Edmonton to Banff National Park Road Trip

400+ km Road Trip Starting from Edmonton, Alberta, a major city, driving to Banff National Park, Canada is quite feasible. You can explore the city and then drive to Banff 🏞. 🇨🇦Edmonton City Glimpse Start your day at North Saskatchewan River Valley Park, North America's largest urban park. Enjoy the 7,800 hectares of greenery along the riverbank cycling paths. The Art Gallery of Alberta, pictured above ☝🖼, is a must-visit. Its swirling exterior of galvanized steel and glass reflects the flowing light of the aurora borealis. From Düsseldorf to Boston, this combination of twisted metal and glass is a popular architectural style. 🤩🤩 The gallery's three floors display works ranging from Indigenous art to contemporary installations. We recommend taking in the city skyline from the terrace. ☕️Mega Shopping In the afternoon, head to West Edmonton Mall, North America's largest indoor shopping center. Europa Boulevard's luxury stores and Simons department store are perfect for shopping, while the Chinese bakeries and milk tea shops in Chinatown offer a taste of home. 🚕Highway to the Mountains The next day, drive south along the Trans-Canada Highway. Consider these stops during the 4-hour drive: 🚕Elk Island National Park: Located 35 km from Edmonton, this park offers opportunities to spot herds of bison and elk. In summer, you can canoe across the lake. 🚕Red Deer: As the fields and pastures stretch out on either side of the highway, take a break at Heritage Ranch and enjoy some locally sourced ice cream. 🚕Canmore: The last stop before entering the Rocky Mountains. The Three Sisters peaks appear and disappear through the clouds. This is a good place to acclimatize to the higher altitude. First Impressions of Banff Upon arriving in Banff, head straight to the Sulphur Mountain cable car for a bird's-eye view of the Bow Valley, an emerald nestled among the peaks. If time permits on your return, take a detour along the Icefields Parkway. The stark beauty of the glaciers and glacial lakes along the way contrasts sharply with the urban vibrancy of Edmonton. 📝Tips: The entire journey from Edmonton to Banff is approximately 400 km. If renting a car, it's best to have two drivers. Allow at least 4 hours for West Edmonton Mall. Entertainment options require separate tickets (which I didn't try 😂). Alberta's cities and natural landscapes are unique. The mountains and waters are beautiful, and the highway scenery reveals Canada's vastness and tranquility. 🔱Explore the world's beautiful destinations🔱