July 28–31, 2026

Banff National Park

St. Joseph, MO → Banff, AB · ~1,590 mi · ~25 hrs each way, driven straight through. Return is the same route, reversed.

3
Nights
2
Hotels
01

The Plains

Out of St. Joseph at first light, straight up I-29 through Iowa. Flat, fast, and the longest stretch without a real reason to stop — until the tank says otherwise.

DepartSt. Joseph, MO · 07:00
Fuel · Sioux Falls, SD~5.5 hrs in
Fuel · Food · Fargo, ND~9.5 hrs in
Leg total~553 mi · ~9.5 hrs
02

The Border

West across North Dakota to Minot, then north to the crossing at North Portal. Saskatchewan doesn't observe DST, so summer here runs effectively on Mountain Time.

Fuel · Minot, ND~13.5 hrs in
Border · North Portal, SK~15 hrs in
Fuel · Food · Moose Jaw, SK~17.75 hrs in
Leg total~527 mi · ~8.25 hrs
03

The Prairie Run

Trans-Canada Hwy 1 the rest of the way — Swift Current, Medicine Hat, then Calgary. The mountains show up on the horizon a long time before you reach them.

Fuel · Swift Current, SK~19.25 hrs in
Fuel · Food · Medicine Hat, AB~21.25 hrs in
Fuel · Calgary, AB~23.75 hrs in
Leg total~431 mi · ~6 hrs
★

The big lakes day

Thursday is entirely shuttle-based — Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, and the Summer Gondola, all run through Banff Shuttle Co. Park once at the Lake Louise Ski Resort Park & Ride and let the buses do the rest.

Be at the stop 10 minutes early. No refunds or reschedules for a missed bus, and they sell out.
Moraine Lake at sunrise, the Ten Peaks

Moraine Lake

6:25a – 9:30a

Sunrise. Direct shuttle only — no private vehicles allowed.

Lake Louise boathouse and turquoise water

Lake Louise

11:30a – 3:00p

Free Lake Connector from Moraine. Canoe rental $180/hr + GST for non-hotel guests.

Lake Louise Summer Gondola, fireweed in bloom

Summer Gondola

Arrive ~3:30p · closes 5:00p

Same base as the shuttles — no second parking stop needed.

✓

Booked & confirmed

Everything below is paid and on the books.

Canmore Rocky Mountain InnConf. 2518215451
Expedia itinerary (Inn)73504067189697
Buffalo Mountain LodgeConf. 593751637
Expedia itinerary (Lodge)73488107194439
Moraine Lake Bus Co. shuttleBanff Shuttle Co.
Lake Louise shuttleBanff Shuttle Co.
Lake Louise Summer GondolaTicket booked
Columbia Icefield comboIce Explorer + Skywalk

Getting There & Back

Ten stops from St. Joseph to Banff. Hover or click a tile for details — the same route runs in reverse on the way home.

Canmore Rocky Mountain Inn

Night 1 · Jul 28–29 · 1719 Bow Valley Trail
Canmore Rocky Mountain Inn great room lounge
Guest room lounge area with French doors to balcony Guest room sofa Mountain view from the room balcony Guest room, two queen beds

Buffalo Mountain Lodge

Nights 2–3 · Jul 29–31 · 700 Tunnel Mountain Rd
Buffalo Mountain Lodge exterior with Cascade Mountain Guest room, king bed, stone fireplace, red throw

Extras

Free unless noted — near the lodge, no reservation needed.

Johnson Lake

~15 min out. Warmest lake, sandy beach. Rent a board downtown first — none at the lake. Free self-serve watercraft permit at the beach.

Tunnel Mountain

Trailhead steps from the lodge. ~1.5 hr round trip.

Two Jack Lake

~10 min out. Mount Rundle reflections.

Cascade Ponds

~5 min out. Picnic tables and fire pits.

Bow Falls & Surprise Corner

Short walk. Classic view of Banff Springs.

Banff Gondola

Up Sulphur Mountain.