7 Alberta road trip destinations that are perfect for this summer

It’s summer and the living is easy.

You enjoy all the activities that come along with the warmer months, but you’re also vying to jump in your car and embark on a seriously cool road trip.

You can already feel the summer breeze rustling through your hair as you press your foot against the gas pedal. You’ve got your aviators on and you’ve braced yourself for an adventure – until you realize that you don’t know where to go.

Sure, Alberta’s packed with a slew of different parks and destinations, but they can get busy during this time of the year; and that’s a turn off when you’re trying to escape any stress.

Speaking of stress, remember that your trip isn’t just about the destination, but how you get there too. Before you hit the highway, you’ll want to have auto insurance for the modern world. And that’s exactly what you’ll get with Esurance after getting a free quote online – without any hassle. It also means that when you set off to your destination you’ll have an added peace of mind.

To help you plan the perfect road trip this summer, we’ve compiled a list of 7  destinations you need to visit this summer in Alberta.

Wood Buffalo Park

Located in northeastern Alberta and southern Northwest Territories, Wood Buffalo Park is Canada’s largest national park. Not only is this area a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but it also has the world’s largest population of wild bison. There’s lots to see like the Peace Athabasca Delta where the beautiful Peace, Athabasca, and Birch Rivers join. This one’s off the beaten path so you need to stay safe. Bring an emergency kit that includes flares, a flashlight, a spare radio, canned food, drinking water, and first aid equipment – just in case. With rivers in the area and the risk of summer storms, make sure you consider the possibility of heavy rain or flooding. If the water raises to more than six inches, just know it’s best to avoid the area.

The Lacombe Corn Maze

If you’re going to explore the prairies then you’ll want to experience the man-made Lacombe Corn Maze. Located just 3 km west of Lacombe, this makes for a great pit stop if you’re headed to a further destination. This maze covers 15 acres and stands over nine feet tall.

The Badlands

The Badlands are famous for a number of reasons, but they’ll definitely be a hit with history buffs. And that’s because during prehistoric times this area was inhabited by dinosaurs – 70 million years ago. If this excites you then you’ll definitely want to check out the Royal Tyrrell Museum. You can also learn how to skydive over the vast area, visit the Alberta Prairie Railway, and watch Alberta’s birds of prey.

But before you leave to get there, check the fluids in your car for the bugs that will hit your windshield during the trip.  According to Esurance, if you’re approaching 5,000 km since your last oil change then you’ll want to get on that too.

The Gopher Hole Museum

This one makes for a great pitstop as you drive down the highway toward your final destination – especially if you’re in the mood for some quirky fun.  The Gopher Hole Museum is located in Torrington. Walk in to view taxidermy at its best with stuffed gophers placed in a wide variety of comical dioramas.

Village of Longview

Tons of people visit Longview and it’s easy to see why. This quaint little village is located 18 km south of Black Diamond in the Canadian Rockies foothills and offers a hip, unique vibe with its diverse activities. Enjoy entertainment, cool events, a family-friendly campground, gourmet dining, galleries, and much more.

This is going to be a hot trip so make sure you’ve checked that your air conditioner is in good working condition so both you and your engine don’t overheat. After you get your convenient Esurance, make sure you bring the insurance card and your driver’s license with you in case any issues arise.

Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump

This is a place that you have to visit at least once in your life. The Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump is a world heritage site and it’s located where the foothills of the Rocky Mountains meet the Great Plains. The site has preserved the amazing history of the Plains People who once hunted bison by stampeding them over a cliff. For many people, this location requires lots of driving, so just make sure that your insurance documents from Esurance are up to date and current. You can always take a picture of them with your phone just in case you lose them.

The Icefields Parkway

Stretched between Lake Louise and Japser for 230 kilometers, this adventure makes for one of the most illustrious road trips in Canada. This especially applies to nature lovers since you’ll get to drive by lakes, waterfalls, glaciers, and mountains. Plus, there are tons of different stopping points so you can take pictures up close. Make sure you stop at the Icefields Centre that looks over the Columbia Icefields and Athabasca Glacier. Chances are you’re probably going to be far from home, so before you leave, check if you have loss of use coverage on your policy from Esurance. That means you can get a replacement temporary vehicle if your car is damaged and needs to go in for repairs. After all, you don’t want to be stranded away from home without any transportation options.

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Esurance

We often forget about the true costs of a road trip, and that’s because accidents are bound to happen at one point or another. However, planning ahead means you can soften the blow of any inconveniences that occur as you cruise along the highway.

Getting a free quote from Esurance can help you prepare for the worst when going on a road trip, and signing up will give you an added piece of mind. Plus, there are several added benefits of signing up. For starters, you can save time and stress by managing your policy all online, you can earn discounts to help keep your rates low, and you’ll be working with an Allstate-backed company with 24/7 claims service.

Because you deserve that hard-earned road trip, but you also deserve one that’s hassle-free.