Canadian Rockies -Trans Canada #1 or Crowsnest #3 Highway?

[Denisb]

We are planning to travel through the Canadian Rockies this fall or next Spring. We are wondering what is the better (east to west) route to travel on with a larger RV? Which is the better highway - the smaller, shorter elevation grades? Which has less traffic? What are some of the most difficult grades to travel through? Is one highway better to travel back on- West to East? Any other information would be appreciated. Thanks

Denis

[TW]

Hello Denis, I have driven ALL Highways here in the West, in all directions....
Trans Canada Highway # 1 is the best Highway to travel (I PREFER Highway # 16 out of Edmonton to Vancouver), even that you have more traffic on number 1. Highway # 3 is just to slow and way tooooo much Mountain driving.... long steep grades. In fall and spring you could find the WHITE STUFF slowing you down on # 3.

A family Trucking outfit out of Rosetown, SK will drive only # 16 or # 1, and they drive weekly that route.

TW

[Stillwater]

Two votes for TW's suggestion. #3 is a real grinder in several locations, bad enough in a small unit. Not much flat terrain your either going up or coming down.

[Latitude]

Hi Denis

For What it is worth My $.02Take the #1 The Trans Canada

Your big decision will be to Go down the #5 at Kamloops the Coquihalla (Toll Road)to Hope or continue on #1 to Cache Creek and then South to Hope!!!

Have Fun
Rick

[TW]

# 5 is no more a TOLL ROAD. THEY collected ENOUGH money... It's free now.
TW

[GeoSKlak]

Hi
The #5 Coquihalla is an easier drive but the #1 through Cache Creek is more scenic.

[bstark]

Another vote for #1. Took the number 3 west to east to see if it was as scenic as I remembered it back in the 60's and had completely forgotten what a roundy-round, uppsy-down road it was. Over 60' of RV at around 33,000#'s was an exercise of work let me tell you. A Coke truck driver came on the C/B and enquired what had caused me to take that route as he had to be on it to make deliveries but assumed the RV'ers had freedom of choice. It really is a beautiful route for scenery though.

[Ottawa]

If you take the Coquihalla watch for the winds, which blow strongly off the Pacific. I would not take it again.

[JCM]

The Coquihalla has a 60 k downhill section. Watch your brakes. It is also not scenic. Take the Fraser Canyon. Go west of Kamloops to Cache Creek and turn south ( #1). #16 is a loooonnnggg way around.
I live here in BC and still love the scenery - been up and down the Fraser Canyon over 1000 times. Also been across to Calgary about 50 times - granddaughter lives there. Those are the best routes.