Wouldn’t it be great if there were a way to travel coast to coast, taking in some of Canada’s most beautiful landscapes? To hit its most lively cities and enjoy all of the unique attractions they have to offer?
You don’t even need to answer – of course it would!
Luckily for all of us, a bunch of folks came together about 60 years ago and created the plan for what would become the Trans-Canada Highway.
The Trans-Canada Highway is the longest national road in the world. Stretching from Victoria, BC to St. John’s, NL and measuring a staggering 7,821 kilometers (that’s 4,860 miles for you Yankees), the highway links Canada’s major cities and covers plenty of wilderness to boot.
The project began in 1948, when the Trans-Canada Highway Act was approved. By 1950, federal and provincial governments were working together to both improve existing roadways and build new stretches to fill the gaps. Even though construction was still ongoing, Prime Minister John Diefenbaker officially opened the Trans-Canada Highway in 1962. The rest, as they say, is history.
All of this adds up to one big highway adventure, whether you’re hopping on in Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa, or Tompkins, SK (all 173 of you). So load up, pick a coast, and let the Trans-Canada Highway show you all of the wonders Canada has to offer.
Check out the information below on the Trans-Canada Highway in each Province:
Vancouver – A true Canadian metropolis, there’s no shortage of entertaining, educational, and just plain fun activities. Stop by and spend some time in this jewel of the Pacific Northwest.
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Clearwater/Wells Gray Sicamous |
Revelstoke Victoria West |
Edmonton – The capital of Alberta, this city is a hub for government as well as culture and education. If you’re itching to part with some of your hard-earned cash, we’ve heard that it’s also home to North America’s largest mall.
| Hinton/Jasper |
Natural Beauty – Saskatchewan has an eclectic, ever changing collection of beautiful landscapes. The abundant wildlife and wilderness areas combined with the abundance of lakes and rivers in the north create endless breathtaking vistas.
| Indian Head |
Winnipeg – This unique city also happens to be the capital of Manitoba. An unusual mix of historical and contemporary, Winnipeg is truly one of a kind.
| Winnipeg West |
Ottawa – While Toronto might be a little flashier, this city holds its own as one of Canada’s premier attractions. The nation’s capital, Ottawa is considered by many to be a cultural hub of Canada.
Montreal – Bone up on your French, because you won’t want to miss out on this beautiful Canadian city. Offering attractions ranging from the Just for Laughs festival to Saint Joseph’s Oratory (the largest Church in Canada), this is one of the most eclectic cities in North America.
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Montreal West Montreal South |
Quebec City |
Saint John – A maritime city through and through, there’s no shortage of sea-themed fun whether you’re in the middle of the city or out at the Bay of Fundy. You can even watch the highest tides in the world reverse the flow of the St. John River!
| Caraquet/Pokemouche River |
Halifax – The largest Canadian city east of Quebec City, Halifax is a major government and economic center of eastern Canada. With plenty of history and natural wonders in addition to the rest of its metropolitan attractions, Halifax is a must see in the eastern part of the country.
| Halifax West | North Sydney/Cabot Trail |
Prince Edward Island – Being the smallest province in Canada means you don’t have to go far to see everything that it has to offer. From lighthouses to fishing and snorkeling to Charlottetown, the birthplace of the Canadian Confederation, Prince Edward Island more than makes up for its size!
| Cavendish | Cornwall/Charlottetown |
Saint John’s – The oldest English-founded city in North America, Saint John’s is quickly becoming a cultural hub with the highest concentration of writers, musicians, actors, and comedians per capita.
| Gros Morne/Norris Point |
Some points of interest on the highway.
A guide to RVing on the Trans-Canada Highway.
Atlanta • Boston • Chicago • Dallas • Denver • Los Angeles • Minneapolis • Nashville • New York • Oklahoma City • Portland • Salt Lake City • San Francisco • Washington D.C.
