With 10 days, you can opt to see it all with a faster-paced road trip across British Columbia or enjoy a slower-paced trip that focuses on two regions. Vancouver and Calgary both serve as great starting points depending on whether you want to focus on the coast or the mountains. Here, we've outlined a number of our favorite routes that can be customized based on your interests.

Itinerary #1: Vancouver to Calgary Mountain Adventure

Highlights: Mountains, waterfalls, lakes Driving time: 18 hours Distance: 765 miles (1,230 km)

Experience the epic mountain scenery of British Columbia's provincial and national parks. This itinerary starts in the Coast Mountains around Whistler before crossing through Gold Rush Country to Wells Grey Provincial Park, famous for its giant waterfalls. From there, you'll make a stop at Mt. Robson to hike the Berg Lake trail. Finally, follow the Icefields Parkway through the Canadian Rockies for the grande finale of this mountain adventure. See the full itinerary. 

Moraine Lake, Banff National Park
Moraine Lake, Banff National Park
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Vancouver Vancouver
Day 2 Vancouver to Whistler (2 hours) Whistler
Day 3 Whistler to Wells Gray Provincial Park (6 hours) Clearwater
Day 4 Wells Gray Provincial Park to Jasper (3 h 30 min) Jasper
Day 5 Explore Jasper National Park Jasper
Day 6 Jasper to Lake Louise (3 hours) Lake Louise
Day 7 Day Hikes around Lake Louise Lake Louise
Day 8 Lake Louise to Canmore (1 h 45 min) Canmore
Day 9 Explore around Canmore Canmore
Day 10 Canmore to Calgary, Depart (1 h 30 min)  

Itinerary #2: Vancouver to Calgary through Wine Country

Highlights: Wineries, mountains, parks Driving time: 14 hours Distance: 700 miles (1,130 km)

Another option for driving from Vancouver to Calgary, this route takes you through the arid wine country of the Okanagan Valley. You'll have a few days to visit wineries and explore great bike trails and lakes before spending the second half of your trip in the Canadian Rockies. For great hiking, head off into Kananaskis Country just south of Canmore, a paradise for hikers looking to escape the crowds. See the full itinerary. 

Emerald Lake, Yoho National Park
Emerald Lake, Yoho National Park
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Vancouver Vancouver
Day 2 Vancouver to Osoyoos (4 h 30 min) Osoyoos
Day 3 Osoyoos to Kelowna (1 h 45 min) Kelowna
Day 4 Wine Tasting in the Okanagan Valley Kelowna
Day 5 Kelowna to Revelstoke (2 h 30 min) Revelstoke
Day 6 Revelstoke to Yoho National Park (2 h 30 min) Field
Day 7 Explore Yoho National Park Field
Day 8 Yoho National Park to Canmore (1 h 15 min) Canmore
Day 9 Day Hikes in Kananaskis Country Canmore
Day 10 Canmore to Calgary, Depart (1 h 30 min)  
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Itinerary #3: Whistler, Shuswap, & Okanagan Valley Circle Route

Highlights: Mountains, lakes, wineries Driving time: 16 hours Distance: 720 miles (1,160 km)

Starting and ending in Vancouver, head to the famous resort village of Whistler to explore the mountains and alpine lakes. Once you've had your fill, drive west to the lakes of the Shuswap where you can swim, paddle, and relax on a houseboat. End your road trip in the dry, rolling hills of the Okanagan Valley to sample some of BC's best wines and mountain biking trails before returning to Vancouver. See the full itinerary. 

Joffre Lakes Provincial Park
Joffre Lakes Provincial Park
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Vancouver Vancouver
Day 2 Explore Vancouver's Downtown & Neighborhoods Vancouver
Day 3 Vancouver to Whistler (2 hours) Whistler
Day 4 Explore around Whistler Whistler
Day 5 Whistler to Salmon Arm (5 h 30 min) Salmon Arm
Day 6 History & Outdoor Adventure in the Shuswap Salmon Arm
Day 7 Salmon Arm to Osoyoos (4 hours) Osoyoos
Day 8 Explore around Osoyoos Osoyoos
Day 9 Osoyoos to Vancouver (4 h 30 min) Vancouver
Day 10 Depart Vancouver  

Itinerary #4: Hot Springs Circle Route in the Kootenay Rockies

Highlights: Mountains, hot springs, local towns Driving time: 19 hours Distance: 830 miles (1,330 km)

Calgary serves as a convenient hub for exploring eastern British Columbia on this fast-paced road trip. You'll start in the Canadian Rockies before heading into the heart of the Kootenays. Here, you'll find numerous hot springs, beautiful mountain towns, and ample opportunity to both relax or get out into the mountains on foot or by bike. You'll also get the chance to visit Nelson, a popular town tucked in the mountains with great restaurants, breweries, and adventure opportunities. See the full itinerary. 

Abandoned train bridge turned biking trail near Slocan
Abandoned train bridge turned biking trail near Slocan
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Calgary, Drive to Banff (2 hours) Banff
Day 2 Explore around Banff Banff
Day 3 Banff to Yoho National Park (1 h 30 min) Field
Day 4 Yoho National Park to Revelstoke (2 h 30 min) Revelstoke
Day 5 Revelstoke to Kaslo (3 hours) Kaslo
Day 6 Kaslo to Nelson (1 hour) Nelson
Day 7 Explore around Nelson Nelson
Day 8 Nelson to Kimberley (4 h 15 min) Kimberley
Day 9 Kimberley to Canmore (3 h 30 min) Canmore
Day 10 Canmore to Calgary, Depart (1 h 30 min)  

Itinerary #5: Sunshine Coast & Pacific Rim Road Trip

Highlights: Coastline, rainforest, ocean adventures Driving time: 18 hours Distance: 540 miles (870 km)

With 10 days, you have enough time to explore the Sunshine Coast and the Pacific Rim at a slower pace and soak up the coastal vibe of the Pacific Northwest. This is a great option for those looking for a laid-back experience without moving around too much. Plus, you'll have access to some of the best paddling and ocean adventures in the province with a number of great day and multi-day options to choose from.  See the full itinerary. 

Buttle Lake, Strathcona Provincial Park
Buttle Lake, Strathcona Provincial Park
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Vancouver Vancouver
Day 2 Vancouver to Sechelt (2 h 30 min) Sechelt
Day 3 Explore the Lower Sunshine Coast Sechelt
Day 4 Sechelt to Powell River (3 hours) Powell River
Day 5 Powell River to Pacific Rim (5 hours) Pacific Rim
Day 6 Explore Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Reserve Pacific Rim
Day 7 Hiking in Pacific Rim National Park Pacific Rim
Day 8 Pacific Rim to Victoria (4 h 45 min) Victoria
Day 9 Victoria to Vancouver (3 hours) Vancouver
Day 10 Depart Vancouver  

Itinerary #6: Mount Edziza Traverse in Northern BC 

Highlights: Volcanic plateaus, wilderness, trekking Driving time: 13 h 30 min Distance: 680 miles (1,090 km)

Accessible only by floatplane, this trek remains relatively unknown yet is becoming more popular each year as people venture farther north into the vast wilderness of British Columbia. Starting and ending in Vancouver, this itinerary is focused on getting to the trek and back, with one extra day to see the Salmon Glacier just outside of Stewart. For those who are looking for a true wilderness experience, this trek will not disappoint.  See the full itinerary. 

Volcanic plateau on the southern flank of Mount Edziza
Volcanic plateau on the southern flank of Mount Edziza
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Vancouver Vancouver
Day 2 Fly from Vancouver to Terrace, Drive to Stewart (5 h 30 min) Stewart
Day 3 Stewart to Tatogga Lake (4 h 30 min) Tatogga Lake
Day 4 Mount Edziza Traverse (Day 1) Wilderness Camping
Day 5 Mount Edziza Traverse (Day 2) Wilderness Camping
Day 6 Mount Edziza Traverse (Day 3) Wilderness Camping
Day 7 Mount Edziza Traverse (Day 4) Wilderness Camping
Day 8 Mount Edziza Traverse (Day 5) Tatogga Lake
Day 9 Tatogga Lake to Vancouver (6 h 30 min) Vancouver
Day 10 Depart Vancouver