Route Two

The ring road around the north and east sides of Calgary is finished, but the west side and southwest side is still a few years away.

A good way to go to Banff from the south is Hwy 22, Hwy 40 (Longview to Kananaskis), Hwy 1.

There are lots of good camping spots on Hwy 40.

Calgary's ring roads might be finished. These highways go around Calgary on both the east and west sides, if they're done building them now. It's going on a couple of years since we were out that way but we'll be out there this summer. Maybe someone from there will jump in or google it. We use the cowboy highway just about every time we leave Waterton NP to go up to Rocky Mountain House. As said, Black Diamond has a nice campground and Longview, farther south on 22 has a campground also. Last time we were out there we went through Calgary going south and never had a problem. Might be time of day....

Highway 22 is called the "Cowboy Trail", good road, interesting sights!

MissouriBird wrote:
You might want to consider cutting south on 22--west of Calgary, thereby missing lots of Calgary traffic. This drive takes you through the heart of Turner Valley, prime ranch country. We stayed several nights in a lovely Lion's Club CG in Black Diamond, giving us an easy drive into Calgary for site seeing but staying in the country.

Missouri Bird is correct. Highway 22 by bypasses Calgari traffic and the Lions Club CG at Black Diamond is very nice, quiet with lots of friendly folks. Some spots are seasonal but we have stayed there four times going to or from Alaska and always found a spot there for a couple of nights. Highway 22 down to Black Diamond and then 7 over past Okotoks to High River is the way we always go. You can then pick up Highway 2 there. There is a big gas station/truck stop at the intersection of 22 and Transcanadian 1. Nice place to fuel up before heading north into the parks when heading that way. Highways 22 and 7 are good roads and we found several farmers stands along there where we could pick up fresh vegetables or fruit.

Mike

You might want to consider cutting south on 22--west of Calgary, thereby missing lots of Calgary traffic. This drive takes you through the heart of Turner Valley, prime ranch country. We stayed several nights in a lovely Lion's Club CG in Black Diamond, giving us an easy drive into Calgary for site seeing but staying in the country. We also thoroughly enjoyed an afternoon at the Bar-U Ranch, a Provincial Historic Site and the largest ranch in Canada at one time. It is on Route 22, just south of Longview. You can go south from the Bar-U to Waterton and then cross into the U.S. near Glacier NP. We have crossed there several times and never had a line. Plus, the scenery at Waterton and then around Glacier NP is equal to anything else you will see on your trip. Don't miss a drive across Glacier on the Going to the Sun road. It's sure to be a highlight.

cruiserjs wrote:
Highway 2 in Alberta, south of Calgary is the major route there - eventually connects with I 15 at the US border.

OOPs - my mistake! To get to I 15 in Montana you take @ to 3 to 4 (Thanks for correcting ne Explorenorth!) #2 -straight south connects with US 89!

Yes you are right.
Hwy 2 is a good fast road you will have no problems. Hwy 3 to Lethbridge and Hwy 4 to the crossing at Coutts are also good.

Y'all are gettin' me confused. The main crossing south of Calgary through Lethbridge is Highway 2, then 3, then 4 to Coutts/Sweetwater. Highway 2 goes through Fort McLeod and connects with 89 across the border, which is a relative backroad :)

Highway 2 in Alberta, south of Calgary is the major route there - eventually connects with I 15 at the US border.

When are you looking to travel? Highway 2 is a major route and is in good condition. If you are traveling in the summer, the only issue you may encounter along that stretch is wind. You should be fine in a Class A.

Where are you crossing the border?