RV, camper and motorhome trip planning toolbox – The best ever created
| Total Days | 12 Days |
| Total Distance | 3,475 km |
| Start / End | Edmonton, AB to Edmonton, AB |
| Regions Covered | Alberta, British Columbia, Northwest Territories |
| Best For | Wilderness explorers, families, and nature enthusiasts |
| Best Season | Summer (June through August) |
Venturing into the far north of Canada is an unforgettable experience, but the sheer vastness of the landscape demands a self-contained approach to travel. An RV is the ultimate basecamp for this journey, giving you the freedom to explore remote stretches of Alberta, British Columbia, and the Northwest Territories without being tethered to distant hotel reservations. Covering 3,475 km in 12 days provides a steady, engaging pace where the journey itself is the destination. You will witness the transition from bustling cityscapes to serene boreal forests and majestic subarctic lakes, all while maintaining the comfort of your own kitchen, bed, and living space on wheels.
This roundtrip journey is designed to flow naturally through diverse landscapes. Rather than rushing from point to point, we recommend embracing the concept of slow travel, allowing the regional transitions to set the tempo of your drive.
For the exact day-by-day routing, campground recommendations, and detailed waypoints, check the full itinerary inside RV PLANET.
This massive loop offers an incredible variety of attractions. By grouping your stops thematically, you can ensure a balanced experience for everyone in your travel party.
Start your trip with engaging activities that set a joyful tone. The Edmonton Valley Zoo provides an excellent kickoff for families, while the Fort St. John Rotary Spray Park offers a much-needed opportunity to rise, shine, and let the kids burn off energy after a long driving stretch.
The cultural footprint of the north is fascinating. Take time to explore the breathtaking La Crete Mennonite Heritage Village for a glimpse into traditional pioneer life. Later, experience the evolutionary journey at the outstanding Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum, a world-class facility that brings ancient history to life.
The true draw of this 3,475 km route is the pristine wilderness. Catch your breath with Great Slave Lake Tours, or take to the skies for an adrenaline rush with Simpson Air (1981) LTD. For terrestrial exploration, hike and bike the trails at the Fort Nelson Demonstration Forest or enjoy a picnic and unforgettable scenery at O'Brien Provincial Park. Finally, one of the best relaxation times you will ever find awaits at Miette Hot Springs, the perfect reward after days of adventurous driving.
This itinerary is expertly paced for 12 days. Covering 3,475 km in this timeframe requires steady daily driving, but the long daylight hours of the northern summer make it highly manageable. If you prefer a slower pace to linger at lakes and historical sites, consider extending your rental by three to four days.
Absolutely. If you crave untamed nature, wide-open roads, and destinations that most travelers never reach, this tri-province loop is a bucket-list adventure. You will bloom as a traveler by tackling this epic northern circuit.
This route is ideal for adventurous families, couples, and nature lovers who enjoy scenic driving. Because facilities can be spread out in the Northwest Territories and northern BC, it appeals to those who appreciate a degree of self-sufficiency.
Summer is essential for this route. June through August offers the warmest weather, the most accessible roads, and peak operation times for tours and remote campgrounds. Traveling outside this window requires specialized winter RV preparation and is generally not recommended for standard rentals.
Securing the right RV is the most critical step of your planning process. Because this is a roundtrip originating and ending in Edmonton, you will not have to worry about one-way drop fees, which keeps more funds in your travel wallet.
However, mileage is a crucial factor. At 3,475 km, you will be covering significant ground. When booking through RV PLANET, pay close attention to the mileage packages offered by the fleet providers. Purchasing an unlimited mileage package or pre-paying for a high-kilometer block is almost always more advantageous than paying per-kilometer overage fees at the rental counter.
For this journey, a Class C motorhome is highly recommended. It provides ample living space for families while remaining maneuverable enough for provincial park roads and remote heritage sites. Be sure to book your vehicle and your key provincial campgrounds well in advance, as the short northern summer season books up quickly.
Your unforgettable journey to the Northwest Territories begins with the perfect motorhome. Review the full day-by-day details, compare vehicle options, and secure your dates by visiting the complete route planner at RV PLANET.
See the full polyline, drag stops to customize, and get live pricing in one click.
Open this route in RV PLAN →| Nearby RV rental stations | CanaDream-26-E (Edmonton), Fraserway RV - E 26 (Edmonton), Four Seasons-E 26 (Edmonton) |
|---|---|
| Sample RV cost — 4 travelers (Class A / B / C) | {{BANDANA_PRICING_TABLE}} |
| Estimated fuel cost (total) | $750–$950 |
| Estimated campground cost (total) | $450–$750 |
| Estimated attractions & entrance fees — family of 4 | $300–$500 |
| Estimated groceries / self-catered food — family of 4 | $600–$800 |
| Live availability & pricing | Check live availability & pricing on Rent Motorhome → |
Estimate assumptions: Estimates based on 10 MPG fuel efficiency, a mix of state and private campgrounds, and peak summer travel. All figures are estimates — verify on Rent Motorhome and RV PLAN for your travel dates.
A high-level look at how the route flows in stages. The exact daily stops, overnight picks, and detour options are built for you inside RV PLAN — open the route to see the full plan.
Settle into the rhythm of the road as you transition from the city out into vast northern prairies and heritage sites.
Embrace the true wilderness as the route crosses into remote territories, offering vast lakes and extreme natural beauty.
Navigate through dense demonstration forests and rugged landscapes, enjoying outdoor recreation and historical trails.
Wind down your journey through scenic provincial parks and relaxing hot springs before arriving back at your starting point.
Total cost for this 12-day itinerary depends on the rig you pick, the pickup season, mileage add-ons, and any one-way drop-off fee across the 3,475 km route. Check live availability and a real quote for the Edmonton → Edmonton pickup window on Rent Motorhome.
Live availability & pricing for this exact route
Prices update daily. See the full breakdown — nightly rate, taxes, one-way fee, mileage package — for your travel dates.
These are real vehicles in our Edmonton pickup fleet that fit a multi-week western U.S. itinerary. Configure dates on rvplan.net to see live availability and the total trip cost for the exact rig you want.
| Motorhome | Class | Sleeps | Length | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MH-X CanaDream-26-E |
Class C - Alcove | 7 | 10.0 m | Auto Transmission |
| Saver 6 CanaDream-26-E |
— | 6 | 10.0 m | Auto Transmission |
| C-XLarge Fraserway RV - E 26 |
Class C - Alcove | 6 | 9.9 m | Auto Transmission |
| MH29/31-S XLarge - Economy Four Seasons-E 26 |
Class C - Alcove | 6 | 9.9 m | Auto Transmission |
| MH-B CanaDream-26-E |
Class C - Alcove | 6 | 9.1 m | Auto Transmission |
Pick your dates below and we'll open the live RV PLANET booking flow for the Edmonton → Edmonton route.
Picking up in Edmonton but want a shorter loop or a different destination? Compare these RV PLANET itineraries that depart from the same depot: