Road tripping in Canada is a journey of unfettered wilderness appreciation. Taking the long way is always worth the detour along the Trans-Canada Highway, the whopping 7,820-kilometre stretch of road starting in St. John’s, N.L. and terminating in Vancouver, B.C. It’s a fantastic journey in its own right, but going off piste makes for better adventures (and memories).

Pit stops on these great Canadian road trips include (but are not limited to) diving into crisp clear lakes, snapping pictures of moose, walking on a glacier, enjoying a pile of fried clams or roadside berry stands. No one is asking “are we there yet?” on these magical roadways.

Charlevoix, Quebec 

The 205-kilometre drive along the St. Lawrence River from Québec City to La Malbaie in Charlevoix is spellbinding. As you wind along the curvy roads of Les Éboulements in the region, you’ll find roadside produce stands with fresh berries and some of the best local lamb cuts out there. Visit the Maritime Museum of Charlevoix for a history lesson aboard real river ships, stroll the main street in Baie-Saint-Paul popping into the galleries and shops or stop for a riverside poutine at a casse-croute. 

Ride to the top of Le Massif gondola for great views of the St. Lawrence and the rolling hills of the region created by an ancient meteor. There’s amazing hiking and mountain biking in this region too—Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie National Park is known for its dramatic landscapes and trails—not to mention wineries and family-run fromageries. 

Nordika Charlevoix’s luxe geodesic domes offer a great homebase for exploring the region. Relax in the Nordic-style pools at Delta Hotels by Marriott, Mont Sainte-Anne in Beaupré. 

Dempster Highway, Yukon

Spanning 740 kilometres from Dawson City, Y.K. to Inuvik, N.W.T., this bucket list stretch offers up a unique remote experience like few others in the country. Most of this roadway is unpaved and at times can feel a bit daunting, but as you wind your way through the Ogilvie and Richardson mountain ranges, traversing the Arctic Circle, you’ll appreciate the lack of traffic jams and that iconic midnight sun. 

Stop in Tombstone Territorial Park’s interpretive centre just outside Dawson City for majestic mountain views while you spot eagles, caribou and bears along the way, and soak up those tundra views. A two-hour drive past Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk means you can take a dip in the Arctic Ocean (this road was only finished in 2017!). 

There are several camping opportunities (and a few hotels) along the route, but Yukon Tours offers a three-night stay at the Best Western Gold Rush Inn in Whitehorse (plus two nights of northern lights viewing) to experience at the start or end of your journey. 

Fundy Coastal Drive, New Brunswick

The Bay of Fundy has the world’s highest tides, so you can pretty much guarantee gorgeous tidal views on this road trip. The scenic Fundy Coast Drive stretches 460 kilometres along the Bay of Fundy’s red-brown coastline from the Moncton area to St. Stephen in New Brunswick. Start in Moncton to experience the tidal bore, see the world’s largest lobster statue in Shediac and then see the famous Hopewell Rocks at Hopewell Cape. Drive through the Acadian Forest and take some time to hike, camp and immerse yourself in nature at Fundy National Park.  

Roadside seafood stands are a must-stop situation. Whether you opt for a lobster roll or a basket of hot and crispy fried clams, they both pair well with those tidal views. Near the end of the ride, St. Andrews By the Sea is a charming resort town, while St. Stephen is home to the Ganong chocolate factory—their tour is the perfect sweet finish to this coastal road trip.

Icefield Parkway, Alberta

A pitstop to stroll onto a glacier might be one of the most Canadian stops you can make. The Icefields Parkway is ranked among the best drives in the world, and for good reasons—mountain peaks, glaciers and wildlife spotting abound. Otherwise known as Alberta’s Highway 92, stretching 232 kilometres from Banff National Park to Jasper National Park, the parkway links the village of Lake Louise and the town of Jasper. 

Soak up the brilliant turquoise hues of Peyto Lake, marvel at Athabasca Falls and make sure to spend some time at the Columbia Icefield. The largest glacier south of the Arctic Circle, the Columbia Icefield has a great interpretive centre, museum and restaurants, and you can board an Ice Explorer from there to ride up the Athabasca Glacier to explore it. 

Luxuriate at the Jasper Park Lodg after your adventurous journey—this lakeside resort has a spa, outdoor pools and mountain views galore.  

Cabot Trail, Nova Scotia

This circular road trip through the breathtaking Cape Breton Highlands of Nova Scotia is known as one of the world’s most beautiful drives. There’s much debate over whether it's best to drive the 298-kilometre route clockwise or counterclockwise, but there’s no wrong answer here, just amazing views and memory-making cruising. There are a plethora of panoramic stops along the route, and also lots to do. 

The Cabot Trail passes through charming ocean villages with thriving arts and crafts scenes. Spend time at Black Brook Beach sunbathing, or have a famous lobster supper in Baddeck. Take a pitstop at Cape Breton Highlands National Park for some hiking—there are more than 25 trails for all skill levels. There’s also world-class golfing in Cape Breton, where you can hit the links at Cabot Cliffs or Cape Breton Highland Links.

Sea to Sky Highway, British Columbia

The scenic Highway 99 in British Columbia is more commonly known as the Sea to Sky Highway. Winding its way from Vancouver to Whistler, the Sea-to-Sky corridor is 163 kilometres of stunning roadway with mountains, waterfalls, charming towns and outdoor activities. 

Ride the Sea to Sky Gondola to see breathtaking views of Howe Sound and The Chief, make a pitstop in Squamish, the “outdoor recreation capital of Canada” for some hiking, biking or rafting, and marvel at the beauty of Shannon Falls. There are multiple provincial parks along the route, so you’ll have plenty of choice for hiking and mountain biking—experience Brandywine Falls Provincial Park or Porteau Cove Provincial Park.

Rest up at the Inn at the Quay right on the Fraser Valley boardwalk in Greater Vancouver before the big drive, or relax in the year-round hot tub at Adara Hotel in Whistler Village afterwards.