route assistance from Texarkana to Winnipeg to Banff

[djwalt]

Hey forum and thanks for the help in advance. We are newbies and will be traveling with a group to the ultimate destination of Banff later this year. We have a Cougar 29RKS Fifth Wheel pulled with a GMC Denali Diesel 2500HD. All of the others in our group also have Fifth Wheels. Looking for the best route from Texarkana, AR to Winnipeg to Banff. I have tried to plan the route using RV Trippers and every possibility shows most of the route in Canada as "Warning roads above weight limit". The thought of driving along and reaching a point in the road that we cannot traverse is daunting, especially after viewing the warnings on Trippers. The thought is to go through Winnipeg up to Jasper then down to Banff. We are not in a hurry and plan to enjoy to journey. Any suggestions on route, RV parks, and "not to miss sights" are greatly appreciated. We enjoy moderate hikes, viewing wildlife and scenery, and good food!! Thanks again!!

If this post is in the wrong place, just let me know and I will move to correct place.

Denny and Janet
2021 Cougar 29RKS
2021 GMC Denali 2500HD

 

[fjr vfr]

I don't know what routes you're looking at above weight limits? In the SW here there are lots of Canadians from those areas with huge 5th wheels and some double towing.
If you were more specific maybe one or more could offer some advice.
Anyway, I would not miss our favorite NP Glacier! Plenty of CG's in the area including 2 KOA's.
In Banff we stayed at the Tunnel CG and in Hinton, which is near Jasper we stayed at a KOA. Can't say much about your routes since we came from a different direction.

 

[djwalt]

Thank you for the info... sorry, I forgot to post the route info. New to posting but will get better with time.


Here is a portion of the route
Winnipeg, Canada
1 Granite Way, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3C 0Y9
RV Safety Warning: RV Safety options unsupported for some or all of route. Exceeds weight restrictions.

View the trip planner and map to see these warnings along your route.


36. Drive south.
0.0 mi

37. Turn right onto Granite Way.
0.1 mi

38. Turn right onto Balmoral Street.
0.2 mi

39. Turn left onto PTH 1 West/Broadway.
0.6 mi

40. Turn left onto PTH 1 West/Route 85/Portage Avenue.
348.4 mi

41. Keep left to take 1/Regina Bypass.
15.1 mi

42. Keep left to stay on 1 toward Moose Jaw.


Hopefully, this will help for those with knowledge to assist.

Have a great day!!

 

[Notanlines]

Okay, I’ll bite. What could possibly bring a group of Rv’ers all the way from Texarkana to Winnipeg? Have y’all ever been to Winnipeg? Lose a bet? You’re going to drive for four days, spend $700 on fuel and accommodations and visit Winnipeg? Nope, I’ve been to Winnipeg. A small number of times. My dad raced there when I was a teenager. I have since fished the area until I learned that Canadians don’t enjoy a cold beer while fishing, That broke me of suckin’ eggs. Now I fish Wisconsin where I believe you’re REQUIRED yo have a cold beer while fishing.
Yep, we all want to know about ‘why Winnipeg.’
And before any of you fine Winnipeggers get riled, this was just tongue-in-cheek. But if you think about it, I’ll bet none of you would spend that to travel to Texarkana would you?

 

[NH_Bulldog]

First, I would double check that you have your vehicle information entered into the planner correctly, keeping in mind that in Canada the measurements are in Kgs. not Lbs. Second, you should be able to zoom into areas of concern on each leg of the trip. Typically the weight restrictions the planning programs call out are for bridge weight limits, not roads.

I just quickly plotted a route matching yours from Winnipeg to Banff using my 5th wheel specs (longer and heavier than yours) and there were no route restrictions. I use RV Life Pro Trip Wizard which lets you enter all your equipment specs and then plots an "RV-Safe" route. I like that I can do all the route planning and campground research on the computer and then open the smartphone app while in the truck and use the GPS navigation feature through Apple CarPlay. It has yet to steer us wrong or put us in a situation with weight or height restrictions. We have used it across the US and Canada.

 

[Oilfan97]

I don't think that you would run into any weight restrictions on that route.

The drive from Winnipeg to Jasper is mostly flat farmland. Lots of lakes and campgrounds, but not necessarily the most scenic journey. (wave as you go through Edmonton )

Jasper itself is magnificent and the drive from Jasper down to Banff is one of the most scenic drives in the entire world. I've made it many times, but never while towing an RV. I assume you're going during the summer? The roads in and around the national parks are pretty good but can be bad in the winter. It is mountainous, but you'll be good with a Diesel. Don't cook your brakes.

My suggestion would be to maybe choose a place (in that area) to camp for a few days and make day trips to see the various sights. I don't think I'd want to haul my RV to each site that I'd want to stop at. I've used Lake Louise as a base camp to explore the Banff area.

Might want to plan ahead and book sites way ahead of time. Campgrounds in this area book up early.

 

[Gearhead]

If you live in Texarkana you should be able to find US59 easily. Get on it. Turn left when you get to Winnipeg.
Lake Melvern KS COE has a loop with full hook ups.
US 75 basically parallels 59.
US281 will get you pretty close too.
If you get near Sioux Falls there is a nice state campground in Brandon. BUt check Husets Speedway schedule before reserving.

 

[djwalt]

It seems I have to answer to my "safety" dilemna... This app will only support RV safety in the USA while providing route information in Canada.

RV safe routing is only available for U.S. routes. RV safety selections will not apply to route portions that extend outside U.S. boundaries, although you will still be able to see your route in any supported countries. We're hoping to expand RV safety to other countries soon! Learn more about RV routing in our guide to RV Safe Routing!

Thank you to everyone who has already responded. Specific replies will be coming shortly.

 

[djwalt]

"Looking for the best route from Texarkana, AR to Winnipeg to BANFF"

soooo we are going straight up to Winnipeg then cutting West to Banff. Winnipeg is just where the potential sketchy route began. But to answer your question... Who would go to Winnipeg?? Maybe someone who just likes to wander and see new places. Or someone who likes to travel and spend time just hanging with friends and family while enjoying good food and good company. Or maybe someone just turning left and heading west. LOL... lookiing forward to many fun conversations in the future.

 

[djwalt]

I think we are going to also purchase the RV Trip Wizard as we were evaluating both. If they will support the rv safety part in Canada, they seem to be the better bargain!!

Thanks!!

 

[djwalt]

We have been to Jasper / Banff area before but not in RV. It is beautiful and we can't wait to get back to explore. We are planning the trip for summer months. We will definitely be setting multiple base camps and day tripping to various places. Thank you for the info and help!!

 

[DWS-KEY]

Winnipeg Bypass

Former Winnipeger here. Your mapping software is showing you a route through Winnipeg not around it using the bypass route . For some reason "No 1, the Trans Canada" highway goes through the city not around it. When you get to the south side of Winnipeg follow the signage to head west on the bypass route labelled "100". Don't even think about going through the city with a big rig or 5th wheel. For the rest of the route, if in doubt, follow the signage showing the next major population center. That will take you on the fastest routes around Regina and Calgary and bypass going through the cities.

Pull through camping around Winnipeg is very limited. If you are staying there, you will need to head East on the bypass a short ways to the "Town & Country Rv park". You can then get back on the bypass and head west. Forget the KOA west of Winnipeg. Its on the highway, very small and quite noisy. If you have the time, continue west to Brandon on No 1 and head north (60 mi) on #10 highway to Clear Lake in Riding Mountain National Park. Big campground inside the park and a really nice townsite and lake to visit.

FYI, Banff is fine, Jasper has some problems due to the fire. The town of Jasper was pretty much burnt down in the fires last year. Camping in the area has some restrictions so I would check before heading up there.

Have fun.

 

[Notanlines]

What DWS said “ Forget the KOA west of Winnipeg. Its on the highway, very small and quite noisy.”
We were stuck on the small lots down by the river, of course right after the water had receded. Place was pricey also.

 

[L. Rempel]

Hey forum and thanks for the help in advance. We are newbies and will be traveling with a group to the ultimate destination of Banff later this year. We have a Cougar 29RKS Fifth Wheel pulled with a GMC Denali Diesel 2500HD. All of the others in our group also have Fifth Wheels. Looking for the best route from Texarkana, AR to Winnipeg to Banff. I have tried to plan the route using RV Trippers and every possibility shows most of the route in Canada as "Warning roads above weight limit". The thought of driving along and reaching a point in the road that we cannot traverse is daunting, especially after viewing the warnings on Trippers. The thought is to go through Winnipeg up to Jasper then down to Banff. We are not in a hurry and plan to enjoy to journey. Any suggestions on route, RV parks, and "not to miss sights" are greatly appreciated. We enjoy moderate hikes, viewing wildlife and scenery, and good food!! Thanks again!!

If this post is in the wrong place, just let me know and I will move to correct place.

Denny and Janet
2021 Cougar 29RKS
2021 GMC Denali 2500HD

Use your RV GPS to Winnipeg and all of Canada and ignore the weight warnings. I grew up in Winnipeg and have travelled extensively in my home country. If your RV GPS said the road is ok, then it is.
Enjoy your trip!

 

[djwalt]

Thank you so much for the info. Will pass it along to our group. We have been blessed to book sites in Jasper, Lake Louise, and Banff arriving in that order. The group has suggested from Winnipeg to go via Saskatoon through Edmonton to Jasper. Your route seems to go further south. Which would be best traveling... scenery, campsite, etc??

 

[djwalt]

Well that's no fun... will definitely be avoiding that one!!