The top 5 pit stops for a road trip in Canada
If you’re planning a road trip in Canada this summer, chances are you’ll need to do a bit of planning. The truth is, with a country as large as Canada, it’s impractical and ill adivsed to just take off on a long road trip without a bit of prep beforehand. Many small decisions can be made on the fly, but having a clear route in mind ahead of time makes the road trip more enjoyable for both the driver and the passengers. Here are the top five road trip pit stops you must make on any Canadian road trip.
World’s largest things
Awhile back, Canadian towns decided to build the world’s largest things to attract visitors on road trips. Wikipedia has a partial list – found here – and some of them are truly unbelievable. On the west coast, some road trip pit stops include Canada’s largest truck, the world’s largest fishing rod, the world’s largest dinosaur and the world’s largest artificial moose. In Ontario, travelers can take a photo with the world’s largest coin or apple before hitting the world’s largest orange in neighbouring Quebec (incidentally, this orange is a popular restaurant that draws its own tourists).
Fast Food Places Like McDonald's
Everyone needs to use the bathroom. McDonalds, aside from having quintessential road trip food, has some of the cleanest public bathrooms you’ll find in Canada. If you or your children have to go, look for the golden arches along many Canadian highways. You can also pick up a quick meal that won't delay your progress much if you find a burger joint near an off-ramp.
Tim Hortons
No road trip in Canada would be complete without a stop at Tim Hortons. Although the coffee and donut chain has not been Canadian-owned since 1995, the chain remains popular with Canadians and is deeply ingrained in Canadian culture. If you’re from Canada, you likely already know what you’re going to order. If you’re from abroad, try an apple fritter and a coffee for a quick pick-me-up before driving to your next destination.
Campgrounds
Even if you’re not a fan of camping, spending at least one night at a Canadian campground can be an enjoyable experience. Across the country, there are dozens of campgrounds that you can drive straight into. If you don't have a tent, try renting a cabin. Glamping is another option, where you can enjoy the beautiful night sky and fresh air from the comfort of a luxury tent or cabin. Here are some rustic options for Ontario.
The Prairies
Canada’s fly-over country, the prairies, often goes unvisited by tourists. However, from dozens of the world’s largest things, to the up-and-coming cities of Saskatoon and Winnipeg, the prairies offer lots to see on a Canadian road trip. The Canadian prairies stretch from Calgary in the west to Thunder Bay in the east. Although the distance can be driven in about 20 hours, that same journey can last a week with stops at Dinosaur Provincial Park, the Tunnels of Moose Jaw and the Royal Canadian Mint.
Now that your route is covered and you know where you can find the cleanest bathrooms and an assortment of large objects, you’re ready for your Canadian road trip. These road trip pit stops are a great way to see the real Canada and to stay comfortable after being cramped in a car for hours. Remeber to grab some insurance if your trip is going to take you over international or provincial lines.