Duffey Lake Road (Whistler to Lillooet) is a great summer drive in BC

Duffey Lake Road (Whistler to Lillooet) is a great summer drive in BC

Canada, north-america

Length

129 km

Elevation

1,291 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Highway 99, also known as Duffey Lake Road, is your ticket to a seriously stunning and less-traveled road trip through British Columbia.

Snuggled within the Coastal Mountains, this beauty stretches for 129 km (80.1 miles) from Whistler to Lillooet, getting its final coat of asphalt back in '91.

Now, hold on tight! This road's got some serious climbs, hairpin turns that'll test your brakes (and maybe your nerves!), and drop-offs that are, well, massive. Expect single-lane bridges, potential avalanche zones, and the occasional rock fall – it's a mountain road, after all. If heights aren't your thing, maybe focus on the road ahead! Cell service can be spotty, and you won't find any gas stations along the way.

While it's usually open year-round, winter can bring closures due to weather, so summer's your best bet for a smooth ride. The highest point is Cayoosh Pass, sitting at 1,291m (4,235ft) above sea level.

Budget about 2 hours for the drive, not counting stops. And trust me, you'll WANT to stop. The views are incredible. Think switchbacks and single-lane bridges mixed with majestic scenery – it's a drive you won't forget. Motorcycle riders and car enthusiasts alike will be grinning ear to ear.

For an extended adventure, start in Vancouver, cruise the Sea to Sky Highway, pass through Pemberton, onto the Duffey Lake Road and then loop back down the highway for a total journey of 575 km (360 miles), taking about 6-8 hours depending on traffic and your ride. Ideally, spread it over two days, but a single-day blitz is doable too!

Where is it?

Duffey Lake Road (Whistler to Lillooet) is a great summer drive in BC is located in Canada (north-america). Coordinates: 59.4473, -105.1499

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Road Details

Country
Canada
Continent
north-america
Length
129 km
Max Elevation
1,291 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
59.4473, -105.1499

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