We will be following The Road Less Traveled on this incursion into the Canadian hinterlands, approaching from the east via Saskatchewan, Alberta and BC. From Silver Creek, BC to Capilano RV Park in north Vancouver, a distance of about 100 miles(180 kilometers) TL Directory has us following Hwy 7 for most of the route. Would we be better off taking TC Hwy 1? We'll be coming through on a Thursday, mid-afternoon.
Coach is 39' feet long with a toad, so total length is about 60'.
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Hi. I`m just up the road in Tappen.
If it was me, I`d do 97 to 1 or get on 1 in Salmon Arm to 5 to 1 then all the way to North Van on 1.Avoid Vernon & Kelowna. You NEED to be at near or crossing the Port Mann bridge by 2pm. It`s rush hour from hell after 3pm across the whole Vancouver area + construction of the new Port Mann just snarls traffic...much like rush hour in Seattle or LA.HELL on Wheels.
In the past, we have always invaded Vancouver Island by taking the ferry either from Port Angeles to Victoria or Tsawassan to Nanaimo. Since our planned route this year will put us on probably TC Hwy 1 coming from the east, it appears we can take the ferry either from Tsawassan or from Horseshoe Bay. If we leave from Tsawassan, we will spend the night at the Peach Arch RV park; if from Horseshoe Bay, at Capilano RV Park. It looks like we would encounter less Vancouver traffic by planning a Tsawassan departure. What is the opinion of those with experience?
Tsawassan ferry terminal will keep you out of Vancouver traffic but you will have to use Hwy 10 off #1 at 232nd st. Traffic thru Langley and Surrey can be a pain but do it mid day and no later than 3pm into the RV park.
Grey Mountain wrote: In the past, we have always invaded Vancouver Island by taking the ferry either from Port Angeles to Victoria or Tsawassan to Nanaimo. Since our planned route this year will put us on probably TC Hwy 1 coming from the east, it appears we can take the ferry either from Tsawassan or from Horseshoe Bay. If we leave from Tsawassan, we will spend the night at the Peach Arch RV park; if from Horseshoe Bay, at Capilano RV Park. It looks like we would encounter less Vancouver traffic by planning a Tsawassan departure. What is the opinion of those with experience?
GM
If you are only travelling 100 miles that day you could get to the ferry early and head over to the Island, thus saving another night on the mainland.
I vote to Tsawwassen, heading to Horseshoe Bay you have a long incline off the Iron Worker's Memorial Bridge, then a long decline into the Ferry Terminal.
The route to Tsawwassen is practically flat and you will avoid a whole bunch of traffic.
If you are heading to Salmon Point, take the Ferry from Tsawwassen to Duke Point (just South of Nanaimo)
With the Golden Ears bridge, crossing from 7 to 1 is much easier, though there is the toll.
On our last return to Seattle from interior BC, I took 7 from Hope in order to stop at Harrison Hot Springs and camp at Sasquatch Prov Park. I wanted to take the new (at that time) Golden Ears Bridge, but chose to cross the river at Mission in order to cross the Abbortsford border before the afternoon rush.
On another trip we enjoyed at camping at Golden Ears Prov. Park (having crossed the river on the small ferry).
Another reason to stay north is to see the sights in the mountains above North Vancouver.
But there is an even more scenic way of getting to Horseshoe Bay - hwy 99 from the north You could even camp at Alice Lake or Porteau Cove, and be an easy shot to morning ferry. And if you've never done this before, take Horseshoe Bay ferry to the Sunshine Coast, and cross at Powell River to Vancouver Island.
If you aren't constrained by time, and the size of your RV, there are lots of fun ways to get to Vancouver Island.
* This post was
edited 05/11/12 09:30pm by paulj *
We've taken the Tsawassan/Duke Point ferry several times on our way to Salmon Point. Under current route plans, we'll be about two hundred miles out on the day before our planned ferry sailing. That's an easy drive to either park and will give us a good night's rest before catching the ferry. Also, there is arguably the world's best Fish and Chips place in White Rock - gotta take care of my British Bride, ya know.
I hate Highway 10. Pleasant and hassle free drive that avoids all the agony is to get off #1 at Abbotsford, go South on #11 towards Huntingdon, go West on #8, onto #16 at #13, maybe drop back down to #8, depending on mood, come out in White Rock. Go up to ferry from there.
Heading East, same way.
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You could even camp at Alice Lake or Porteau Cove, and be an easy shot to morning ferry. And if you've never done this before, take Horseshoe Bay ferry to the Sunshine Coast, and cross at Powell River to Vancouver Island. 
