Highway 4 is the main east-west connector route across Vancouver Island. This scenic highway winds over rugged mountains past magnificent old-growth forests and pristine lakes to the west coast of the Island.
From Highway 19 take Exit 60 (Qualicum Beach - Port Alberni & Pacific Rim Park) and continue on Highway 4 West. Follow the signs through Port Alberni to Ucluelet and Tofino until you reach the Pacific Rim Visitors Centre, which is the junction between the different communities on the west coast. From the junction, the Pacific Rim stretch of highway spans 26 kilometres along the coast from Ucluelet in the south through the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve to Tofino in the north.
*Unless you are trying to reach the Toquaht Nation, in which case you can turn off when you reach Kennedy Lake and take the Toquaht Bay gravel road for 13 kilometres until you reach the community of Macoah.
Please note that both the Port Alberni Summit and Sutton Pass require winter tires or chains from October 1 to March 31. Visit Drive BC for highway conditions and cameras.
Total driving time from Nanaimo is approximately 2.5 hours
Total driving time from Victoria is approximately 4.5 hours
Total driving time from Comox is approximately 3.5 hours
Delays may occur due to ongoing construction on Highway 4 at Kennedy Lake. Be sure to check updated road closure schedules before your departure.
Prefer to let someone else do the driving?
There are daily scheduled trips with Tofino Bus or use a custom shuttle service with Pacific Rim Navigators.
Coming from further afield? Unless you have unfathomable swimming capabilities, the best ways to get across the body of water between Vancouver Island and the mainland coast of British Columbia are by boat or plane.