Drive from North Dakota to Banff NP

[bodacious]

Thinking about another AK trip from Florida in 2016. Last went in 2007. Considering crossing into Canada possibly from North Dakota in order to see some Canadian real estate we didn't see last time (in 2007 we crossed from Eureka, Montana. What is the scenery like in that part of Canada and what about boondocking opportunities along Highway 1. Thanks in advance for comments and suggestions.

[Uncle_Rj]

ND to Calgary is probably one of the most boring stretches of road you'll encounter on your trip if you go that way. Believe me, I've done it a few times. We joke that you go through more FM stations than turns as you are driving from the ND border to Calgary.

Boondocking on Highway 1 is not recommended, but there are lots of small towns where you can pull over and find a spot.

There's not much for boondocking between Calgary and Banff though.

[EsoxLucius]

I'd go up into Canada before hitting the Bakken oilfield on US Highway 2.

[free_radical]

bodacious wrote:
Thinking about another AK trip from Florida in 2016. Last went in 2007. Considering crossing into Canada possibly from North Dakota in order to see some Canadian real estate we didn't see last time (in 2007 we crossed from Eureka, Montana. What is the scenery like in that part of Canada and what about boondocking opportunities along Highway 1. Thanks in advance for comments and suggestions.

Ontario trees and rocks,rocks and trees,,lol..and many bugs..
Manitoba and Saskatchewan flat like pancake,prairies etc,,not too exciting but nice relaxing drive,,
There are plenty of roadside attractions along the way too,,just use google for towns you'll be going thru,, boondocking and stoping along the road was never a problem any time I cruised cross country..

[hgpezi]

Hi there

maybe you guys should stay away from the main routes, like # one and rather use smaller Highways. You will find a very nice scenery all over the place. And believe me there is much more than Jasper and Banf.

[rag-ftw]

Orion wrote:

i thought montana and idaho were a lot prettier than my trip through canada.

Really? prettier than Banff-Jasper?

I hope I did not give anyone the impression they should not do the Icefields Parkway. The trip from Banff to Jasper is as pretty as any on the Alaskan Highway, and prettier than most. The trip from Winnipeg to Calgary is what I was referring to as nothing special.

[Orion]

i thought montana and idaho were a lot prettier than my trip through canada.

Really? prettier than Banff-Jasper?

[Ivylog]

Other than the price of fuel, not much difference in scenery (if you can call it scenery). Use google and take a look at each route.

[edbehnke]

to me alaska was a once in a life time trip, i'd never do a RV trip but i do plan on doing a cruise in a few years.

i thought montana and idaho were a lot prettier than my trip through canada.

as for pull offs, there seem to be more in northern canada....look at your milepost. and remember: 10000 miles, $10000 dollars for the trip.

[2gypsies1]

If you stay in the lower 48 as long as you can you'll save on fuel costs.

On our return from a summer in Alaska we went through Jasper/Banff and ended at Roosville, Montana west of Glacier Nat'l Park.

[Fer2005]

We crossed into Manitoba at the Peace gardens, just north of Dunsieth, ND on 281. There was a sign apologizing for the rough road.

The scenery was mostly farmland as we headed west. We enjoyed it, some folks don't. We met a lot of nice folks. Sorry but I can't give you any info on boondocking, we didn't. Not sure if we'd do it again, not because of anything bad, just want to see something different.

[rag-ftw]

We took Highway 1 from Winnipeg to Calgary in 2014. Road was rough in many sections, really rough in some areas. Scenery was about the same as we saw on Interstate 94 in 2012. If we do it again we will stay in the lower 48 until Sweetgrass and then head to Calgary. Hopefully they have resurfaced Highway 1 and it will be smooth sailing in 2106!