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All motor vehicle access to Vancouver Island is by ferry. BC Ferries provides services from the BC mainland, while Washington State Ferries and Black Ball Transport service the Victoria area from Washington State.
Most people choose to explore the Vancouver Island region by car. It's a flexible way to travel and an extremely pleasurable one - the region has an extensive and well-maintained network of roads and highways packed with scenic diversions.
Car rental companies are conveniently located in major cities and some towns, as well as at Victoria International and Nanaimo airports.
Major Routes
Highways 1 and 19
The Island Highway (Highway 1 between Victoria and Nanaimo, and Highway 19 between Nanaimo and Port Hardy) connects the north island to the south. While it's possible to travel the entire 500-km (311-mi) route in less than a day, there's so much to see and do you'll certainly be tempted to make multiple stops along the way.
Highway 4
Highway 4 crosses Vancouver Island from the east coast, near Parksville, to the towns of Tofino and Ucluelet on the spectacularly scenic west coast.
The Gulf Islands
Driving on the many Gulf Islands in the region can be very serene. Roads meander past working farms, tiny commercial enclaves, shell, pebble and sand beaches and many captivating viewpoints.
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