Nanaimo to Tofino

Rolin wrote:
We are planning to visit Vancouver Island after Labor Day and would appreciate you inputs on the route from Nanaimo to Tofino. Was planning to take hwy 4 from Qualicum Beach across to the West Coast.

Streets and Trips routes us up to Cumberland and across the top of Comox Lake then down to Hwy 4 at Kleecoot. Seems like it is is a lot further to drive.

Didn't know if Hwy 4 from Qualicum is a bad road or ?

Appreciate any inputs you might have.

First: THROW STREETS AND TRIPS AWAY! It is obviously either so far out of date or incorrectly programmed that it cannot be trusted. If you need/want a GPS plotter, fine, but DO NOT blindly follow it.

Second: Follow the signs. When coming up from Nanaimo, you do have a couple choices. You can take highway 4a either by going through Parksville or by taking the exit off highway 19. I suggest going through Parksville as trying to turn left onto highway 4a at the overpass can be an exercise in frustration. Through Parksville affords light controlled intersections. Not to mention other things to do on your way through. You will also go through Coombs.

You other highway 4 option is to continute up highway 19 until the highway 4 turn-off. This is a 270 degree loop that puts you in the right direction. If you want Coombs, though, you have to turn left at the light (4 & 4a intersection).

Third: Once you are coming out to the west coast (leaving Port Alberni), be warned, the road is twisty, turny, hilly, bumpy, grindy, and probably a dozen more "-y"s that I've missed. The drive to Ucluelet is about 100km (60 miles) Petro-Can River Road (Port Alberni) to Petro-Can Ucluelet, and about 140km Petro-Can River Road to Tofino. The standard is 1 hr 30 minutes. Locals will do it in just over an hour. HOWEVER, if you've never driven the road before, I recommend you take 2 hours. And use the pull-outs if you have traffic following you (it is in fact a law in this province now). This means pulling into the pull-out and slowing, STOPPING if required, to let traffic pass.

Make sure you have your camera handy (or have your right-seater operate it). Lots of spots for pictures of scenery.

BTW, this is also construction on the highway in several locations. BCHydro (our power company) is presently replacing almost every power pole along highway 4. There are usually 2 locations going during the day where the contractors are working. Wait is is usually fairly short, but is single lane alternating traffic. Also, along Kennedy Lake there is a major construction zone wherein 2 culverts are being inatalled. Again, single lane alternating traffic, over 1 long zone. And this area is 24/7 flagger controlled traffic until complete.

Other than that, enjoy your stay!

Cheers!
Mike (yes, I live in Ucluelet)