Vancouver to Whitehorse via Vancouver Island?

[Lexx]

Mods I'm re-posting this over here. I forgot we have a Canada forum.

Getting a very late start in planning this year for our summer trip. I'm thinking of taking our 34 ft fifth wheel from Vancouver, B.C. over to Victoria on Vancouver Island via the B.C. Ferries from Tsawassen to Nanaimo.

From there we'd head north via route 19A on the east side of the island, stopping along the way as we make our way up to Campbell River.

From Campbell River we'd continue on 19 all the way up to Port Hardy, where we'd board another ferry to Prince Rupert. This is the one ferry fare that gives me pause as the fare schedule shows it will be approx $1400 for our family of 5 and the truck/trailer. Ugh! But hey, it's an adventure right?

From Prince Rupert we'd head to the interior of B.C. via highway 16 to Kitwanga. From there it's on the Yukon, where we connect with highway 1 up to Whitehorse.

We start back south along a more interior B.C. route via highway 97 to Fort Nelson, then down to Dawson Creek.

From there it's southwest on highway 97 to Prince George, 100 Mile House. We eventually hit highway 1 on the way back to Vancouver.

Here's a website with the first part of our journey:
https://www.canadream.com/trip-planner/itineraries/british-columbia/vancouver-to-whitehorse/

So has anyone done this trip? Is it even possible? I'm worried most about driving up Vancouver island. I remember going to Tofino from Nanaimo and how some of the turns were quite sharp. I'm not sure a truck pulling a 34 ft trailer would have made those turns. I don't recall height restrictions but there may have been some.

Recommendations?

Thanks.

[Lexx]

guthriez wrote:
Hi Lexx

We live in Campbell River and have often driven 19 and 19A. They are totally big-rig friendly highways and you should have no issues. The Tofino road is one of the twistiest on the island and strikes fear into local drivers with longer units. ?? Your drive north on Vancouver Island should be stress-free.

Thank you for the info. I do remember driving around Nanaimo and the road there was wide open.

[guthriez]

Hi Lexx

We live in Campbell River and have often driven 19 and 19A. They are totally big-rig friendly highways and you should have no issues. The Tofino road is one of the twistiest on the island and strikes fear into local drivers with longer units. ?? Your drive north on Vancouver Island should be stress-free.

[MDKMDK]

Lexx wrote:
Thanks for the links. Yeah, fuel can be an issue. Last year we went from Banff to Revelstoke. I didn't fuel up as per my usual routine since my fuel guestimator showed more than adequate miles remaining till empty. Well, I was getting very nervous before we finally got to our destination, as the fuel gauge got close to E. Lesson learned.

This trip just may be the excuse I've been looking for to install an auxillary diesel tank in the bed under the cover. An extra 40 gal or so would go a long ways when you're far from fuel.

48 gallons X 9 mpg should get you from fuel stop to fuel stop for the most part on Hwy 97. The Cassiar (Hwy 37) might require closer attention, but that website will show you the max distances between fuel stops. I was just looking at the map and I do recall most of Hwy 97 should have you covered. Keeping "time of day" in mind. Bad roads and hills can eat through your fuel tank faster, too. DEF reservoir might also be a consideration. I've never carried extra on board, but if I were headed up that way, I would now.

If we were to head up from Prince Rupert to Whitehorsre via the Cassiar, I'd probably make time to visit Stewart BC/Hyder AK. As a side trip, it's supposed to be well worth the fuel and time.

Lastly, SideHillSoup lives in BC, I don't. If he makes a recommendation, I'd go with it. 🙂

[Lexx]

nightshift wrote:
Lexx, have you considered taking rte 40 from Dawson Creek to Jasper? That is one of the most stunning parks on Earth. Spend at least two nights there, take the Ice Fields highway to Lake Louise, then go west through Yoho. Banff is a crammed tourist trap; I avoid it when I can.
Revelstoke is a little jewel of a town and your family will really enjoy Shuswap Lake.

Thanks for the suggestion. In fact last summer we did Calgary to Edmonton, then on to Jasper, Ice Fields parkway, Banff, Revelstoke, etc. Those areas are incredibly beautiful.

This year we're hoping to explore northern B.C. up to Yukon. Unfortunately because of my other commitments, I'm getting a very late start on reserving campsites. I hope it's not too late!

[nightshift]

Lexx, have you considered taking rte 40 from Dawson Creek to Jasper? That is one of the most stunning parks on Earth. Spend at least two nights there, take the Ice Fields highway to Lake Louise, then go west through Yoho. Banff is a crammed tourist trap; I avoid it when I can.
Revelstoke is a little jewel of a town and your family will really enjoy Shuswap Lake.

[Lexx]

Love your truck/camper combo. I'd be all over that if we didn't have triplet 7 yr olds in tow lol.

Thanks for the tip about contacting BC Ferries. Excellent idea.

Have you done the run from Prince Rupert on up to Whitehorse? How are the roads during the summer?

Hmmm.....Haida Gwaii is also on my bucket list.

SideHillSoup wrote:
You should check into reservations with BC Ferries ( phone them) about the Port Hardy run up to Prince Rupert. Before you call BC Ferries get the exact measurement of you rigs total length when hooked together, you will need that. You are also over height, not to worry, as they don’t charge you for over height, they just need to know so that when you arrive there is a spot of the ferry where you will fit in height as well as length.
If you don’t have a reservation you will be on standby. At with your rig length you may miss a couple of sailings, or days.
I did Hadia Gwaii last summer from Rupert with reservations so we had no issue, however there were rigs waiting on standby who didn’t get on. Most people want the day time sailing however I think during the summer the South to North sailings are all during the day. However on the ferry run I was on they have night and day sailings, and the night time are not as full as the day time ( on the route I was on anyways) summer time is prime time so don’t waste time call BC Ferries quick like.
Enjoy the ride.
My truck and camper are on the right of the picture

Soup.
PM me is you would like more info

[Lexx]

Thanks for the links. Yeah, fuel can be an issue. Last year we went from Banff to Revelstoke. I didn't fuel up as per my usual routine since my fuel guestimator showed more than adequate miles remaining till empty. Well, I was getting very nervous before we finally got to our destination, as the fuel gauge got close to E. Lesson learned.

This trip just may be the excuse I've been looking for to install an auxillary diesel tank in the bed under the cover. An extra 40 gal or so would go a long ways when you're far from fuel.

MDKMDK wrote:
You shouldn't need snow/ice gear in that time of year, but stuff happens?
Here's a couple of websites that might help.
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/driving-and-cycling/traveller-information/routes-a...

https://www.hellobc.com/road-trips/alaska-highway/

https://www.travel-british-columbia.com/northern-british-columbia/alaska-highway-97/

click "map view" on this one.
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/driving-and-cycling/traveller-information/routes-a...

http://www.drivebc.ca/

http://www.511yukon.ca/en/map.html#l=53&x=-14747197&y=9610396&z=0&lb=1&rb=1

There are a few stretches of Hwy 97 (Alaska Hwy) on your return trip that may push your fuel supply/reserve a bit. Check some distances on Google maps for examples.
I used gas when I was up there in 2016, and there is fuel available, but some of it's stored a bit differently than at normal gas stations. They have these what I called "fuel dumps", huge tanks that contain gasoline and presumably diesel, although I wasn't looking for diesel last time out, that are pretty much self serve, and they do take credit cards, and cash iirc, but you'll see what I mean when you get there. One thing that's going to be different, is hours of operation. Not everything (perhaps very little?) is open 24 hours a day, so plan accordingly.

[SideHillSoup]

You should check into reservations with BC Ferries ( phone them) about the Port Hardy run up to Prince Rupert. Before you call BC Ferries get the exact measurement of you rigs total length when hooked together, you will need that. You are also over height, not to worry, as they don’t charge you for over height, they just need to know so that when you arrive there is a spot of the ferry where you will fit in height as well as length.
If you don’t have a reservation you will be on standby. At with your rig length you may miss a couple of sailings, or days.
I did Hadia Gwaii last summer from Rupert with reservations so we had no issue, however there were rigs waiting on standby who didn’t get on. Most people want the day time sailing however I think during the summer the South to North sailings are all during the day. However on the ferry run I was on they have night and day sailings, and the night time are not as full as the day time ( on the route I was on anyways) summer time is prime time so don’t waste time call BC Ferries quick like.
Enjoy the ride.
My truck and camper are on the right of the picture

Soup.
PM me is you would like more info

[MDKMDK]

You shouldn't need snow/ice gear in that time of year, but stuff happens?
Here's a couple of websites that might help.
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/driving-and-cycling/traveller-information/routes-a...

https://www.hellobc.com/road-trips/alaska-highway/

https://www.travel-british-columbia.com/northern-british-columbia/alaska-highway-97/

click "map view" on this one.
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/driving-and-cycling/traveller-information/routes-a...

http://www.drivebc.ca/

http://www.511yukon.ca/en/map.html#l=53&x=-14747197&y=9610396&z=0&lb=1&rb=1

There are a few stretches of Hwy 97 (Alaska Hwy) on your return trip that may push your fuel supply/reserve a bit. Check some distances on Google maps for examples.
I used gas when I was up there in 2016, and there is fuel available, but some of it's stored a bit differently than at normal gas stations. They have these what I called "fuel dumps", huge tanks that contain gasoline and presumably diesel, although I wasn't looking for diesel last time out, that are pretty much self serve, and they do take credit cards, and cash iirc, but you'll see what I mean when you get there. One thing that's going to be different, is hours of operation. Not everything (perhaps very little?) is open 24 hours a day, so plan accordingly.

[Lexx]

MDKMDK wrote:
Can't help much on the Vancouver Island road restrictions, but the rest should be doable. So from Price Rupert you're taking the Cassiar to Watson Lake, then west to Whitehorse? It's a nice, but desolate along there. Lots of potential construction delays. Only concern is fuel. Others have said no problem getting diesel if that's what your F450 drinks. It will be hilly, winding, and frost heaves in places but that's the northern Canadian infrastructure.
On the way back there's a CG in Muncho Lake PP called Strawberry Flats. Right on the water, and your fiver should be OK getting in and out. We saw moose on the roadway the next morning after spending the night.

Yes, we're taking highway 37 so that's the route.

Yes, the truck is diesel. It's got a 48 gal tank, but towing we only get 9 MPG which works out to 26 L/Km, so our range is not great.

I'm worried about frost and ice. But we are not taking the trip until mid-June, possibly not till July. The truck is a dually with 19.5" commercial rated tires which do not do well in icy conditions. I'd rather not have to deal with chains as they'll probably mess up my Alcoa aluminum rims.

The alternative is to go the overland interior route, but that's not as scenic. That's the way we would be heading back down south.

[MDKMDK]

Can't help much on the Vancouver Island road restrictions, but the rest should be doable. So from Price Rupert you're taking the Cassiar to Watson Lake, then west to Whitehorse? It's a nice, but desolate along there. Lots of potential construction delays. Only concern is fuel. Others have said no problem getting diesel if that's what your F450 drinks. It will be hilly, winding, and frost heaves in places but that's the northern Canadian infrastructure.
On the way back there's a CG in Muncho Lake PP called Strawberry Flats. Right on the water, and your fiver should be OK getting in and out. We saw moose on the roadway the next morning after spending the night.