Edmonton is sometimes referred to as the country’s “Gateway to the North.” This fantastic city started as a simple trading fort and has grown over the years into one of the most important cities in Canada. Despite its urbanization, this destination still has beautiful landscapes with lots of attractions for tourists to visit. The city has an active sports scene, a wide range of cultural attractions, landmark sites, parks, and so much more. Outdoor opportunities aren’t bad, too, with several skiing opportunities, lots of yearly outdoor festivals, and places to go hiking or biking. However, if you want even more adventure, you can embark on one of these best road trips from Edmonton, Canada to other nearby destinations.
Why Trust Trip101?
✅ Over 50,000 articles reviewed and published by our experienced team
✅ Over 50 years of combined experience researching, writing and reviewing travel articles
✅ Over 40,000 hours spent on research and fact-checking from credible sources (last year’s data)
✅ Optimizing content from data-driven insights collected directly from users on our platform
✅ Focus on authentic and up-to-date information by collaborating with local guides, global travelers and other industry experts
✅ Long-standing partnerships with credible brands like Airbnb, Booking.com, Agoda, Expedia, GetYourGuide, Viator, RVShare and more
✅ Full disclosure on any partnerships or sponsored content
Trip101’s team of writers, editors, and content managers oversees the publication of all travel content, including destination guides, accommodation recommendations, and travel tips. They have extensive experience in the travel industry and no content, written or visual, gets published without a review. Many of our team’s work has also been featured in Travel+Leisure, National Today, The Indian Express, The Telegraph (India), Robb Report, The Adventure Handbook, Tripoto, Korea Tourism Organization, and Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Some of them are also members of professional organizations like the Society of American Travel Writers and the International Travel Writers and Photographers Alliance.
Each member of the team follows Trip101's methodology and strict editorial guidelines to ensure accuracy, authenticity, and relevance.
1. Fernie, BC
Although Fernie doesn’t get as much attention as Whistler or Revelstoke, it is still a great place to visit. A genuine mountain town, Fernie has everything you need for an adventure. With a welcoming ambiance, this place offers a fantastic place to enjoy exciting outdoor activities. The locals are friendly, and they care a lot about skiing. Fernie is about 362 miles (583 kilometers) from Edmonton. A road trip to this destination takes a little over five hours to complete. With a bustling downtown area, this small mountain city is an incredible one.
2. Yorkton, SK
Lying about 529 miles (852 kilometers) from Edmonton, Yorkton is a great road trip destination. This place is home to several retail stores, and it is named after a beautiful lake in the area. This city is also blessed with two remarkable golf courses for golf lovers to enjoy, plus large parks with lakes open to sport fishing, bird watching, and open lowland areas where you can go hunting. The drive to Yorkton from Edmonton takes eight hours, giving you enough time to enjoy the scenery on the road.
3. Fort McMurray, AL
Fort McMurray is a famous oil city in Alberta. Even though the entire town had to be evacuated in 2016 due to forest fires, it has regained its status as one of the best places to visit in the country. There are a lot of things to do in this city, from going on hiking trails and playing golf to visiting entertainment venues and enjoying sumptuous dinners at remarkable restaurants. On top of all that, you can catch a glimpse of the mesmerizing Northern Lights just outside the city. The distance between Edmonton and Fort McMurray is 270 miles (435 kilometers).
4. Nelson, BC
Nelson has so much to offer its visitors. Sitting at a distance of 564 miles (908 kilometers) from Edmonton, this city is located on the shores of Kootenay Lake and bordered by the rugged Selkirk Mountains. Nelson offers you a chance to enjoy fun-filled activities like water gliding, rafting, fishing, and hiking up beautiful glaciers. There are several places where you can go shopping and over 350 heritage buildings to admire. With stunning landscapes, the nine-hour drive to this destination will be worth it.
5. Prince Albert, SK
What is it about Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, that will prompt you to go on a road trip over five hours long? This destination’s amazing attributes are irresistible. It is the third-largest city in the region, and it has lively local markets with live entertainment. This place boasts a rich cultural heritage that can be explored in the historic downtown area. You can also enjoy exciting outdoor trails, so if you love hiking or biking, this place is perfect for you. There are festivals to attend and lots of wildlife to see and admire in their natural habitat.
6. Wood Buffalo National Park
If you want to experience the wonders of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, then you will have to take this 12-hour long road trip, over 707 miles (1,138 kilometers) away to the largest national park in Canada: Wood Buffalo National Park. This place opened back in 1922 to protect the last free-roaming herds of bison in the country. Now it is home to an incredible variety of wildlife, including the endangered whooping crane. It is also home to the largest inland freshwater delta in North America, several hiking trails and paths, and many more outdoor sites.
7. Golden, BC
At first glance, Golden looks every inch like the typical highway town, complete with roadside gas stations, small hotels, and fast food joints. However, a little drive to its historic downtown area will show you that there is more to this place than meets the eye. This unique destination is a paradise for outdoor lovers. There are so many incredible outdoor sights to see and explore, as the town is blessed with a scenic landscape. With great food options, you won’t regret the 342-mile (551-kilometer) road trip.
8. Regina, SK
The capital city of the Saskatchewan province in Canada, Regina, is one place you shouldn’t miss. It is the second-largest in the area, and it is a booming commercial center with a rich cultural heritage. At this destination, you can enjoy fascinating exhibitions in museums, lush green parks, a beautiful lake, art galleries, and a lot more. The distance between Regina and Edmonton is about 487 miles (781 kilometers). The trip will take just over seven hours to complete.
9. Rainbow Lake
A gorgeous town named after a lake, Rainbow Lake is home to some of the most scenic alpine lakes in the country. This town sits in northwest Alberta, Canada, and it has a lot to offer. It boasts beautiful sights, especially during the spring season when the wildflowers around the water are in full bloom. This place will give you an authentic small-town experience, and it even has an exciting forest trail. Rainbow Lake is about 544 miles (875 kilometers) away from Edmonton.
10. Whistler, BC
Whistler is by far the most popular place on this list. Located north of Vancouver, this pleasant town boasts one of the largest ski resorts in North America: Whistler Blackcomb. This place is famous for its skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, tobogganing, and ski jumping opportunities - it even played host to the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. With its main living area being a quaint, beautiful, chalet-style village, it is a fabulous destination to visit. A half-day road trip is needed to cover the 686 miles (1,104 kilometers) between Edmonton and Whistler.
Embark on exciting road trips from Edmonton
Even with all its captivating landmark attractions and inviting cultural experiences, visitors to Edmonton - or even locals - may wish to spend some time visiting other places. With these best road trips from Edmonton, Canada, nothing will stand in your way of experiencing something new and different. Have fun exploring!
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
