Road Trippin’ Through British Columbia:
Tips, Tricks & Lessons From the Road
Last June, we packed up the truck, loaded our gear, and hit the road for a long-awaited journey through British Columbia. Starting in Kelowna, BC and driving all the way up to Watson Lake, Yukon. From towering mountain passes to quiet lakeside campsites, this trip brought adventure, unforgettable landscapes....and a few lessons we learned the hard way!
Whether you're planning a road trip through British Columbia, heading into remote terrain, or just curious about taking a long road trip, we're sharing our top tips, tricks, and discoveries from the road. Many of these we also covered in our Exploring Dirt: Tracks, Trails and Forgotten Tales Podcast Episode #3, but this post goes even deeper.
🚙 Truck Travel: What We Got Right (and What We Changed)
The Good:
✔️ Our truck gave us the freedom to explore off-the-beaten path
✔️ Tons of space for food, gear, and our trusty cooler
The Not-So-Great:
❌ Setting up a ground tent every night got old
❌ Finding level ground wasn’t always easy
❌ Sleeping in the cab? Let’s talk about that…
There were nights when we couldn’t find a campsite or pulled in too late, and setting up the tent just didn’t make sense, especially when we knew we’d be up early to hit the road again. So, we did what you do when you’re road-weary and flexible: we reclined the seats, unrolled our sleeping bags, grabbed our pillows, and made a cozy (ish) nest in the cab.
We’d throw on a podcast, chat about the day, and drift off. It was simple, it saved time... but let’s be honest: sleeping in a truck cab isn’t exactly luxury. Your back and neck remind you of that the next day.
It worked — until it didn’t. You can only sleep at a rest stop so many times before your spine stages a revolt.”
Still, there was something kind of fun about those nights. They made the mornings feel more adventurous, even if we were stiff, craving coffee and a stretch.
What we Changed: This year we invested in a rooftop tent. Faster setup, better sleep, and fewer nights of accidentally honking the horn while shifting in our sleep. Best of all, fewer mornings waking up with a sore back and stiff neck!
🛏️ Rooftop Tent vs. Ground Tent
After spending two weeks on the road, one of the biggest takeaways from our trip was how much time and energy we spent setting up and taking down our ground tent — especially on those nights we rolled in late or left early. We quickly realized that a more efficient setup would’ve made a huge difference.
We also had a few nights where we ended up sleeping in the cab of the truck because it was faster than pulling everything out and pitching the tent. While it worked in a pinch, it wasn’t exactly comfortable.
That’s when we started comparing options — and seriously considering a rooftop tent. Here’s a breakdown of the key differences we experienced and what we’ve learned since:
⛺ Ground Tent
-
Slower to set up and take down
-
Requires level, clear ground
-
Exposed to rainwater pooling and mud
-
Sleeping directly on the ground — less comfortable
-
More vulnerable to wildlife encounters
-
Great for stationary, multi-day camps
🚙 Rooftop Tent
-
Quick and easy setup — great for one-night stops
-
Elevated from the ground — no mud or uneven terrain
-
Built-in mattress = better sleep
-
Less exposed to critters and weather
-
Frees up truck bed space for other gear
-
Pricier, but a long-term investment in comfort and convenience
While ground tents definitely work — especially if you’re hiking or camping in established sites — for road tripping and moving daily, we now know that a rooftop tent would’ve made things faster, easier, and way more comfortable.
🍲 Food Tips From the Road
To save room in the cooler, we knew we would need other food items that did not need to be refrigerated. We experimented with a mix of homemade dehydrated meals, store-bought options, and no-cook essentials. Here's what we learned along the way:
🥄 Homemade Dehydrated Meals
I started making my own dehydrated meals a while back, and I’m so glad I did.
We find them much healthier as you can control the sodium, veggies, and fat content, and avoid all the preservatives and excess salt that often come in store-bought versions.
They do take time to prep, but when you’re sitting around a fire eating something that tastes like home, it’s 100% worth it.
Our favourite is Chili Mac — hearty, filling, and easy to rehydrate.
I also make our own beef jerky, which is one of our go-to protein snacks. Lightweight, no refrigeration needed, and packed with flavor.
I usually buy lean cuts of roast from Costco — it’s a great way to make a big batch without breaking the bank.
🛒 Store-Bought Dehydrated Meals
✅ Convenient and easy to pack
✅ No refrigeration needed
❌ Expensive
❌ Often loaded with sodium and preservatives
They’re great in a pinch, especially when time is tight — but we prefer homemade when we can.
🧺 Food Pantry Essentials
Not everything needs to be dehydrated or fancy. Some of our favourite staples are:
-
Tortillas (way more durable than bread)
-
Canned proteins (tuna, beans, salmon)
-
Pasta sauce (in a jar or shelf-stable pouch)
-
Instant rice or couscous
-
Crackers (great with cheese or peanut butter)
-
Granola, trail mix, dried fruit, and nuts
Tip: Keep snacks and grab-and-go items within reach — glove box, seat pockets, or daypacks.
We bought Rubbermaid plastic drawers and turned them into a mini pantry that fits perfectly behind the truck seat, facing the rear cab door. It’s easy to access and saves you from digging through bins.
On the other side of the cab, we now keep our electric cooler, which acts as our fridge. The cooler opens toward the door, so when you swing it open, you’ve got cold drinks or food at your fingertips.
🧂 Pantry Packing Tips
Our mobile pantry is built into a set of clear Rubbermaid plastic drawers, which makes it super easy to see what we have and keeps everything organized. It fits perfectly behind the truck seat, facing the rear cab door — giving us fast access during a stop or while setting up camp.
No more digging through bins just to find the salt or paper towels!
On the other side of the cab, we keep our electric cooler, which acts as our fridge. It’s positioned so that the lid opens toward the door — just swing it open and your cold food and drinks are right there. Easy access on the go.
Here’s what we always pack in the pantry drawers:
🧂 Pantry Essentials:
-
Salt, pepper, chili flakes, bouillon cubes, spices
-
Olive oil
-
Single-serve condiments (ketchup, mustard, hot sauce)
-
Trail mix, granola bars, crackers, dried fruit
-
Canned goods (beans, tuna, soup, veggies)
-
Tin foil, plastic wrap, Ziploc baggies
-
Bag clips, paper towel, tablecloth
-
Tea towels, dishcloths & hand towels
-
Camp Suds - all purpose wilderness wash. Great for washing anything, even yourself!
☕ Coffee Setup
Dan loves his coffee in the morning — and our method depends on how fast we’re moving that morning.
-
Instant coffee is a must-have for those early mornings when we’re packing up and hitting the road fast. It’s quick, no mess, and gets the job done.
-
But our favorite mornings? When there’s time to relax and brew a real cup in my grandmother’s old CorningWare percolator. There’s just something special about that slow brew by the fire.
-
We also carry a small travel-size coffee bean grinder and single reusable pour-over filters, which are great when we want fresh-ground coffee without taking up too much space. It’s a simple, lightweight setup that still delivers a great cup.
🧊 The Ice Dilemma: Why We Switched to an Electric Cooler
On our British Columbia road trip, we originally packed a standard cooler that required ice. It worked fine....until we passed Dease Lake. After that? There was nowhere to get ice until Watson Lake, Yukon. That’s 256 kilometers!
We ended up camping at a beautiful lake between Dease Lake and Watson Lake for two nights — it should’ve been the perfect remote paddle-and-relax stop. But after one night, the ice was melting fast, and we realized our food was at risk of spoiling.
So what did we do?
We drove 1.5 hours to Watson Lake just to buy ice… and then 1.5 hours back.
Three hours lost that we could’ve spent kayaking on a pristine lake.
That was the moment we knew we needed a better solution.
We’ve since upgraded to an electric cooler, and it has been a game changer. No more:
-
Stressing about finding ice
-
Dealing with water-logged food
-
Wasting hours driving out of the way
Electric coolers aren't cheap upfront, but after factoring in the cost of ice on a multi-week trip — it’s already paid for itself.
Plus, we never have to skip an adventure just to chase a bag of ice.
⛺ Campsite Wisdom
We only booked our first three nights, after that, we just winged it. It gave us the freedom to explore without a rigid schedule, but it also meant needing to stay flexible.
Do your research before you hit the road.
Apps like OnX Offroad, Backroads Mapbook, Gaia GPS, and others are super helpful for finding Rec Sites, free Crown land camping, and off-grid locations along your route.
A few things to keep in mind:
-
🔥 Be prepared for fire bans.
Many areas, especially in BC during the summer months, have seasonal fire restrictions. We always bring our propane fire pit, and we love it. It’s safe, quick to set up, and gives off enough warmth for an evening by the fire when real flames aren’t allowed. -
💵 Carry some cash.
Several Rec Sites or smaller campgrounds operate on a self-registration system and accept cash only. It’s smart to have a stash on hand for those unexpected but beautiful overnight spots. -
📅 Timing matters.
If you’re traveling in peak summer, especially on weekends, campsites fill up fast. Arriving earlier in the day, mid-week, or traveling shoulder season can help you score the best spots.
Be flexible, stay informed, and always have a backup plan. The best adventures come when you’re ready for anything.
🕒 Give Yourself Time
If there’s one thing we underestimated, it was the sheer size of British Columbia....and how long it takes to really explore it. We packed a lot into just two weeks and clocked over 5,600 kilometers on the road. That’s a wild ride!
And while we loved every destination, we often felt rushed. There were trails we didn’t hike, towns we only glimpsed, and backroads we skipped to stay on track.
What we didn’t realize until we were deep into the trip is just how many historical stops, roadside pullouts, and hidden landmarks there are along the way. From interpretive signs and old townsites to stunning viewpoints and unexpected museums....there’s so much to see.
We could have easily stretched the same route into three or four weeks and still felt like we were moving fast.
If you can:
-
Build a 3-week itinerary instead of two....expect your trip to take longer than you think it will!
-
Leave room for detours and down days
-
Embrace a slower pace....and let the trip surprise you
Because this province deserves more than just a drive-by!
If you're in a hurry, you’ll miss some of the best parts. The history, the stories, the soul of our beautiful province.
📦 Bonus Tips
💧 Bring more water than you think you'll need
🔦 Headlamps > flashlights
🗺️ Don’t rely solely on GPS — bring offline maps
🧻 Keep TP and a trowel handy
🔥 Fire bans? Have a backup cooking method
💬 Talk to locals. Some of the best finds and adventures come from quick chats at gas stations, cafés, or trailheads.
🛁 Recreation centres in larger towns often have public showers for just a few dollars — and for a bit more, you can enjoy a hot tub or pool. It’s a great way to refresh mid-trip.
📍 Stop at visitor centres. They’re an incredible resource for up-to-date road and trail conditions, hidden gems, and local tips you won’t find online.
Add comment
Comments
Love this!