Vancouver → Whistler → Banff
Sea-to-Sky Highway to the heart of the Rockies.
This route climbs from the Pacific through the Sea-to-Sky corridor, threads the dry interior plateau around Kamloops, then punches through Yoho and Banff National Parks into the Rocky Mountain spine. You cross climate zones in a single afternoon — temperate rainforest to alpine — and end in the most photographed lakes in Canada.
Flying in? This route starts in Vancouver — pick up wheels at the airport.
Rent a Car in VancouverBest Time to Drive
June–September when the high passes are clear of snow.
How Many Days
3–4 days to actually enjoy the stops.
Where to Stay
Whistler on night one, Kamloops or Revelstoke on night two, Lake Louise or Banff on arrival.
Drive this route
A rental car, stops to sleep and roadside cover.
The route, stop by stop
- 1
Shannon Falls & Sea-to-Sky Gondola
60 kmA 335-metre cascade just off the highway, then a gondola ride above Howe Sound.
Sea-to-Sky Gondola tickets bundle cheaper online than at the gate.
- 2
Whistler
120 kmMountain village, Peak 2 Peak gondola and alpine hikes — the obvious first overnight.
Peak 2 Peak passes sell cheaper bundled with the Sea-to-Sky ticket.
- 3
Lillooet & Cache Creek
300 kmThe green rainforest gives way to dry grassland and hoodoos as you turn inland.
- 4
Kamloops
350 kmRiverside interior town and a good halfway fuel and sleep stop.
The halfway sleep stop — riverside motels fill fast on summer Fridays.
- 5
Yoho National Park
650 kmTakakkaw Falls and Emerald Lake — the quieter Rockies, before the crowds of Banff.
Emerald Lake parking fills by 10am; Takakkaw Falls is a 15-minute detour off the Trans-Canada.
- 6
Lake Louise & Banff
850 kmFinish at the turquoise icon and the lively town of Banff.
Moraine Lake is shuttle-only — reserve Parks Canada transit or a guided sunrise tour.
