The Cost of a Trip Between Banff, Alberta and Penticton, British Columbia

If you're planning a road trip between Banff, Alberta and Penticton, British Columbia, you're probably wondering about the cost of gas, tolls, food and what route to take. In this article, we'll break down the different possible routes and highlight the cost and distance of each one. We'll recommend the best route to take and give you a rough estimate of how much to budget for your trip's expenses.

Route Options

There are three main routes to take if you're looking to travel from Banff to Penticton. The first option is the most direct route, which involves taking the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) west from Banff towards Kamloops, and then connecting to the Okanagan Connector Highway (Highway 97C) to Penticton. This route is about 450 km long and takes roughly seven hours to complete.

The second route option is slightly longer but takes you through some beautiful scenery in the Rocky Mountains. This route involves taking the Trans-Canada Highway west from Banff towards Lake Louise and then south on Highway 93 towards Radium Hot Springs. From there, you'll follow Highway 95 south to Cranbrook and then west to Highway 3 towards Osoyoos and Penticton. This route is about 650 km long and takes roughly nine hours to complete.

The third route option is even longer than the second route but makes for a beautiful drive through the heart of the Rocky Mountains. This route involves taking the Trans-Canada Highway west from Banff towards Golden and then connecting to Highway 95 south towards Radium Hot Springs. From there, you'll follow Highway 93 south towards Cranbrook and then west to Highway 3 towards Osoyoos and Penticton. This route is about 750 km long and takes roughly ten hours to complete.

Costs

The cost of your trip will vary depending on the size of your vehicle, the price of gas, and any tolls or parking fees you may incur. Based on the average gas prices and distances of each route, we've calculated the rough cost of gas and tolls one might expect for each route (not including food or lodging).

Route 1:

If you take the first route option from Banff to Penticton, we estimate that you'll need to budget roughly $120-$150 for gas depending on the fuel efficiency of your vehicle and the price of gas. There are no tolls on this route.

Route 2:

If you take the second route option from Banff to Penticton, we estimate that you'll need to budget roughly $150-$200 for gas depending on the fuel efficiency of your vehicle and the price of gas. There are no tolls on this route.

Route 3:

If you take the third route option from Banff to Penticton, we estimate that you'll need to budget roughly $170-$220 for gas depending on the fuel efficiency of your vehicle and the price of gas. There are no tolls on this route.

Our Recommendation

Taking into account both distance and cost, our recommended route is the first option, which involves taking the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) west from Banff towards Kamloops, and then connecting to the Okanagan Connector Highway (Highway 97C) to Penticton. While the second and third options offer more scenic drives through the mountains, the extra driving time and gas costs may not be worth it if you're on a tight budget or short on time.

Conclusion

In conclusion, taking a road trip from Banff to Penticton can be an exciting adventure, full of beautiful views and exciting experiences. By taking the time to plan your route and budget for the cost of gas and tolls, you can set yourself up for a successful trip. Our recommended route is the first option, which involves taking the Trans-Canada Highway west from Banff towards Kamloops, and then connecting to the Okanagan Connector Highway to Penticton. This route allows for a direct and efficient way to travel between Banff and Penticton while still allowing for breaks, snacks, and stunning views along the way.