Banff and Kananaskis or Jasper and Maligne Valley?
Banff and Kananaskis or Jasper and Maligne Valley? Both routes compared: length, driving time, best season, tolls and road limits, with our recommendation.
| Banff and Kananaskis | Jasper and Maligne Valley | |
|---|---|---|
| Route | Calgary → Longview | Hinton → Miette Hot Springs |
| Suggested days | 6 | 5 |
| Distance | 414 km (257 mi) | 240 km (149 mi) |
| Driving | 4 h 36 min | 2 h 40 min |
| Stops | 10 | 9 |
| Best time to go | June–August | June–August |
| Tolls and vignettes | None expected | None expected |
| Good to know | – | – |
Our recommendation
Choose Banff, Lake Louise and Kananaskis for the Rockies classics plus a quieter side: six days and about 414 km from Calgary via Johnston Canyon and the Bow Valley Parkway to Kananaskis and Highwood Pass. Highway 40 there is usually closed from December to mid-June, and Banff is very crowded in summer. Pick Jasper and the Maligne Valley for a shorter, calmer trip: five days and about 240 km from Hinton via Pyramid Lake and Maligne Lake to Miette Hot Springs, under dark skies. Since the 2024 wildfire, check road and campground status first. Both are best June–August.
Both routes in detail
Photo by John Lee on UnsplashIn-depth road trip guides
Turquoise lakes, wild rivers and gravel passes: by camper through Banff, Lake Louise and Kananaskis
Photo by Debbie Molle on UnsplashIn-depth road trip guides