Canada Return Road Trip Itinerary and Travel Guide: Vancouver, BC, to Kingston, ON

Route and Highlights of an Epic Canadian Road Trip from Vancouver to Kingston

Anja's Canadian Road Trip – Blog Entry #5: Making Our Way Back: A Road-trip Route from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Kingston, Ontario, Canada

Canada Road Trip Itinerary and Travel Guide: Day 1 – Departure from Vancouver, BC, to Radium Springs, BC

This road trip was kicked off with a scenic drive from Vancouver through the majestic Coastal Mountains. Our first stop was the world-famous village of Whistler, British Columbia, where we shopped for local treasures and visited the historic site of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

Lunch was a cozy affair at The Whistler Warehouse, offering hearty fare with a local twist. Continuing east, we stopped at Fort Berens Estate Winery, nestled in the Lillooet Region. The mountain views were incredible, and sampling their beautifully crafted wines were a welcome treat. 

That evening, we settled in at Redstreak Campground in Kootenay National Park, located in Radium Springs, BC. A great addition to our Canada Road Trip Itinerary and Travel Guide. Photos from each of the campsites from this epic road-trip across Canada can be found here. Our site provided the perfect spot to recharge and prepare for the next leg of our Cross-Canada Return Road Trip Itinerary and Travel Guide: Vancouver, BC, to Kingston, ON. Both on our way in and on our way out, we were treated with various animals to see, as curious to check us out as we were to see them! 

Day 2 - Radium Springs, BC, to Obed Lake, AB

The next morning, we continued our drive through the Rocky Mountains, moving from Kootenay National Park, British Columbia, to Banff National Park, Alberta. While in Banff, we browsed local shops and hiked the Bow River Trail to Surprise Corner Viewpoint, catching sight of the rushing waterfalls and the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel.

Lunch at The Bear Street Tavern hit the spot before we returned to the camper van and headed north along the legendary Icefields Parkway, a scenic highway known for its glaciers, turquoise lakes, and sweeping mountain vistas. After a long but breathtaking drive, we explored the town of Jasper, Alberta, which has rallied to recover from devastating forest fires the summer before. That night we camped at Obed Lake Provincial Park, surrounded by peaceful wilderness. 

Day 3 - Obed Lake, AB, to Saskatoon, SK

We kicked off day three of our Cross-Canada Road Trip Itinerary and Travel Guide: Vancouver, BC, to Kingston, ON, with a visit to the West Edmonton Mall in Edmonton, Alberta, one of the largest shopping centres in the world complete with onsite hotel, ice rink, pirate ship, waterpark and more! The highlight? Lunch at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Canada's only location of the iconic seafood chain.

Later, we visited some of Alberta's quirkiest landmarks. In Mundare, we posed with the World's Largest Sausage, a 42-foot-tall tribute to the region's Ukrainian heritage. Not long after, we marveled at the World's Largest Pysanka, a spinning Easter egg sculpture in Vegreville.

That night, we stayed at Gordon Howe Campground in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, capping off a full day of adventure on our Cross-Canada Return Road Trip Itinerary and Travel Guide: Vancouver, BC, to Kingston, ON.

Cross-Canada Return Road Trip Itinerary and Travel Guide: Day 4 - Saskatoon, SK, to Winnipeg, MB

As we crossed Saskatchewan, we were welcomed by Lesia, a 24-foot-tall Ukrainian statue in Canora offering traditional bread and salt—a symbol of hospitality.

For lunch, we stopped at Joe Beeverz Bar & Grill in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, where I couldn't resist the poutine perogies, a perfect fusion of Canadian and Ukrainian flavours. That evening, we set up camp at Winnipeg West KOA, just outside Winnipeg, Manitoba and was a comfortable place to rest before crossing back into Ontario.

Day 5 - Winnipeg, MB, to Thunder Bay, ON

We passed the longitudinal Centre of Canada this day of our Cross-Canada Return Road Trip Itinerary and Travel Guide: Vancouver, BC, to Kingston, ON, a neat milestone marked on the Trans-Canada Highway in Manitoba. In Kenora, Ontario, we grabbed a relaxed lakeside lunch on the sunny waterfront patio at Cottage Time.

Quirky roadside stops made this section of the drive even more memorable: Bobby's Inukshuk in Vermillion Bay and the hilariously terrifying Mosquito Carrying a Man sculpture in Upsala brought smiles and photo ops. We ended the day at Thunder Bay KOA, a reliable and scenic campground just outside the city with views of Sleeping Giant.

Day 6 - Thunder Bay, ON, to Montreal River Harbour, ON

Day six began with a scenic overlook in Nipigon, Ontario, gazing out over the newly constructed Nipigon Bridge and the rushing waters below. Next up on our Cross-Canada Return Road Trip Itinerary and Travel Guide: Vancouver, BC, to Kingston, ON, was Rossport, Ontario, where we hiked part of the Coastal Trail within the Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area.

Lunch was served at Rosie & Josie's in Schreiber, Ontario, followed by a peaceful hike along Trapper's Trail in Lake Superior Provincial Park. That evening, we treated ourselves to a cozy stay at Twilight Cottage Resort in Montreal River Harbour, our camper van perched along the shores of Lake Superior. 

Day 7 - Sault Ste. Marie, ON, to Algonquin Provincial Park, ON

This leg of our Cross-Canada Return Road Trip Itinerary and Travel Guide: Vancouver, BC, to Kingston, ON, was all about delicious surprises and hidden gems. We started the day with warm apple fritters from the legendary Apple Fritter Fryhouse at The Voyageurs' Lodge in Batchawana Bay near Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

Lunch took us to The Laughing Buddha in Sudbury, famously featured in the hit Canadian TV series Shorsey. Later, we made our way to Algonquin Provincial Park, only to discover that Achray Campground is a full 50km from the main highway! Despite the extra drive, arriving in complete darkness, the peaceful surroundings were well worth it.

Day 8 - Algonquin Provincial Park, ON, to Kingston, ON

From Coast to Home: Wrapping Up the Road Trip of a Lifetime

This Cross-Canada Return Road Trip Itinerary and Travel Guide: Vancouver, BC, to Kingston, ON was a true celebration of Canada's culture, cuisine, landscapes, and history. Every stop along the way offered a new adventure—whether it was hiking scenic trails, discovering offbeat roadside attractions, or simply enjoying a meal in a small-town establishment.

If you're planning your own cross-Canada road trip, use this blog series as your go-to Canadian travel guide. For tips on packing, planning, or must-see stops, be sure to explore my previous entries—each one filled with insider details to help you make the most of your time on the road, see links below.

Highlights, Lessons & Unforgettable Moments of a Cross-Canada Return Road Trip Itinerary and Travel Guide: Vancouver, BC, to Kingston, ON

Review of an eight-day trip from the west-coast of Canada to Kingston, Ontario, including scenic stops, mini-adventures, and lots of good eats