Vancouver Island is about 460 kilometres (285 miles) long from the northern tip to the southern end near Victoria. Driving the length of it takes roughly 9 to 10 hours without stops. Most people break the drive up, and the towns along the way make that easy.
Driving the length of the island
The main route is the Island Highway (Highway 19) and BC-1. Stops in towns such as Campbell River or Nanaimo make the trip longer. The distance from Vancouver to the northern tip is roughly 400 kilometres, so a ferry or flight is the faster way to reach the north.
Plan fuel and meal stops in the larger towns along the highway, since the northern stretches have fewer services. Check current road conditions before a long drive, especially in winter.
Victoria to Tofino
The straight-line distance is about 200 kilometres (124 miles), but the driving route is about 320 kilometres (200 miles) and takes roughly 4.5 to 5 hours depending on traffic and road conditions. Most drivers take Highway 1 and then Highway 4 near Parksville. The road includes winding mountain sections, which add to the time.
Use a mapping tool or GPS for both straight-line and driving distances before you plan.
Crossing from the mainland
BC Ferries from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay covers about 115 kilometres (71 miles) across the Strait of Georgia and takes around 1.5 hours. It is the fastest route for most travellers, with frequent departures.
Flying or taking a helicopter from Vancouver cuts the trip to about 30 to 40 minutes over roughly 100 kilometres (62 miles), though it costs more and needs booking. Rail options are limited, so most people use a car or the ferry.
Without a car on the island
If you do not want to drive the whole length, you can take short hops between towns instead. A taxi or rideshare covers the first and last miles in places like Nanaimo or Campbell River, and the taxi fare estimator gives a rough fare for each leg.