staffWriterSometimes you think you’ve got everything covered for a road trip. But with friends like mine? It doesn’t matter if we’ve packed enough for the zombie apocalypse—we always end up stopping at every gas station for ice cream, jerky, or just because.
And since we took on this 13-hour drive from Vancouver to Fort St. John, boredom will inevitably hit us hard. We had to take 2 hotel stops, 3 photo ops, 4 random detours, and 5 bathroom breaks in a day (and perhaps a partridge in a pear tree).
To keep our chaos in check, we’ve crafted a handy travel guide below. Check this out if you’re planning a fun, adventurous drive along this route too!
Why should I go on a road trip from Vancouver to Fort St. John?
You should go on a road trip from Vancouver to Fort St. John because this is among the most scenic drives you could have! This could take you through mountain passes, forested highways, lakeside towns, and other landscapes.
Best Time to Go
The best time to go from Vancouver to Fort St. John is May to September or between late spring and early fall. This way, the roads are clearer, the views are better for sightseeing, and the small towns are filled with more events and attractions.
How to Get Around
Buses: Bus service along the route here is limited and not direct. If you want to take the bus, you’ll have to transfer through cities like Prince George.
Taxis: While you can always hail a taxi, we think this isn’t the most practical option for this long-distance trip. Mind you, this could take you over 1,200 km! But of course, you can always stop at a hotel and take a cab the next day or two.
Car: Being the most flexible and scenic option, driving can take you 13 to 14 hours (non-stop) via Highway 97 or the Alaska Highway. For us, it’s best to break the trip into 2 or 3 days so you can explore various roadside attractions too.
Where to Eat Along Vancouver to Fort St. John
Earls Kitchen + Bar
Media credit: earlsrestaurant
Website: https://www.earls.ca/locations/test-kitchen
Address: 905 Hornby St, Vancouver
Contact Details: +1 604 682 6700
Pricing: $$
Earls Kitchen + Bar is a great stop along Vancouver to Fort St. John if you want a hearty meal early on. It’s also got multiple locations along the route (in Vancouver, Prince George, and Fort St. John), so we find it a convenient choice for travellers.
This dining spot serves modern North American cuisine with global influences. We say go for the steak and burgers right away. Alternatively, you might like the seafood, salads, and other plant-based options (like Vegan Mother Earth Bowl).
As for dessert, we like the classic sticky toffee pudding and New York-style cheesecake, which we bet is great for all ages.
Aubree’s Breakfast
Media credit: aubreesbreakfastplace
Address: 910 Trans-Canada Hwy, Prince George
Contact Details: +1 250 563 0203
Pricing: $
If you’re a fan of breakfast food any time of the day, Aubree’s Breakfast is the Canadian spot to be! We heard it offers generous brunch portions too.
The highlights for us are the classic Breakfast Poutine with chashbrowns. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, we also love the cream cheese crepes. In our opinion, this pairs well with this restaurant’s famous hot cup of Joe.
Where to Shop Along Vancouver to Fort St. John
Shop Makers Gastown
Media credit: shopmakers.ca
Website: http://shopmakers.ca/
Address: 38 Water St, Vancouver
Shop Makers Gastown is a gift shop to visit if you want cute souvenirs or are visiting loved ones at Fort St. John. There’s also paid street parking outside, making it a breezy stop.
We find it incredible that you can get plenty of handmade items! This includes home decor, jewellery, clothes, coffee, strikers, and candles. Plus, you can support tons of local talent, which we reckon makes shopping here more fulfilling.
And while this store is smaller than the others, it’s still got 2 floors and the checkout is on the second—this helps shoppers move around even during peak hours.
108 Mile Supermarket
Media credit: 108milesupermarket
Address: 4945 Easzee Dr, 108 Mile Ranch
Contact Details: +1 250 791 6699
108 Mile Supermarket is a handy one-stop shop for numerous services. We also like that it’s open for long hours daily, so you can easily come here for emergencies.
It’s a grocery store with a bakery, delicatessen (a shop selling ready-to-eat products), liquor store, Canada Post Office, and lottery services. And if you’re short on cash, we think it’s great that it has an ATM too—a lifesaver!
Where to Stay Along Vancouver to Fort St. John
Pomeroy Hotel & Conference Centre Fort St. John
Media credit: ashleymunro
Website: http://www.pomeroyhotel.com/stjohn/
Address: Parking lot, 11308 Alaska Rd N, Fort St John
Contact Details: +1 250 262 3233
Pricing: $$
Pomeroy Hotel & Conference Centre is on the Alaska Highway if you only need a short break from your half-day trip. Moreover, we think it’s convenient for shopping enthusiasts that this 3-star hotel is 1.9 km from Totem Mall.
Though it’s not the most luxurious accommodation, its rooms and suites still showcase upscale furnishings, as well as flat-screen TVs, minifridges, microwaves, Keurig coffeemakers, and free Wi-Fi. But if you want a whirlpool tub, you’ll need to upgrade.
The breakfast buffet comes as a freebie too. Also, we like the entertainment options—a restaurant and lounge bar that shows live sports on TV and a casino. You can chill at an indoor pool (no sunburns!) with a waterslide and hot tub as well. Win-win for families!
Courtyard Prince George
Media credit: courtyardprincegeorge
Website: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/yxscy-courtyard-prince-george/overview/
Address: 900 Brunswick St, Prince George
Contact Details: +1 250 596 6274
Pricing: $$
Should you get tired somewhere along the city of Prince George, Courtyard Prince George is among the best casual 3-star havens to consider. And if you want to take a break and sightsee, it’s only 4 km from the Forestry Museum!
Its simple rooms offer free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and coffeemakers. But we noticed that not all rooms add sofabeds, so we recommend asking in advance if you prefer to have one.
And when it’s time to dine, we like the chill cafe here. You can also enjoy the indoor pool with a hot tub before driving again the next day.
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
Media credit: fairmontvan
Website: https://www.fairmont.com/hotel-vancouver/
Address: 900 W Georgia St, Vancouver
Contact Details: +1 604 684 3131, [email protected]
Pricing: $$
Want a colourful break to rest your eyes? Fairmont Hotel Vancouver is a 4-star accommodation only a 2-minute walk from the Vancouver Art Gallery!
Its elegant rooms showcase classic decor with all the usual amenities. Though if you want more space, we suggest upgrading or getting one of the chic suites—this would give you access to a lounge with free snacks and breakfast too!
On top of that, we appreciate that the sleek dining spot here serves global cuisine. For entertainment, there’s a grand ballroom as well. But if all you want is to refresh after a long day, we suggest going to the onsite spa or indoor pool.
Tips When Going from Vancouver to Fort St. John
Now that you’re in the know about the best spots and activities on this charming route, here are some tips to make your road trip seamless:
- Prepare to be offline. Some spots offer weaker cell service, so we advise downloading offline maps ahead of time—you never know when your GPS might suddenly stop working!
- Carry emergency supplies.It’s a long drive! We suggest bringing extra snacks, drinks, clothing, and first aid just in case.
- Be strategic with refuels.We recommend planning your refuel stops well. We say go for major towns like Prince George and Dawson Creek. You might not find plenty of options between these towns, so it’s best to be smart about it.
- Stay alert for the animals.Wildlife encounters here are inevitable. Some animals might suddenly cross the roads, especially in rural and forested areas. We believe it’s good to reduce speed in certain spots or use high beams to easily spot obstacles from afar.
