Osoyoos to Kamloops ; best route please ?

If you are towing heavy and it is hot out you may want to stay away from the Coquihalla (Hwy 5 and its Merrit connector). There are some long grades on the Merrit connector. Going through Kelowna and Vernon would be your best bet if you are looking for the flattest towing. Definitely not the quickest as you will be slowed down because of going through Kelowna, Vernon and the two lane highway north of Vernon to 97 to Kamloops. More tourist attractions going through Kelowna, Vernon and 97 as well.

According to Google Maps the Princeton route is shortest, 287km. Via Vernon is 293, and via the Connector 298. But the Connecter is the fastest. But the time differences are only a half hour.

The Osooyos to Princeton leg is mostly NW, so it really isn't out of the way.

The real differences are in the type of driving, not the distances.

as stated above,there's fast and there's scenic.best is highly subjective.also depends what,if anything you are towing.you can take the shortcut over the mountain(97c),but if you're towing a big *ss 5er in aug,i would take the long way around through vernon.the 97c out of kelowna to merritt is a hell of a climb.the 5 north out of merritt to kamloops is a looong climb.watch your temp there.princeton is a no go.its many,many miles in the wrong direction. i've done these routes hundreds of times and theres not really a better route,just quicker.my father in law lives in osoyoos,and we're heading up there next weekend.

This probably will be moved to the Canada/Alaska section.

But as with most 'best route' questions, 'best' is largely subjective, and depends on your own priorities - distance, time, driving ease, scenery etc.

US97 south of Osoyoos is lightly settled, mostly ranches. BC97 pass through a denser orchard and vacation homes area. And parts are 4 lane or even divided.

BC97 all the way is the flattest route, but has heavy traffic, especially in the Kelowna to Vernon area. There is a new floating bridge at Kelowna (floating like in Seattle).

The BC97c (Okanagan Connector) turn off to BC5 is full freeway, and probably saves time. But it does have a substantial climb. Merritt is on a plateau. I'd choose this for speed.

My preference is the Princeton route. In a smaller vehicle it is relaxing and scenic. There's a bit of a pass crossing from Osoyoos to Keremeos. The last time I bypassed it by taking the Nighthawk border crossing - which is as small and remote as they come. The rest of the way to Princeton is a pretty river drive. Flat with some curves, but not difficult.

5A north of Princeton is pretty, but somewhat curvy. Easy driving but not particularly fast. It's fast and divided once it meets 97c.

Last time I crossed the area I took old 5A from Kamloops to Merritt. It's not as fast and straight as divided 5, but I was surprised that some trucks were still taking it.