Icefields Parkway Itinerary
The Icefields Parkway Road Trip is a spectacular journey through the Canadian Rockies, starting in the picturesque town of Banff and ending in the scenic town of Jasper. With a distance of 318km, it is recommended to take an entire day to complete the trip and the best time of the year to drive is from May to September. Along the way, you will be able to take in the majestic views of the snow-capped peaks, glacial lakes, and lush meadows. The road is in excellent condition and suitable for all drivers, making it a great road trip for everyone. Although the Icefields Parkway Road Trip is a journey that will provide a lifetime of memories, it may require a higher budget to make the most of the experience.
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number of days
318 km
route length
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START
Banff
Distance 318 km
Driving time 5.2 h
Pace: modest
82.7 kWh
Airports
YYC
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Banff is a popular tourist destination in Canada, nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. It is the perfect starting point for the renowned Icefields Parkway Road Trip, an epic journey through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world.
In Banff, visitors can explore the town's many attractions, including the Banff Gondola, the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, the Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station National Historic Site, and the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. Nature lovers can also explore the town's many hiking trails and take in the stunning views from the top of Cascade Mountain.
For those arriving by air, the closest international airport is Calgary International Airport (YYC). From there, there are a number of car rental options available for those wanting to take the Icefields Parkway Road Trip.
Banff is the perfect starting point for a road trip that will take you through some of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring landscapes in Canada. Take the time to explore all that Banff has to offer, and then get ready for the Icefields Parkway Road Trip of a lifetime.
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Banff
- Lake Louise
Distance 72 km
Driving time 2.0 h
Pace: slow
16.5 kWh
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Itinerary
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Embark on an incredible road trip from Banff to Lake Louise! Start your journey in Banff, a beautiful mountain town nestled in the Canadian Rockies. Here you can explore the town's many attractions, including the Banff Gondola, the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, the Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk, and the Upper Hot Springs. As you make your way to Lake Louise, you'll be surrounded by stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Along the way, you'll pass by the picturesque towns of Canmore and Kananaskis, as well as the stunning Lake Minnewanka. When you reach Lake Louise, you'll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the turquoise waters and the iconic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Take your time to explore the area and take in the stunning scenery. Don't forget to check out the Lake Louise Ski Resort and the Lake Louise Gondola while you're here. With a distance of 72km and a driving time of fewer than 2 hours, this journey is a must-do for any road tripper. Keep your eyes peeled for historical sites and be sure to check the "Itinerary" for more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route.
Lake Louise - Canada - North America - Scenic Drive - pixabay.com
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Lake Louise
- Jasper
Distance 247 km
Driving time 3.2 h
Pace: fast
74.0 kWh
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Itinerary
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Start your road trip adventure in Lake Louise, Canada - the heart of the Canadian Rockies! This stage of your journey is one of the most beautiful, taking you on a 247 km drive through some of the most awe-inspiring scenery in the world. You'll have fewer than 4 hours to explore the incredible sights along the way, so make sure you make the most of it!
First stop, Lake Louise - one of the most photographed and iconic locations in Canada. Here you can take a boat ride on the lake, go for a hike in the surrounding mountains, or simply soak up the breathtaking views.
Next, make your way to the Columbia Icefield, one of the largest non-polar ice fields in the world. Here you can take a guided tour on the Ice Explorer, a specially designed all-terrain vehicle, and explore the Athabasca Glacier.
Finally, your journey ends in Jasper, a stunning mountain town full of activities and attractions. Take a cable car ride up Whistlers Mountain, explore the Maligne Canyon, or take a stroll around the tranquil Pyramid Lake.
No matter how you choose to spend your time, you're sure to have an unforgettable experience - and more information on attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route can be found in the Itinerary of this stage. So, what are you waiting for? Let the adventure begin!
Jasper - Canada - North America - Scenic Drive - Wikipedia
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Jasper
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Jasper, located in Alberta, Canada is an ideal destination to end the “Icefields Parkway Road Trip”. This town is located in the heart of the Canadian Rockies and is surrounded by stunning mountain views.
The main attractions in Jasper include Pyramid Lake, Maligne Canyon and the Columbia Icefield. Pyramid Lake is known for its crystal clear waters and is a great spot for fishing and swimming. Maligne Canyon is the deepest canyon in the Rockies and is a great place to explore the nature of Jasper. The Columbia Icefield is one of Jasper's most popular attractions and offers visitors the chance to explore the glaciers and mountains.
Jasper has a variety of activities available for visitors to enjoy. Whether you like to hike, bike, ski, or just relax, there is something for everyone. There are also numerous restaurants in town, offering a variety of cuisines.
The closest international airport to Jasper is Edmonton International Airport (YEG). However, the best way to get to Jasper is by car, as the Icefields Parkway Road Trip begins in Jasper and takes travelers through the beautiful Canadian Rockies.
Jasper is an ideal ending point for the Icefields Parkway Road Trip. With its stunning mountain views and variety of activities, it is the perfect place to end your Canadian Rockies adventure.
Icefields Parkway at a glance
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Start:
Banff
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End:
Jasper
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Distance:
318 km
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Stay:
1 day
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Getting there:
Calgary International Airport (YYC)
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When to drive:
June, July, August, September
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More info:
More info you can find in the "Itinerary" section at each stage.
Hopefully, our road trip idea has become a perfect inspiration for your future holidays.
It is a ready-made opportunity that can be conveniently developed into a complete tour – there are no limits.
If car travel is the preferred travel mode for you, there are a number of vital traffic regulations to follow and a bunch of elements to bear in mind to make your trip safe.
The following road rules will surely become useful for all holidaymakers considering car rental or camper hire.
When driving around Alberta, there are a number of traffic regulations to be followed.
When moving around Alberta in a car, try to avoid spirits at all.
Drivers should remember that the permitted blood alcohol level is not that high and cannot exceed 0.5‰.
In order to avoid speeding offence, it is best to never exceed 80km/h, which is the maximum car speed when driving around the build-up areas.
In non-build-up areas, travellers can travel at the maximum car speed of 100km/h.
The maximum car speed when it comes to motorways in Alberta is 120km/h.
Having a first aid kit and fire extinguisher in your car and driving with your headlights on at daytime heavily increase the safety of you and your passengers.
You’re probably wondering about the costs of the whole trip.
Well, depending on the budget option that you aim for, the amount of money that you have to pay for your travel expenses will differ.
A wide range of budget configurations is showed below.
The cost of gasoline for the cheapest offer to cover the planned 3 stages across Alberta can amount to 38 EUR.
Economy accommodation options will cost holidaymakers around 121 EUR.
The travel expenses related to food and restaurants within this option may cost up to more or less 72 EUR.
Travellers will have to pay about 45 EUR if they opt for the budget rental car offer as well.
Thus, the estimated travel expenses amount to more or less 231 EUR without car hire and 276 EUR with car hire.
Holidayers who are looking for greater comfort and the standard option will pay about 63 EUR for the fuel needed to cover the itinerary.
Cost amounting to 187 EUR can be expected by all travellers who are considering standard overnight stays.
The standard option in terms of food and restaurants can cost up to approximately 108 EUR.
Travellers who want to cover the tour in a standard rental vehicle can expect a cost of approximately 54 EUR.
Summing up the standard offer, the estimated cost of the road trip will total around 412 EUR for holidayers who would like to try car rental and 358 EUR for those who are not interested in rental.
The highest level of comfort of the premium option will meet the expectations of the most demanding drivers.
When it comes to this offer, the estimated cost of the road trip will total around 555 EUR for travellers who are considering car rental and 358 EUR for those who do not want to rent.
Travellers who want to cover the itinerary in a premium hire vehicle should expect a cost of roughly 72 EUR.
If you are interested in the highest comfort of the trip, you have to spend the maximum of 75 EUR on the gasoline needed to cover the itinerary.
Drivers who would like to go for top services in all aspects of their itinerary should expect to pay roughly 144 EUR for food and restaurants and approximately 264 EUR for hotels.
Our trip is also a thrilling opportunity for all camper lovers.
If you choose this mode of transport, it costs approximately 225 EUR.
You will spend more or less 88 EUR on gasoline allowing to cover all stages of the road trip.
Expenses connected with food will be pay around 72 EUR, whereas those connected with overnight stays should cost around 55 EUR.
The section Road Trip Costs presents all the mentioned details in a simple manner.
If Icefields Parkway Road Trip has sparked your creativity, our website is full of thrilling adventures.
The great variety of options will definitely live up to the expectations of the most demanding travellers.