The 230 kilometres between Banff and Jasper may be the most scenic tank of petrol on earth: turquoise lakes (Peyto is the poster child), the Athabasca Glacier grinding down almost to the road, and a fair chance of elk or a black bear in the verges. Do it over two days with a night at a lakeside lodge, and fill up before leaving — services are scarce. June to September keeps the viewpoints open; park passes are required and checked.
Featured in Ten epic road trips for your someday list · Adventure