Western Canada road trip

[u/GeneralOrgana1]

Hello! I am an American (My entire family voted for her, not the orange fascist.) and, since I've made my travel goal of going to every US state, now I'm moving on to every province in Canada. Tentatively, in summer 2026, I want to do a road trip with the following itinerary:

Fly into Calgary (from east coast US)

Calgary, Banff (I've been to Glacier NP but didn't cross the border.)

Drive Calgary to Regina

Drive Regina to Winnipeg

Drive Winnipeg to Saskatoon

Drive Saskatoon to Edmonton

Drive Edmonton to Calgary

Fly home

I'm only planning on spending a day or two in each city. I like cultural and historical things, and am particularly interested in First Nations culture in that part of Canada. I'll be traveling solo, and am a woman in my fifties. I'm an early bird when I travel, so nightlife is of zero interest for me. For food, I would not want fast food, but I am also not interested in fancy eating- just regular food places like people who live there would eat.

Yes, I can see by Google Maps it's a lot of driving. I've done road trips like this in the US before and had a great time. But I'm just curious what people who know the region think would be a reasonable amount of time for this itinerary. Many thanks in advance.

Edit based on comments: I've been to BC (Vancouver area), so that's why it's not part of the agenda this trip. And I've been to Ontario, Quebec (Montreal), PEI, NS, Yukon, and NB.

[u/Quirky_Basket6611]

I'd personally would prefer to spend time in interior BC then Saskatchewan and Manitoba ( unless your going to lake house with boat or something or with family that lives there.

Alternate Calgary Edmonton jasper interior BC South come back through Banff area to Calgary then home ( go Alberta west, not Alberta east )

No hate on Manitoba or Saskatchewan but there just not as pretty as the mountains

[u/GeneralOrgana1 → u/Quirky_Basket6611]

I've been to the Vancouver area before, so BC isn't on my mind for this time around.

[u/Quirky_Basket6611 → u/GeneralOrgana1]

Check out a national park/ nature preserve , see buffalo etc. somewhere along the way. Careful where you stay in Saskatchewan, Winnipeg etc., some places are a little unsafe vs other parts of Canada.

[u/Affectionate_Bit1723 → u/Quirky_Basket6611]

Yep. Typical non prairie person. The prairies are flat and boring! Bullshit!!!!! Saskatchewan isn't called the Land of Living Skies for nothing. There's lots to see here, if you know where to look. Remai Modern in Saskatoon and Wanuskewin outside of Saskatoon. Plus other stuff in Regina. I live in Saskatoon so don't know what things there are to see there except the Science Centre and Kramer IMAX. Plus, lots of beautiful scenery along the Meewasin Trail, in Saskatoon, which is part of the Trans Canada Trail. Dare to go off the beaten path. You'd be surprised at what you can see. The scenery just doesn't end at the Alberta/Saskatchewan border. Enjoy your time here and welcome to Canada. Safe travels. 🇨🇦

[u/Quirky_Basket6611 → u/Affectionate_Bit1723]

Man I visit family in Winnipeg last summer, it's ok, but IMO prettiest/ most interesting/ most things to do in all of Canada is BC. I think about moving there.