I have never been bored on that drive. It has amazing scenery. Enjoy the day and don't take any chances when passing.
Although that last hour or so into Vancouver seems like about 3. Like somebody said have a good idea of where you are going once you hit Vancouver because the traffic can get crazy busy.
This. I've had to drive back to Calgary from Radium with a failed windshiled washer pump. Not a fun drive. Mountain roads can be horrible for having to wash the windshield. I usually take some wetnaps along to wash headlights if need be to.
Not sure of the condition/age/model of the vechicle you're taking, but on a long trip it's always good to have a basic tool kit (socket set/crescent wrench/duct tape/screwdriver/booster cables). Even if you can't fix a car on the side of the road, somebody may stop who can help you if you have tools.
Also, check your spare and make sure you have a jack that works. And make sure your owner's manual is in the car.
living in kelowna i've never done a trip from calgary to vancouver.... it's always been kelowna to calgary or kelowna to vancouver.
like others have mentioned
- enjoy the drive - the scenery is AWESOME!!!!
- speed... i wouldn't push much more than 10 over the limit
- remember, it's only may - so higher elevations like the Coquihalla will still have winter driving conditions (i remember on one trip getting snow in june up there!)
- if you have room, i'd recommend a "holy s**t" container... my wife describes this as a container that has 'emergency' stuff in it that you'd need if you're driving along, something happens and "holy s**t" is the last thing out of your mouth before go off the road... so some food, water, winter gloves, blanket, etc.
and my personal favourite for long road trips.....
i hope you have a great trip!!
__________________ "...and there goes Finger up the middle on Luongo!" - Jim Hughson, Av's vs. 'Nucks
The Following User Says Thank You to bc-chris For This Useful Post:
Just a tip, If you are on your way home get gas in Revelstoke and not in Golden or Field, they are always 5-10 cents per litre more expensive than Rev (especially Golden - its brutal). On a day with very little traffic and not even going too fast, this can be done in 10 hours (assuming u take the coquihalla)
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to cznTiburon For This Useful Post:
Just make sure you're not speeding. BC has cracked down on this big time and if you're caught going 40 over they automatically tow your car and keep it impounded for a couple weeks.
Also - if you're looking for a deadly burger then drive into Revelstoke. There's a little spot called Nomads that makes the best burgers adn milkshakes I've ever had.
The Following User Says Thank You to username For This Useful Post:
I find the short stretch after Golden (heading West) very boring, just before the climb to Rogers Pass. I always get stuck behind a logging truck or a bunch of motorhomes. Plus speeding isn't a smart option through there either, RCMP frequent that stretch.
I did this trip in 95 to see Radiohead at the Comodore ballroom when I was about your age......drove home after the show. Had a few of us taking turns at the wheel though. I have since done it numerous times and have yet to make it a two day trip. A couple of years ago I once again left Vancouver at 10pm and drove straight through and with a Tims stop in Kamloops I had no problem until about Banff and I started to get really tired. The way I travel I find it pointless to make a 12 hour drive into a two day drive and when we drive south Salt Lake is the first stop so I find Calgary to Vancouver a quick trip. Enjoy the ride! If you insist of driving with your ipod take one ear bud out, as you were asking about safety, and load it with the CBC radio 3 "summer road trip mix" from any of the past few years as these songs will make you want to "roll on"....
So does the timing of this trip make you a Canucks fan? or are you going out for a show? http://livevan.com/ Either way the environment in that city right now would be great! Have fun! and don't underestimate the power of caffeine!
The Following User Says Thank You to macker For This Useful Post:
Just did Van -> Cgy on Sunday (and do the round trip 3-4 times a year).
Calgary to the border is (almost) awesome. There is a bit of construction left near the border. Be sure to follow the work zone speed limits as it is something they do not mess around with.
From the border to pretty much Kamloops it is a crap drive on crap roads and as mentioned above the pavement is horrendous in parts with significant ruts and potholes.
Stop and take breaks to refresh your mind and stretch.
Weather can still happen - the following photos are from Sunday May 8th on the Coquihalla.
Havn't had to do the drive since I got divorced, but used to do Vancouver to Winnipeg every year, the mountains arn't that bad to drive in, I always found the stretch from Medicine Hat to Regina worse, those straight roads with nothing to do or look at lull you to sleep.
Did the Peg to Vancouver in 23 hours once with only a couple of hours sleep in Banf. That wasn't pleasent.
Once you pass Hope, be prepared to get really angry. The roads going in both directions from Vancouver to Hope are full of some of the worst drivers I've encountered. Although there are signs saying the left lane is for passing, nobody adheres to this. What should take an easy 75-80 minutes of driving can take at least 50% more. People hate being passed on that road even though it doesn't affect their own travel time.
enjoy the scenery and as other posters mentioned don't go more then 10 over the limit. take lots of breaks and have snacks along in the car, and a good variety of music/podcasts. I drove calgary to Seattle last may long and it was beautiful, but I stopped in Kelowna (had never been and had time, didn't feel like driving 16 hours straight). It did snow heavily at the top of the coq then turned into heavy rain going down, take it easy up there.
__________________
GO FLAMES, STAMPEDERS, ROUGHNECKS, CALVARY, DAWGS and SURGE!
Just did Van -> Cgy on Sunday (and do the round trip 3-4 times a year).
Calgary to the border is (almost) awesome. There is a bit of construction left near the border. Be sure to follow the work zone speed limits as it is something they do not mess around with.
From the border to pretty much Kamloops it is a crap drive on crap roads and as mentioned above the pavement is horrendous in parts with significant ruts and potholes.
Stop and take breaks to refresh your mind and stretch.
Weather can still happen - the following photos are from Sunday May 8th on the Coquihalla.
Thought you were talking about Calgary down through Cranbrook to Spokane to Seattle to Vancouver as this is another great roadtrip that when you factor in construction and the bottleneck around Salmon Arm is an equally great trip that can cost you a bit more time but save you a bit more on gas $4/galon vs $5.....The border at Cranbrook is very quick as is Peace Arch crossing heading North....only thing that could slow you down is the Premium outlets along the way.....Highway 1 is in rough shape vs Interstates!
Thought you were talking about Calgary down through Cranbrook to Spokane to Seattle to Vancouver as this is another great roadtrip that when you factor in construction and the bottleneck around Salmon Arm is an equally great trip that can cost you a bit more time but save you a bit more on gas $4/galon vs $5.....The border at Cranbrook is very quick as is Peace Arch crossing heading North....only thing that could slow you down is the Premium outlets along the way.....Highway 1 is in rough shape vs Interstates!
Yeah should have been more clear as to the route.
Quote:
Highway 1 is in rough shape vs Interstates!
I think you meant "Highway 1 is a @#$^@#$ disgrace and an embarrassment of a national highway for a developed nation".
The Following User Says Thank You to SeoulFire For This Useful Post:
Don't overdo it with the speeding. There are many spots where you're likely to encounter wildlife on the highway, and there are also many spots where the RCMP like to stake out. Just stick to the limit or a few over, and enjoy the scenery. It's not the QE2.
THIS.
When I was a dumb 19 year old I was pulled over on the Coquihalla doing 157 kmh in both 110 kmh and 90 kmh zones (so nice of the Constable to wait until after I crossed into a second speed zone). The Constable was PISSED. He started yelling at me when he was still 6 feet from my window. If I hadn't begged I would have had 12 demerits and an automatic court appearance after my license was revoked.
I do not recommend excessive speeding on the Coquihalla.
the drive to Vancouver is fine, but driving IN Vancouver is a hellish experience that I never willingly want to do again. what an absolutely ######edly designed city
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Hemi-Cuda For This Useful Post:
