The Real Cost of a Cross-Canada Road Trip
Vancouver to Halifax: 7,600 km of highway. We calculated exactly what it costs in fuel, food, and sanity.
The Trans-Canada Highway stretches 7,821 kilometres from Victoria, BC to St. John's, Newfoundland. It's one of the world's great road trips.
But what does it actually cost?
We ran the numbers.
The Route: Vancouver to Halifax
For this calculation, we're using the most common route:
- Vancouver, BC → Halifax, NS
- Distance: ~5,800 km (mainland route)
- Driving time: ~55-60 hours (without stops)
- Realistic trip: 7-10 days
Fuel Costs: The Big Variable
Fuel is your largest expense, and it varies wildly across provinces.
Gas Prices by Province (January 2026 averages):
| Province | Price/Litre | Tank Cost (60L) |
|---|---|---|
| BC | $1.72 | $103 |
| Alberta | $1.42 | $85 |
| Saskatchewan | $1.51 | $91 |
| Manitoba | $1.55 | $93 |
| Ontario | $1.65 | $99 |
| Quebec | $1.72 | $103 |
| New Brunswick | $1.68 | $101 |
| Nova Scotia | $1.71 | $103 |
Pro tip: Fill up in Alberta. It's consistently the cheapest province for fuel.
Fuel Cost Calculation
Assuming a typical sedan (9L/100km average):
| Segment | Distance | Fuel Used | Est. Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver → Calgary | 970 km | 87L | $130 |
| Calgary → Regina | 760 km | 68L | $100 |
| Regina → Winnipeg | 570 km | 51L | $78 |
| Winnipeg → Thunder Bay | 700 km | 63L | $101 |
| Thunder Bay → Toronto | 1,400 km | 126L | $202 |
| Toronto → Montreal | 540 km | 49L | $84 |
| Montreal → Halifax | 1,250 km | 113L | $190 |
| Total | 6,190 km | 557L | $885 |
Accommodation: The Second Biggest Cost
Unless you're sleeping in your car, you need somewhere to stay.
Options and costs per night:
| Type | Average Cost | 8 Nights Total |
|---|---|---|
| Camping | $35-50 | $320-400 |
| Budget motel | $80-120 | $720-960 |
| Mid-range hotel | $150-200 | $1,200-1,600 |
| Airbnb | $100-180 | $800-1,440 |
Sweet spot: Mix of camping and budget motels runs about $600-800 for the trip.
Food: From Tim's to Fine Dining
You can spend $20/day or $200/day on food. Here's the realistic middle ground:
Daily food budget:
- Breakfast (Tim Hortons, coffee + sandwich): $12
- Lunch (fast food or deli): $18
- Dinner (casual restaurant): $35
- Snacks + coffee stops: $15
- Daily total: $80
For an 8-day trip: $640
***** Pack a cooler. Grocery store sandwiches, fruit, and drinks save $30-40/day compared to restaurants.
The Hidden Costs
Things people forget to budget:
Tolls:
- Highway 407 (Toronto bypass): ~$30
- Confederation Bridge (PEI detour): $50.75
- Most of Canada is toll-free
Parking:
- Downtown Vancouver: $20-40/day
- Downtown Toronto: $25-50/day
- Halifax: $15-25/day
Vehicle prep:
- Oil change before trip: $80
- New wipers: $40
- Emergency kit: $60
Entertainment:
- CN Tower: $43
- Niagara Falls boat tour: $35
- Banff gondola: $75
The Total Budget
Budget Road Trip (camping, cooking, minimal stops):
| Category | Cost |
|---|---|
| Fuel | $885 |
| Camping (8 nights) | $360 |
| Groceries + basic food | $350 |
| Vehicle prep | $180 |
| Misc/emergency | $200 |
| Total | $1,975 |
Comfortable Road Trip (motels, restaurants, some attractions):
| Category | Cost |
|---|---|
| Fuel | $885 |
| Hotels (8 nights avg $110) | $880 |
| Food ($80/day × 8) | $640 |
| Attractions | $250 |
| Vehicle prep | $180 |
| Misc/emergency | $300 |
| Total | $3,135 |
For two people sharing costs:
- Budget: ~$1,000/person
- Comfortable: ~$1,600/person
The Best Stops (You Can't Miss)
BC: Rogers Pass, Lake Louise viewpoint Alberta: Banff, Drumheller Badlands Saskatchewan: Grasslands National Park (seriously underrated) Manitoba: Winnipeg's The Forks, Whiteshell Ontario: Lake Superior Provincial Park, Ottawa, 1000 Islands Quebec: Montreal, Quebec City, Tadoussac (whales!) Maritimes: Fundy Trail, Peggy's Cove, Cape Breton
Timing Matters
Best months: May-June, September-October
- Shoulder season = cheaper accommodation
- Less traffic
- Better weather than summer heat
Worst time: July long weekends
- Accommodation costs spike 50-100%
- Traffic through Ontario is brutal
- Everything is booked
Comparison: Road Trip vs. Flying
Flying Vancouver to Halifax one-way: $300-600 Renting a car in Halifax: $50-80/day
But you miss:
- The prairie sunsets
- The Lake Superior coastline
- The random roadside attractions
- The stories
Some things you can't put a price on. But for everything else, budget about $2,000-3,500 for the drive.