VANCOUVER-CALGARY road trip- advice?

[pattonmaclean]

Hi,

Well I get into Vancouver on Sunday, June 20 and will hit the road for Saskatoon shortly thereafter in my new (to me) L400 courtesy of Mardy.

I've driven the route a couple of times before, but that was a while back. A bit nervous about doing it RHD, but don't think that will be too much trouble.

I'll be going through Calgary to see some family. I haven't really planned out where I'll stop between Vancouver and there. I'll have a thermarest and sleeping bag when i need to pull over and deal with jet lag.

Anyone have any advice about best routes, places to stop, eat, clean up, or get a cheap room between Van and Calgary? I probably won't want to do more than 6 -7 hours of driving a day.

Also might need a hotel for a night close to Richmond and a skytrain station. I know I won't feel like driving around Vancouver on day 1.

Oh yeah , if anyone needs a lift going East on June 20 or 21, let me know.

[mararmeisto]

No.1 all the way. The Trans-Canada Highway is actually quite scenic and the drive through the Fraser Canyon will be easier (less stressful on you and the Delica) than the Coq. Of course, any route through the Rockies is going to set you Prairie folk on edge.

Kamloops is good for convenience, but I like Salmon Arm and Revelstoke too (better scenery for a stop). If I recall correctly, there are Delicanites in each of those communities as well, so maybe you could meet up with some of them on your way through.

Happy driving!

[RichD]

A highway trip is an ideal way to get used to RHD.

The big change here is going to be merging left. Your blind spot is on the opposite side. Make sure those windows on your left are clear and give yourself more lead time, signal early, and shoulder check well before you merge into traffic or pass. Eventually you might stop shoulder checking on the right out of habit (I still do it).

You will also notice that you have less visibility when taking corners to the right, so you'll tend to slow down to compensate. This is only an issue in smaller windy roads.

Likewise with left lane turns across traffic in intersections. You have to wait it out more often if a large vehicle is blocking your visibility. So be patient.

Enjoy the drive! Trans-Canada for sure.

[Firesong]

Hmmm... thinking what can I get you to bring back to Saskatoon.... :)

Awesome news.

FS

[pattonmaclean]

Firesong, just let me know if there's something I can haul back for you from the coast.

[jaggedfish]

I just did that very trip a few weeks ago. The weather was great and I made lots of stops for pix along the way. Hwy No 1 is the way to go as noted by others... Rogers Pass is outstanding for scenery! Get an early start and you will have lots of time to stop and look.

I stayed at the Best Western in Salmon Arm - not fancy but comfortable and they have an indoor pool and hot tub - got my room for under $100 and it was a queen with kitchenette (had to promise not to use the kitchenette... lol). Get an upstairs room if you stay there. Trains pass by quite regularly but they aren't too much of a bother - pretty much have to deal with them anywhere along the route anyway. There is a decent pub across the parking lot for a meal and a drink as well and a good little breakfast diner just about a block down.

Salmon Arm is a good place to stop or even Revelstoke (not sure about hotels there)... after that you are in Rogers Pass. RHD is not an issue on the roads - if you are new to it, you get used to it quickly, just use care. Don't be in a hurry on the big hills... let the Delica tell you how fast to go and be patient if you get caught behind a semi. Keep a good lookout for wildlife as well... lots big animals that can get in the way altho measures are being taken now to minimize animal/vehicle contact.

Fuel stops... I filled up at the Husky on Flood-Hope Road just outside of Hope, then Salmon Arm, then Canmore.
Fire any questions and I will try to answer them.
Cheers!
Ian

[TardisDeli]

Hi, Come and stay at TardisDeli World for a couple nights, get over jet lag, practise driving around with us, come to our favourite outdoor store in New West (The Army & Navy Department Store, not a surplus store but a real store with super prices). Get some kitchenware stuff for cooking, pillows etc for sleeping, outdoor gear like folding chair and sink for sitting, and a cooler for keeping food cold, and small cheap tool kit. Then we can help sort you out for stuff (does yr van have curtains, do you need extra electrical outlet for stuff ie 12 volt kettle or laptop might need an inverter installed). You might need more than one thermorest, or a double airmattress to even out the seats for comfy sleeping. Then you can just pull over in rest stops, and sleep free along with other RVs, and visit a local public pool for a swim and shower.

Otherwise, yes Hwy 1 is great. Cheapest diesel is Shell at Lickman Road in Chilliwack. For overnight, Kamloops is nearer than Salmon Arm, and has heaps of motels just off the Hwy, and is probably 5 to 6 hours at a relaxed delica pace, with occasional scenic stops. There are 1 or 2 delica folk nearish there, in case you need a friendly face to meet you at a coffee shop or ask advice. Salmon Arm has PlantDrive's Ed if you interested in buying veg oil (careful if you are overnighting at altitude ie the rockies, you may not want to add veg oil as cold temps make oil too thick to start engine). Then you need to refill at Revelstoke, because little fuel until banff. No free camping in the Parks, so you would need to use pay camping. Calgary is a Delica dream for as as good group of friendly delica people there, and several people there owe the Delica Community some free overnights becuz they got free overnights themselves ... if you havent got an invite from one to stay there just PM them.

You can CraigsList for people wanting to ride share, but it is hard to find GOOD travel companions. You might prefer yr first trip to just be you and your beloved vehicle. Christine.

[mararmeisto]

Hi, Come and stay at TardisDeli World for a couple nights...

Bring bottled water and don't drink their 'kool-aid'...

Okay, I jest.

It's actually Crystal Light calorie-reduced naturally sweetened drink mix...

[pattonmaclean]

THANKS ALL for the great responses. So appreciated!

Tardisdeli, I will definitely be sending you a pm. There's an Army and Navy in New West?

The A&N boutique in Saskatoon closed in 2002...great place for odd stuff.


THX

Patton

[RichD]

Hey Christine there is another one of those Flying J places in Burnaby. Found it the other day while lookin for diesel. Open weekdays only.

[Erebus]

Fuel is much cheaper in Alberta than BC, so if you can make it to Lake Louise, do so on little fuel. Even LL and Banff are cheaper than BC, although more expensive than Calgary.

There is also a Flying J just east of Kamloops, significantly cheaper than Kamloops. Then I'd fill up in Revelstoke to have reserve through the mountains -- 2 hour delays due to accidents aren't unusual.

For "camping", there is a truck stop (okay, more like a big open dirt parking area with outhouses) just at the west end of Revelstoke, on the north side of the highway. Good place to sleep, might be full of 18-wheelers idling, RVs, or might be empty.

As for Coquihalla versus Hwy 1, I've done the Coq west/southbound 4 times now, and never done it north/eastbound. Did Hwy 1 one time, Crowsnest once, flew once, and Yukon once. Both Coq, Hwy 1, and Hwy 3 (Crowsnest) are equally beautiful. Coq is the quickest if that matters.

If you time it right at the Spiral Tunnels, you can stop and see a train go through. If you are trying to learn or teach history, stop at Craigellachie, site of the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway.

Oh, take TardisDeli's invitation. Great place to stay, unwind, get comfy with your Deli, etc.

If you know when you will be in Calgary, let us know, we can do a meet if you want.

Enough tour guide from me.

[gtexjunkie]

You can check gas buddy for the cheapest prices. Don't fill in Golden it is usually the most expensive along that route. You will cry when you get to Calgary/ Edmonton and the price is about 80 cents. Sorrento is usually cheap, Sicamous can be pricey Salmon arm too (due to the house boaters). Revy is not too bad.

[Firesong]

I can't find anything to buy!!!

I say, enjoy the ride, don't rush and hmm pick up a frantz
oil kit in calgary on the way through.

Ill help you install.
Should be fun to poke in a l400

J

[TAIT]

My wife and i will be heading to Toronto (alas, via plane...BORING!!) from the 16th-30th of June to attend a couple weddings, but you are more than welcome to stay at my house in Revelstoke to recharge (for a few days if need be!?). There's always plenty of wine and beer, and some super friendly neighbours willing to share it with ya!

Chris

[VirtualJJ]

..and this is yet another reason this forum/club/community is so awesome. I was about to post almost exactly the same questions about almost exactly the same road trip; and then here is a thread with most of my questions, already answered!

I'm (hopefully) starting out on Saturday, June 19th (one day earlier); and in a new-to-me L300 (also from Mardy). My plan is Vancouver-Banff for Day one, and Calgary-Saskatoon (home) on Day two.

Exciting times! And it looks like Saskatoon might soon have enough people for a mini-meet real soon.

I'll clear a path for ya, Patton!

PS, good luck with the Clutch thingys, Firesong.