Driving from Banff to Jasper is one of those drives you’ll never forget – rocky peaks as tall as giants and ancient glaciers that fed lakes so blue.

Banff to Jasper takes you along many natural and man-made attractions that are unlike anything else you’ll see on this globe.

A wolf-shaped lake, waterfalls, flat-bottom skywalk, wildlife and all while being surrounded by natural giants in every single direction.

This is one of my personal favorite road trips in Canada – not only are you driving from Jasper to Banff (or reversed), as these two towns are gorgeous in their own right, but the scenery along the way, it takes my breath away, each and every time I visit.

So, let’s explore why driving from Banff to Jasper is a trip you should put high on that Canadian bucketlist!

 

Where is Banff 

Banff is the more popular of the two towns, but still has plenty of pristine wilderness to explore just outside the busy streets flanked by towering peaks.

Many visitors travel from Canmore to Banff, seeing as it is just a 20minute drive north-west along Highway 1, the Trans-Canada Highway.

Banff is 1.5 hours west of Calgary and 45 minutes south-east of Lake Louise. While close to the British Columbia border, Banff is located inside the Canadian province of Alberta.

Banff National Park, Canada’s oldest National Park (created in 1885) surrounds the town of Banff, and as you can imagine, has more beautiful backdrops of forest and mountain than you can poke a stick at!

 

Where is Jasper

Jasper is a town in Alberta, Canada, located inside Jasper National Park. This dark sky preserve is a popular destination in the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

You can get to Jasper by driving 4 hours west from Edmonton and around 4 hours east from Prince George in B.C.

Jasper Marks the northern limit of the Icefields Parkway and is a common stop for those venturing into the mountains of Alberta and British Columbia.

 

How long does the drive to Jasper from Banff take?

Driving from Banff to Jasper takes about 3.5 hours driving straight through the 288km,   but unless you’re on a strict time frame, you will want to give yourself plenty of time to see the sights along the way. While you can drive from Banff to Jasper in under 4 hours, I suggest planning for a day of beautiful and scenic sightseeing.

Driving from Banff to Jasper showcases some of the Canadian Rocky Mountains best feature – rocky spire peaks, lakes the brightest blue and dense forest of lush green (even in the freezing chill of winter.

The road from Jasper to Banff is made up of mostly Highway 93, or the Icefields Parkway. This highway runs from Jasper to Lake Louise, 232km apart (exactly 3 hours, as told by Google Maps).

Lake Louise to Banff takes an extra 40 minutes driving south, along Highway 1. Highway 93 turns into Highway 1 at Lake Louise. Banff is located 57km south of Lake Louise.

 

What is there to see from Banff to Jasper?

While the majority of sights from Banff to Jasper are found on the Icefield Parkway section of highway, the small section of road between Lake Louise and Banff have plenty of memorable sights as well.

While this post focuses on driving from Banff to Jasper, I won’t go too in detail about the Icefield Parkway notable places, there is a whole detailed post going through absolutely everything you need to know, instead, I’ll focus more on the attractions closer to Banff.

Keep in mind, it is only a 40minute drive from Banff to Lake Lousie, so there aren’t many big attractions along this chunk of Highway, but there are plenty of gorgeous viewpoints, just stop you car safely and soak in the view!

Running parallel to Highway 1 from Banff is known as Bow Valley Parkway, or Highway 1A. Along this road is Johnston Canyon.

 

Johnston Canyon

Johnston Canyon is home to beautiful hikes and powerful waterfalls. The hike along Johnston Canyon runs along the riverside and gives some stunning views over the rushing water below.

The giant gorge has been eroded by the flow of the river over time and the walk takes you deep through the canyon. Depending on how far you want to venture into Johnston Canyon, there are multiple waterfalls, with the hike eventually taking you to the ‘ink pot’ natural springs. You will hit the Lower Falls of Johnston Canyon and then the upper Falls if you keep trekking.

While Johnston Canyon is free to enter, if you wish to park in the closest parking, there is a $10CAD fee per car.

Driving along the Highway 1A, you’ll get plenty of pullovers to have a great look at some of the most notable peaks and lakes in the area.

 

Bow River

The Bow River runs through Alberta, from the Rocky Mountains, through Calgary and eventually forms the South Saskatchewan River.

You’ll notice the Bow River almost the entire drive from Banff to Lake Louise. If you’re on Highway 1, Bow River will be on your right hand side, and snakes between the two highways (1 and 1A).

Castle Mountain Trail Lookout

A more challenging hike along the highway from Banff to Jasper, this 6.4km trail is known for its stunning display of wildflowers. This “out and back” type trail has a decent elevation gain of 558m.

You’re looking at just over 2 hours return, if you keep a decent pace, and keep in mind the trail is steep in parts.

The views from Castle Mountain Trail are magnificent and well worth the effort to get there.

 

Hike to Rockbound Lake

One of the longest day hikes between Jasper Jasper Banff, hiking to Rockbound Lake takes around 6 to 6.5 hours to complete and is 17.5km long.

It is regarded as a moderate hiking trail, and the first roughly 2/3 of the trail there is little to see. It is the final third of the hike that makes the effort worthwhile, with stunning vistas of Rockbound Lake and surrounding areas. You are allowed to take dogs on this trail, provided they are on a leash.

 

Summary – Driving Banff to Jasper

Driving Banff to Jasper in Alberta has plenty of stunning views – mountains, forests, lakes, glaciers, and if you’re lucky enough, plenty of wildlife.

All the sites listed above are amazing in their own right with a wide range of activities, but as you drive from Banff to Jasper, don’t forget to just look out your window and appreciate the beauty all throughout the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

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Thanks for reading!

Happy and safe travels,

Ben – Horizon Unknown