How Far Is Calgary To Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise, Canmore & More
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
One of the best things about picking up a campervan in Calgary? Everything is closed. Like, genuinely close. The Canadian Rockies aren't a half-day drive away; they're right there, practically knocking on the city's door.
Calgary is the perfect launching point for one of the most spectacular road trip regions in the world. Here's a quick reference for every destination worth driving to, plus a few notes from us on what to expect along the way.
Calgary to Canmore
~100 km | ~1 hour
Canmore is your first taste of the mountains and honestly, what a taste it is. The wider valley means jaw-dropping mountain views in every direction from the moment you arrive. It's a quick, easy drive straight down the Trans-Canada Highway with the scenery ramping up dramatically as you get closer.
Canmore is a great first stop or a home base for the whole trip. Less expensive than Banff, no park pass required, and a genuinely lovely mountain town vibe.
Internal link: Things to Do in Canmore
Calgary to Banff
~127 km | ~1.5 hours
Banff is the crown jewel and the most popular first stop for good reason. The drive is straightforward, Trans-Canada west the whole way, and the mountain scenery starts building well before you hit the park gates. Don't forget your Parks Canada pass! You'll need it the moment you enter the national park.
Check out our Canada Strong Pass guide to see if the annual pass makes sense for your trip.
Calgary to Lake Louise
~200 km | ~2 hours
Lake Louise sits another 80km past Banff along the Trans-Canada. The drive from Banff to Lake Louise is stunning, especially if you take the Bow Valley Parkway instead of the highway. It winds through the valley with better wildlife viewing and a much more scenic feel. Our go-to recommendation for anyone who isn't in a rush (and in a campervan, why would you be?).
Internal link: Best Campgrounds in Banff & Lake Louise
Calgary to Jasper
~400 km | ~4.5 hours direct
Jasper is the big one, but it's absolutely worth it. Most people drive straight there in a day, but the better move is to take the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93) from Lake Louise to Jasper and make a proper adventure of it and really soak up the sights. The 93 alone deserves a full day.
As for the return trip… You might want to consider a side trip to Nordegg.
Abraham Lake on that route is stunning, and most people never see it. After your visit, it's better to come back toward Lake Louise instead of continuing toward Red Deer, as you will see the mountains from another angle, which looks like a totally new road!
Calgary to Kananaskis Country
~90 km | ~1 hour
Kananaskis is one of our absolute favourites and genuinely underrepresented online. It's this beautiful, sprawling provincial park system tucked just south of Canmore that locals love precisely because the rest of the world hasn't fully caught on yet. The hiking, the lakes, the wildlife, it rivals anything in Banff without the crowds.
Note: Visitors need a Kananaskis Conservation Pass to access the area, separate from the Parks Canada pass. Luckily for you, New Age Travel and Services include this pass with all our campervan rentals.
Calgary to Waterton Lakes
~272 km | ~2.5 hours
Waterton is a bit of a drive south, but absolutely worth the detour. It's one of our favourite recommendations for a reason most people don't expect: the campground is right in the middle of town!
Park the van, walk everywhere, and enjoy one of the most dramatically situated little towns in Alberta. Waterton shares a border with Glacier National Park in Montana, and the scenery is gorgeous.
Calgary to Golden, BC
~264 km | ~3 hours
Cross the Continental Divide, and you're in Golden. It's one of BC's most charming mountain towns and a destination that doesn't get nearly enough attention. It sits right between Banff and Revelstoke, making it a perfect overnight stop if you're heading further west. The drive through Yoho National Park on the way is spectacular.
Read Things to Do in Golden to see what you're missing!
Calgary to Drumheller
~135 km | ~1.5 hours
A completely different kind of beautiful. Drumheller is east of Calgary through the prairies and drops you into the Canadian Badlands. Think: otherworldly hoodoos, dramatic canyon valleys, and the world-class Royal Tyrrell Museum. If you've got a day to spare before or after your mountain trip, it's an easy and memorable side trip.
Scenic Stops Worth Pulling Over For
No matter which direction you head, these are the spots we always mention:
Hector Lake Viewpoint
On the Icefields Parkway just north of Lake Louise. Pull over, take it in, keep driving, you'll be glad you stopped.
Peyto Lake
One of the most iconic views in the Canadian Rockies and genuinely worth the short hike to the lookout. Don't skip it.
Saskatchewan River Crossing
A natural stopping point midway along the Icefields Parkway. Fuel up here if you need it; it's one of the only services on the route.
Abraham Lake
On the Nordegg route between Jasper and Red Deer. Stunning colour, almost no crowds, and a completely different kind of Rockies scenery.
One More Thing Before You Go
We recommend you buy groceries in Calgary because prices in the mountains run a little higher, and the selection in the city is better. Stock up, load the van, and you're set for the whole trip.
Why We Built New Age Around Calgary
We're a family-owned company founded right here in Calgary, and we built New Age Travel and Services because we'd done every one of these drives ourselves. We've camped at the base of ski hills in -40°C, driven the Pacific Coast Highway from California to Vancouver to Skagway (Alaska), and spent more nights than we can count waking up to mountain views out the van window.
We know these roads. We know the pull-offs worth stopping for, the campgrounds that book out in minutes, and the routes most people never think to take. That local knowledge is baked into every rental, and we're genuinely happy to share it before you go.
Our campervans are custom-built, personally tested, and stocked with everything you need so you can pick up in Calgary and head straight for the mountains. No hidden fees, no scrambling for supplies, no surprises. Just the open road and the Rockies waiting for you.
