This year, an increasing number of Canadians are choosing to travel by car rather than taking a chance on an airplane. COVID-19 has significantly altered how we travel, as well as the risks we face and decisions we make along the way. Without restrictions within our borders, road trips have made the most sense for adventure-seeking Canadians. We've partnered with miTrail to provide our favorite Canadian destinations, tips for navigating the treacherous pandemic landscape, and how to make the most of your four-wheeled adventure.
1) Lake Louise, Alberta
Weary of the monotonous landscape in Toronto? Want to observe some mountains? Well, we'll begin with arguably the most iconic road trip destination in Canada: Lake Louise. This will be a lengthy trip if you're driving from Ontario, taking approximately two days depending on how often you stop along the 3,500-kilometer route. As you pass through beautiful Manitoba and Saskatchewan, however, the scenery and sights will be well worth it. While there is little to see in the later provinces, once you reach the Rocky Mountains, your jaw will drop at the sight of the snow-capped peaks and your ears will pop as the elevation rises and falls.
Lake Louise is a glacier-fed lake located deep within Banff National Park, surrounded by awe-inspiring mountains, peaks, and a variety of charming chateaus and hotels that create a beautiful and romantic atmosphere. In the spring and summer, you can paddle across the lake, and in the winter you can skate or ski.
2) Whistler, Vancouver
While we're discussing the west coast, why not go skiing at Whistler in Vancouver? Lake Louise is only a nine-hour drive from the East and Central Coasts, although flying is much more convenient. As you navigate the Sea to Sky Highway's winding, serpentine roads, you will experience breathtaking scenery.
Whistler, which is home to some of the largest ski resorts in North America, is a premier destination for skiing and snowboarding and hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics. There is no better way to take in the breathtaking scenery than from atop the snow-covered peaks, but if you're not into skiing or snowboarding, there are plenty of other activities available, including ziplining, gondola rides, and hikes. Vancouver has some of the nation's tastiest and freshest seafood.
And you've likely already heard how difficult it is to rent a car these days due to a significant increase in road trip tourism. When it comes to the security of personal belongings, the fact that many rental lots are empty and many travelers have opted to drive their own vehicle adds an additional layer of anxiety and stress to the trip. It does not sit well with everyone to leave your car in an unknown parking lot while you use the restroom or grab a cup of coffee in the middle of the night. Therefore, whenever someone plans a road trip, we always advise them to bring a miTrail vehicle tracker along.
miTrail GPS systems use cellular and satellite networks to pinpoint the precise location of a tracker in both Canada and the United States. It is a simple device that simply needs to be plugged into the car, and you can track its location from anywhere using your smartphone. Moreover, their products are not limited to automobiles. Do you own a recreation vehicle? miTrail has your RV product needs covered. They even offer portable GPS trackers if you and your family want to split up for the day but still monitor their location and safety in real time.
Choose from one of three types of subscriptions that do not require contracts or activation fees, and pay as you go. A one-year warranty and a money-back guarantee are also included. And there are unlimited options. You can have miTrail send you an email and alert you if the tracker malfunctions or if its battery is running low. It is one of the most important road trip necessities, and we would never recommend traveling without one.
3) Cabot Trail, Nova Scotia
Looking for some winding roads to put your new sports car to the test? Nova Scotia's Cabot Trail is best found by looking east. It's not the Tail of the Dragon or Mulholland Drive, but this 300-kilometer stretch of Canadian coastline is the closest thing we have to a serpentine testing ground. Consider it our version of the Pacific Coast Highway. Check out the famous wineries while you're there, take a sunset hike, and pick up some fresh lobster to go. We also recommend visiting in the fall, when the foliage and orange leaves will take your breath away.
4) Tobermory, Ontario
Okay, but what about those who wish to remain in the province but do not wish to take an entire week off work? Located at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula, Tobermory is one of our favorite locations. The destination is approximately a four-hour drive north of Toronto, and while the highways and small roads to get there are unremarkable, the journey is well worth it. Tobermory, with its majestic caves, shipwreck sites, and lighthouses, is a must-visit destination for beach weekends, coastal hikes, and sunset dinners by the bay. Spend the night or visit for the day. Both are acceptable options.
5) Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories
The most obscure, unknown, and enlightening road trip destination has been saved for last. Want to dip your toes in the Arctic Ocean or catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis? You should then consider traveling to the Northwest Territories. Along the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway, the first highway in Canada to reach the frigid Arctic Ocean, we made the journey in a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck. It was just recently completed in November 2017.
This gravel road stretches 138 kilometers, is built on permafrost, took four years to construct in the darkness of winter at temperatures below -67 degrees Celsius, and provides access to communities that were previously only accessible by air in the warmer months and by ice roads in the winter. It is also the northernmost driveable point in Canada. It's a spectacular location where sunsets can last for hours and the temperature can drop in an instant, but it's a stark and desolate kind of beauty that only a select few will appreciate. Those who do, however, will find much to adore, including beautiful tundras, lakes, and wildlife.
These are merely a handful of the hundreds of road trip possibilities across our great country, Canada. Consider that Canada is the second-largest country in the world in terms of land area, so it is only natural that we explore on four wheels. But regardless of whether you're on the east or west coast, you should never lose track of your belongings.
Again, miTrail has you covered with one of the most effective methods for tracking your high-priced and irreplaceable items, including your personal vehicle, recreational vehicle, suitcases, passports left at the hotel, or even a family member. Not only is it essential from a logistical standpoint, but it also guarantees that your road trip is safe, worry-free, and secure. You can learn more about miTrail and its vehicle tracking products by visiting their website at https://mitrail.com/.