Ancient firs, mountain lakes and the surf beaches of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve on Vancouver Island's wild west coast. That is what Pacific Rim Highway to Tofino promises, and it delivers. At about 130 miles (209 km), it is a drive best taken slowly, over 3–4 days, with time to pull over whenever the view demands it on the way from Nanaimo to Tofino.
Open this route in XCRSNSetting out from Nanaimo
Start early, with a full tank and a loose plan. Nanaimo is where the road begins, and the first miles set the rhythm for everything that follows.
The first big moment is Cathedral Grove old-growth firs. Give it the time it deserves; it is why many people make this trip at all.
Along the way
The road strings together Cathedral Grove, Port Alberni and Ucluelet. Each one makes a natural break, and Port Alberni sits close to the middle if you want to split the drive with a night's sleep.
Do not miss Long Beach in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.
Arriving in Tofino
Save energy for the final stretch: Storm watching from Tofino lodges is still ahead.
By the end you will have seen Cathedral Grove old-growth firs, Long Beach in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and Storm watching from Tofino lodges, and you will understand why Pacific Rim Highway to Tofino belongs on any list of great drives.
When to go and how to pace it
The best time to drive it is May–September; November–February for storm watching. Plan on 3–4 days so the drive never feels rushed.
Highway 4 past Kennedy Lake is narrow and winding; check DriveBC for construction closures.
XCRSN prices fuel for every leg in the local currency, finds stops along the way and books overnights near each town.
