Canada & The Cassiar Highway- What You Need To Know!
The Cassiar Highway, also known as BC Highway 37, offers a breathtaking journey through the stunning and rugged landscapes of northwestern British Columbia, Canada. This remote and scenic route is becoming increasingly popular among adventurous travelers seeking an off-the-beaten-path experience. Stretching for approximately 450 miles, the Cassiar Highway is considered one of the two primary routes to reach Alaska by road from the Lower 48. However, it's important to note that the Cassiar Highway is a remote and sometimes challenging road, requiring careful preparation and a reliable vehicle to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey.
Border Crossing
We touched on the Canadian Border crossing in a previous blog, there are a few essential tips to keep in mind to ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience. First, make sure to have all necessary documentation readily available, including a valid passport or acceptable travel document for each person traveling with you. It's also important to provide thorough travel details when interacting with border agents, as it helps establish trust and avoids any potential delays or complications. Additionally, declare any goods or items that need to be declared, and be aware of prohibited items such as firearms, fruits, and vegetables that are restricted from crossing the border. Lastly, familiarize yourself with the specific rules and regulations regarding the importation of pets, alcohol, and other items to avoid any issues at the border. It is also a good idea to have just one person do the speaking and to refrain from jokes. By following these tips, you can ensure a seamless journey as you cross the Canadian border in your RV.
Get The Cost Breakdown Here!Where Should You Stay?
Canada is similiar to the US in that it has private campgrounds and state parks or Provincial Parks as they are called in Canada. The Provincial parks are all first come first serve so it is better to arrive early and also have a back up plan in case there are no vacancies. There is nothing worse than driving all day to find out you don’t have a spot and have no back up plan. Fortunately there are plenty of pull off areas and rest areas that you can stay overnight wihtout hookups. One thing we learned while camping along the Cassier HWY is not to expect 50 amp services or luxury amenities like laundry services, pools and spas at most of the campgrounds!
Most campgrounds were not full hookups, meaning there wasn’t a sewer connection. It is important to locate potential dump stations and water fill ups along your route to ensure you have empty tanks and fresh water in case you have to boondock along the route. The Cassiar is very desolate so it is important to take advantage of all resources along the way to ensure you always have the neccesities for your journey!
Cell Service & Internet
When it comes to cell service in Canada, there are a few important factors to consider if you are visiting from the United States. It's crucial to check if your US cell phone will work in Canada. While newer Verizon phones and Sprint have coverage in most populated areas, rates and availability may vary by US carrier. It is advisable to contact your service provider to understand any additional fees or roaming charges that may apply when using your phone in Canada! While the Cassiar Highway is breathtaking, that beauty doesn’t come without sacrifice. While we were traveling we found that we rarely had cell signal along the Cassiar. One thing that really helped us was leaving our maps loaded at all times, that way if we lost signal along the route we would still have directions!
Many of you may work remote and need a form of internet for your job. Depending how many miles you decide to drive per day this could require you to have to do work while travelling the Cassiar. As mentioned earlier the cell signal can be unreliable rendering a mobile hotspot useless! We relied heavely on our starlink along this journey through Canada and without it we would have been in some trouble. There is a satelite map that will show you where the satelites are to give you an idea of good locations to pull off to ensure good speed and connectivity!
Let’s Talk Money
Do you need Canadian cash while traveling through Canada in an RV? Yes! There are many reasons why having cash will benefit you while traveling thorugh Canada. Some campgrounds may only accept cash, or their credit card machine may be down. It is also nice to have small bills for things such as laundromats and showers.
Can you use a credit card in Canada? It depends so make sure you check with your card company to find out if it will and what the transaction fees. We were debating on whether or not it would be better to carry a lot of Canadian cash around or to use our credit card and accept the transaction fees. We do not like to carry around a lot of cash, so we chose to use our credit card for purchases and accept the added cost of the transaction fees and at the end of the day the extra cost wasn’t that much for the peace of mind!
