There’s a special kind of excitement that comes with planning your first real road trip. That feeling of freedom, the open road ahead (even if it’s just for a day!), and the adventures waiting just a short drive from Burnaby – it’s a milestone worth celebrating! Burnaby is a fantastic starting point, putting some of British Columbia’s most beautiful sights within easy reach.
We’re here with some first road trip ideas to help new and experienced drivers alike discover some wonderful, manageable, and scenic first road trip ideas. Let’s get ready to explore!
Why Short Road Trips are Perfect for New Drivers
Easing into driving with shorter road trips is a smart way to go, especially for new drivers or drivers who have only driven within their own neighbourhoods. Think of it as building your driving resume, one enjoyable kilometre at a time.
Each successful trip, no matter how short, boosts your confidence. You'll get more comfortable with highway speeds, navigating to new places, and handling your vehicle in different settings without the pressure of a marathon journey.
These trips are your real-world classroom. You'll apply what you learned in driver training, from merging onto highways to parking in new spots. It’s all valuable experience, and allows drivers to get comfortable behind the wheel in unfamiliar places.
One of the best things about a short road trip is that it’s low commitment. If you start feeling tired or just want to head back, you’re never too far from home. This takes a lot of the pressure off of being too far from home and familiar areas, letting you focus on enjoying the drive.
You might be surprised by the incredible destinations right on Burnaby's doorstep! These early trips are a fantastic way to become a local tourist and see what makes our corner of BC so special.
Hitting the Road as a New Driver
Before we dive into destinations, it's a good idea to review some key restrictions about driving with an ‘L’ (Learners) or 'N' (Novice) licence in British Columbia that will need to be considered when heading out on a road trip. If you already hold an ‘L’ or ‘N’, you should already know about these restrictions, and these stay in place whether you’re driving around town or heading out for a longer drive!
If you’re still in the ‘L’ or ‘N’ licensing stages, you cannot use any electronic devices while driving, even hands-free. That means no phones for calls, texts, or GPS if you're the one driving. Plan your navigation accordingly!
Both ‘L’ and ‘N’ licence holders will need to watch their passenger capacity closely! ‘L’ drivers must have a qualified supervisor (age 25+ with a valid Class 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 licence), and can have one other passenger. ‘N’ drivers may drive with one passenger, but if you have a qualified supervisor sitting beside you you can carry more! You can also carry more passengers if they are your immediate family members like a parent, sibling, or child.
Whether you’re driving with an ‘L’ or an ‘N’, both of these licences have a restriction against drugs and alcohol, and drivers must not consume any alcohol before driving and must not have the presence of certain drugs in their system.
These restrictions are only some of the ones that apply to a Learners and Novice licence; you can review them all here if you need a more in-depth review. Plan ahead so you’re still working within the restrictions for your class of licence, even if this means taking a road trip with a qualified supervisor, making sure your road trip is within your allowed driving hours, or having an alternate way of navigating! Now, let's get to the fun part – where to go!
Top 5 Beginner-Friendly Road Trip Destinations from Burnaby
Here are five fantastic ideas for a first road trip. All these destinations are generally within a two-hour drive from Burnaby, offering beautiful scenery and driving conditions well-suited for newer drivers.
1. Sea to Sky Highway Adventure
1 to 1.5 hours from Burnaby to Squamish, one-way.
The Sea to Sky Highway (Highway 99) is renowned worldwide for its stunning views, and it's a well-maintained route. It’s excellent practice for highway speeds, navigating gentle curves, and being aware of changing speed zones. There are many safe pull-outs to stop and admire the scenery.
- Porteau Cove Provincial Park: A perfect first stop. Enjoy the breathtaking waterfront views of Howe Sound, walk along the pier, or have a picnic. The turn-off is clearly marked.
- Britannia Mine Museum: An optional but fascinating stop to learn about BC's mining history.
- Shannon Falls Provincial Park: A very short and easy walk from the car park leads you to the base of the spectacular Shannon Falls.
- Sea to Sky Gondola: For an unforgettable view, take the gondola up. At the summit, you'll find a suspension bridge, accessible viewing platforms, and easy walking trails.
- Squamish Town Centre: Explore the shops, grab a coffee at a local café, or check out the views from the Squamish Estuary.
This is primarily highway driving. It can get busy, especially on sunny weekends, so an early start can be a good idea. The incredible mountain and ocean scenery is a highlight, but always remember to keep your main focus on driving. There are many pull-outs along the route where you can stop for a photo-op along the way!
2. Hot Springs Escape
1.5 to 2 hours from Burnaby to Harrison Hot Springs, one-way.
This trip offers a choice of routes. You can take Highway 1 for a direct drive, or opt for Highway 7 (Lougheed Highway) for a more scenic journey that winds through smaller communities. Both routes provide good driving practice, and the destination itself is compact and easy to navigate.
- Relax by the beautiful Harrison Lake. There are sandy beaches and a lovely lagoon area perfect for a stroll.
- Wander through the quaint village, browse the shops, or treat yourself to an ice cream or lunch with a view.
- While the main hot springs are part of the resort, there's a public hot pool you can visit.
- In warmer months, you might find watersport rentals available.
The Highway 1 route involves mostly multi-lane highway driving until you take the turn-off for Highway 9, which is a pleasant two-lane road leading into Harrison Hot Springs. Alternatively, Highway 7 (Lougheed Highway) is largely a two-lane highway that follows the north bank of the Fraser River. It offers a more relaxed pace, picturesque views, and a chance to drive through several charming towns before it, too, connects with Highway 9 for the final approach to Harrison. Highway 7 can be a great alternative if you prefer to avoid some of the busier sections of Highway 1.
3. Bowen Island Getaway
30-45 minutes from Burnaby to Horseshoe Bay, and a 20-minute ferry ride to Bowen Island, one-way.
This trip adds a fun new skill: driving onto and off a BC Ferry! Horseshoe Bay is a scenic ferry terminal, and the ride to Bowen Island is beautiful. Once on the island, the roads are generally quiet and winding, great for practising careful driving at lower speeds.
- Explore Snug Cove, the island's main village, right as you get off the ferry. You'll find charming shops, galleries, and a marina.
- Enjoy a short hike. Trails to Dorman Point or around Killarney Lake offer lovely scenery and are quite manageable.
- Discover beaches like Sandy Beach (close to Snug Cove) or venture further to Tunstall Bay.
- Soak in the laid-back island atmosphere.
Navigating to the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal is fairly straightforward with clear signage. This ferry is usually first-come, first-served (reservations are not typically offered), so it’s wise to allow extra time for potential line-ups, especially on weekends or sunny days. There's a fare for the crossing, which typically includes your return trip from Bowen Island.
Before you go, it’s a good idea to check the BC Ferries website for schedules and fares. Be sure to plan your return journey, keeping an eye on the time for the last sailing from Bowen Island so you don’t get caught out. Once on the island, keep in mind that roads can be narrow and inclined – perfect for practicing careful driving at a relaxed pace.
4. Historic BC & Fraser River Charm
45 minutes to 1 hour from Burnaby to Fort Langley, one-way.
This is one of the shorter trips, making it an excellent choice if you want a rewarding destination without a long drive. The route from Burnaby will likely involve a mix of local roads and some highway sections, offering varied practice. Fort Langley village is small, historic, and very walkable.
- Step back in time at the Fort Langley National Historic Site. It's an interactive experience that brings the 19th-century fur trade post to life.
- Wander through the village. It’s known for its unique independent shops, antique stores, art galleries, and inviting cafes.
- Take a walk along the Fort-to-Fort Trail or simply enjoy the views of the Fraser River.
- Visit the Langley Centennial Museum for more local history.
From Burnaby, you can reach Fort Langley via a couple of main routes. Taking Highway 1 eastbound across the Port Mann Bridge is often the most direct approach, offering good practice on a multi-lane highway before you exit south towards the village. Alternatively, you can take Lougheed Highway (Highway 7) eastbound over the Pitt River Bridge, then south over the Golden Ears Bridge into Walnut Grove. From there, it's a pleasant drive through farmland to Fort Langley.
5. Lakeside Fun
1 to 1.5 hours from Burnaby to Cultus Lake, one-way.
The drive to Cultus Lake is predominantly on Highway 1, making it a direct and fairly uncomplicated route. This is great for getting comfortable with maintaining highway speeds for a longer duration. The area around the lake itself is easy to navigate.
- Cultus Lake Provincial Park: Offers several lovely beaches (like Entrance Bay or Maple Bay), shaded picnic areas, and designated swimming spots.
- If you're looking for more action (and perhaps travelling with family who can join you), the Cultus Lake Waterpark and Cultus Lake Adventure Park are popular seasonal attractions.
- Enjoy boating, kayaking, or paddleboarding on the lake.
Mainly Highway 1 driving. Be aware that it can get quite busy, especially on warm summer weekends, so plan accordingly. Watch for the Cultus Lake exit signs and follow them to the lake.
Planning Your First Road Trip
A little planning goes a long way in making your first road trip enjoyable and stress-free. Before you go, look at your route on a map (a paper map or an online one reviewed before you start driving) and get a sense of the main roads and key turns. You can also bring along a good old-fashioned road map book as back-up for an electronic map, just in case your phone lets you down ahead of the return trip! Check DriveBC (their website is great!) for any current road conditions, construction updates, or potential delays on your chosen route.
Before you head out, let someone, who isn’t travelling with you, know your travel plans – where you're going and roughly when you expect to be back. They can be a touchpoint for if you don’t return on time or get lost, and they’ll be able to help you out if something goes awry during the trip.
You should also start off the day by being well-rested and feeling refreshed. Driving while you’re tired or not fully prepared can be dangerous, so if you have a rough night it might be better to reschedule your road trip for another time. The same can be said for when you’re feeling overly stressed or distracted.
Grab the essentials, and some not-so-essential, items to make sure you’re prepared for the drive. This includes items like your driver’s licence and insurance, as well as an emergency kit and full tank of gas. Don’t forget those non-essential but comforting items - water and other hydrating drinks, snacks, the right clothes for the journey and destination, and an epic playlist!
Whether you’re headed to the island, the lake, or the Squamish valley, try to avoid peak rush hour traffic when leaving or returning, as this can make for a much more relaxed drive. Try and add in a bit of extra time for your journey so you won't feel rushed if you want to make an unplanned stop or if traffic is a bit slow.
Although a road trip can make for some good quality solo time, if you partner up with a driving companion, use their co-pilot power! Co-pilots are great for helping navigate, keeping an eye out for hazards, and keeping their hands on the snacks. No matter what they’re tasked with, make sure you set some ground rules for ensuring the driver stays focused on the most important task - driving!
Even on shorter trips, it's a good idea to have a break or two. Breaks help you stay alert and, if you stop at the right place, they can make for an even more enjoyable and memorable journey. Breaks can be pre-planned for a drink or snack refill, or they can be spontaneous when you spot something interesting from the road - assign the task of watching for a great stop as another job for the co-pilot!
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Taking your first road trip as a newly licensed driver is an exciting step and Burnaby is the perfect gateway to so many amazing places in the Lower Mainland! Pick a destination that calls to you, do a little planning, remember to drive safely and responsibly, and enjoy the drive!
If you're eager for more local driving insights or other unique road trip ideas, you might also enjoy our posts on Burnaby Driving Tips: Best Roads to Practice and Road Trip Through Hollywood North.