How to plan a really great road trip this year

If you've got the travel itch, but aren't quite ready to hop on a plane or deal with complicated international travel requirements, a road trip within Canada might be on your mind. Whether you've never explored your own backyard or you've already crossed a bunch of national bucket-list adventures off your list, there are still plenty of scenic drives, sights and experiences to cover across the country. 

Of course, planning any vacation requires some research, and even experienced road trippers need to be mindful of the changes that pandemic-related restrictions can bring. 

To help guide your plans, we asked two travel experts — Emilie Brillon, founder of travel blog Love Life Abroad; and Keith Henry, president and CEO of the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) — to share their best tips for a successful road trip. After all, they've adjusted their plans in these times, too. "I typically travel within Canada or outside of Canada, at least a few times a year," says Henry. "I've now redirected my efforts to go a little more locally." From must-see sights to pro packing advice, here's what to know before hitting the road. 

Start with trip length and format

With a road trip, the duration of your vacation will dictate where you can go. "If you have one week, you might not want to do 700 kilometres per day, because it's exhausting, and at the end, you won't really see much," says Brillon. But if you have a month, she adds, it's OK if some travel days are long, because you'll be able to compensate with fun things on other days.

Additionally, consider travellers' needs for breaks (including kids!) and factor that time in when planning your way from Point A to Point B. On a cross-Canada trip with two toddlers, Brillon's family would drive 200-400 km per day, accounting for things like pit stops and mid-day hikes. 

Be flexible

While always a good rule of travel, flexibility has been imperative since the start of the pandemic. COVID-19 regulations vary by province and territory and can change suddenly. It's important to know the regulations and to "follow the rules and to be respectful of every different place you're going to go," says Brillon. "Either do research online or when you arrive." 

For example, do you need reservations or proof of vaccination to visit museums or restaurants? Keep in mind that the information that's available in a guidebook, or even online, may be out of date. "Don't assume everything is still open," says Brillon. It's also possible that opening times have changed. She emphasizes the importance of going to a business's actual website instead of relying on a third-party blog or social media post — especially if it was posted more than a year ago — and calling ahead when possible. 

That research and communication may be especially important when it comes to Indigenous tourism. There's a distinct difference from traveling elsewhere, says Henry. "You don't just show up at communities, at their administrative office, and say, 'Oh, by the way, I'm here.'" When compiling information online, ITAC works with nations that are using COVID-19 safety protocols, says Henry. He notes that not every community or nation has a tourism business, which is why he considers ITAC the most reliable source when it comes to the offerings of Indigenous tourism. Henry recommends booking only as far as 30 to 60 days in advance, given the fact that, due to the pandemic, changes can occur within a community. 

"My best advice is to be flexible," says Brillon. Don't plan a tight schedule. "Know what there is to do," she says, "but be open to change, because there's going to be some changes along the way, for sure." 

Consider a cultural excursion

"We [have] noticed a lot of Canadians want to support reconciliation, and they're trying to find ways to learn about Indigenous culture and communities," says Henry. "More and more Canadians are realizing that Indigenous tourism is a really effective way to do that." 

ITAC launched the travel guide Destination Indigenous to promote Indigenous tourism experiences, including "nature and wildlife tours, cultural sharing, accommodation and relaxation, culinary experiences, shopping and more​," according to its website.​ There's a handy map feature, so it's easy to consider destinations or stops close to your planned travel route. Hesitant to choose favourites, Henry personally booked a memorable fishing experience for himself and his son on the Fraser River with an Indigenous tour guide. He also says that Shakat Tun Adventures in the Yukon is beautiful and would make an "amazing cultural getaway."

"I think purchasing [packages] through a reliable Indigenous source is really important," Henry says, noting that there are several Indigenous tourism networks and platforms across the country. 

Pack differently

Though always a goal, it's especially important not to overpack on a road trip. You want to make sure that passengers are comfortable in the vehicle and that it's not a challenge each time you need to repack the car. "We don't need as [many] things as we think we need," says Brillon. 

"Don't go with big suitcases; it's really a mess and it takes space," says Brillon. Her family prefers packing cubes, which are made with fabric, and, being flexible, can easily fit in between larger items like a cooler or stroller. If you pack everything you need for one night into a cube, she says, "you don't have to empty the car every night, every time you have to stop."

Roof storage can help, too. Brillon used a plastic cargo carrier to store outerwear, winter clothes and other bulky items the family didn't necessarily need every day.

Hit the road like a pro — or a local

Since one of the best aspects of road-tripping — as opposed to flying — is affordability, don't forget about other ways to save as well. You'll want to pack plenty of food and snacks for each leg of your journey, which will save not only money, but time, too, notes Brillon. "You save a lot of money, but it's also fun to pack your lunch and go for a hike instead of spending a few hours in a restaurant, especially for lunch." She recommends having utensils, cutting boards and plastic containers close at hand in the car.

With hotels, Brillon suggests reserving directly instead of through third-party or aggregator websites. "Especially during COVID … it's really easier to cancel or to change if you go directly to the hotel to book," she explains. Stick with one hotel chain to maximize reward points for free nights, and "try not to book things too much in advance," she says, because you never know if you're going to make it to a destination on schedule. There can be cancellation fees, and some bookings are non-refundable.

Brillon recommends the GasBuddy app for finding cheaper places to fill up, and notes that gas stations just outside of a big city or town will often have lower prices than those "right at the exit of a main highway." On the road, a road-side assistance service can be useful for peace of mind. "Our car had some trouble, so it was nice to know we could call them and not pay extra," says Brillon.

Lastly, while the obvious attractions and cities are worth a visit, hidden gems are called gems for a reason, and it's worth seeking out the spots near to your destination too. Henry suggests a visit to the new hotel and cultural centre on Whitecap Dakota First Nation, just outside of Saskatoon, or a drive to Tofino, where the Indigenous-owned Best Western Tin Wis Resort offers "guided tours" and "a lot of cultural recognition of the local Coast Salish people." He also strongly recommends visiting Wendake, near Quebec City, where you can stay overnight in a replica longhouse, he says. "It's an amazing cultural adventure." 

Truc Nguyen is a Toronto-based writer, editor and stylist. Follow her at @trucnguyen.