Are you planning some road trips this year? Both Canada and the USA have miles of roads that allow for road trips to be perfect and offer the opportunity to explore these countries and their hidden gems.
For this reason, we’ve listed our favorite Canada & USA road trips from families, from east to west.
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Our Best Itineraries for Families: Canada & USA Road Trips
1. Road Trip Across Canada
If you are looking for an epic road trip, why not drive across Canada? You’ll need to plan a few weeks or long driving days to do this 5,000+ km (one-way) road trip, but you’ll enjoy it.
For a more detailed itinerary and lots of fun things and activities to discover, make sure you get our Ultimate Canada Road Trip Guide for Families.
First, you will start your trip in Ottawa, the capital city of Canada. In Ottawa, you’ll want to visit the Parliament, grab lunch at the ByWard Market, walk along the Rideau Canal and test a delicious Beaver Tails treat.
Next, you’ll drive to Sault Ste-Marie making sure to stop at Marathon Beach (North Bay) and the Big Nickel sign (Sudbury). In Sault Ste-Marie, don’t miss the locks!
After a good night’s sleep, drive towards Thunder Bay. The drive is beautiful along Lake Superior. Make stops in Wawa, Marathon and Terrace Bay and enjoy the views.
If you can, spend a day in Thunder Bay. Go to Terry Fox memorial, visit Fort William Historical Park, admire the view from Hillcrest Park and explore Sleeping Giant Provincial Park.
Then, you’ll make your way to Winnipeg with a stop at the beach in Kenora. Spend at least one full day in Winnipeg to go to The Forks, the Museum of Human Rights and maybe up to Winnipeg Lake.
The next day, you’ll drive to Regina where you can walk around Wascana Center and visit Scotty the T-Rex at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum. You can easily spend an entire day in Regina.
You’ll then start your start day in the Prairies heading to Calgary. On the way, you might want to stop in Moose Jaw, Medicine Hat and Brooks. And by the end of your day, you’ll see the Rockies afar.
Calgary can be your home-base for a few days to explore the Canadian badlands and the Kananaskis Country. From then, you can spend as many days as you want in the Canadian Rockies, hiking and visiting Banff, Lake Louise, Golden and Revelstoke.
From Revelstoke, you’ll have another long driving day to reach Vancouver. You can stop along the way in Kelowna and Hope.
2. Northern Ontario, Canada
Ontario is Canada’s second largest province, and it has so much to offer. If driving across Canada is not an option at the moment, but you still want to explore the country, you may want to consider visiting Northern Ontario along the trans-Canada highway. You can pick and choose from doing activities in the nature such as hiking or camping to visiting museums or historical sites. There is an activity for everyone in the family!
Known as the “Gateway of the North”, North Bay is located 358.5 km from Ottawa. Some of the highlights are:
- Marathon Beach,
- Heritage Railway & Carousel Company,
- Duchenesay Falls
Thunder Bay is a very popular area in Ontario. You can drive along Lake Superior, which is the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area and the third largest by volume.
You can stop by Harmony Beach to admire the beauty and size of Lake Superior followed by a visit to Chippewa Falls. Some other locations you can visit are:
- Amethyst Mine Panorama,
- Fort William Historical Park,
- Terry Fox Memorial Lookout,
- Sleeping Giant Provincial Park
These are only a few places and ideas you can use for a fun road trip to Northen Ontario with your family.
3. Kananaskis Country, Banff & Lake Louise, Canada
If you’re looking for an outdoor-centric adventure suitable for the whole family, look no further than a road trip through the esteemed Canadian Rockies. Driving under the shadow of towering alpine peaks, past winding riverfronts and alongside plentiful wildlife is an experience all ages can revel in and enjoy; therefore, consider a scenic, multi-day route from Canmore to Banff and the famed Lake Louise.
Furthermore, while there’s certainly no shortage of things to do to keep you busy for longer, should time permit, a 7-day itinerary is considered the perfect amount of time to tick off all the “must-sees” in the region, starting in the heart of Kananaskis Country and the town of Canmore.
It’s here – amidst the first day or two – that you’ll find ample kid-friendly activities, such as horseback riding at the quaint Cross Zee Ranch or a visit to Elevation Place (and indoor playground known for its massive climbing wall and aquatic center, complete with waterslides and a lazy river!).
From there, continue west towards the charming mountain town of Banff. En route, don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled for a chance to spot some remarkable wildlife creatures such as bears, elks or mountain sheep. It’s in Banff that you’ll spend a few days unwinding at the steamy Banff Upper Hot Springs, walking vibrant main street or riding the Sulphur Mountain gondola up to arguably one of the best viewpoints in Banff. Just ensure to carve out some time to spend at the hidden gem of Cascade Ponds, a dreamy day-use area idyllic for some light kayaking, paddleboarding, or a waterfront picnic with the family.
Finish off with a day or two spent at the stunning Lake Louise. Marvel at the turquoise waters, hike up to the notorious Lake Agnes tea house or stay at the Fairmont Château Lake Louise to end your week with some pampering; with none other than the most photographed lake in the entire country as a backdrop to your once in a lifetime road trip.
3. Victoria, Canada
Victoria is the capital of British Columbia and is located on Vancouver Island, on the extreme west side of the trans-Canada highway. Victoria is a very popular city amongst tourists that are looking to enjoy the natural beauty, the temperate climate as well as the British heritage and architecture.
During our cross-Canada road trip, when we visited Victoria, BC, we enjoyed some fish & chips at Fisherman’s Wharf. The kids loved the colorful vibe and the playground by the parking lot.
In addition, if your kids are old enough, you can enjoy the whale watching tours offered in Victoria. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience you may not want to miss!
If you and your family enjoy hiking, you can hike up to Mount Douglas and appreciate the 360° views of Greater Victoria. There is just so much to do with your kids when visiting Victoria, BC. If you’d like to read our complete blog post about 23+ things to do in Victoria with the family, click here.
4. Coast New England, USA
Recommended by Brit from Travel by Brit.
If you’re looking for a family road trip that offers the perfect blend of natural beauty, historical sightseeing, and tons of great food, you’ll love traveling along the coastline of New England.
Follow this ten-day road trip itinerary, summarized below for the perfect family vacation!
Day 1: Fly into the Boston Logan International Airport and walk the historic Freedom Trail in Downtown Boston.
Day 2: Then, stroll around the Boston Public Garden, play a part in the Boston Tea Party at the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, and cheer on the Red Sox at Fenway Park.
Day 3: Eat your way through Boston on a North End Food Tour and try a Boston Cream Pie at the Omni Parker House Hotel.
Day 4: Continue your road trip to Plymouth, where you can tour the Plimoth Patuxet Museums and learn what life was like for the Pilgrims in the 1620s.
Day 5: Drive south to Newport, Rhode Island. You can play and relax at Easton’s Beach if the weather is nice or go shopping on Thames Street or Bellevue Avenue.
Day 6: Spend the day touring the historical Newport Mansions, like The Breakers and The Elms, and enjoy a nice seafood dinner at The Mooring Seafood Kitchen.
Day 7: Drive north to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and spend the day exploring the outdoor Strawberry Banke Museum and shopping in Market Square before heading to Portland, Maine.
Day 8: Spend the morning playing in Fort Williams Park while marveling at the Portland Head Light, then enjoy the shopping and dining in Old Port.
Day 9: Start your morning with a walk on the Eastern Promenade, spend the afternoon on a boat tour in Casco Bay, and end the day with French fries for dinner at Duckfat.
Day 10: Enjoy a potato donut from The Holy Donut before you head back to Boston to fly home.
5. Coast of Maine, USA
Recommended by Melissa from Navigation Junkie.
Undoubtedly, with some of the most stunning views in the United States, the coast of Maine is the perfect destination for your next family road trip. The drive along the coast from Kittery in Southern Maine to Acadia National Park is filled with historic lighthouses, rocky coastlines, ocean views, and countless opportunities for outdoor adventures.
It should be noted that a road trip along the coast of Maine will require at least 7 days, but if you can plan for a longer stay, it will be even better. When planning your road trip along Maine’s coast be sure to plan some downtime with the kiddos. The coast is full of outdoor adventures that will surely tire them out!
Day one of your road trip will take you to Kittery, Maine, where you can explore the historic ruins of Fort Foster and take a dip in the Atlantic Ocean. Then, for day two, you will head to Oquinquit to explore the streets of Perkins Cove, go for a relaxing stroll along Marginal Way, or hit the beach. The next day will land you in Kennebunkport, home of the Seashore Trolley Museum. For the adventurous, you can enjoy kayaking on the Kennebunkport River.
Cape Elizabeth is next and will introduce you to some of the most stunning views found on the road trip. Cape Elizabeth is perfect for taking a stroll along the coastline and lighthouse hunting, with the Portland Head Light, Cape Elizabeth Lighthouse, and Twin Lights within close proximity to each other. Day five will take you to Portland, where you can enjoy the Old Port and visit the Portland Observatory.
Finally, days six and seven will take you to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. With the scenic Park Loop Drive and plethora of family-friendly hikes, Acadia National Park is one of the most family-friendly national parks and the perfect conclusion to your road trip. You will also want to visit Bar Harbor to do some shopping and get a taste of some of Maine’s local seafood dishes.
6. Virginia’s Blue Ridge Parkway
Recommended by Erin from Go Hike Virginia.
The iconic Blue Ridge Parkway that meanders across Virginia and North Carolina has the makings of an epic one-week road trip for outdoor-loving families. All along the way you’ll find hiking, biking and paddling, even disc golf. That’s not to mention waterfalls, scenic vistas and rock scrambles.
Moreover, the Blue Ridge Parkway begins where Skyline Drive ends, at the south entrance to Shenandoah National Park in Afton, Virginia. Make Humpback Rocks at milepost 5.6 your first stop for spectacular 360-degree views across Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. Stay a couple of nights in nearby Charlottesville.
From here, continue on for the Peaks of Otter in Bedford, including Sharp Top, Flat Top and Harkening Hill. Pop in the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center at milepost 86 to get your bearings, then hike one, two or three of these gram-worthy summit hikes. Make a stop at Johnson Farm, a family farmhouse built in 1854.
Stay two nights at Peaks of Otter Lodge, which has an on-site restaurant and bonus views of Sharp Top. Enjoy easy walks around Abbott Lake and make time to splash in nearby waterfalls, including Apple Orchard Falls and Fallingwater Cascades.
Continue on to Roanoke for two to three days. Stop on the way at Explore Park at milepost 115 for biking, tubing, kayaking and disc golf. It’s easy to spend a full day at Explore Park. In-town, kids will love Center in the Square, which is home to the Roanoke Pinball Museum and Kids Square Children’s Museum.
Finally, make one last stop at the Mill Mountain Star, the world’s largest man-made star that stands at 100 feet tall. Hike or drive to the overlook for views across the Roanoke Valley. From here, turn the car around for the return drive to Afton on this road trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia.
7. Grand Teton, Yellowstone & Glacier National Parks
Recommended by Rebecca from Whatever Packs Your Bags.
The best road trip for families is hitting 3 National Parks in one vacation: Grand Tetons National Park to Yellowstone National Park to Glacier National Park. Bonus points if you trek along in a RV.
Please note that you will need to allocate 2 weeks for this trip, and there are so many things to see and do along the way that maybe even that will not be enough. This trip is the perfect family bonding, smores burning, memory-making experience you should do at least once in your lifetime. The kids will spend 2 weeks unplugged and exploring nature. Bring your bug spray, buy some bear spray and start making some amazing stories to tell for the rest of your lives!
Day 1: Fly into Jackson Hole Airport and explore Jackson, Wyoming.
Day 2: Drive the loop through Grand Tetons.
Day 3: Choose your favorite hikes.
Day 4: Spend time around Jenny Lake, and hike Inspiration Point.
Day 5: Drive the southern loop in Yellowstone.
Day 6: Explore Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.
Day 7: Drive the northern loop in Yellowstone, Mammoth Springs, and the boiling river.
Day 8: Drive to Glacier. This is 6.5 hours, so consider this a full day of travel.
Day 9: Drive on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, and stop at wherever strikes your fancy.
Day 10: Wake up super early, and hike to Grinnell Glacier.
Day 11: Spend the day exploring Lake McDonald.
Day 12: Drive on the Going-to-the-Sun Road from east to west during the evening and watch the mesmerizing sunset over the mountains.
Day 13: Do some hiking by Two Medicine area.
Day 14: Drive to the airport and fly home from Kalispell Glacier Park International Airport (FCA).
If you have more time, you can add more stops along the way. Helena Montana is a great spot to stop and explore the capital building. You can also see where the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers begin just a little north of Helena.
This trip is for the adventurous crowd, and with all the hiking and exploring it might be better for older kids, but seeing these three national parks will be the highlight of a lifetime!
8. Route 66 Road Trip
Recommended by Kirsty from Lost on 66.
Route 66 is a classic road trip that is popular with all ages. It’s always been good for kids because there’s a whole load of quirky attractions along the road that kids love, but lately it’s also got the added attraction of being a real-life Radiator Springs from Disney’s Cars movie!
You’ll likely need 2 weeks to fully explore Route 66 with kids. There are 2448 miles to discover so that means an average of 175 miles per day to drive. My tip is to leave a couple of days at the end to enjoy some downtime in Los Angeles. If that feels like too long of a road trip with kids, then you can quite easily do a smaller portion of the route and still have a great time.
Day 1: Spend the day in Chicago.
Day 2: Drive from Chicago, IL to Springfield, IL. You’ll want to stop at the Gemini Giant in Wilmington and Pontiac Automobile Museum.
Day 3: Drive from Springfield, IL to Cuba, MO. Make sure to stop in St Louis for a day to see the Gateway Arch and for a paddle steamer cruise.
Day 4: Drive from Cuba, MO to Carthage, MO. Spend the morning at Meramec Caverns. Then, try the Drive-In Movie Theatre at Carthage.
Day 5: Drive from Carthage, MO to Tulsa, OK. Stop in Galena, Kansas to see the original Mater and in Catoosa, OK to see the Giant Blue Whale.
Day 6: Drive from Tulsa, OK to Shamrock, TX. Stop in the Rt 66 museum in Clinton, OK. You’ll want to see the inspiration for Ramone’s Garage in Shamrock, TX. Be sure to take an evening walk to see it lit up with neon colors.
Day 7: Drive from Shamrock, TX to Tucumcari, NM. Stop to see the Cadillac ranch in Amarillo. Tucumcari is another good spot for seeing neon colored lights in the evening.
Day 8: Drive from Tucumcari, NM to Gallup, NM. Check out the Sandia Peak and trails for a day exploring and riding the cable car.
Day 9: Drive from Gallup, NM to Holbrook, AZ. Spend the day at the Petrified Forest National Park. Stay at the Wigwam Motel at night.
Day 10: Drive from Holbrook, AZ to Kingman, AZ. Stop to see Seligman which some say is the original Radiator Springs.
Day 11: Drive from Kingman, AZ to Barstow, CA. Stop at the old ghost town of Oatman to see the wild burros.
Day 12: Drive from Barstow, CA to Santa Monica, CA. See the pier and enjoy some time outside. This would be the official end of the road.
Day 13 & 14: Explore Los Angeles.
9. Utah’s Mighty 5
Recommended by Daria from The Discovery Nut.
Utah National Parks also known as “The Mighty 5” make for one of the best road trips in the United States thanks to their remarkable scenery.
Unquestionably, many travelers spend weeks exploring Utah’s landscapes. Although if you are short on time, you could spend 7-10 days touring Utah National Parks.
You can begin your adventure in Las Vegas, home to a big international airport with connections from across the country. You can rent a vehicle in Las Vegas and make your way towards Utah, starting with Zion National Park, one of the most popular national parks in the United States.
After stopping in Zion and spending at least 2 days there, proceed towards Bryce Canyon National Park and from there, take Utah Scenic Byway 12 to arrive to Capitol Reef, the least visited national park in Utah that is located in the heart of a remote red-rock country that boasts unparalleled scenery.
You should plan to spend about 2 days in Bryce Canyon and 2-3 days in Capitol Reef.
From Capitol Reef, it takes about 2 hours to reach Moab, the adventure capital of Utah that is the home of Arches and Canyonlands national parks.
For a better and less rushed experience, spend anywhere from 10 to 14 days touring Utah national parks if you want to hike and explore the many hidden gems that they have to offer.
The Moab area alone boasts many spectacular hikes and hidden spots, and you could easily spend a few weeks there; although if time is short, you could visit Arches and Canyonlands in just a few days.
10. California, Nevada, Utah & Arizona
Recommended by Urvi from Urvi’s Travel Journal.
It is not news that toddlers and kids usually prefer to walk and jump around; it can therefore be challenging to make them sit in the car for a more extended period of time. But try a 7-day road trip starting from California – Nevada – Utah – Arizona and back to California. They will love it!
Day 1: Magic Mountain – Valley of Fire state park – Hotel in St George.
Magic Mountain is located just outside of Las Vegas. This is an open place for kids to play and take pictures with colorful rocks. Take a scenic drive in the Valley of Fire state park, an excellent spot for enjoying a picnic and a short hike.
Day 2: Zion National Park Visitor center- Zion-Mt Carmel tunnel – Bryce visitor center – Rainbow bridge – Yovimpa point – Black Birch Canyon – Poderosa canyon – Hotel.
The Zion visitor center has a ranger program for small kids and enough space to take a walk along the creek. Zion National Park doesn’t allow private vehicles; hence, you need to park cars around the visitor center and take a bus. Otherwise, you can drive through and enjoy the view from afar.
Day 3: Bryce natural bridge – Fairview point – swamp canyon overlook – Powell point vista – scenic byway 12 – Green river.
Bryce has multiple family-friendly trails like the Navajo loop trail and the Queens Garden Trail that kids will love. After Bryce, we headed to escalate, and it’s the scenic route. We made multiple stops like the head of the rock overlook, the hogback, homestead overlook, and stayed in the green river town.
Day 4: Green river – Arches national park – Moab.
Families with young kids who balance rock and double arch trails are perfect for fun. These trails are easy and take around an hour. You should note that parking is limited.
Day 5: Moab – Dead horse point state park – Canyonland National Park – off-roading to Moab.
West rim trail at dead horse point is scenic, don’t miss it. Canyonland has multiple trails, but Mesa arch is a very popular and moderate trail and can be done with kids.
Day 6: Moab – Wilson Arch – Monument valley – Flagstaff.
I recommend taking the Monument valley tour as this is one of a kind to explore the valley. Flagstaff downtown is full of restaurants and cafes and has live music on Friday nights in summer.
Day 7: Flagstaff- Sedona – California.
Sedona is like a hill station for locals due to pleasant weather and natural beauty. Our favorite trails are Fay Canyon, West Fork, Deadman’s Pass, Baldwin Trail, Sugarloaf Loop.
11. Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip
Recommended by Emily from The Mandagies.
Do you love the ocean? A Pacific Coast Highway road trip is the perfect choice for families of all ages! This route spans 1,650 miles between Seattle, Washington, and San Diego, California. It is also one of the most iconic American road trip routes you can experience with your kids!
The entire drive will take anywhere from one week to ten days. You can make it as fancy (hotels + resorts), as rugged (campgrounds), or as mixed as you want it to be. Starting northbound or southbound doesn’t matter. Just make sure to check the forecast and start driving in the direction of good weather!
In Washington, you’ll experience rugged beaches, solitude, and a vast temperate rainforest among the Olympic National Park. This is a great time to go beachcombing, discover tide pools and low tide, and spend time in the quiet nature of the rainforest. In addition, plan stops at Hurricane Ridge, Rialto Beach, and the Hoh Rainforest.
Along the Oregon Coast, you’ll find a ton of walkable beaches and lots of family-friendly coastal towns. The north shore will provide lots of opportunities to get outside on Cannon Beach, the Seaside Promenade, and Hug Point. Furthermore, the central coast provides opportunities for learning and discovery. You can purchase tickets to visit the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport, and don’t forget to stop by the Sea Lion Caves near Yachats!
Moreover, the southern coast is a great spot for hiking and camping. Stop by Samuel H Boardman state park for views on views (and easy trails), and see colorful dinosaur sculptures at the Prehistoric Gardens.
In California, you’ll hit some iconic and famous stops! Drive under trees and wander off the groves of the Redwood National Park. Drive across the Golden Gate Bridge on your way through Big Sur. Finally, stop at some dreamy coastal towns on your way to sunny San Diego.
It’s definitely the trip of a lifetime!
A few things to know when planning a road trip in Canada & USA
Here are a few things to know when planning a road trip in Canada & USA with your kids.
🚗 Prepare your car or rent a campervan
You can drive your own car for your road trip in Canada & USA. You should always make sure that your car is in good working order: look after the tires; verify that the brakes are in good condition; change the oil, etc. However, if you prefer to have more space and enjoy the features a campervan or an RV offer, you may consider renting one for your road trip!
On that account, you can check out Outdoorsy or Escape Campervans. They have many options depending where you’re departing from. You should note that most car and RV companies charge a one-way fee if the drop-off location is different than the pick-up location. Keep that in mind when planning your road trip in Canada & USA.
If, for some unfortunate reason you can’t drive you own car and you have to rent one, I recommend you compare pricing on DiscoverCars.
📱 Download a few apps to help you plan your road trip with your kids
The GoWhee app is the perfect app for finding fun kid-friendly activities regardless of where you are going. Roadtripppers will help you plan any road trips. It helps you add stops along the way. AllTrails is our go-to app to look at trails’ reports and see if the trail is kid-friendly. You’ll also find recent information about the status of the trail.
Final Thoughts: Canada & USA Road Trips for Families
There are so many epic family road trips to do across Canada and the USA. With miles and miles of roads, you’ll find one road trip suited for your family. You may also want to check this post on winter road trips in the USA.
Which road trip will you do?
Related Articles
Here are some resources that can help you plan your next Canada & USA road trips with your family:
