6 B.C. road trips near Vancouver you can enjoy for less than two tanks of gas

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Summer’s coming and with it, what’s sure to be a continued increase to record gas prices.

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And while the high price of gas will likely change some driving habits, there are still ways to enjoy the time-honoured tradition of a summer road trip while stretching a full tank of gas.

Here are some road trips you can enjoy for less than two tanks of gas for a round trip.

Note: We’re basing our calculations off a 2010 Honda CR-V and a very generous estimated gas price of $2.50 a litre, so mileage for your car may vary. You can check the specific gas mileage for your car using our online gas trip calculator found here.

Harrison Hot Springs

A great year-round destination, Harrison Hot Springs certainly shines in the summer. There are plenty of hiking trails, beaches, great restaurants and of course, the aforementioned hot springs to enjoy. Perfect for a romantic getaway or a family outing.

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Distance from Vancouver:

130 kilometres, just under 2-hour drive.

Cost of gas for a round trip:

Approximately $66 at $2.50 per litre.

Squamish

Squamish is often overlooked by travellers and day trippers heading right up to Whistler, but there are plenty of great restaurant, breweries and camping spots to enjoy just off the Sea to Sky Highway.

Distance from Vancouver:

65 kilometres, approximately 1-hour drive.

Cost of gas for a round trip:

Approximately $32 at $2.50 per litre.

Cultus Lake

Cultus Lake is just far enough from the city to get back to nature, but not so far that you can’t throw in an afternoon at a waterpark or minigolf course. Enjoy the lake, local camp sites or, yes, some thrills at the Cultus Lake Waterpark, which will reopen in June for the 2022 summer.

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Distance from Vancouver:

100 kilometres, approximately 1.5-hour drive.

Cost of gas for a round trip:

Approximately $50 at $2.50 per litre.

Bellingham, Washington

If you’re itching for a restock of Trader Joe’s staples or a visit to Target, cross-border road trips are now within reach. With border restrictions eased and no COVID-19 test required for re-entry to Canada, a day trip or an overnight trip to Bellingham isn’t entirely out of the question.

Distance from Vancouver:

90 kilometres, approximately 1.5-hour drive.

Cost of gas for a round trip:

Approximately $46 at $2.50 per litre (if filling up in Canada).

Bowen Island

Eager to cross the water? While Vancouver Island is always a popular choice, many will opt for one of the smaller islands that dot our coast. Among those is Bowen Island, a quick 20-minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay. The great thing is that a vehicle isn’t entirely necessary to visit Bowen Island, so you can either bring a car or you can leave it parked at the ferry terminal and just walk on the ferry.

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Distance from Vancouver:

30 kilometres, approximately 1-hour drive and ferry ride.

Cost of gas for a round trip:

Approximately $12 at $2.50 per litre (if parking at the ferry terminal)

Okanagan Valley

If you’re willing to drive a bit further and to spend a bit more on gas, the Okanagan Valley is always a summertime favourite. Wine tours, Kelowna’s vibrant downtown core, and the countless fruit orchards in the area make for a great weekend getaway with the whole family or just a trip with friends.

Distance from Vancouver:

400 kilometres, approximately 4-hour drive.

Cost of gas for a round trip:

Approximately $100 at $2.50 per litre.