Cross-Canada Road Trip Budget Guide
Real Costs: Fuel, Food, Accommodation, Park Passes, and What a Cross-Canada Drive Actually Costs
The Bottom Line
A cross-Canada road trip from Halifax to Vancouver (roughly 7,100 km) costs most people between $2,500 and $6,000 per person for a 14-day trip, depending on how you travel. The range is wide because the biggest variables, accommodation and food, can swing dramatically based on your choices. A couple camping and cooking their own meals will spend less than half what a couple staying in hotels and eating in restaurants will.
Fuel: The Biggest Fixed Cost
Fuel is typically the largest single expense, accounting for 30-40% of the total trip budget. Based on 2025 average prices across provinces:
| Vehicle Type | L/100km | Total Litres | Est. Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compact car | 8 | ~570 | $900 - $1,100 |
| Mid-size SUV | 11 | ~780 | $1,200 - $1,500 |
| Full-size pickup | 14 | ~1,000 | $1,500 - $1,900 |
| Class C RV | 22 | ~1,560 | $2,400 - $3,000 |
Fuel prices vary significantly by province. Alberta is cheapest (no provincial fuel tax). British Columbia is most expensive. Remote northern Ontario communities charge a premium of 15-30 cents per litre over city prices. See our Fuel Planning Guide for station-by-station advice.
Accommodation: The Biggest Variable
Your accommodation choice has the greatest impact on total trip cost. Here are realistic 2025 nightly rates:
Camping ($30-65/night)
- Provincial park basic sites: $30-50/night
- Provincial park electrical sites: $40-65/night
- National park campgrounds: $25-55/night
- Private campgrounds (full hookup): $40-80/night
14-night camping total: $420 - $910
Budget Hotels/Motels ($100-160/night)
- Small-town motels (northern Ontario, prairies): $90-130/night
- Chain hotels (Super 8, Comfort Inn): $120-170/night
- Budget varies by location; Banff will be higher than Wawa
14-night budget hotel total: $1,400 - $2,240
Mid-Range Hotels ($170-250/night)
- Quality mid-range in most cities: $170-220/night
- Banff and resort areas: $220-350/night
- Airbnb averages: $150-220/night
14-night mid-range total: $2,380 - $3,500
Food: Eating on the Highway
Budget approach: Cook your own meals
- Groceries: $25-40/person/day
- Occasional restaurant meal: add $15-25 per meal
- Daily food budget per person: $30-50
Mid-range approach: Mix of restaurants and self-catering
- Breakfast: self-catered ($5-8)
- Lunch: fast food or deli ($12-18)
- Dinner: sit-down restaurant ($25-45)
- Daily food budget per person: $50-80
Restaurant every meal
- Daily food budget per person: $80-150
Food prices are higher in remote areas. A meal in Wawa or White River may cost more than the same meal in Thunder Bay or Kamloops. Pack snacks and easy meals for the remote stretches.
Park Passes and Entrance Fees
- Parks Canada Discovery Pass: $72.25/adult (covers all national parks for one year). This is the best value if you will visit more than one park. Banff, Glacier, and Yoho are all on the Trans-Canada route.
- Parks Canada daily pass: $10.50/adult per park per day
- Ontario Parks day use: $10-21/vehicle depending on park
- BC Parks day use: Generally free, though some parks charge for parking
- Provincial park camping fees: Included in accommodation estimates above
Other Costs
- Tolls: Minimal. The Coquihalla Highway toll was removed in 2008. The Confederation Bridge to PEI charges about $50 for a car (one-way, charged on departure). No other significant tolls on the Trans-Canada.
- Attractions: Budget $200-500/person for the full trip depending on how many paid attractions you visit. Science North, Agawa Canyon train, Banff Gondola, and tunnel tours add up.
- Vehicle maintenance: An oil change partway through ($80-120), windshield washer fluid (multiple refills in bug season), and a tire patch kit as insurance. Budget $150-250 for unexpected vehicle expenses.
- Laundry: If camping for 14 days, you will need to do laundry. Most campgrounds and some gas stations have coin laundry. Budget $5-10 per load.
Complete Budget Summaries (Per Person, 14 Days, One Way)
Backpacker/Camping Style
Camping every night, cooking most meals, minimal paid attractions.
- Fuel (compact car, split 2 ways): $500
- Camping (14 nights, split 2): $300
- Food (self-catered): $500
- Park passes: $75
- Attractions: $150
- Total per person: ~$1,525
Comfortable Road Trip
Mix of camping and budget hotels, eating out once daily, some attractions.
- Fuel (SUV, split 2 ways): $700
- Accommodation (7 camping + 7 hotel, split 2): $750
- Food (mixed): $900
- Park passes: $75
- Attractions: $350
- Total per person: ~$2,775
Full Hotel Experience
Hotels every night, restaurants for most meals, visiting major attractions.
- Fuel (SUV, split 2 ways): $700
- Hotels (14 nights, split 2): $1,500
- Food (restaurant-heavy): $1,400
- Park passes: $75
- Attractions: $500
- Total per person: ~$4,175
Money-Saving Tips
- Buy a Parks Canada Discovery Pass ($72.25) instead of daily passes if visiting 2+ national parks
- Fill up in Alberta to exploit the fuel tax difference
- Pack a cooler and buy groceries in cities where prices are lowest
- Camp in provincial parks, which are cheaper than private campgrounds
- Stay in Canmore instead of Banff (same mountains, lower prices)
- Avoid Banff in July-August when everything is at peak pricing
- Use loyalty programs (Petro-Points, CAA membership) for fuel and accommodation discounts
Per Person, 14 Days
- Budget: $1,500 - $2,000
- Mid-range: $2,500 - $3,500
- Comfortable: $4,000 - $5,500
Where the Money Goes
- Fuel (30-40% of budget)
- Accommodation (25-35%)
- Food (20-30%)
- Attractions (5-10%)
- Miscellaneous (5%)