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This awesome one-week road trip will show you the best of Alberta, Canada in a short space of time…
Driving in Alberta feels like driving through a movie set. Whether you’re winding through the epic mountain-scapes of Banff and Jasper National Parks or curving through the otherworldly sandstone valleys of the Badlands, the driving views here are next-level!
Throw in a mix of too-blue-to-be-true lakes, glacier-fed rivers, rolling prairies, side-of-the-road wildlife sightings, adventurous activities like horse riding and hiking, and fabulous campgrounds, and you have all the makings of a perfect road trip.
A week could never be long enough for a trip like this, but if that’s all you have, you can still see plenty of Alberta in that time. In seven days, I packed in two cities, two national parks, the iconic Icefields Parkway, the prairies, and the Badlands – all without too much driving in between. The itinerary below is designed to be flexible. You can extend it over 10 days if you want to take your time, or pack it all into seven, like I did. Hopefully, this guide will help you get started with planning your dream trip to Alberta!
- Alberta Road Trip: 1-Week Itinerary
- How to Book Your Road Trip
- Day 1: Calgary to Banff
- Day 2: Banff
- Day 3: Banff to Jasper (via Lake Louise & the Icefields Parkway)
- Day 4: Jasper
- Day 5 – Jasper to Edmonton
- Day 6 – Edmonton to Drumheller
- Day 7: Drumheller to Calgary
- Where to Stay: Campsite & Hotel Recommendations
- Alberta Road Trip: Top Tips
My trip was supported by My Canada Trips and Travel Alberta. As always, all words and opinions are my own.
Alberta Road Trip: 1-Week Itinerary
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DAY 1: Calgary to Banff National Park
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DAY 2: Banff
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DAY 3: Banff to Jasper (via the Icefields Parkway – with a stop at Lake Louise)
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DAY 4: Jasper
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DAY 5: Jasper to Edmonton
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DAY 6: Edmonton to Drumheller
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DAY 7: Drumheller to Calgary
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DAY 8: Calgary
Road Trip Map
Highlights and Must-Sees
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Calgary: Peace Bridge and Prince’s Island Park, Calgary Tower, Inglewood neighbourhood (indie shops), BUMP street art murals, bike along the Bow River
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Banff National Park: Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Banff Gondola, Mt Norquay Sightseeing Chairlift (summer only), Banff town high street, horse riding with Banff Trail Riders.
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Icefields Parkway: Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, Athabasca Glacier, Sunwapta Falls, Athabasca Falls.
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Jasper: Maligne Lake (optional boat trip to Spirit Island), Jasper Food Tours, hike to Old Fort Point.
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Edmonton: Ride the Edmonton Streetcar, Muttart Conservatory, Alberta Art Gallery, Old Strathcona district (street art, indie shops, and nightlife).
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Drumheller: Rowley (“ghost” town), Horsethief Canyon viewpoint, Royal Tyrell Museum (dinosaur fossils), visit Wayne and the Last Chance Saloon.
How to Book Your Road Trip
Planning a trip like this can be a real headache – with so many stops and things to think about. You can do it all yourself, but it’s definitely much easier to use a specialised local travel agent to book the trip.
My road trip was designed and booked through My Canada Trips, based on their Alberta Rockies and Badlands Motorhome Adventure. They took care of everything: flights, National Park Passes, accommodation bookings, and 7-night motorhome hire (with all the extras we needed included). I’ve reviewed the service in more detail (CLICK HERE to read that), but let me just say it surpassed all my expectations! They have a range of fantastic motorhome and self-drive road trip itinerary packages to choose from – as well as a bunch of other brilliant trips (from cruises to city breaks).
Day 1: Calgary to Banff
Distance: 130km (80 miles)
Allow: 2-3 hours with stops
THE DRIVE: The first stretch of the drive from Calgary to Banff is pretty dull, with views of flat grasslands and rolling foothills. But, after about an hour, you’ll reach the Rockies, which seem to almost come out of nowhere!
The entrance gate to Banff National Park is shortly after you pass through Canmore. You’ll need to purchase a park pass here. If you’ve purchased one in advance, you can go through the faster lanes (the two on the right – look for signs).
Stop 1: Lac Des Arc Viewpoint
How Long: 5-10 minutes (photo stop)
Shortly after reaching the Canadian Rockies, you’ll pass Lac des Arcs, a small lake on the Bow River with a backdrop of stunning mountains. There’s a large lay-by on the right side of the road. Pull over here for a quick photo stop.
Stop 2: Canmore
How Long: 1-2 hours (but you could easily spend a whole afternoon here)
Stop off at the gorgeous little mountain town of Canmore on your drive into Banff. It’s a pretty Alpine town with lots of wooden buildings, surrounded by mountains on all sides. The high street is lined with cute independent shops and eateries. Don’t miss Alberta’s Own for locally made arts and gifts or the Rocky Mountain Soap Company for handmade soaps (the lemongrass scent is to die for!).
Grab a takeaway coffee from Eclipse Coffee Roasters before heading to the Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk for a gentle riverside stroll to Spring Creek (about 10 minutes each way). If you have time, stop by the Canmore Engine Bridge, an iconic sight which recently featured in HBO’s The Last of Us.
Stop 3: Downtown Banff
How Long: 1-2 hours
You’ll most likely reach Banff town by mid-late afternoon, depending on how long you spend driving, so I recommend keeping things chill on your first day. Spend some time exploring the downtown area of this famously beautiful mountain town. These are the most popular sights:
- Banff Avenue – Probably the most famous photo spot in town: a wide road with a perfect view of Cascade Mountain at the end.
- The Banff Sign – Another iconic photo stop. On the side of Mt Norquay Road (just past the train station).
- Shopping – Both Banff Ave and neighbouring Bear Street are lined with gift shops and galleries.
- If you still have time (and energy) left, add on one of the tours or attractions listed under the Banff section below. You could head to the hot springs or take a sunset wildlife tour this evening, for example.
TOP TIP: There’s a large, free car park at Banff Train Station, with spaces for RV’s.
Day 2: Banff
One full day is sadly NOT enough time to see and do everything that the town of Banff and the surrounding area have to offer. Instead, you’ll probably have time for 2-3 of the following attractions/tours – so I’ll give the list below, and you can choose the ones that suit you best.
FYI – Lake Louise is one of the most famous sights near Banff. But, as it’s on the road towards Jasper, I think it’s easier to visit this iconic lake tomorrow morning as you begin the next leg of the road trip.
Things to do in Banff (and nearby)
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Banff Gondola – Ascend 700m in 8 minutes to reach the summit of Sulphur Mountain. Buy tickets here. Allow 1-3 hours.
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Mt Norquay Sightseeing Chairlift – I LOVED this! In summer, one of the ski lifts at Mt Norquay Ski Resort runs as a sightseeing chairlift. The lift takes you up to nearly 7,000ft elevation for incredible views of Banff, the Bow River, and the surrounding mountains. Allow 1.5 hours (including drive time).
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Hiking – Bow River Loop (6.9km) and the Tunnel Mountain Trail (2.4km each way) are pleasant, short walks starting near the town centre. Allow 1-3 hours.
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Horseriding with Banff Trail Riders – This was the highlight of my time in Banff – I cannot recommend it enough. A gentle, one-hour trek on horseback along the impossibly-blue Bow River, suitable for all abilities. The guides were super supportive, even when I was struggling to control my horse (I’m not very authoritative!). Allow 1.5 hours (including drive time).
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Banff Upper Hot Springs – Relax in mineral-rich natural hot springs with views of the surrounding mountains. The springs close at 10pm so you could make this a sunset/evening activity to unwind after a day of sightseeing. Allow 1.5-3 hours(including drive time).
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Moraine Lake – Possibly even more scenic than the better-known Lake Louise next door, Moraine Lake can only be visited by shuttle bus or organised tour (read more here). We took a tour with Radventures and it was great; our guide was brilliant – and so knowledgeable. Their 4-hour Best of Banff tour takes in both Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, so it’s a great option to see both without driving. Allow 3-4 hours (depending on tour length).
TOP TIP: Don’t want to drive? There are regular shuttle buses to some of the top local attractions, including Mt Norquay Ski Resort, Banff Hot Springs, Lake Louise, Tunnel Mountain Campgrounds, and more. Read more here.
Day 3: Banff to Jasper (via Lake Louise & the Icefields Parkway)
Distance: 290km (180 miles)
Allow: 10-12 hours with stops
THE DRIVE: Today is ALL about the driving: the road trip from Banff to Jasper is one of the most scenic in the world! The drive itself should take around 3-4 hours, but there are a lot of amazing stops along the way. Ideally, you should allow a full day for this drive.
Stop 1: Lake Louise
Framed by mountains, this impossibly-bright-blue glacial lake is one of the most famous attractions in Banff National Park. It’s about a 40-minute drive from Banff and makes a great stopping-off point on the long drive to Jasper.
There are several walking trails to choose from: a 2km path runs along the lakeshore, or you could hike up to the Fairview Lookout (2.4km) or to the popular Lake Agnes Teahouse (6.8km). One of the most popular things to do at Lake Louise is to rent a canoe and head out on the water – but be warned, it’s not cheap! The current price is $170 CAD (about £90) (+tax) for an hour hour of $160 CAD + tax for half hour (click here to check the latest prices). You can’t pre-book, so it’s a good idea to arrive as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
FYI: The car park at Lake Louise costs $36.75 CAD (about £20) per vehicle per day!
Icefields Parkway Stops (in brief)
I’m going to cover this in much more detail in a separate, more in-depth post, as there is SO much to see on the Icefields Parkway. Starting with sunrise at the Vermillion Lakes, we were able to fit all of this into a very long (but very special) 12-hour day! Watch my video of the trip here.
- Vermillian Lakes (great at sunrise – allow 15-20 minutes)
- Lake Louise (allow 1-2 hours)
- Bow Lake Viewpoint (5-10 minute photo stop)
- Peyto Lake (allow 30-40 minutes)
- Athabasca Glacier (allow 1 hour – longer if you book a Glacier Walk or visit the Glacier Skywalk).
- Sunwapta Falls (allow 10 minutes – longer if you want to do the 3km hike to the Lower Falls).
- Athabasca Falls (allow 10 minutes)
IMPORTANT: There is only one petrol/gas station between Banff and Jasper, near the Saskatchewan River Crossing. It’s a good idea to fill up completely in Banff before setting off.
IMPORTANT: There is no cell signal on the Icefields Parkway (from just after Lake Louise until you get near Jasper). NONE AT ALL! So download your maps and playlists in advance and get ready to be off-grid for a day!
Day 4: Jasper
Jasper’s Wild Fire
In July 2024, Jasper was ravaged by an enormous wildfire, which destroyed huge sections of the surrounding forests – as well as nearly a third of the town. One of the reasons the fire was so out-of-control is that human intervention had prevented any fires in the area for decades, which had led to a build-up of fuel. Forests need occasional wildfires to burn off the dry, dead vegetation, and after suppressing them for so long, there was an abundance of flammable materials – leading to a devastating fire that destroyed some 32,000 hectares.
It’s changed the landscape dramatically, with eerie graveyards of burnt trees where there were once lush forests. But it’s not all bad news. Incredibly, re-growth began to appear the same year, and the forest floors are already carpeted with grasses and wildflowers. There’s still plenty of beautiful nature in the area, and the town needs tourism now more than ever in order to recover – so please don’t be put off visiting!
Things to do in Jasper
As with Banff, a single day isn’t quite enough time to do everything in Jasper. I’ve shared a list of the best local tours and attractions below, so you can pick what appeals most to you…
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Wildfire Peak-Nic with Jasper Food Tours – Take an easy, guided hike with a local expert to discover the recovering flora and fauna of the forest, finishing off with a picnic (included) at the top with one heck of a view! This was one of the highlights of my whole trip, so I highly recommend it. It was running during Summer 2025, and it’s currently unclear if the tour will be back in Summer 2026 – click here to check the website for details. Allow 3 hours.
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Maligne Lake – At 22km long, this is the largest natural lake in the Canadian Rockies. It’s also one of the loveliest! Take the Malign Lake Boat Cruise to the famously pretty Spirit Island, or simply take a walk around the lakeshore via the Mary Schäffer Loop (3.2km) or the Moose Lake Loop (3.2km). Allow 1-3 hours, plus 1hr drive time each way.
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Jasper SkyTram – Experience incredible 360° views of Jasper National Park with a ride on Canada’s longest and highest guided aerial tramway, which will take you to the top of Whistlers Mountain. Allow 1 hour (including drive time) – more if you want to hike at the top.
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Downtown Foodie Tour – Discover the best local eats and drinks with top local company Jasper Food Tours. Allow 3 hours.
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Hiking – There are plenty of trails to choose from, with something to suit all levels. Try the Path of the Glacier (1.4km), Maligne Canyon (3.4km), or the Old Fort Point Loop (3.8km). Alternatively, take the SkyTram to the top of Whistler’s Mountain and take the 2.8km Whistler’s Summit trail. Allow 1-2 hours for these shorter hikes.
Day 5 – Jasper to Edmonton
Distance: 360km (223 miles)
Allow: 5-6 hours with stops
THE DRIVE: Unfortunately, this is one of the most boring drives of the road trip. Once you get out of Jasper National Park, the road is fairly dull all the way to Edmonton. Download some fun playlists, pack snacks, and plan to stop at least once to break up the journey.
Stop 1: Beaver Boardwalk
How Long: 30-60 minutes
Stop off in the small town of Hinton to break up your drive with a peaceful stroll on Beaver Boardwalk. Apparently the world’s longest freshwater boardwalk, this 3km walk takes you over wetlands for views of beaver dams and – if you’re lucky – the occasional beaver!
Alternative/Extra Stops for the drive
- Miette Hot Springs – The hottest hot springs in the Canadian Rockies.
- Galloway Station Museum – Quirky, small-town museum focused on the history of the local railroad and coal mining industry.
- Pembina River Provincial Park – Stop for a short hike in the forest to stretch your legs.
- Wabamun Lake Provincial Park – A small park with a lake, ideal as a picnic stop.
Stop 2: Edmonton
On my recent trip, we stayed at a campground about an hour from downtown Edmonton. So, by the time we were done with the long drive to get there, we didn’t really feel like going into the city. Instead, we had a chilled-out evening at out campsite with a BBQ, campfire, and margaritas.
However, if you’re staying in Edmonton itself (or you have more energy than we did) there’s plenty to see in this large and lively city. There’s a quick list below, but I also have an in-depth guide to all the best things to do in the city – CLICK HERE to read it.
- High Level Bridge Streetcar – Ride a historic streetcar over the North Saskatchewan River for one of the best views in the city.
- Segway Tour with River Valley Adventure Co
- West Edmonton Mall – North America’s largest shopping mall (with an indoor rollercoaster).
- Muttart Conservatory – indoor botanical gardens.
- Old Strathcona – Funky, hipster neighbourhood known for street art, independent shopping, and a lively nightlife scene.
- Elk Island National Park – 40 minutes from Edmonton, this is a good option if you’d prefer to stick to nature instead of cities.
Day 6 – Edmonton to Drumheller
Distance: 281km (174miles)
Allow: 4-5 hours with stops
THE DRIVE: It’s another long drive today, but more scenic, as you head into Alberta’s Prairies. Think rolling farmland dotted with rustic villages, yellow canola fields, and bright-red barns. Finally, once you roll into Drumheller’s outskirts, the prairies drop off suddenly into the Badlands, with desert-like landscapes of sandstone valleys.
Stop 1: Rowley (the “ghost” town)
How Long: 20-30 minutes
As you approach Drumheller, the so-called “ghost town” of Rowley is worthy of a detour. In the 1920s, the village was home to around 500 people – today, there are just 12 inhabitants. The locals maintain the abandoned properties on the high street, which looks like something out of a Wild West movie, including a saloon, trading post store, and funeral home.
FYI: The drive to get here is down a long track of loose gravel/dirt, which might not be ideal for smaller vehicles. Drive slowly and carefully!
Stop 2: Horsethief Canyon
How Long: 10-15 minutes
As you approach Drumheller, the prairies abruptly give way to the Badlands. Stop at Horsethief Canyon for your first view of the arid, otherworldly landscapes. The valley stretching away below you was once the bottom of a sea. Today, it’s a dry, dusty valley of layered sandstone, dotted with twisted rocky pillars known as hoodoos.
Stop 3: Royal Tyrell Museum
How Long: At least 1 hour (longer if you love dinosaurs!)
Those layered sandstone valleys are famous for dinosaur fossil finds, many of which have been huge (both figuratively and literally!). You can marvel at some of the best finds at the Royal Tyrell Museum. Follow the North Dinosaur Trail (Highway 838) down into the sandstone valley to reach it.
This is genuinely one of the best museums I’ve ever visited (so good I’ve been twice!). Even if you’re not a dino-nerd like me, you can’t help but be in awe of the towering dinosaur skeletons on display. There are very few replicas here: most of the displays are genuine fossils, which makes them all the more exciting!
Stop 4: World’s Largest Dinosaur
How Long: 5-10 minutes
While you’re in Drumheller, be sure to swing by the World’s Largest Dinosaur for a quick selfie-stop! This is one of those fun, North American roadside attractions; in this case, an 86ft (25m) tall model T-rex nicknamed Tyra. You can even climb 106 stairs to get an incredible view from inside the mouth.
FYI: The inside is closed at the moment, but you can still visit the outside.
Stop 5: Wayne and the Last Chance Saloon
How Long: 30-60 minutes (longer if you eat at the saloon), plus 15-minute drive time each way.
Finally, I highly recommend the extra drive to visit Wayne – another “ghost town”. This former coal mining town has a population of around 30, but it was over 2500 in its heyday.
The drive to get there is particularly worth it; a winding road through the sandstone valleys, punctuated by eleven bridges. Don’t miss the Last Chance Saloon while you’re there: a historic inn dating from 1913 with serious cowboy vibes. You can sip locally-brewed beers and eat delicious BBQ (I recommend the brisket!).
Day 7: Drumheller to Calgary
Distance: 140km (86 miles)
Allow: 1.5-2 hours (no stops)
THE DRIVE: This is another fairly dull drive, so I recommend doing it in one go to get yourself back to Calgary as quickly as possible!
Things to do in Calgary
I highly recommend spending at least one night in Calgary at either the beginning or end of your road trip. It’s a fun, quirky city, famous for the iconic Calgary Stampede and cowboy culture – but there’s plenty more to discover! There’s a quick list below, but I also have an in-depth guide to all the best things to do in the city – CLICK HERE to read it.
- Calgary Tower – Brave the glass floors for one of the best views of the city!
- BUMP Murals – Huge-scale street art murals dotted throughout the city, with new ones added every year. Read more here.
- Bike Along the Bow River – Rent one from Rath Bicycles.
- Peace Bridge – A unique, red helix bridge over the Bow River. Nearby Prince’s Island Park is an urban oasis in the heart of the city.
- Inglewood – The oldest neighbourhood in Calgary, full of historic buildings that are now home to boutique stores, independent galleries, and some fantastic bars & restaurants.
- Shopping – Head to 17th Avenue or the Inglewood district for indie shops, or The CORE shopping mall in Downtown Calgary.
Where to Stay: Campsite & Hotel Recommendations
Calgary
Hotel: The Dorian – This is where we stayed the night before starting our road trip. It’s a seriously beautiful hotel in a convenient downtown location, with stylish decor and great service. Highly recommend!
Hotel: Fairmont Palliser Hotel – A historic building in downtown Calgary, full of grandeur and luxury. I stayed here on a previous trip to Calgary and loved it.
Banff
Camping: Tunnel Mountain Village – A large RV park and campsite, where the plots are so spread out, it almost feels like you have the woods to yourself. It’s a little outside of town, so it’s silent at night – but there’s a regular shuttle bus all year round. There are also many hiking trails starting straight from the campground.
Hotel: Peaks Hotel & Suites – A cool, contemporary hotel with minimalist, Skandi-inspired decor. It’s right in the centre of Banff, ideally located for exploring the town, but it’s also only a block away from the Bow River walking trail.
Jasper
Camping: Jasper’s Gates Resort and RV – This peaceful, family-friendly resort has camping, log cabins, and RV pitches (with full hookup). We stayed here and I loved it! The only downside is that it’s about a 1-hour drive from Jasper town centre – but it’s very close to the Miette hot springs, and there are several hiking trails starting from the resort.
Camping: Whistlers Campground (I didn’t stay here, but it has rave reviews & is very close to town).
Hotel: The Crimson Jasper – This simple, modern hotel has consistently high reviews and is located a 5-minute walk from Jasper’s downtown.
Edmonton
Camping: Devon Lions Campground – A tranquil, friendly campground on the outskirts of the city, about a 45-minute drive from downtown Edmonton.
Camping (option 2): Elk Island National Park has 3 camping sites where you can stay in a tent, a glamping safari tent (I stayed in one a few years ago, read about it here), or try backcountry camping.
Hotel: Metterra Hotel – A peaceful, luxurious hotel in Old Strathcona. I stayed here a few years ago and highly recommend it!
Drumheller
Camping: Dinosaur Trail KOA Holiday – we camped here in an RV. It was very peaceful and quiet – and in a great spot on the Dinosaur Trail, a short drive from Drumheller. Ideal for stargazing and spotting the Northern Lights (if you get lucky, like we did).
Hotel: Canalta Jurassic Inn – I stayed here a few years ago on my first Alberta road trip. It’s a basic, budget-friendly hotel, but super comfortable and well-equipped.
Alberta Road Trip: Top Tips
Alberta is the perfect place for a road trip – either by RV or in a car. You can camp, stay in hotels, or travel in a motorhome.
Worried about driving abroad? In my experience, Canada is one of the easiest places to drive: most of the roads are very wide and very straight. Plus, Canada’s road laws are largely similar to the UK’s. Canada is the first place I ever drove outside of England (about 6 months after passing my driving test), and I found it so much easier than I expected!
Read up on local road laws before your trip. These are the most important ones to know:
- In Canada, they drive on the right side of the road.
- On roundabouts, you give way to the left.
- It is illegal to pass a stopped school bus.
- In most of Canada (except Montreal), you can turn right on a red light – if it’s safe to do so. You must come to a complete stop first.
- At a 4-way intersection, the car which arrives first has the right of way.
Fuel up in time! Some of the driving distances in Alberta are huge, and petrol (gas) stations can be few and far between in rural areas. Always make sure you have enough fuel for your journey.
National Parks: If you’re driving through Canada’s National Parks you must purchase a Park Pass. You can purchase one on entry for a single location, or purchase a Discovery Pass, which covers admission to more than 80 destinations for 12 months.
Wildlife Spotting: Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife at the side of the road in the National Parks. If you see cars pulled over at the side of the road, slow down and get ready to stop, because they might have spotted something exciting!
Renting a Motorhome for your Road Trip
This Alberta road trip is perfect for a motorhome or RV. All the roads are very wide, and most car parks we came across (even the Walmarts) had large RV-sized parking spaces. Travelling in a motorhome also means you always have access to a kitchen and bathroom (and all your stuff) while you’re on the road!
We rented a large motorhome from CanaDream, and it was fantastic. Spacious, clean, and really nicely decorated (no old-school beige vibes here!). The one we had slept up to 6 people, but they have a whole range of sizes to suit all requirements. The service at CanaDream was amazing from start to finish, and I’d absolutely book with them again on my next trip.
Worried about driving an RV? Let me just say that if I can do it, anyone can! I was dead nervous beforehand, but it doesn’t take long to get the hang of things. The staff at CanaDream will give you a full demo before you set off, and you can always drive around the car park a few times before you get going if you need to. I posted a video on my socials all about the experience, click here to wacth it.
Watch the Video of my Trip:
Read More
- My Canada Trips: An Honest Review
- 12 Amazing Places to Visit in Alberta Canada
- Alberta Road Trip Itinerary – Fossils, First Nations, and Frontiers
- 14 Fun Things to do in Calgary
- 12 Fun Things to do in Edmonton
- Taking My First Solo Road Trip In Alberta, Canada!
Got a question about planning your road trip in Alberta, Canada? Leave me a comment below!
