Hwy 40 to Grand Prairie

Definitely the way to go, if you like scenery. Way less traffic than hwy 43.

In 2009, we spent about a week on the Icefields Parkway and then camped at the Hinton KOA for a couple of days to rest up and service the coach. Then, we drove 40 north to Grand Prairie. It was a great route to take with no problems at all with the roadway, grades, etc. There is a steep down grade northbound as you leave Grand Cache, but I dropped the Allison transmission into 2nd then 1st gear and had no issues.

40 is a good road and a lot shorter/prettier than going all the way east to Edmonton.
Prettier? Actually have not driven it but long before it was built (1957-59) I surveyed timber all through that country in 4x4, horseback/foot and fly camps wherever!

Can't go wrong there on the Icefields Parkway thats for sure, as I finally travelled Hwy. 40 northbound for the first time last September in my camper rig.

The majority of stretch between the Hwy. 16 Junction and Grande Cache is very narrow shoulder, however most of the road surface is pretty nice between there, as north of Grande Cache generally has wider shoulder with great road surface.

There are many designated passing lanes along the foothills and grades so no problem there either, as the Hwy. 40 route is certainly not a boring drive at all and a relatively easy drive.

That's always my recommended route - far more scenic. There are some steep grades climbing out of Hinton on 40, but nothing steeper than what you'll get on the Alaska Highway. I went that route 3 weeks ago and it was in great shape with almost no traffic.

If I remember correctly other than being a really long drive the road from Edmonton to GP is just fine. It is a main highway heading north.