Last March, Randy Olson, a Computer Science & Engineering Ph.D. candidate at Michigan State University, organized the absolute US road trip thanks to an algorithm.

Canada has nothing to envy the US when it comes to road trip possibilities, so The Huffington Post Canada asked Olson to apply his scientific talents to his northern neighbour.

The result of Olson’s work is a 16,226 kilometre cross-Canada journey that would take around 32 days to complete if the driving was limited to 6 hours each day. If you want to take your time, you’d better take the summer off.

Here is a list of all the stops included in Olson’s ideal Canadian road trip:

British Columbia
– Stanley Park
– Haida Gwaii (ferry from Prince Rupert)

Alberta
– Lake Louise in Banff National Park
– Columbia Icefields in Jasper National Park

Saskatchewan
– Fort Battleford
– Wanuskewin Heritage Park

Manitoba
– Riding Mountain National Park
– Riel House

Yukon
– Dawson Historic Complex
– Kluane National Park

Northwest Territories
– Kittigazuit Archaeological Sites
– Wood Buffalo National Park

Ontario
– Niagara Falls
– Parliament Buildings
– Pukaskwa National Park

Quebec
– Old Montreal
– Parc national de l’Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé

New Brunswick
– Hartland covered bridge
– Hopewell Rocks

Nova Scotia
– Cabot Trail
– Peggy’s Cove

P.E.I.
– Cavendish and Green Gables
– Province House

Newfoundland and Labrador
– Signal Hill
– Gros Morne National Park

You may notice that Nunavut is not part of the journey and, although it is a crying shame, there’s a good reason to leave it out: it’s not accessible by road. You’re going to have to plan a separate trip to check out Iqaluit and gaze at Mount Thor.

What is your favourite cross-Canada route? What stops would you add to Olson’s list?

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