Driving across Canada
 

We are considering driving our cars, huge dogs, and kids from Vancouver to Halifax at the end of November.
Do you think it is doable?
Which route is best?
Will there be lots of snow ? Weather and storms are our major safety concern.
It would be far far cheaper to drive and as we both are not working we could take 2 to 3 weeks ?
What does everything think ? I have no idea as only been here in Vancouver and flown once to Halifax to buy the house !

Re: Driving across Canada
 

You must be crazy.

6,000kms and 63hrs of driving in November would be hell for you and all your poor passengers. After you have paid gas, accommodation, food, speeding tickets etc, how much are you actually saving? Once you have that figure, decide if it is worth it.

Re: Driving across Canada
 

I would like to do it once. I've driven to and from the US west coast umpteen times and found Nebraska agonising (except the time when we were in a tornado). I would expect Canada from Calgary to Montreal to be a lot like Nebraska. I'd like to know if I'd get to the other end or take the easy way out and shoot myself somewhere above the Dakotas.

Re: Driving across Canada
 

Oh so funny - thats why i am asking - dont think we would ever have the opportunity or inclination to do it again - thats why we are considering it.

Re: Driving across Canada
 

Go to Google Maps and put in directions from Vancouver BC to Halifax NS. You should get 3 x routes. Pick the 2 days 8 hrs 6228 kms I-90 route which should be the 1st one. That time of year the US Interstate is a no brainer compared to the Trans Canada.

Re: Driving across Canada
 

I would drive across Canada by cutting down into the US and taking their interstate system.

Re: Driving across Canada
 

What will the weather be like?

Re: Driving across Canada
 

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/british...acf4e43d2f.jpg
which route??

Re: Driving across Canada
 

The blue, southerly, one will be as weathery as I'd want to deal with.

Re: Driving across Canada
 

In November, I would head a long way south, travel west in the sunshine and back up the west coast to Vancouver.

Re: Driving across Canada
 

Far enough south to turn into a boomerang?

Re: Driving across Canada
 

we are going to halifax :-)
leaving the very overpriced and overcrowed vancouver

Re: Driving across Canada
 

I would do the 6141 km route all across the US. I have driven back that route and the US Interstates are quicker and safer.

Re: Driving across Canada
 

That means giving up the chance to visit Quebec City in favour of seeing more trees. I wouldn't do that.

Re: Driving across Canada
 

Concur with the others - the time to do this is the summer, not end of November.

Weather will be a huge concern, and also as Danny B noted I doubt this will actually be cheaper (and, will probably be vastly more expensive).

Sure it's feasible but likely to be miserable.

The prairies are underrated, but you have to see them when they aren't covered with a metre of snow.

Re: Driving across Canada
 

Adelaide to Perth across the Nullarbor, now that is days of driving in a vacuum. Not a lot of snow or ice for sure. But too far south to Boomerang:)

Re: Driving across Canada
 

If you go through the US, you will get snow at some point most likely, how much or how bad the drive all depends on the weather systems going through at the time. The biggest hurdles will be the mountain passes, they can get dicey.


Google I-90 or whatever interstate you desire to take, add winter and there are youtube videos taken during winter that gives an idea of what you could expect.



Its the mountain passes that will give you the biggest trouble if there is a storm going through and you may need to carry tire chains and prepare to use them in some states.

Re: Driving across Canada
 

yeah - it was only an idea - snow and ice and storms are our big concern. so probably will fly, freight the cars and cargo the dogs :-)

Re: Driving across Canada
 

Oooh what about going by train? Ok, probably way too expensive, but oh so much fun!

https://www.viarail.ca/en/explore-ou...nations/trains
:)
Edited to add there's some good info on different types of seats / sleepers etc., on https://www.seat61.com/Canada.htm (if you have nothing to do, watch some of his videos of his train journeys!

Re: Driving across Canada
 

If willing to not stay in the on board hotel, the train can be affordable in coach.

I took it Toronto to Vancouver once in coach and was under $200, downside is no showers or bed, but it was cheaper then any other mode of transportation and there were several families with kids as well going almost the entire way, the families all got off the train in Edmonton.

Its a nice winter trek though, I really liked it.

Re: Driving across Canada
 

Lots of good advice here - I know End of November anywhere close to Canada will be snow and lots of it

Has OP even heard of Winter Tires?
Take heed - Buy some very good winter tires before heading out

I brought two cars from Manitoba to Ontario and then discovered I had to get them both saftied and etested to register them in Ontario (never crossed my mind)
Definitely should have sold one in Manitoba (scrapped it in Ontario) and the other cost me $2000 for the safety - Wont make that mistake again should I move province again

Re: Driving across Canada
 

Most roads in BC are now mandatory winter tires, other than the LM and part of the island highway.

Re: Driving across Canada
 

yes we have winter tyres and yes we have done lots of driving in bc in snow but a mega journey like that with our kids worried us. looked into train but omg so expensive for a bed !! oh well flying it is

Re: Driving across Canada
 

Has OP even heard of Winter Tires?

err yeah ! I do live in Canada and ski 2 to 3 times a week so drive in snow.

Re: Driving across Canada
 

Via Rail is crazy expensive for their sleepers unless they happen to be running a deal on a route, which sometimes happens.

Re: Driving across Canada
 

I've heard that if you book on a Tuesday and book 3 weeks in advance then the price can be about 1/2 the price of a trip booked on another day.

Re: Driving across Canada
 

I'll have to remember to try that out next Tuesday and compare it to the price on Monday....Interesting if true.

Re: Driving across Canada
 

https://www.reddit.com/r/ottawa/comm...his_expensive/

Re: Driving across Canada
 

Indeed it's true, in as much as they do their 'seat sales' on Tuesdays. It's called 'Discount Tuesdays' https://www.viarail.ca/en/fares-and-packages/our-lowest-fares
https://www.viarail.ca/en/fares-and-...special-offers / https://www.viarail.ca/en/deals
:)

Re: Driving across Canada
 

Nifty.

Not like Via is all that useful out west but good to know. Never know when I may need to trek part way across Canada again though. Thats when they come in handy.

Re: Driving across Canada
 

If I was traveling with no kids or animals in summer I would consider driving across Canada for the experience. But in November with a young family and a huge dog you would be mad. You want your new life in Halifax to be enjoyable.

Re: Driving across Canada
 

haha. I totally agree!!
A nice hotel this end whilst everything is picked up. Dogs in kennels. a nice hotel in Halifax and a trip to Ikea to buy a sofa and beds and then move in :@)

Re: Driving across Canada
 

I think I would pass on that one!

Re: Driving across Canada
 

bahahaha. I think they are good forbthe price :@)

Re: Driving across Canada
 

Great for starter home furniture, but their products don't seem to last long I found.

Re: Driving across Canada
 

oh I have found them pretty good :@)

Re: Driving across Canada
 

Done it twice Montreal - Calgary, in July. Awesome trip both times. Would never consider doing it in the winter - a huge swath of Northern Ontario is 2-lane -- with trucks, like a good 8-10 hours of it.

Re: Driving across Canada
 

For meatballs.

Re: Driving across Canada
 

For meatballs.

Re: Driving across Canada
 

I think a lot of people drop down into the USA to minimise the journey. You are asking about the weather, the Hwy into Banff was closed last weekend due to the snow. You may be lucky and not experience ANY snow, or you could get stuck in a huge blizzard, so dropping down might be preferable. We will hopefully be doing a cross Canada trip next year, we have no idea what route we will take, it may be via Alaska, if we take a year or so out RV'ing.

November, I think shipping and flying would be the safer and less stressful option.