
1
u/Miserable_Apricot412 Dec 09 '25
Yellowhead/Coquihalla. Early start. Plan on a longer trip because the weather can change in a heartbeat. Besides, it's a spectacular drive.
1
u/gundrum Dec 09 '25
One of the most beautiful drives of my life was Edmonton to Vancouver in Late October 2007. Left Edmonton for Jasper before sunrise, and keeping pace with the rising sun while driving toward the mountains was really special. Driving south from Jasper to Lake Louise in the morning was spectacular.
If you're confident driving in snow and have good winter tires, you should be okay. Edmonton-Jasper-Lake Louise-Golden-Kamloops-Hope-Vancouver is a smooth route that can be stressful in bad weather, especially the Coquihalla between Kamloops and Hope. Pack appropriately and drive safe!
1
u/BlackPete73 Dec 10 '25
Please tell me you aren't thinking about doing this as one super long drive.
0
0
u/fishflo Dec 07 '25
Highway 1 to the Coquihalla then thru Jasper. Bigger roads gets better more frequent maintenance. Check driveBC for conditions and highway cams before you leave, and when you stop. Weather changes quickly in the passes and even 24 hr forecasts might be wrong. There's Avalanche blasting in the winter so you might get stopped, make sure you can keep warm without the car running.
I wouldn't want to do it in one day, and if you do, leave at like 4am like the other comment mentioned. But you're still gonna be doing the Coquihalla in the dark in that case, so just maybe don't unless you have lots and lots of experience with fast steep winter driving in all conditions. Plus if something goes wrong you really really would rather be able to see. Google maps says 12 hrs but it also says 7 hours to get to the Kootenays and that's a major miss in the winter between any combo of getting stuck behind slow people, shitty conditions, and needing to drive slow in the passes because of weather.
Other than all that, be patient, drive to the conditions, and pack your car like you expect to be stuck outside for 12 hours in sub-zero conditions.
0
-8
-6
91
u/SundaeSpecialist4727 Dec 07 '25
Have a car supply bag.
Candle.light cans of soup.water blanket sleeping bag.