Avis Car Hire
Calgary

When leaving the rental car area at YYC, follow the main exit signs for Airport Trail NE. This road is your primary route away from the terminals. Stay in the right-hand lanes and look for the large overhead signs indicating Deerfoot Trail (Highway 2) North for Edmonton or South for downtown Calgary. The key is to commit to Airport Trail and avoid the immediate turn-offs for terminal drop-offs or other airport facilities. Once on Airport Trail, the interchanges for Deerfoot Trail are clearly signed and straightforward.

For a first-time visitor, Memorial Drive is often the more scenic and less confusing approach to downtown Calgary. It runs alongside the Bow River and offers clearer sightlines and fewer immediate one-way street complications compared with the avenues. You can take Memorial Drive west and then turn south onto one of the main downtown streets such as 4th Street SW or Centre Street. Using 9th or 10th Avenue from Deerfoot Trail can be more direct but immediately puts you into the downtown grid of one-way streets and heavier traffic, which can be challenging on your first arrival.

During a sudden Alberta snow squall, conditions around the open, flat areas of YYC can change dramatically within minutes. Expect visibility to drop to near zero — often called a 'whiteout' — where road and sky blend together. The road surface can become extremely slippery very quickly as snow accumulates and is compacted by traffic. It's crucial to immediately reduce your speed, turn on your headlights, and increase your following distance significantly. Avoid any sudden braking or steering manoeuvres to maintain control.

A convenient, low-stress place to pull over is one of the large commercial plazas a few minutes from the airport. For example, the area around Country Hills Boulevard NE and Freeport Boulevard NE has several shopping centres with large car parks. There you can find a quiet spot to park, program your satnav, adjust your mirrors and make sure all passengers are comfortable. This allows you to get organised before merging onto major routes like Deerfoot Trail or Stoney Trail.

On weekday mornings, typically from 07:00 to 09:00, you'll face heavy southbound traffic on Deerfoot Trail heading from the airport area towards downtown. The reverse is true in the late afternoon, from about 15:30 to 18:00, when the northbound lanes become congested as commuters head home. If you travel against the primary flow of traffic your journey will be significantly quicker. Always check a real-time traffic app before you set off to get the most accurate picture of current conditions.

A common mistake is following the general signs for 'Departures' or 'Arrivals' too closely. The rental car return has its own dedicated entrance that you need to watch for as you approach the main terminal buildings. Drivers often miss the specific turn-off for 'Rental Car Return' and end up in the passenger drop-off loop, forcing them to circle the airport again. Pay close attention to ground-level and overhead signs specifically mentioning rental cars as you get near the terminals.

Before fully committing to the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) drive to Banff, a good place for a break is the town of Cochrane, located off Highway 1A. Alternatively, there are large petrol stations and service centres right on Highway 1 at the western edge of Calgary, near Calaway Park. These spots offer restrooms, coffee shops and convenience stores, allowing you to grab refreshments and take a moment before you enter the more scenic and less serviced portion of the drive through the foothills and into the mountains.

The simplest approach is to use a GPS app with live traffic and set it to your hotel's specific address before you enter the downtown core. Preview the last few turns of the route so you know which one-way street you'll be on and from which direction you need to approach the loading zone. It's also helpful to identify a nearby public car park as a backup in case you miss the hotel entrance. Driving a block or two around the grid is common, so stay calm and focus on the street numbers and names.

The most straightforward route to Canada Olympic Park (WinSport) is via the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1), which is signed as 16th Avenue N within the city. Whether you are coming from the east or west, this major route runs directly along the south side of the park. The exit for the park is clearly signposted. If you use the ring road, Stoney Trail (Highway 201), it also has a well-signed interchange with the Trans-Canada Highway just east of the park.

When there's fresh snow overnight, you should plan to at least double your usual travel time from downtown Calgary to YYC. A typical 25-minute drive can easily become an hour or more. City crews prioritise major routes like Deerfoot Trail, but traffic will be moving much more slowly everywhere and visibility may be reduced. It's wise to leave extra early to allow for slow travel, potential collisions delaying traffic, and the need to clear snow and ice off your rental vehicle before you start driving.

Driving Stoney Trail for the first time is generally straightforward as it's a modern, multi-lane ring road with clear signage. The speed limit is higher than on city streets, so be prepared for traffic moving at a steady pace. Visitors commonly get confused at major interchanges with other highways, such as Deerfoot Trail or the Trans-Canada Highway. It's easy to miss your exit if you're not in the correct lane well in advance, so pay close attention to the overhead signs that start announcing the exit a couple of kilometres ahead.

In neighbourhoods like Kensington and Sunnyside, the easiest way to find parking is to look for public pay lots or designated on-street parking zones managed by the Calgary Parking Authority. These are clearly marked with signs and payment machines or app instructions. Be very cautious about parking on residential side streets, as many have permit-only restrictions that are strictly enforced. Always read the signs carefully on any block where you park to understand time limits and any residential restrictions.

Yes, construction can frequently cause confusion, particularly around the downtown core and on major arteries like Deerfoot Trail and Glenmore Trail. GPS apps are usually quick to update, but short-term lane closures or new detours can sometimes lag. The interchanges along Glenmore Trail, especially near Chinook Centre and the Elbow Drive/Crowchild Trail area, are often sites of ongoing projects. It's always a good idea to cross-check your GPS with the physical road signs, as they will have the most current detour information.

In Calgary, playground zones are in effect every day of the year, from 07:30 to 21:00. School zones are typically in effect only on school days during specific morning, midday and afternoon hours. Both are clearly marked with bright yellow signs indicating a reduced speed limit. It's crucial to be vigilant for these signs, as the speed change is significant and strictly enforced. When driving through any residential neighbourhood, be extra attentive to your speed and watch for children.

For a safe and unhurried car seat installation, you can use the Cell Phone Lot at the airport, which provides space to park for a short time. Alternatively, a few minutes' drive from the airport there are several large retail car parks, such as CrossIron Mills. These locations offer ample space away from traffic, allowing you to take your time to ensure the car seat is installed correctly and your children are securely buckled before you join the main highways.

The best strategy is to drive to the Calgary Zoo first and use their large, dedicated car park for the first part of your day. The zoo is located just east of the Inglewood neighbourhood. After your visit, you can either leave your car there and take a short walk or a quick rideshare into the heart of Inglewood, or you can drive the short distance. In Inglewood look for paid on-street parking on 9th Avenue SE or use one of the public lots, which are often easier to find on weekdays.

During the Stampede, drivers often get stuck in heavy congestion on Macleod Trail, which runs along the west side of the grounds, and on the streets immediately surrounding the park, like 12th Avenue SE and Olympic Way. Major routes leading to the area, such as Glenmore Trail and Blackfoot Trail, will also be heavily impacted. To navigate, look for signs directing you to official Stampede parking and consider using a major artery like Deerfoot Trail to get close, then exit onto a less congested road such as 17th Avenue SE to approach the grounds.

When an event at the Saddledome ends, the best approach is patience and planning an alternate exit route. Rather than immediately trying to merge onto Macleod Trail or 5th Street SE with everyone else, consider heading east through the Ramsay neighbourhood to reach Deerfoot Trail. Police often direct traffic at key junctions, so follow their instructions over your GPS. If possible, waiting 20–30 minutes at a nearby café or restaurant can allow the worst of the congestion to clear before you attempt to leave.

A practical place to park for the day is in one of the large public car parks near Eau Claire Market, such as the Centennial Parkade. This location is ideal as it's a short walk south to Stephen Avenue and the Glenbow Museum area, and an even shorter walk north across the river channel to Prince's Island Park. Parking once allows you to explore the pedestrian-friendly downtown core and the park without the stress of moving your car between attractions.

During windy winter weather, driving across Calgary's Bow River bridges requires extra caution. The open exposure means these surfaces can be significantly icier than the approaching roads — a condition known as 'bridge freeze'. Strong crosswinds, especially on higher bridges like the Crowchild Trail bridge, can also push your vehicle sideways unexpectedly. It's important to reduce your speed before you get on the bridge, keep a firm two-handed grip on the steering wheel, and avoid making any sudden lane changes while on the span.

The drive to Drumheller from Calgary becomes noticeably more remote after you pass the town of Beiseker or Strathmore, depending on your route. You'll enter vast stretches of prairie farmland with fewer services and towns. A popular and logical place for a first rest stop is the town of Three Hills on Highway 21 or the small town of Strathmore on the Trans-Canada Highway. These towns offer petrol stations, restrooms and places to grab a coffee or snack before you continue into the Badlands.

A popular loop drive is to take Highway 9 east from Calgary directly to Drumheller. After exploring the area, including the Hoodoos Trail south of town, head west on Highway 575. This scenic route takes you through smaller communities and eventually connects with Highway 21. From there drive south on Highway 21 until you reach the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1), which will lead you directly back to Calgary from the east, completing a varied loop without backtracking.

A common approach is to drive to Banff first, arriving in the morning to secure parking before it gets too busy. Spend the morning exploring the townsite, visiting Bow Falls, or taking the gondola up Sulphur Mountain. In the afternoon, make the short 20-minute drive back east to Canmore. This lets you enjoy Canmore's more relaxed town centre, browse shops and galleries, and have a late lunch or early dinner before returning to Calgary at sunset.

When driving toward the mountains at dawn or dusk, be extremely vigilant for wildlife on or near the highway. This is the most active time for animals like deer, elk and bighorn sheep. Scan the verges and tree lines continuously, not just the road ahead. Heed the wildlife warning signs and be prepared to slow down, especially in designated corridors. If you see one animal cross, slow down and expect others to follow, as they often travel in groups.

When driving from Calgary, the most critical junction is the turn-off from the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) onto Highway 40 (Kananaskis Trail). While well signed, it can come up quickly after a long straight stretch of road, so be sure to be in the correct lane ahead of time. Once on Highway 40, turn-offs for specific destinations like Nakiska Ski Area or Peter Lougheed Provincial Park are smaller and can be missed if you aren't watching for them. Having your route planned on a map is helpful.

Arriving at popular Banff viewpoints like Lake Minnewanka or Johnston Canyon mid-morning, especially at weekends or in summer, means you should expect crowded car parks. Often the main lots will be full and you may be directed to overflow parking, sometimes requiring a shuttle bus to reach the attraction. The key is to arrive as early as possible. For some locations, such as the Banff Gondola, it's often easier to park in town and use the local Roam Transit to get there.

Driving the Icefields Parkway is an awe-inspiring experience, with stunning vistas around every corner. For a first-timer, the sheer number of viewpoints can be overwhelming. A good plan is to identify three or four major stops you really want to see, such as Peyto Lake, the Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Falls, and prioritise those. Allow for spontaneous stops at other pull-outs as time permits. It's crucial to start early and give yourself the entire day for the drive, as the journey itself is the main attraction.

To secure a parking spot at Lake Louise during peak season you realistically need to arrive before 07:00, sometimes even earlier. If you arrive mid-morning expect the main car park to be full. Your only option may be to use the Park and Ride shuttle at the Lake Louise Ski Resort, several kilometres away. Planning to use the shuttle from the outset can be less stressful than trying to find a space at the lake itself.

To maximise daylight for the scenic Icefields Parkway portion, plan to leave Calgary very early in the morning. The first leg on the Trans-Canada Highway to Lake Louise is straightforward highway driving that you can do in the early hours. This positions you to start the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93) with most of the day ahead of you. That way you have ample daylight for the spectacular mountain scenery and numerous viewpoints, reducing the stress of racing against sunset on winding, unfamiliar roads.

The most common mistakes are failing to give way to traffic already in the circle and being in the wrong lane for the exit you intend to take. Drivers must give priority to vehicles approaching from their right that are already circulating. In a multi-lane roundabout, you should generally use the right lane to take the first or second exit, and the left lane for later exits or to go full circle. Another frequent error is forgetting to signal right just before taking your exit, which helps other drivers understand your intentions.

At four-way stops in Calgary the standard rule is that the first vehicle to arrive has the right of way. If two vehicles arrive simultaneously, the vehicle on the right proceeds first. A common local habit is a quick hand wave to signal to another driver to go ahead, even if it's technically your turn. It's a courtesy to keep traffic flowing, so be observant of other drivers' signals, but always stick to the official rules of the road for safety.

The most straightforward route from downtown is to take Macleod Trail south. This major road leads you out of the core and directly towards the general area of the park. As you get closer, you will see signs for Heritage Park which will direct you to turn west onto Heritage Drive. Following Heritage Drive leads directly to the park entrance. This route avoids the more complex interchanges on Crowchild Trail or Glenmore Trail, making for a simpler drive.

For a low-stress exit to Highway 2 north (Deerfoot Trail), try to make your stop in a neighbourhood that isn't deep within the downtown core. Areas like Kensington or Bridgeland allow easier access back to a main artery. From almost anywhere in the city you can reach Memorial Drive or 16th Avenue N and head east. Both roads have large, well-marked interchanges that will get you onto Deerfoot Trail (Highway 2) heading north toward Edmonton without navigating complex city-centre traffic.

A great plan is to focus on attractions outside the downtown core. You could start at Canada Olympic Park (WinSport) on the west side of the city for good views and a look at the Olympic facilities. From there it's an easy drive south on Sarcee Trail to Glenmore Trail to visit Heritage Park Historical Village. This itinerary keeps you on major, easy-to-navigate roads and avoids the congestion and one-way streets of the city centre while still letting you experience two of Calgary's top attractions.

After a long flight, take a few minutes in the rental car before you leave the parking spot to adjust your seat, mirrors and climate controls. Plan a short initial stop within 15–20 minutes of leaving the airport, perhaps at a nearby café or petrol station. This allows you to get a drink, stretch your legs and double-check your navigation in a relaxed setting. Avoid jumping straight onto a major motorway for a long drive; this short break can make a big difference to your alertness.

When it's very cold, it's helpful to confirm how to operate the vehicle's heating and demist systems before you leave the lot. Make sure you know how to direct maximum heat to the windscreen to clear frost and fog quickly. It's also wise to check that the windscreen washer fluid is working, as road spray can freeze on the glass and obstruct your vision. Taking a moment to familiarise yourself with these basic climate controls will ensure a safer and more comfortable start to your drive.

Drivers in Calgary typically encounter the iciest conditions first on elevated surfaces like bridges and overpasses, as cold air circulates above and below them, causing them to freeze faster than roadways. Shaded areas, such as interchange ramps on the north side of hills or in the shadow of large buildings, are also notorious for holding onto ice long after other surfaces have thawed. Be especially cautious on these spots: reduce speed and avoid abrupt manoeuvres even if the main roads seem clear.

If your satnav tries to route you through downtown during rush hour, it's often better to manually choose an alternative using the city's ring road. A reliable option is to join Stoney Trail (Highway 201) and take it north or south depending on your location. Stoney Trail circles the city and has major interchanges with the Trans-Canada Highway (16th Avenue N) on both the east and west sides. This route is longer in distance but is almost always faster and less stressful than sitting in downtown gridlock.

The smoothest process is to first drive to the Departures level of the appropriate terminal. Drop off all your passengers and their luggage at the kerb so they can proceed directly to check-in. After they're safely on their way, follow the signs to circle back to the dedicated 'Rental Car Return' area. This saves your travel companions a long walk from the rental facility to the terminal with their bags.

In the dark, it's crucial to slow down and pay close attention to the illuminated overhead signs. As you approach the terminals, stay in the middle or left-hand lanes and look specifically for signs that say 'Rental Car Return'. The signs for passenger drop-off ('Departures') will often direct you to the right-hand lanes that ramp up to the upper level. The entrance to the rental return is on the ground level and has its own distinct, well-lit entrance that you must actively look for to avoid being funnelled into the wrong loop.