British Columbia road trip at a glance
The classic inland loop starts in Vancouver, crosses the mountains to the Okanagan, stops at the lake and then continues east towards the Rockies. Peachland is the lake stop: a small town on Highway 97 on the west shore of Okanagan Lake, about 380 km east of Vancouver and about 30 minutes from the centre of Kelowna.
Note that the Rockies are shared with Alberta, and the route is an inland one, not a coastal drive. Treat each leg as a separate stage and add time for stops, weather and traffic. The figures below are guides, not a promise of total driving time.
The route in stages
Where Peachland fits between the coast and the mountains.
Vancouver
Fly into YVR, the Vancouver International Airport, and pick up a car. Plan the Vancouver leg separately from the drive east.
Coquihalla and Okanagan Connector
Highway 5 runs from Hope past Merritt. Highway 97C, the Okanagan Connector, leads on towards Highway 97. Highway 97 alone is not a continuous link to Vancouver.
Peachland and the lake
Stay a night or two for the waterfront, Hardy Falls and the Okanagan wine tours. See also where to stay in Peachland.
Kelowna
The city is about 30 minutes north. See Kelowna near Peachland for the waterfront and day trips.
Towards the Rockies
Banff is about 5.5 hours from Kelowna as a guide. Add a buffer for the extra stretch from Peachland, for stops and for weather.
Our pick: bike and wine day
A good break from driving on a longer route, since the tour collects you.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Tours and day trips along the route
Wine tours, lake activities and day trips around Peachland and Kelowna, with live prices and availability.
West coast road trip or inland loop?
Many travellers searching for a West Coast road trip in Canada mean a different route: along the Pacific coast and the islands. This page describes the inland alternative through the mountains and the Okanagan. It is not a pure west coast road trip. If you want the lakes and wine country in the middle of the trip, the inland loop fits.
Roads and closures change, so check DriveBC for current conditions before each leg. A wildfire can limit Highway 97 between Peachland and Summerland to through traffic in a limited time window, which is why a flexible schedule matters.
Beyond the Okanagan
This site covers Peachland and the nearby Okanagan. For the Rockies and the national parks further east, Jasper has its own guide. Check a map and the road conditions when you plan the leg from the Okanagan to Jasper, and allow a long day.
The south of the valley, beyond Summerland, has its own guide too: see Summerland and the south Okanagan.
Entry rules for Canada
Visitors from visa-exempt countries such as Germany do not need a visa for a short stay, but an electronic travel authorization (eTA) is required if you fly into or transit through Canada. It costs CA$7 and lasts up to 5 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. A new passport needs a new eTA. If you enter by land or sea, no eTA applies. U.S. citizens are exempt from the eTA and should carry a valid U.S. passport. The border officer decides on entry, and short stays are normally up to 6 months.
Plan the Peachland stop
Pages that fill the Okanagan part of the trip.
British Columbia road trip: frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Vancouver to Peachland?
Vancouver to Kelowna is about 4 hours as a guide, and Peachland is about 30 minutes from the centre of Kelowna. Allow extra time for the airport, stops and weather.
Which road do I take from Vancouver to the Okanagan?
Highway 5, the Coquihalla, runs from Hope past Merritt. Highway 97C, the Okanagan Connector, leads on to Highway 97 in the valley.
Is Peachland near the Rockies?
No. The Rockies are further east, and part of them lie in Alberta. Banff is about 5.5 hours from Kelowna as a guide.
Do I need a visa for Canada?
Visitors from Germany do not need a visa for a short stay. An eTA is required for flying in or transiting, and it costs CA$7. U.S. citizens do not need an eTA.
Can I do this trip as a coastal road trip?
This page describes an inland route through the Okanagan, not a coastal drive along the Pacific.
Where do I check road conditions?
On DriveBC, before each leg. Wildfire season can affect Highway 97 for a while.