One of the best ways to see BC is by hitting the road. (Who doesn’t love yelling “Road Trip!”?)
I remember moving from Smithers to Merritt, packing up all my belongings and hitting the Highway 16, turning right down Highway 97 until I drove into the Thompson-Nicola area. The scenery was absolutely gorgeous in mid-August, with some great stops along the way, but the breaks that really made the trip worthwhile were the rest areas. Whether you’re travelling for work or for a bit of sight-seeing, it’s really important to stop now and then for a little refresh – to eat, to take a bathroom break, to empty your garbage, to stretch those legs, etc.
BC has about 170 rest areas for you to check out and we’ve put together a handy BC Provincial Rest Area map for you to see where they all are. Click on the icons and you’ll find out more about the rest area. Added bonus for commercial vehicles: this map shows which accommodate large vehicles over 20 metres in length, and whether there are deceleration and acceleration lanes to enter and exit the area.
You will also see them on the DriveBC map, if you activate the Rest Area icon on the legend.
Are these all the rest areas in our province? No. We hope to get there, but these are the ones maintained by us and the highway maintenance contractors. There are some provided by communities or in national parks (federal) or run by private businesses that we have not included but we hope to eventually make this more comprehensive.
Check out our Using Provincial Rest Areas Map page for more information.
So whether you’re a professional driver, weekend warrior, commuter, sight see-er, or for any other reason you’re taking advantage of those provincial rest areas, you have your own unique perspective and we’d like to hear what you have to say. Drive safely.
Blue icons on the BC Rest Area Map indicate those that accommodate large vehicles.
We just returned from a trailer trip from Alberta. We came back Highway 16 to Prince George and then south on 97 and through the Fraser Canyon to Maple Ridge. Somehow there must be some signage to indicate if the rest areas will accommodate large RVs and semi trailer trucks (perhaps a sign that indicates no vehicles over 25 ft., as seen in some states). We had a near disaster at the Goat River rest area as I followed my travel companions in (also towing a 25 ft trailer) when we realized there was no room to turn around. This necessitated both of us backing out onto Highway 16 (rest area is located at the bottom of a hill (both ways) and a turn. This was extremely scary (and highly dangerous) for both of us. Only a few miles down the road west was another rest area with lots of rooms for trucks and trailers.
Hi Ian,
Thanks for your feedback. We are currently looking at ways we can expand the information available online and on the road about what rest area facilities are available to travellers. Stay tuned.
Do you know which rest stops are the busiest in the province and would you have any idea of how many travellers use them?
Hi Audry,
Sorry, we don’t have that information.
Are there any rest stops between Vancouver and Barriere that have playgrounds?
Rest areas are located just off provincial highways and all offer toilets (and most have picnic tables). They do not have playgrounds. You might want to look up the BC Parks along your route, as some parks offer playgrounds, and/or walking or swimming opportunities, and most are not far from the highway. Click on the “tree” icon on the map for details. Playgrounds are indicated with a symbol of children on a teeter-totter (aka see-saw).
I am a truck driver, and it would be very helpful to know well in advance of a rest area whether or not the rest area is accessible to trucks. I’ve noticed that some highways have an axle limit, and some specify no trucks, and this is helpful.
Thanks Chris for the suggestion. I’ll definitely pass this along.