 Cars on Highway near Hope, Tourism BC/JF Bergeron photo The Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region has BC's most extensive roadway system making it very easy to get around by car. Highways in the region are well maintained and well signed. Car rental companies are conveniently located in major cities and towns as well as on-site at Abbotsford and Vancouver international airports. To maximise your time in the area, explore the self-guided circle routes. Major Routes Highway 1 Highway 1, also known as the Trans Canada Highway, is the major route into Vancouver, Coast & Mountains from the BC interior and Alberta. Within the region, it travels downward through the Fraser Canyon and Fraser Valley before reaching Vancouver and its mainland terminus at the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal. To get to the ultimate terminus of this highway, board a BC Ferry destined for Nanaimo at the Horseshoe Bay terminal. Highway 1 resumes just outside the Nanaimo terminal. Highway 99 Highway 99 is an extension of the US Interstate 5 highway. It begins at the Canada/US border and travels through Vancouver and north to Whistler before veering northeast into the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast region. Highway 101 Hop aboard a BC Ferry at Horseshoe Bay to explore the Sunshine Coast via Highway 101. The route stretches 140km/ 87 mi from Gibsons to Lund, connecting via a BC Ferry sailing across Jervis Inlet at the northern end of the coast. Highway 5 Highway 5, also known as the Coquihalla Highway, is the express route into the Thompson Okanagan region. There is a toll for this highway on the stretch between Hope and Merritt. Highway 7 Scenic Highway 7 begins in Vancouver and heads east through Mission, travelling along the north side of the Fraser River. It terminates at the junction of Highway 1, near Hope. Highway 3 Highway 3 enters the region from the southern Okanagan, travelling across the Cascade Mountains before reaching Hope and the junction of Highways 1, 5 and 7. Highway 17 Highway 17 connects Greater Victoria on Vancouver Island, with Greater Vancouver, via BC Ferries' Swartz Bay-Tsawwassen route. Entering from the US At the US border, there are several points of entry into the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region. They are located in Abbotsford (Huntingdon crossing), Aldergrove, and Surrey (Douglas "Peace Arch" and Pacific crossings). Other than Aldergrove, which has limited hours of operation, all are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Canada Border Services Agency has more information on border crossings.
> Canada Border Services Agency website. Routes to Vancouver Island If you're travelling from the mainland to Vancouver Island, BC Ferries provides several vehicle-accessible ferry options. Be sure to allow additional time when you're driving to a ferry terminal during peak hours (3 pm to 6 pm weekdays and at the start and end of long weekends). Avoid lengthy waits during busy weekends and holidays by making an advance reservation.
> BC Ferries details. Travelling in Winter The Vancouver, Fraser Valley and Sunshine Coast areas see very few snowy days in winter, so roadways are clear virtually all year round. Highway 99, which runs through the mountain resort of Whistler, receives ample snowfall in winter but is constantly maintained: ploughed, sanded and salted when necessary. However, during heavy snowfalls, there may be temporary delays or road closures on Highway 99. Driving Times and Distances to Vancouver Calgary: 12 hours (975km/ 585mi)
Edmonton: 13 hours (1155km/ 693mi)
Kelowna: 4 hours, 30 minutes (395km/ 237mi)
Prince George: 10 hours (775km/ 465mi)
Victoria: 3 hours, 30 minutes including the ferry crossing (69km/ 110mi)
Seattle: 3 hours (226km/ 136mi)
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