| Spreading from the Pacific coast of
| |
| | use the restrooms or get some
|
| British Columbia through the Rocky
| |
| | refreshments. The quality of these
|
| Mountain range, flatlands of the
| |
| | refreshments may leave room for
|
| prairies, vast forests and lakes of
| |
| | improvement however, so plan ahead and
|
| Ontario, Laurentian Mountains and the
| |
| | bring some snacks if you can.
|
| Maritime provinces straight to the rocky
| |
| | On any major highway, 24-hour petrol
|
| shorelines of the Atlantic - this place
| |
| | stations are easy to find and signs will
|
| is enormous.
| |
| | tell you how many more miles/kms are left
|
| At a distance of well over 5,000 miles,
| |
| | before the next fuel stop. Most of these
|
| driving coast to coast is an undertaking
| |
| | will also have a maintenance department
|
| for only the truly adventurous or the
| |
| | should smoke mysteriously begin to emerge
|
| truly foolhardy. Most visitors will be
| |
| | from under the bonnet.
|
| forced to choose a region, whether its
| |
| | During a long haul drive, practicing the
|
| starting in Vancouver and winding through
| |
| | exercises shown on airline safety videos
|
| the mountains, or taking the roads north
| |
| | can help, as you may find yourself in a
|
| from Toronto to see some of the best
| |
| | seated position for as long as an
|
| lakes and river systems on the continent.
| |
| | international flight. Mental distractions
|
| Fortunately, the roads in Canada are for
| |
| | may come in handy too. Be sure to bring a
|
| the most part excellent; paved, wide and
| |
| | selection of your favourite music along
|
| never treacherous, except if you happen
| |
| | with you, or perhaps one of your more
|
| to be caught in a winter snow storm. You
| |
| | talkative friends. A book may not be
|
| will want to have a comfortable car for
| |
| | appropriate if you're the driver.
|
| any Canadian adventure since distances
| |
| | Practically speaking, it is not difficult
|
| can be quite long.
| |
| | to obtain a rental car in Canada. All
|
| Fuel efficiency is a key factor in
| |
| | foreign licences are valid so don't worry
|
| choosing the right automobile as well,
| |
| | about getting an international driving
|
| with ever increasing oil prices and the
| |
| | permit. For Canadians, teens can get a
|
| vast expanses of highway you will be
| |
| | licence and ask dad for his car keys at
|
| driving. A Hummer for example, though
| |
| | 16 years old, but many rental companies
|
| sure to get you through any rugged
| |
| | feel that 25 years old is a more
|
| terrain you may encounter, will probably
| |
| | appropriate minimum age to give you
|
| break the bank to quench its thirst for
| |
| | theirs.
|
| gasoline.
| |
| | As you negotiate Canada's road systems,
|
| Although the gaps between places can be
| |
| | you'll find speed limits do not differ
|
| humbling, the motorways are some of the
| |
| | greatly from province to province. Watch
|
| 30 best in the world and aside from when
| |
| | your speedometer. Keep it at about 30mph
|
| driving through major urban centres, are
| |
| | (50kmh) in residential zones, 55mph
|
| relatively uncongested. The anecdotes of
| |
| | (80kmph) for your average two-lane
|
| driving for hundreds of miles without
| |
| | highway and 68mph (100kmph) on the major
|
| seeing another car can be all too real at
| |
| | highways.
|
| times.
| |
| | Remember when driving in winter, any road
|
| The Trans-Canada Highway is essentially
| |
| | - big or small - can become very
|
| just that, a highway that stretches
| |
| | dangerous when covered with snow or ice
|
| across most of the country. At over 5,000
| |
| | and speeds must be adjusted accordingly,
|
| miles/8,000kms, it is the longest highway
| |
| | especially if the driver is unaccustomed
|
| in the world. The Yellowhead Highway,
| |
| | to these conditions.
|
| which begins in the Prairies and ends on
| |
| | In any season, by law all passengers in
|
| the Pacific coast, is almost as long.
| |
| | the vehicle must be wearing seatbelts and
|
| It is recommended that you limit your
| |
| | infants must be in a safety seat. The
|
| driving to between 300 and 370 miles/500
| |
| | maximum blood alcohol level is 0.8mg/ml
|
| to 600kms a day. This is important to
| |
| | and although your trip to the Great White
|
| note since many of Canada's routes
| |
| | North should be a beauty, the police
|
| essentially run straight for interminable
| |
| | don't mess about when it comes to drink
|
| distances and it's easy to lose a sense
| |
| | driving and penalties are severe.
|
| of time and become overtired. One way to
| |
| | In general, driving is much more hectic
|
| ensure you arrive safely is to stop every
| |
| | in Europe and driving Canada's highways
|
| few hours to stretch your legs and take
| |
| | should be a less stressful experience
|
| rest for 15 minutes or so.
| |
| | than across the pond, as long as you
|
| Even on minor highways, there is usually
| |
| | remember to keep to the right side of the
|
| no shortage of places to stop and refuel,
| |
| | road!
|
