7 Things You Need to Know BEFORE Driving the Coquihalla and High Mountain Passes

Coquihalla safety tips

Coquihalla, Rogers Pass, Bear Pass, Pine Pass…are you ready?

If you live on the Coast, you may not travel BC’s mountains very often. We’ve noticed a number of folks living in those areas aren’t always ready to go from wet Lower Mainland winter to snowy BC Interior/ Northern winter.

Sure those mountains make the perfect backdrop to all those Hollywood North movies; and of course, they’re gorgeous looking when all covered in a fresh dusting of snow. Don’t be deceived by that beauty, though.  They can change pretty dramatically when you are travelling – up close and personal.

If you are planning on leaving the Lower Mainland and travelling into the mountains this winter, you need to plan ahead. To make safety a priority, you must know as much as you can about High Mountain Passes (there are more than 50 in BC, by the way) and what they mean to you.

As you could probably guess, high mountain passes are roads built on high mountains. But there’s more to those mountains than just mounds of rock. They are living, breathing environments, subject to a diverse range of weather that can change at a moment’s notice.

It’s not uncommon for a beautiful day to turn into a raging snow storm in a matter of minutes. The coastal mountains of BC are the first in line for weather systems moving in off the Pacific, and this close proximity to the ocean can translate into high volumes of water coming down on the mountainside. And, the higher you go in elevation, the colder it gets, meaning you need to be prepared for the “snow to hit the fan.” (I’m pretty sure that’s the saying)

PLAN AHEAD

But don’t worry – if you plan ahead, that risk of dramatic weather change won’t put too much of a wrinkle in your plans. Here’s what you need to do before you head up the hill:

  1. Make sure your car has proper tires. For severe winter conditions on passes like the Coquihalla, winter tires with the mountain snowflake logo provide the best performance. At the very least M+S tires with a tread depth of at least 3.5mm must be used. Check out our winter tire site for more information. For many routes you must keep your winter tires on until April 30.
  2. Make sure both your headlights and tail lights are working
  3. Make sure your car has a full tank of gas. There is nothing worse than being stuck in a snowstorm because of an accident ahead and watching your last gas fumes drift away, leaving you chilling on a cold and dark mountainside.
  4. Dress the part. Pack warm clothes, boots, gloves and blankets. Keep them in your trunk. Always.
  5. Bring food and water. Seems like a simple thing, but those basic things will keep you going if the weather turns sour and you are stuck in your car.
  6. Check DriveBC. DriveBC has road conditions, events and webcams of those mountain passes, so that you can see what is happening before you go and help you decide if Uncle Bernard’s reunion is really worth the trip. Current weather from ministry Road Weather Stations and Weather Forecasts from Environment Canada (including High Elevation Travellers’ forecasts for some of the prominent mountain passes) are also available on DriveBC.
  7. Carry a cell phone.

Coquihalla Grade ProfileOnce you’re up there, be aware of road conditions and adjust your speed accordingly as things can and do change quickly. If the road is wet or has snow on it then you should be driving below the posted maximum speed limit. When conditions are anything but ideal you should be slowing down.

Two of the best things about living in Vancouver are the ocean and mountains. But now that you know a little bit more about those mountains, we hope that you will take some time to prepare yourself for the high mountain road ahead. Safe travels!

Let us know if you have any further questions around high mountain passes. For more information about being prepared for winter driving check out SHIFT INTO WINTER.

A LIST OF HIGH MOUNTAIN PASSES

Remember we mentioned there were more than 50? Here’s a list of high mountain passes in BC:

A

B

C

E

F

G

G cont.

H

J

K

M

N

P

P cont.

R

S

T

V

W

Y

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Page 1 of 139 comments on “7 Things You Need to Know BEFORE Driving the Coquihalla and High Mountain Passes”

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  1. Don’t forget the Malahat Mountain Highway, an example of conditions changing rapidly includingL
    – temperature (I’d seen it warmer on the summit than halfway up)
    – fog varies (probably because distance to the inlet varies and tree cover varies)

    People blast off of level Freeway 1 into a very different environment.

    (And I’ll note the steepness of the Coquihalla, especially westerly of the summit. Vehicles overheat on it in summer because it is straight compared to most mountain highways.
    That’s beyond what many places consider acceptable. Driving from Yakima WA over the Baker Plateau past Ogden UT and east into Wyoming I saw places where the original 6% grade was mitigated by building a second set of lanes at 3%.)

  2. I have plans to travel from Kelowna to Vancouver and vice versa in the first 15 days of November 2022. What is the probability that I will encounter bad weather to drive? Could I find a lot of snow on the road? I have no experience driving on the highway in winter time.

    • Good morning William – thanks for connecting with us here. We can’t predict with certainty what the weather will be during that time frame, but the chances are very high that winter will have arrived at that time in one form or another. Snow can accumulate quickly in the right conditions and so we encourage you to be prepared for the worst. Make sure your vehicle has winter tires and you are prepared to stop unexpectedly with food, water, warm clothes and anything else you might need. DriveBC.ca – our traveller information website will communicate any potential delays or issues and we encourage you to check your route on this site before you leave and, if possible, during your trip, so that you can be aware of any developments. Give yourself plenty of time to travel so you don’t feel the need to rush. Safe travels!

  3. Hi there,
    We are tourists who will be travelling from Banff- Revelstoke-Sun Peaks- Whistler in the middle of winter. I will drive during the day and will be flexIble enough to avoid forecasted storms….. Surprisingly winter tyres have been very hard to come by in rentals. Can you please confirm minimum requirements for tyres during these passes and if M+S tyres are legal during Winter?
    Thanks in advance
    Matt

    • Hello Matt – thanks for checking with us here.
      Most rental vehicles will be equipped with M+S tires, which meet the minimum winter tire requirement.
      If you are renting a vehicle and travelling outside the Greater Vancouver or Greater Victoria areas, it’s a good idea to ensure your vehicle rental is equipped with winter rated tires. While M+S tires are legally acceptable, tires with the 3-peaked mountain/snowflake symbol (winter rated) provide the best traction in winter conditions. Discuss options with your vehicle rental provider. The locations you’ve provided as destinations are accessible only by travelling through high mountain passes and winter rated tires are strongly encouraged. We also encourage you to check DriveBC.ca – our traveller information site before you begin each leg of your journey, so that you can know before you go what sorts of road conditions and events lie ahead. Give yourself plenty of time to travel and make sure you have everything you need (food, water, warm clothes, chargers, medicines, etc.) in case you are stopped unexpectedly. Hope this is helpful. Enjoy your trip to BC!

    • You should ‘have words’ with your car rental company, preferably in advance.

      Stupid of them to not provide proper winter tires to reduce risk of their vehicle being unavailable for future revenue because of an accident.

      BTW, I advise that even the snowflake symbol is not enough, you want aggressive tires.

      Studs are good but BC law is troubled – you are not allowed to leave home in Vancouver BC with studs, you have to magically change tires at Hope BC.

      Of course carrying tire chains is wise as backup to get you out of trouble to a safe place.

      Beware that many new vehicles have much less clearance for chains and aggressive snow tires, Superior SZ chains are quite low profile.

    • Hi there Noel,

      Winter tire and chain regulations are in effect on BC Highway 1, 3 and 5 between October 1 and March 31. That being said, winter can linger longer at higher elevations. We encourage you to watch the weather and plan a stretch in April – weather depending. Hope this information is helpful.

  4. Driving a car over the Coquihalla or any of our gorgeous mountain ranges can be among the most beautiful events of your life.
    Respect big rigs. You know they have plenty of blind areas and take a much longer distance to stop than any cars. Now in snow and ice… things can change quickly around for them big trucks, stand clear or we might crush you in your little car despite our best efforts not to!

  5. Hi, I plan to drive to Vernon through the Coquihalla highway for the first time on April 8th. I have 2008 Honda CRV with 4 season tires. Would I need winter tires by then? What should I expect in terms and how to make the safest trip?

    • Good morning Wendy,

      The Coquihalla is a high mountain pass and you should be prepared for any type of weather. We encourage you to make sure your tires have the minimum requirement (M+S logo with minimum 3.5 mm tread depth) and that you carry chains, in case you might need them. We also encourage you to give yourself plenty of time to travel, so you don’t have to rush. Pack warm clothes and food and water, in case you are stopped unexpectedly. Last, but definitely not least, check the route on DriveBC.ca before you go, so that you will know what the current conditions and events on the route are. We hope that this information is helpful. Safe travels!

    • Hi there Denise – thanks for your question. You can and should expect any type of driving condition during March (snow, rain, sleet, hail, sun). Our maintenance contractors are out in force 24/7 to make sure the roads are cleared, should snow fall, but you can be prepared by making sure your vehicle is equipped with winter rated tires, you give yourself plenty of time to travel and have supplies on hand, should you have to stop (warm clothes, gloves, phone charger, snacks and water). We encourage you to check DriveBC.ca before you go and along your journey whenever you take a break. Safe travels!

  6. Great info here. When towing a small cargo trailer behind my 3/4 ton truck 4×4 with snow tires on the truck, do I legally need snow tires on the trailer? Does putting snow tires on the trailer increase safety much?

    • Good morning David – thanks for your question.

      No, you do not legally require snow tires on the cargo trailer, however we do encourage you to find chains, for extra traction, should you need them.

  7. WE PLAN TO TRAVEL TO CALGARY MID SEPTEMBER, OUR VAN IS WELLEQUIPPED HOWEVER WITH 4 SEASON TYRES, JUST WANTED TO KNOW IF ITS SAFE TO TAKE COQUIHALLA DURING THAT TIME, PLEASE LET ME KNOW THANKS
    ANN

    • Hi Ann,
      Make sure you check DriveBC.ca for the latest travel information. There you can find incidents, weather conditions and more to help you know before you go. It’s hard to guess what driving conditions will be in advance but typically winter weather conditions don’t start until October. Typically. Winter tires or chains are required on most routes in British Columbia from October 1 to March 31.

  8. Hello
    We plan to drive to Calgary in time for Christmas as flying is no longer safe. Are good All seasons sufficient for travel through Roger’s Pass during mid December? We will carry supplies such as big bag Kitty litter for traction, a shovel, etc. Or should we carry chains just in case? My understanding is the Hwy 1 through Rogers is well maintained, it’s the visibility that may cause delays.

    • Good afternoon Anne – thanks for connecting with us here. If your all season tires have the M+S logo and at least 3.5 mm tread depth, you are legal to travel on winter tire routes in BC. We do encourage travellers to carry chains and know how to install them, as an added safety precaution. We also ask that you check DriveBC.ca before you go (and whenever possible on your journey), so that you stay up to date on any road conditions that might lie ahead. Safe travels.

    • Best route through Canada to Victoria BC in mid.October. What to watch out for, Most difficultly stretches to drive through
      How to get weather info, for driving
      Thank you

      • Good morning –

        Thanks for your message. Our top bits of advice are for you to give yourself plenty of time to travel, know which route you are taking (you will probably be on the Trans-Canada (folks often take the Coquihalla (BC Highway 5) between Kamloops and Hope) check DriveBC.ca before you go and along your trip wherever possible, so that you can be aware of any road conditions you might encounter. Carry essentials in your car (food, chargers, clothes) in case you are stopped unexpectedly. This blog has lots of great information about what to expect when travelling BC mountain passes but the bottom line is: drive to the conditions at hand and slow down. Hope that this is helpful – have a good trip.

  9. I’m driving from Kelowna to Abbotsford tomorrow morning and am worried as it’s my first time doing this highway. I have a Elantra which isn’t a very big car but I have winter tires on it. I have a flight from Abbotsford Wednesday morning.

    • Hi Ashley,

      Just remember to give yourself more than enough time to travel, so you don’t have to rush and remember to check DriveBC.ca to make sure there are no road conditions or events on your route which might cause delay. If you can pack a bit of water, food and warm gear in your car in case you do get stopped temporarily along the way, all the better. Safe travels!

  10. We’re looking to tow a 8m RV from Vancouver to Glacier NP across Hwy 3 in May 2020, we’re comfortable with mountain passes. Weather looks like it will be OK. Anything we should be aware of?

    • Hi Jack – thanks for your message. We can’t say exactly what the weather or road conditions will be at that time, but encourage you to check DriveBC.ca before you go and along your trip whenever possible, so that you can get a clear idea of what road conditions might be happening. Safe travels!

  11. Hello!

    I’m driving up the coqahuilla pass from vancouver to kamloops and I have good M+S tires on my rear wheel drive ford e250. I’m quite concerned if I can make it up the pass without chains. Should I have chains with me? Thanks

    • Hi Miika – thanks for your comment. The Coquihalla is a class A highway and maintained 24/7. We encourage travellers to give themselves plenty of time and to be prepared. Your tires (with at least 3.5mm tread depth) are the minimum allowable on BC Highways for winter and we encourage you to also carry chains and know how to use them. Oh, and don’t forget to check DriveBC.ca and know what the conditions are before you go!

    • M+S tires are better know as 3 season tires. If you’re going to drive something as notorious as the coquihalla. Best would be the best mountain snowflake tires you can afford.

      M+S should NOT be legal for highways in the winter here, thank you ICBC.

  12. Hi there,

    I have mud and snow rated winter tires on a small 2019 kia rio, I was planning on driving up to Kamloops from Vancouver on Thursday Jan 23rd afternoon. Forecast calls for rain and cloudy conditions, but should I be taking the bus instead? Don’t know if my small light car is appropriate for the driving the Coq

    Thanks for any insight!

    • Hi Monica,

      There are a number of things to consider before you head off. The Coquihalla is a Class A provincial highway and it is monitored and maintained by our contractor 24/7. The highway was designed and built to modern standards and thousands of vehicles safely travel this route every day. Weather can change quickly at high elevations and given that this is a high mountain pass and snow is always a possibility you should be prepared to drive in snow and snowy conditions. Your tires meet the minimum acceptable requirement for travel on mountain passes in BC and if you give yourself plenty of time to travel, so you don’t have to rush, you should be fine. If you don’t feel comfortable driving in snowy conditions, you might want to opt for the bus, where you can kick back, read a book and enjoy the ride. Hope that this is helpful!

  13. Then enforce the regulations for everybody!!!..especially truckers who don’t chain up and cause havoc for everybody
    Ban truckers from Coquhalla during big snow storms.
    Police talk about education instead of enforcement..well maybe time to change that stupid mindset so the inaction of a few don’t disrupt many because of their ignorance.
    #bantruckscoqhuillasnow
    #enforcessnowdrivinglaw

  14. Planning on driving to Kelowna either tomorrow or the next day, which one do you think would be the better day to travel? And then coming home Monday or Tuesday. Driving a new half ton truck with M+S tires

    • Looks like this reply will reach you a little late. Our social media is generally monitored during business hours. DriveBC offers 24/7 traveller info, including weather forecasts. With the conditions the way they are on the Coquihalla as of late, we recommend using full winter tires (with the mountain/snowflake on the sidewall).

  15. Apologize if this is a double post.
    First off, thanks for the informative webpage.
    My wife and I are planning to head down to Vancouver Friday afternoon from Kelowna but are a bit worried due to the snowfall warning on the coquihalla. We drive a 4 wheel drive sedan with 4 new winter tires. Do you think this will be sufficient for a safe trip? Should we consider a lower altitude route? If so, which would be safest? Should i go and look for some snow tire chains ASAP? Thanks a lot for your help!

  16. Hi there,
    I stumbled across this forum – super useful thanks. Hubby and I are travelling to Golden from Calgary in February and looking at hire cars. We are visiting from the UK. We do have driving experience in the snow and mountains but wondering if anyone can advise if we NEED a SUV for the trip..?

    Many thanks and we can’t wait for out trip.

    Charlie

    • Good afternoon Charlie – thanks for the feedback.
      An SUV (or other comparable vehicle with 4X4) are nice to have but not required. What are required are winter rated tires (ask your car rental company) and that you give yourself plenty of time to travel and check DriveBC.ca to plan your route. Have a great trip!

  17. Hi there,
    I need to drive from Banff to California in the coming month and a half. I have very little winter driving experience and have a Chevy Malibu (front wheel drive) with new winter tires. The route I am considering is from Banff to Radium Hot Springs (through Kootenay National Park on the 93) and to continue on the 93 to the 95 through Cranbrook, entering into northern Idaho and moving on south through Spokane. Is this route advised/safe to drive during winter conditions? Or is there an alternate route you’d recommend taking during winter conditions (e.g. west to Vancouver and then south)? I have flexibility in the dates I will leave and will be checking the weather forecast and road condition webcams. Weather/condition-wise, am I better off leaving sooner (late November) than later (around Christmas) or will conditions be comparable from here on out? And are chains recommended for this route in addition to winter tires?
    Thanks so much,
    SD

    • Hello Susie – thanks for your question. Unfortunately, we can’t say definitively what the weather will be like at any given time but generally, from now until mid February winter conditions persist on BC highways. Typically the heaviest winter conditions occur from December to February. All of our main routes are maintained during the winter, but we can’t say which mountainous routes will be available to you throughout Washington (they do close some during winter). We are glad to hear that you have winter tires, know to check DriveBC and are not in a rush. We recommend you carry chains – just in case. They are not required unless you are advised by RCMP during a winter weather event. Here’s a link to our winter driving page for more information: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/driving-and-cycling/traveller-information/seasonal/winter-driving
      If you have any other questions or concerns, just let us know.

  18. We are planning a motorcycle ride next year during the first two weeks of September from Spokane, Washington to Kamloops, Prince George, Prince Rupert, and then back to Spokane via Jasper. In your opinion, are we too late in the season to make this journey via motorcycle. We have been to Jasper before in September on Motorcycles, and it was cold, but the road conditions were still passable. We have never driven to these other locations and wondered if we will be able to safely travel on two wheels in early September.
    Thanks,
    JN

    • Good morning John and thanks for your message.

      Typically, stable summer weather will hold over most of the province (except for the far north) until the middle of September. That being said, the weather and weather systems over BC can be unpredictable, even during the nicer summer months, and it is always best to check the long range forecast for your location and check DriveBC.ca before you go and as often as you can for up to the minute road conditions and events on your route. We hope that this is helpful!

    • Hello Alicia – sorry we missed this comment. We do not monitor this outside of regular business hours. DriveBC.ca is our traveller information website, with up to the moment road condition and closure information for BC Highways.

  19. Hi
    Im Australian with no snow driving experience.
    We are taking a holiday in Silver Star with our 20 something kids in December 22-19 2019
    We are tossing up driving from Vancouver to Vernon/Kelowna.
    Is this scenic in winter?
    Is this doable?
    Can we hire a car that can go over the mountains?
    What is the likely hood of the pass being blocked by snow?
    Should we do this?
    I’d value any advice & Im a total greenhorn.
    Ant

    • Hi Ant – sounds like a fun trip! While it’s hard for us to say with any certainty what the weather will be like during your visit, you should expect snow over the mountain passes between Vancouver and Kelowna. Our maintenance contractors work 24/7 to keep roads plowed, but giving yourself lots of extra time for travel is advised. Our traveller information site – DriveBC.ca is kept up to date with road condition information and our highways cams give you a look at what conditions are like at the moment. You can rent a car and drive from Vancouver to Kelowna, or you might be able to book a ride on a small bus/shuttle. Safe journey!

    • Hi Mar,

      Our top pieces of advice are to take your time, check DriveBC.ca (both before you go and whenever possible on your trip) and carry chains in case you encounter severe winter weather. Be prepared to stop with warm clothes, food, water and a full tank of gas. The minimum winter tire requirement in BC is M+S with a tread depth of at least 3.5 mm. We recommend that drivers who travel snowy routes use winter rated tires (designated by the mountain and snowflake symbol). Our maintenance contractors work around the clock to keep BC highways clear, but sometimes snow can be considerable and if you feel uncomfortable driving in snowy conditions, we encourage you to wait out a storm or consider an alternate route. Again DriveBC has a map feature that can help you identify weather and road condition events to help you plan your trip. Hope that this information is helpful. Let us know if you have any other questions!

  20. Hi there,
    My family and I will be relocating to Vancouver from Ontario, and we have to drive it. We’ll be leaving next week and probably passing through Calgary around January 13. Google is putting us on the TransCanada Highway via Banff and Kamloops, but my longer option might be south through Crowsnest pass. I’ve never driven through the Rockies before. My Toyota Matrix has winter tires. Would really appreciate some advice on routing.

  21. Hello! We were driving kelowna to Vancouver in the summertime, and a green beach bag flew out of the back of our truck. It was apparently after the bathrooms where the toll booths used to be. Where do I begin to try to find the bag? The bag itself is not important, but our spare jeep key and ford truck key were in there!

    • Thanks for your message Karen – we’re sorry to hear about your beach bag. If it was picked up off the highway by our maintenance contractor, you could connect directly with them. Here’s their contact info: http://vsahwy.com/contact-us/

      The other option is that someone might have found it and picked it up and posted a found ad online somewhere in the Lower Mainland. You might want to do a quick google search for lost/found green beach bag with jeep and ford truck key? Otherwise, the bag might be out of sight, somewhere off the side of the road. As the shoulders of the road are now nestled under a blanket of snow, you wouldn’t be able to find it until spring…

  22. Hi there,
    I’m planning on travelling from Victoria to Kamloops over my winter break and I’m wondering how my vehicle will fare over the Coquihalla. It is a 90’s Toyota Tercel (front-wheel drive) with very little in the way of safety features/driver aids. I have a brand new set of mountain snow rated tires and will, of course, carry extra supplies. Do you have any advice for driving Highway 5 in snowy/icy conditions, or would you recommend I avoid it and use the Trans-Canada instead?
    Thanks!

    • Hi Owen,

      The Coquihalla is a mountain pass and that can mean snow. Sometimes it can mean a lot of snow. But don’t worry, Our maintenance contractors are working around the clock to keep this busy and important route clear.

      We wrote a blog about this topic specifically: https://www.tranbc.ca/2016/12/22/what-you-need-to-know-about-winter-weather-on-the-coq/

      We hope you read it but in case you don’t get a chance, here it is in a nutshell: take your time, check DriveBC.ca and carry chains in case you encounter severe winter weather. Be prepared to stop with warm clothes, food, water and a full tank of gas. Let us know if you have any other questions. Safe travels.

  23. Hi Im just wondering if you can help me out. I will be travelling from Calary to Blaine WA next week and I have to tow a 5×8 UHaul Trailer with my Hyundai Santa Fe (all weather tires). Im not sure if I should take the Coquihalla higjway passing the the high elevatiins. Any suggestion will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

    • Hello Hoyer – Our traveller information system, DriveBC.ca is your best source of information for driving conditions along your route, and we encourage you to check it before you go and whenever possible on your trip. The minimum winter tire requirement in BC is M+S with a tread depth of at least 3.5 mm. We recommend that drivers who travel snowy routes use winter rated tires (designated by the mountain and snowflake symbol). If you do choose to take BC Highway 5, we also encourage you to carry chains and know how to use them, as well as give yourself plenty of time to travel. Your trailer does not need winter tires. Our maintenance contractors on the Coquihalla work around the clock to keep it clear, but sometimes snow can be considerable and if you feel uncomfortable driving in snowy conditions, we encourage you to consider an alternate route, such as the Fraser Canyon route. Hope that this information is helpful. Let us know if you have any other questions!

  24. Thank you for the information. I was a high mountain survival instructor for the U.S Air Force in the early 1970s. I have never been to B/C. But I am getting ready for next summer. The information you have given will be useful for winter and summer. Like you said the weather can change in an instant.

    Gordon F. McNeal

  25. I am going to be traveling from Chilliwack area to Kelowna via the Coquihalla and the connector, I am not going to lie, I am more than a bit nervous. We are traveling up on October 6th and coming back on the 9th. Any idea as to what kind of weather conditions are expected during that time?

  26. I am planning to drive from Calgary to Kelowna on Wednesday. With the early show fall on Rogers Pass today and Tuesday, wonder how fast the snow removal crew will be able to clear the highway? And is it safe to travel on that section of Highway #1?

    • Good morning Jason – it looks like Rogers Pass is set to get a significant amount of snow throughout the day today 5-10 cm). Parks Canada is responsible for road maintenance through the sections of federal park and our maintenance contractors patrol provincial highways 24/7 to make sure they are cleared. Sometimes, snow can accumulate between rounds of our plows, so we encourage you to travel slowly, be prepared if you have to stop unexpectedly and don’t forget to check our traveller information system, DriveBC.ca for road condition updates, webcam views of your route and weather info. We hope that this helps. Safe travels.

  27. This is a great website, with solid advice, and a little humour (bonus). We travel monthly from the lower mainland, into the Shuswap region, and knowing what to be mindful of to stay safe at varying times of year is super helpful. Thanks so much for keeping this current!

  28. Hello,
    I’m working in Anchorage An and purchased a Jeep wrangler unlimited sport that I need to drive to Seattle in November. Is this vehicle capable of making this trip at that time of year.

    • Hi there Debit,

      As long as your Jeep has M+S or winter tires (with a mountain and snowflake symbol) and at least 3.5 mm tread depth, you should be good to go.

      Please remember to check DriveBC.ca for up to the minute travel information before you go and on your journey when possible. Safe travels!

  29. i will be traveling from edmonton, calgary, banff and then to revelstoke in mid august 2018, i will also be pulling a 26 foot travel trailer with my 2012 f150 ecoboost, fist time driving this route, is there any info that you would suggest to make my trip as safe as possible, driving conditions, roads etc.

  30. Hi
    Some advice about typical conditions along the Coquihalla would be greatly appreciated. I understand these conditions can change quickly. I am just trying to plan out my flight to Victoria at an appropriate time of year. I hope your ideas are helpful about this. Thanks for the sharing such a helpful article with lots of information.

    • Hi Calvin,

      Thanks for asking about travel on the Coquihalla Highway.

      The Coquihalla is a high-elevation route, and thus it is prone to unpredictable weather.

      Your chances of snow would be low, if you drove the Coquihalla, from May to September. Should you wish or need to travel inland, outside of those months, then Hwy 1 north of Hope and up the Fraser Canyon is a good alternate lower-elevation route, if the weather on the Coquihalla was looking challenging. Our webcams offer a good view of conditions on the Coquihalla and elsewhere in BC see: http://images.drivebc.ca/bchighwaycam/pub/html/www/676.html

      Another excellent resource is DriveBC.ca which will show you all the road conditions and weather along your route, including webcam views.

      Safe journey!

  31. Hi there,

    I am picking up a new sports car in Victoria and driving it home, to Alberta, in mid-April. It is a RWD vehicle and since I am flying in, I don’t plan to have winter tires installed. Is the Hwy 5 route typically clear by Mid April? Should I plan for a later trip? or an alternate route?

    I am an experienced winter driver, commuting 100KM round trip on QE2 each day in some of the worst weather. However, my daily truck has 4×4, weight and winter tires.

    Some advice about typical conditions along the Coquihalla would be greatly appreciated. I understand these conditions can change quickly. I am just trying to plan out my flight to Victoria at an appropriate time of year, the sooner the better so the dealership doesn’t charge storage fees.

    Thanks!

    • Hi Adam,

      The weather on the Coquihalla mid-April could be sunny and clear or snowing and cold. Unfortunately, we can’t say with any certainty, which is why we encourage travellers to prepare for the worst kind of weather. Your new vehicle likely has M+S tires which, with sufficient tread depth (min 3.5 mm) are technically legal as winter tires on BC highways. They do not provide the best traction as true winter tires do, as you know. You might want to consider taking the Trans-Canada Highway through the Fraser Canyon. It is a lower elevation than the Coquihalla, and typically doesn’t get the same amount of snow. Here is a link to more information on the Coquihalla for your reference: https://www.tranbc.ca/tag/coquihalla/

    • Hi Barbara,
      Winter driving regulations are in effect on most BC Highways until the end of March (even later in more northern regions). Travellers through mountain passes in BC should expect poor weather conditions at any time of year (yes, even snow). We can’t say for sure what the weather will be like across Canada at that time, but assume that winter will still be holding a strong grip in most places. We encourage you to check weather forecasts closer to your departure time and plan your route accordingly. Give yourself plenty of time, carry chains, warm clothes and extra food and water in your car in case you are stopped in an emergency. Our traveller information system, DriveBC.ca will give you up to the moment road condition information and we suggest you check similar sites for the other provinces as well. We hope that this helps. Happy and safe travels.

  32. Hi There,

    I will be travelling from Vancouver to Kamloops then on to Jasper and Banff in the beginning on June 2018. I was wondering what the weather is like historically during this time? I would be getting a hire car also to travel in, would they normally provide us with the correct gear for the car? (e.g. Chains if needed in that time of year?)

    Any advice would be much appreciated!

    • Hello there,

      We can’t say for sure what the weather will be like in the Rockies during June. High mountain passes can see snow any time of year – so it is best to plan accordingly. You should let the rental agency know where you will be travelling and that you would like a car with snow tires (and chains if possible). Our biggest advice is to familiarize yourself with our travellers information system drivebc.ca. The site includes up to the minute road condition information, closures, events and maps to help you plan your trip. Give yourself plenty of time to travel and enjoy!

  33. Hi,
    I will be pulling a “car transporter” trailer with a small SUV on it, using a loaded rental 5 ton dually truck. I will be travelling from Delta BC to Lethbridge AB on Feb 01 2018. I plan to carry cable chains for the outside dually tires, and cable chains for the rear axle of the two-axle car trailer. My route is flexible, so I am wondering which route is most suitable, gradient and weather-wise, for the trip ? Also, I am not familiar with ‘chain-up’ areas on the cross-mountain routes, so any information on that aspect of the recommended route would be appreciated.

  34. I am in need of some advice…I am from Ottawa and used to tons upon tons of snow on the highways…especially when traveling to Toronto and the ever treacherous 401 and blizzard whiteout conditions…My question is this…I’ve been living in Vancouver for 2 years and I’ll be going once a month for 4 days to Kamloops from Vancouver…I am driving a newer 2015 Jeep Wrangler and I have BF Goodrich’s Rugged Terrain T/A M+S (Size – 285/R17)…they have helped me through thick and thin in the mountain trails since I got it a last year…(mud, rocks, dirt, gravel etc – and even going easily through the snow that we have had this year in the Vancouver area)…
    When I deflate my rugged terrain tires to approximately 18-20 PSI they work amzingly off-road, how will they function on the Coquihalla from January to April…

    Advice…are my tires and the jeep’s 4×4 capabilities enough (I have driven for years in Ontario’s craziest winter seasons there are – they get a lot more snow and ice than here, but low elevations)…is the Coquihalla the same as driving on the 401 between Kingston and Belleville, Ontario…as that is where numerous multi-car/truck pileups happen nearly every winter. 🙁

    Any advice is greatly needed…a new Coquihalla traveler to be… and yes I am prepared otherwise (food, blankets, shovel, phone etc…).

    Thank you in advance…

    • Here are the actual dimensions of the tire…. LT285/75R17 and I believe the mm depth is approximately 10mm or just there under…the tires have about 20kms on them thus far.

      • Hi Katherine,

        Thanks for your question and for connecting with us here. Reducing tire inflation is never a good idea. A vehicles tires are designed for the vehicles load carrying ability and the vehicles responsiveness when driving day to day. Under-inflated tires cause tire damage and heating of the tire.

        The reduction of tire air pressure as a tool generally comes from those who reduce tire pressure to increase their footprint so as to spread the vehicles surface ground pressure so the psi load per tire is reduced . Those who do it are doing so in low speed applications such as when driving on “Tundra” (deep snow covered areas where no roads exist) or on roads that are close to spring break-up with “frost” coming out of the ground (tractor trailer trucks such as logging trucks with centralized tire inflation systems so as to deflate and inflate tires as conditions warrant).

        On BC highways, snow conditions are seldom encountered on a regular basis, therefore properly inflated winter tires with the M+S symbol and 3.5 mm of tread depth is the best option. We always recommend drivers carry chains they are planning on travelling severe winter weather routes on a regular basis. Giving yourself plenty of time so that you don’t have to rush and remembering to check our traveller information site, DriveBC for road condition information and webcam views is another great step to take before you leave on your trip. Hope that this information helps. Safe travels!

  35. Hi,
    My girlfriend and I are planning to drive from Vancouver to Vernon for the holidays. I have a new Honda Civic with all season tires, and I also recently purchase a set of chains from Canadian Tire. If we put the chains on the all-season tires, is that good enough for going through the Coquihalla ?
    Also are two chains on the two front tires enough or are we required to chain all four tires ?

    We’d appreciate your help.

    • Hello Arvin,

      If your all season tires have the M+S (Mud and Snow) logo on them and a tread depth of 3.5mm, you meet the minimum requirement to travel legally on the Coquihalla. However, we strongly encourage motorists to carry chains and know how to use them when they travel over mountain passes during the winter. If the road is clear during your travels, you do not need to use chains. If conditions are poor and the road is snow covered, using your chains on the two tires of your drive axle is recommended. If your vehicle is a front wheel drive, you would put chains on the two front tires and if it was a rear wheel drive, the chains would be installed on the two rear wheels. Here’s a link for more info: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/driving-and-cycling/traveller-information/seasonal/winter-driving/winter-tires-and-chains

      Hope that this helps!

  36. Hello,
    Wonderful of you to take people’s questions. Thank you!
    We have winter tires and am planning a trip from Vancouver to Kelowna over Christmas. The fear around a few cm snowfall being a storm (I am from northern Alberta) has me worried and wondering if I need chains for the Coquihala. I have done this drive before without chains and winter tires were fine.
    Are chains required if I have snow tires?
    Thank you,
    Vancouverite via Alberta

    • Hello!

      Being prepared and taking your time are two of the best things you can do to prevent worrying. Check DriveBC before you go so you can see what the conditions are like before you go. Because winter road conditions across most of B.C. often include snow and ice, we recommend drivers install mountain/snowflake tires for cold weather driving and, for extreme conditions, carry chains. If conditions present themselves that require chains to be used, you can put them on at that time, but if you have a good set of winter tires (with the mountain and snowflake logo), you should be fine in your travels.

  37. Hello, I read your forum to find the answer about having winter tires on a camper trailer towed with a hitch not an in truck bed hookup. I could not find an answer. However this is my question, I will be driving a GMC diesel 3/4 ton truck, towing a 37 foot camper trailer with a hitch connection from the prairies to langly BC January 1st. While my diesel truck has the mandatory rated tires for driving through BC, and specifically I will be going through the coquihalla pass with my truck and camper. But does my camper which is a very large camper 37 ft. Do my tires on the camper have to be rated with the ms or snowflake logo also? Do I need tires on my camper also rated or is my truck with the rated tires sufficient? And if the camper tires do not need to be the same winter ratings as my truck? Do I also need to carry chains for my campers tires? It also has 2 axles, 4 tires, do I also need all 4 tires chained if I do have to put chains on my camper? And I am assuming if I do have to have all 4 tires on the camper rated tires, then I do not need chains for them? I’m very confused, I have read numerous posts on numerous sites, and I cannot find any info on rated required tires for towed camper/trailers? Can you Please help me?

    • Hello Farrell,

      The minimum legal requirement for recreational vehicles is to use M+S rated tires of 3.5 mm minimum tread depth. A minimum of two winter tires would be required to be placed on the two primary drive wheels of the vehicle. We always recommends that 4 winter rated tires be used, and that drivers should carry chains where severe winter weather can be encountered. We also recommend that for those that pull a trailer, that the motorist pulling the trailer consider a single set of chains for use on one tire of the trailer. The trailer chain, when used on one tire of the trailer during snow and ice conditions minimizes the chance that a trailer will “jack-knife” when a vehicle is pulling the trailer at a slow speed while traversing a “super-elevated” curve that is snow and ice covered. We hope that this helps.

    • Hi Dave,

      Carrying chains year round is always a good idea, especially on high mountain passes in BC. While it likely that the weather will be beautiful, being prepared for any kind of weather is always your best bet. Have a great trip and don’t forget to use our traveller information site DriveBC.

  38. Hi there! It would be super helpful to show a map rather than a list of mountain passes. For travellers, googling where all 50 are one by one is not super helpful. Updating while “thinking like a tourist” would make this an awesome resource!

  39. Hi I’m Dave i will be traveling to Cloverdale Bc from ontario this is my first time driving to BC on Oct. 14 2016 i will be traveling alone in a small car although i have snow tires as well as reg. tires Any tips would be appreciate. I am so looking forward to the trip

  40. Will be travelling from Edmonton to Victoria and back the last week of July. What’s the Coq like that time of year? Concern about steep climb northbound, but the car is less than a year old and in great shape.

    • Hi Glenn,

      The Coquihalla is a high mountain pass and subject to inclement weather at any time of the year. July and August are typically better months for weather along the route but traffic will be busier than normal at this time. Check our traveller information site DriveBC before you go and as you travel for up to the minute information on BC Highway 5 and any other routes you are taking along your trip to the island. Safe travels!

  41. Hello,

    My wife and I are about to set off on our Canada road trip from Ontario to BC. Our car has had a great tune up and has good all season tires on it. Do we need winter tires? How are the road conditions right now? Any advice would be appreciated. We are doing strictly Canada driving on the TCH on to BC. And should I buy chains? Have a 2003 Manual Honda civic, where do I buy chains?

    • Hello! Thanks for connecting with us here – sounds like you have a great trip planned. We are glad to hear that your car has good all seasons on it and we recommend that you carry chains for the high mountain passes in BC just in case. Weather at higher elevations can change very quickly and being prepared is the best thing you can do. You should be able to find the right chains for your car at Canadian Tire or any other automotive store. Winter tires are recommended but not necessary if your tires have the M+S logo on the side and at least 3.5 mm of tread depth. Here is a link to our winter tire website: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/driving-and-cycling/traveller-information/seasonal/winter-driving/winter-tires-and-chains which we think you will find useful. We can’t say what the weather will look like when you arrive in BC but we can advise you to check DriveBC, our traveller information website often on your travels here. You can plan your route, check for traffic incidents, see weather along your route and view the route with our BC HighwayCams. Hope that this all helps and if you have any other questions, let us know. Safe travels.

  42. Hi I am planning to drive to summerland from Squamish to pick up some motocycles I will be hauling an empty trailer one way and 1000 pounds of Harley’s I was planning to use my 1981 rabbit pick up truck . It’s front wheel drive with ,4 brand new snow tires.. Would I need chains for the trailer?

  43. Wondering what the maximum size of sand is used in BC as I find the East Koornay Region is using small rocks in their mix. I have been driving for 30+ years all across Canada and have never seen pebbles on the road.
    As a result I have also received numerous window and paint chips on my vehicles as a result as have most motorists living in the Elk Valley.
    Who is tesponsible fir these repairs?

  44. Hello,
    I have studded tires for my all wheel drive ford freestyle, as well as one set of chains. Should I buy another set of chains since my car is all wheel drive? Do you suggest that I actually drive with the chains on if I’m going through the Coqhihalla this weekend?

    • Hi again Valerie. We talked to our traffic safety engineers about your question of chaining up all-wheel drive vehicles. You’ll need to know how the drivetrain operates. In general, for passenger cars, we always recommend a minimum of four winter tires for traction and lateral stability. When seeking to enhance “traction” by the means of chains, we always recommend a minimum of two be added to the primary drive axles of the vehicle, which for front wheel drive cars is the front axles, and for rear wheel drive vehicles, the rear axle.

      All-wheel drive vehicles will be different. Under normal driving conditions for many all-wheel drive vehicles there is a 60% to 40% split between the power going to the front as compared to the power going to the rear. In this case, when deciding to chain-up, you’d want to switch to equal amount of power to each wheel on all four corners of the vehicle. To do this, you’d activate the full time 4-wheel drive feature. Then put chains on front axle of the vehicle in order to take advantage of the weight of the engine over the front axle, which will provide enhanced traction.

      You can also simply chain up all four tires.

  45. Are chains required or recommended for travelling Rogers Pass in December?
    We are driving from Calgary to Kelowna and although I have winter tires I want to be prepared if its recommended to have chains as well. I grew up in NW Ontario and remember chaining up well. I drive a Toyota Sienna so definitely not a 4×4!

    Thank you for any thoughts on this…

    • Hi Sherry,

      We strongly recommend travellers carry chains in addition to their winter tires while travelling mountain passes in BC. Our other advice is to check conditions on your planned route via DriveBC, our traveller information system. Safe and happy travels!

  46. Sadly drivers can’t be trusted to prepare or drive to conditions – especially some of the so-called ‘professional’ drivers working in the trucking industry.

    I am starting to believe that it is time that precautionary road closures need to be considered when big storms are forecast. I have worked on far too many road closures that have happened after the fatalities or life changing injuries. They are getting so predictable that wouldn’t it be better to close the road before they happen.

  47. Good Evening, I will be transiting the Yellowhead Westbound in late October from Winnipeg through to Tsawwassen. I was hoping to get better road
    Intelligence for the entire route. I chose the Yellowhead because of winter driving conditions in the Field, Golden, Revelstoke, and Rogers Pass areas
    Are known to be treacherous at best during the winter months. I was trained to drive on the logging roads of the Comox Valley, and have transmitted the TC1 through the summer many times. I have a 4×4 with good mud&snow tires, and will be hauling a utility trailer with me. Any advice would be welcome.
    I am a survival equipment specialist in the RCAF by trade, so survival equipment and extra gas is without question.

    Respectfully,
    F.H. McArthur, CD1, Winnipeg.

    • Good morning sir,

      Thank you for connecting with us here. We were glad to hear that you will be travelling your chosen route well prepared. To be clear, safety of the travelling public on British Columbia highways is our absolute top priority and the Trans Canada between Golden and Revelstoke is no exception. Our maintenance contractors work very hard to ensure that all of our highways are safe for travel. Our traveller information system, DriveBC is a great source of information for travellers in BC and we encourage you to check the site before you leave and if possible during your travels so that you will be aware of the conditions that lie ahead. Using proper winter tires is also highly recommended on most highways in BC between October 1 and March 31. Our last recommendation is to make sure that you give yourself lots of time, so that you don’t need to rush. But it sounds like you are one highly prepared fellow and we think you will be ready for anything – especially a beautiful road trip through fabulous BC! Hope that this helps.

    • Hello Barbara,

      While weather on the Coquihalla during the summer is typically fair – summer storms can bring rain and even snow to high elevations. The tips given in this blog are valuable during the summer and winter and as always, please remember to check DriveBC for up to the minute road conditions and events.

  48. Not sure if anyone mentioned it and I might of overlooked it but getting a BCAA premium card might pay off too.
    Check all fluids, thermostat, belts, hoses, alternator, battery and put a piece of cardboard in front of your grill or radiator if it’s too cold for your car engine to stay warm.

  49. Interesting site for people unused to winter driving. I’d sure love to see the words “SLOW DOWN” written somewhere in capitals. I know it’s mentioned above but in such a pleasant way I wonder if it will register. So many people do not know black ice is hard to see but very easy to lose control on and don’t seem to even know enough to check it out. Bare & wet can often be icy. Why not add a winter speed LIMIT when conditions are treacherous? 120, 110 and even 100 k/p/h are too fast much of the time and especially at night.

  50. This is just straight up common sence shit why not tell ppl how to dreal with the driving conditions you don’t even mention that you should carry blankets and a flat nose shovel and some kind of sand or gravel bag to help you out in a bad situation like give ppl info that is more useful then a picture …

  51. Under Point #6 “Check DriveBC”, you forgot to mention that current weather from Ministry Road Weather Stations and Weather Forecasts from Environment Canada (including High Elevation Travellers’ forecasts for some of the prominent mountain passes) are also available on DriveBC.

  52. The elevation graph depicting the extreme rise experienced on the Coquihalla is an excellent tool to get the message across that it truly is a high mountain pass. Awesome!