Hertz Car Hire
Alberta

Finding the car hire area at YYC is straightforward, even late at night, as the airport is very well signposted. After collecting your luggage, simply follow the prominent overhead signs for “Rental Cars” or “Ground Transportation.” These will lead you across the arrivals roadway to a dedicated car hire facility located in the multi-storey car park directly opposite the terminal. The walk is short and fully covered, protecting you from the elements and making the process feel safe and simple regardless of your arrival time.

To ensure a smooth transition from plane to car, it’s helpful to have a few things ready on your phone. Have your hire confirmation email or app easily accessible to present at the counter. It’s also sensible to have your first destination, such as your hotel address, already entered into your preferred navigation app. Consider downloading offline maps for the Calgary and Banff areas, as mobile service can sometimes be inconsistent immediately after leaving airport property.

The drive from the YYC car hire parkade to the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) westbound is typically very quick and efficient. Under normal traffic conditions, you can expect to be on the main road towards the mountains in about 15 to 20 minutes. The route is well signed, guiding you from the airport roads onto Airport Trail, then briefly onto Deerfoot Trail before the clear exit for the Trans-Canada. This direct connection is designed to get travellers out of the city and on their way to the Rockies with minimal fuss.

For a stress-free drive to Canmore, the best route uses Calgary’s ring road to bypass the city centre. From the airport, take Airport Trail west to Deerfoot Trail (Highway 2) south for a very short distance. Then take the exit for Stoney Trail (Highway 201) west. This modern, multi-lane road will loop you around the city and connect you directly with the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) west. This route is the most straightforward option and avoids downtown traffic and complex interchanges.

The most direct route to Kananaskis involves using Stoney Trail (Highway 201) to bypass the bulk of Calgary’s traffic. After leaving the airport, you’ll connect to the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) west via Stoney Trail. From there, take the clearly signed exit for Highway 40 South, which is the main artery into Kananaskis Country. The transition is gradual, as the wide highway gives way to a scenic two-lane road, allowing you to comfortably adjust your driving as you enter the foothills and mountains.

Driving in Alberta during dawn or dusk requires heightened awareness, as this is when wildlife is most active. Be especially vigilant on highways bordering forests and parks, as deer, elk and even bears can appear on the road unexpectedly. It is crucial to scan the road edges and ditches, not just the carriageway directly in front of you. Heed the yellow wildlife warning signs and reduce your speed, as this will give you more time to react if an animal crosses your path.

For drivers unfamiliar with winter conditions, certain mountain routes can be challenging. The Icefields Parkway (Highway 93) between Lake Louise and Jasper is particularly demanding due to its high elevation, frequent storms and limited maintenance. Secondary roads like Highway 40 in Kananaskis Country can also be intimidating as they are less frequently ploughed than main highways. Even the Trans-Canada Highway can experience sudden closures or icy patches, so always check road reports before you depart.

Flexibility is key when planning an Alberta road trip during the spring or autumn shoulder seasons. A sunny morning can easily turn into an afternoon snow flurry, especially at higher elevations, causing road conditions to change from dry to icy in minutes. The best strategy is to check weather forecasts and official road reports right before you leave and throughout your drive if possible. Be prepared to alter your plans or delay travel if conditions deteriorate, and always allow for extra driving time.

After leaving the airport, there are several convenient spots to pull over for a gear adjustment. Within a 10-minute drive you’ll find large retail centres along Country Hills Boulevard or near CrossIron Mills shopping centre. These locations have spacious car parks where you can take your time to organise luggage, adjust seats and set up your navigation without the pressure of being on a busy road. This allows you to get everything situated comfortably before you begin your main journey.

The most efficient way to reach these towns is by using Calgary’s ring road, Stoney Trail (Highway 201). To get to Cochrane, take Stoney Trail west from the airport area and connect to Highway 1A, which leads directly into town. For Bragg Creek, take Stoney Trail south to the western portion of the ring road, which provides a seamless connection to Highway 8 west and then Highway 22 south. Using the ring road effectively lets you bypass almost all of Calgary’s downtown and commuter congestion.

When you arrive at your city-centre hotel, look for a designated short-term passenger loading zone near the main entrance. This allows you to pull over safely to check in and unload your luggage without blocking traffic. Once you’ve checked in, ask hotel staff for their parking recommendations, as they often have arrangements with nearby car parks or offer valet services. Planning to unload first and then park is the most stress-free approach to navigating a busy city centre.

Downtown Calgary’s grid of one-way streets can be challenging for first-time visitors, so relying on a GPS navigation app is highly recommended. To minimise confusion when heading to popular spots, it’s often easier to set your navigation to a specific car park near your destination rather than the landmark itself. This simplifies the final few turns and gets you parked efficiently. Once parked, these central attractions are easily accessible on foot.

To make the most of a day trip to the Badlands, consider driving a loop instead of a simple in-and-out route. You can take Highway 9 directly from Calgary to Drumheller to visit the Royal Tyrrell Museum first. For the return trip, follow the scenic Dinosaur Trail (Highway 838) and then connect to Highway 10 through Rosedale. This route offers different landscapes and viewpoints of the Red Deer River valley, making the entire day feel like a continuous journey of discovery.

The drive to Waterton is scenic but can feel long, so planning a midway stop is a good idea. A popular and convenient place to pause is the town of Nanton, which has charming cafés and antique shops perfect for a short break. For a more significant stop, consider visiting the Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump UNESCO World Heritage Site, located just a short detour off the main highway. Either option allows you to stretch your legs and break up the three-hour drive into more manageable segments.

The open prairie landscape south of Calgary is known for producing strong, gusty crosswinds that can affect vehicle stability. It’s important to maintain a firm, two-handed grip on the steering wheel, especially when driving a larger SUV or van. Be particularly prepared for sudden gusts when passing large trucks or driving through exposed areas with no trees. Reducing your speed slightly will give you more control and make the drive safer and more comfortable.

Before you drive off, it’s sensible to do a quick test fit of your equipment in the vehicle. Check how the rear seats fold down—whether it’s a full bench or a 60/40 split—to see how your skis or board will fit alongside your luggage. Make sure you can still see clearly out of the rear window and that your gear doesn’t block access to other bags you might need during your trip. Taking five minutes to configure the car in the lot can save a lot of hassle later on.

Before starting the Icefields Parkway drive, it’s crucial to plan ahead. Ask yourself if you have a full tank of fuel, as there is only one service station along the entire route. Have you downloaded offline maps, since there is no mobile service? Most importantly, have you allocated enough daylight for the journey? To truly enjoy the views and make several stops at iconic spots like Peyto Lake and the Columbia Icefield, you should plan for it to be a full-day excursion, not a quick transit.

A frequent mistake is not using Stoney Trail (Highway 201), the ring road, to bypass Calgary, which can lead to getting stuck in city traffic. Another common issue is becoming confused by the series of major interchanges on Deerfoot Trail and accidentally missing the turnoff for the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) west. Finally, some GPS apps may suggest Highway 1A as a shortcut, but for a first-time visitor the four-lane Trans-Canada Highway is a much faster and more straightforward route to the mountains.

Since private vehicle access is often restricted, your plan should centre on the Parks Canada shuttle system. Book your shuttle tickets online as far in advance as possible to secure your preferred time. On the day of your visit, arrive at the park-and-ride lot well before your scheduled departure. Have a backup activity in mind, such as exploring the village of Lake Louise or taking a different nearby walk, in case shuttles are delayed or your timing needs to change.

To ensure a successful sunrise mission, thorough preparation the night before is essential. Choose your viewing spot and confirm the driving time from your accommodation, adding a generous buffer for safety. Pack your camera gear, warm clothing and a headtorch so they are ready to go. If possible, park your car so that it is facing the direction you need to leave, allowing for a quiet and efficient exit in the pre-dawn hours without disturbing others.

The key to visiting these popular destinations is to avoid peak hours. Plan to arrive either very early in the morning, ideally before 9am, or later in the afternoon, after 4pm, when the crowds have thinned out. For Lake Minnewanka, an even better strategy is to use the Roam Transit bus service from Banff. This removes parking stress entirely and allows you to enjoy the scenic ride to the lake.

When venturing into areas with unreliable mobile service, preparation is your best tool. Before you leave your accommodation, download offline maps of the entire region you plan to visit. It’s also good practice to take screenshots of directions, trailhead coordinates and any other vital information. As a safety measure, always let someone know your intended route and your estimated time of return before you head out for the day.

To keep road trips with children enjoyable, proactively schedule breaks into your driving time rather than waiting for meltdowns. Before you leave, look at your route and identify towns with public parks or playgrounds where everyone can stretch their legs. Pack a cooler with plenty of snacks and drinks that are easily accessible from the back seat. This approach turns the drive itself into part of the adventure and keeps everyone in good spirits.

On many of Alberta’s two-lane highways, it is a common and accepted courtesy for slower drivers to pull partially onto the wide, paved shoulder to let faster traffic pass. If you find yourself leading a line of cars, this gesture is greatly appreciated. When you are the one passing, ensure you have a long, clear line of sight, use your indicator and complete the manoeuvre safely. A quick, friendly wave to the other driver is a customary way to say thanks.

A highly efficient and scenic way to visit both destinations is to create a large loop. Start by driving from Calgary west into the Rocky Mountains, travelling up the spectacular Icefields Parkway from Banff to Jasper. After enjoying Jasper, head east to Edmonton. For your return to Calgary, you can take the direct route south on the Queen Elizabeth II Highway (Highway 2). This sequence ensures you are always seeing new landscapes and avoids backtracking on long highway sections.

To accomplish this long but rewarding drive in a day, an early start from Calgary is crucial. The first part of the drive to Lake Louise is on a major highway, so you can cover that distance efficiently. Once on the Icefields Parkway, be selective with your stops; choose three or four must-see locations like Peyto Lake, the Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Falls. This focused approach allows you to experience the parkway’s main highlights without the stress of trying to see everything at once.

As you drive east from the mountains, the towns of Canmore and Cochrane are the most convenient and well equipped places for a final stop. Both are located directly on the main highway and offer a wide selection of petrol stations, restaurants and coffee shops. Taking a break in one of these towns allows you to refuel both the car and yourself before navigating the busier traffic as you get closer to Calgary and the airport.

During the Calgary Stampede in July, expect major traffic congestion, frequent road closures and extremely limited parking in the downtown core and surrounding areas such as the Beltline. Driving and parking near the Stampede Grounds is exceptionally difficult for visitors. The best strategy is to park your hire car at your hotel or a C-Train park-and-ride station on the city’s outskirts and use public transport to get to the event and explore the city centre.

The most stress-free method is to use the airport’s complimentary mobile phone waiting lot. You can park there and relax until your friends have collected their bags and are physically waiting at the curb on the arrivals level. Once they call you to let you know which numbered door they are at, it’s only a two-minute drive from the waiting lot to the terminal. This avoids the frustration of repeatedly circling the busy airport roads.

For a time-sensitive morning departure, do as much as you can the night before. Pack the car with your luggage and gear, and pre-load your destination into your navigation system. In the morning you can just get in and go. While early morning traffic in Calgary is usually light, it’s always wise to build an extra 15–20 minutes of buffer time into your schedule to account for any unforeseen delays on the road.

The drive between Canmore and Banff is short and straightforward on the Trans-Canada Highway, but it requires extra caution after dark. The highway is unlit between the two towns, and wildlife is often active along the roadside. Be sure to use your full beams when there’s no oncoming traffic to better illuminate the road edges. Adhering to the speed limit is especially important at night to ensure you have adequate time to react to any animals that may wander onto the road.

While most rules are similar, the most important thing for US drivers to remember is that all speeds are posted in kilometres per hour (km/h), not miles per hour. In Calgary, you may see a flashing green traffic light, which signifies a protected left turn that you can take when it is safe. Also, pay close attention to the distinctive wildlife crossing signs featuring animals like bighorn sheep or moose, as these warnings are based on frequent animal activity in the area.

A hire car is ideal for reaching attractions on the city’s edges, like Canada Olympic Park, Heritage Park or the Calgary Zoo, as they have large, dedicated parking areas. For destinations within the dense downtown core, such as the Calgary Tower, Stephen Avenue and Studio Bell, it’s often much easier to park once in a central car park. From there, you can explore on foot or use the C-Train’s free fare zone, avoiding the hassle of navigating one-way streets and searching for multiple parking spots.

A smart approach is to cluster your visits by location and adopt a “park once” strategy. For example, you can park in a central spot in the Beltline to explore both 17th Avenue and the Mission district on foot. Later, drive to another area like Kensington or Inglewood, find a single parking spot, and then spend a few hours exploring that neighbourhood’s shops and restaurants. This method minimises driving time and the frustration of searching for parking in popular areas.

In winter, it’s wise to confirm your accommodation has off-street parking, as many streets in Banff have overnight parking bans to allow for snow ploughs. Before you drive each morning, be sure to completely clear all snow and ice from your vehicle’s windows, mirrors, lights and roof. This is a legal requirement and essential for safety. Always factor in extra time for this task and for warming up the car before you head out for the day.

When returning to the airport from the mountains, especially in winter or bad weather, building a generous time buffer into your plan is critical. First, check the official road and weather reports for the Trans-Canada Highway before you depart. A good rule of thumb is to calculate the normal drive time and then add at least one full hour to account for slower speeds, traffic or potential delays. Arriving at the airport relaxed and early is always better than rushing.

The most frequent error is not moving into the correct lane early enough as you approach the airport terminals. The road system has multiple levels and splits, so it’s crucial to pay close attention to the overhead signs specifically for “Rental Car Return.” These signs will direct you to a dedicated entrance for the car park. Missing this turnoff can force you into a frustrating loop around the entire airport, which is stressful when you have a flight to catch.

The process is designed to be quick and convenient. The car hire return area is located within the main car park, just across from the departures terminal. After you’ve dropped off the keys, simply take an elevator or escalator up to the pedestrian walkway level. A short walk across the covered bridge will lead you directly into the departures hall, placing you very close to the airline check-in counters and the entrance to security screening.