I use AI in real life tasks. I am considering a leisurely road trip for my birthday. July is a great time of the year and a wonderful excuse for doing something special.
I opened Microsoft Copilot. I started by just adding some of the cities and sites I'd like to stay on a one-week trip. I had the AI make adjustments because of the distance between cities (and good hotel stops). I asked to assume a start of the day at around 8:30 am. I asked for some good sights along the way and for a recommendation of where to have lunch. Lastly, I asked to format it for printing. This now gives me a point to start checking out further details.
July Road Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Vancouver → Kelowna
(~390 km / ~4 hours)
Depart: 8:30 AM
Short Stops:
Othello Tunnels (historic railway tunnels near Hope)
Bridal Veil Falls (beautiful waterfall near Chilliwack)
Lunch: Merritt – Recommended spots:
Home Restaurant (classic comfort food)
Grand Pub & Grill (pub-style meals)
Cocos Chicken and Sushi (Korean fried chicken & sushi)
Arrive: 12:30 PM
Stay: Kelowna
Day 2: Kelowna → Golden
(~350 km / ~4.5 hours)
Depart: 8:30 AM
Short Stops:
Kangaroo Creek Farm (unique wildlife experience)
Revelstoke Railway Museum (Canadian railway history)
Lunch: Revelstoke – The Modern Bakeshop & Café (fresh sandwiches & baked goods)
Arrive: 1:00 PM
Stay: Golden
Day 3: Golden → Calgary
(~265 km / ~3 hours)
Depart: 8:30 AM
Short Stops:
Yoho National Park (Emerald Lake & Natural Bridge)
Canmore (walk along the Bow River)
Lunch: Banff – The Bison Restaurant (locally sourced cuisine)
Arrive: 11:30 AM
Stay: Calgary
Day 4: Calgary → Head-Smashed-In
Buffalo Jump → Banff
(~360 km / ~4.5 hours total)
Depart: 8:30 AM
Short Stops:
Bar U Ranch (historic cowboy culture)
Lunch: Fort Macleod – Cafe Orange (fresh, homemade meals)
Arrive in Banff: 3:00 PM
Stay: Banff
Day 5: Banff → Jasper via Icefields Parkway
(~290 km / ~4 hours)
Depart: 8:30 AM
Short Stops:
Peyto Lake (stunning viewpoint)
Athabasca Glacier (Skywalk & glacier walk)
Lunch: Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre – Altitude Restaurant (mountain views)
Arrive: 12:30 PM
Stay: Jasper
Day 6: Jasper → Kamloops
(~445 km / ~5 hours)
Depart: 8:30 AM
Short Stops:
Mount Robson Provincial Park (highest peak in the Canadian Rockies)
Wells Gray Provincial Park (Helmcken Falls)
Lunch: Valemount – The Gathering Tree (fresh, healthy meals)
Arrive: 1:30 PM
Stay: Kamloops
Day 7: Kamloops → Vancouver
(~355 km / ~3.5 hours)
Depart: 8:30 AM
Short Stops:
Hell’s Gate Airtram (ride over Fraser River)
Fort Langley (historic town with charming shops)
Lunch: Hope – Home Restaurant (classic comfort food)
Arrive: 12:00 PM
Return Home! 🎉
This itinerary ensures comfortable driving distances, fantastic scenic stops, and great meal options throughout your journey.