Say ‘road trip’ and it’s easy to think of hot summer drives to the lake or beach. Those are great times for sure – but fall road trips often hit even better.

Fall means kids are back in school so there are fewer families on the move (or in the line for ice cream), highways aren’t blazing hot like in July so there’s less chance of your vehicle overheating, plus reservations for ferries and accommodations are a lot easier to get.

Fall is an amazing time to see BC and fall travel can be easier on your wallet. For a fraction of what you pay in the summer, you can see spectacular fall colours in the Thompson Okanagan and the Kootenays, check out the fall festivals and fairs on Vancouver Island, and if you love endless beaches and huge waves, Tofino surfing gets really great in October.

You’ll make lasting memories and save money by following these simple tips to having the perfect fall getaway.

Get fuel-efficient as you roam

If you’re taking your own car, get it serviced before you leave and make sure you have the proper tires – you’ll need winter tires on many BC highways from October 1 to April 30, like the Coquihalla and Sea-to-Sky highway between Vancouver and Whistler. In the market for new tires? BCAA Members get a $100 cash rebate or earn 120 CAA Dollars® when purchasing a set of eligible tires from Pirelli from Oct 6-Dec 18. Also don’t forget to check your auto insurance coverage. BCAA Members save up to 20% on BCAA Optional Car Insurance.

Renting a vehicle? You can save on rental cars, SUVs, trucks and vans at Alamo, Enterprise and National with your BCAA Membership. Check out what hybrid and fuel-efficient models are available to save even more when you’re filling up.

Have an electric vehicle (EV)? Make sure you ‘know your range’ so you can plan your route and your charging stops. Here’s your EV road trip guide to travelling around BC that includes a full list of EV charging stations around the province.

How’s your driving? Are you relaxed and steady behind the wheel or does impatience get the best of you? You can save on gas by avoiding aggressive driving and keeping to a safe and steady speed. We also recommend you pack light. The more weight your vehicle carries, the more you’ll spend on gas.

Find more smart gas-saving tips here, including how BCAA Members save 3¢/L on fuel at Shell.

Top tip: Plan your road trip with our TripTik® Travel Planner, which helps you create customized routes across North America and is packed with info about where BCAA Members can save with our Rewards Partners. You can also get help with booking hotels, car rentals, flights, cruises and international drivers permits.

Affordable accommodations

You can save money on accommodations by booking early (like, tonight). Plan ahead and you’ll get lower prices and more places to pick from.

Be flexible on where you stay. You’ve got wheels so look for places to stay outside of the main tourist areas. So instead of:

• Calgary – try Canmore, AB
• Gibsons – stay in Sechelt, BC
• Kelowna – visit Vernon, BC
• Victoria – look at Sooke, BC
• Whistler – stop in Squamish or Pemberton, BC

If your travel dates are set, you can save on your nightly rate by prepaying for your room and skipping the flexibility of free cancellation.

Use your BCAA Membership card to get discounts on accommodations. Members save 5-15% on stays at many top hotels including Hilton, Marriott, Fairmont, Sparkling Hill Resort in Vernon and more.

Save on your meals

Restaurant prices are climbing, so look for accommodations that include free breakfast to save some costs. If you can, find a place with a kitchen or hot plate so you can save on dining out. It’ll help to cook some of your own meals along the way so bring what you might need, including a cooler, portable stove and cooking items.

Here’s an idea: if you’re camping this fall, our essential guide to camping includes some stellar tips for prepping your meals at home to leave you more time to relax and enjoy your vacation.

Pack snacks to refuel throughout the drive. BCAA Members save 10% on in-store purchases at Shell for top-ups along the way. Planning to splurge on a meal out? Use your BCAA Membership to save at restaurants and cafes like:

• Original Joe’s Restaurant & Bar – save 10% on dine-in meals
• Blenz Coffee – get a free beverage upsize and 10% off food
• Freshslice Pizza – get 2 slices and a can of pop for $6 or a medium thin crust pizza with unlimited toppings and a can of pop for $10
• Montana’s BBQ & Bar – save 10% when you dine in or pickup meals

Find more savings with your BCAA Membership.

Enjoy free or cheap activities along the way

British Columbia offers you over 20,000 lakes, 8,000 trails and 750,000 kilometres of streams. So, get out and enjoy all that gloriously free nature!

Here are the top 10 trail hikes in BC that you can build road trips around. They include:

• Joffre Lakes Park - 7.4km
• Saint Mark’s Summit - Cypress Provincial Park - 10km
• Garibaldi Lake - Garibaldi Provincial Park - 18.2km
• Stawamus Chief - 5.8km
• Norvan Falls – 14km

More great free or affordable road trip outings include:

• Capilano River Hatchery to see the salmon up close for free
• Window shop in BC’s small towns and villages
• Visit national monuments or historic sites like the BC Parliament Buildings in Victoria.
• Stop by a wildlife park, aquarium, museum or cultural centre, like the Nk'Mip Desert Cultural Centre in Osoyoos (Sylix First Nation territory), an architectural marvel built into a hillside. Check out this blog to learn more about Indigenous tourism and experiences in BC.

Save money and get peace of mind with travel insurance

Planning on travelling outside of BC? Don’t forget travel insurance – it will save you from unexpected costs of emergency medical care or trip cancellation. As a BCAA Member, you can save 10%! Get more details and a quote at bcaa.com/travel 

Take us on the road with you

Here at BCAA, our purpose is to Move British Columbians forward, wherever you roam. BCAA Roadside Assistance is available 24/7 in case of the unexpected to give you a jump, charge or tow.

Download the BCAA App for faster access to roadside assistance and discover on-the-go savings for BCAA Members wherever your travels take you.

Not a BCAA Member? Join today!

Have a brilliant and beautiful fall getaway!