The distance from Downtown Vancouver to Port Moody is 25 km, and the drive takes about 40 minutes. A standard rideshare costs about $47 at normal demand, with a likely range of $42 to $55.
Building the price
The estimate uses average rideshare rates. There is a base fare of $2.50, a charge of $1.15 for each kilometre, $0.35 for each minute and a $2.00 booking fee. Twenty five kilometres comes to $28.75 and 40 minutes comes to $14.00. Together with the base fare, that is $45.25, and the booking fee lifts it to about $47.
Those are estimates from average rates. Uber sets its own prices, and the app shows the exact upfront figure before you accept.
Demand is the biggest variable. A busy period (about 1.2 times normal) moves the trip to around $56. Very busy (1.5 times) brings it near $70, and a peak (2 times) can mean about $93. You can sometimes lower the cost simply by checking again after a few minutes.
If you want a roomier ride, Comfort is about $59, XL (up to 6 seats) is about $68 and Premier is about $104.
Taxi meter and phone numbers
The two taxi companies we checked, Whalley Taxi and Royal City Taxi, quote an identical $3.75 flag fee and $2.18 per km. On 25 km the meter estimate is about $58. Waiting time and extras are not included, so the total could be higher.
At normal demand the rideshare saves you about $11 against the meter. That advantage disappears if demand pushes the rideshare toward its very busy price of $70, and a peak fare of $93 is well above the taxi estimate.
If cost matters most, compare the app price with the meter figure at the moment you leave. The cheaper option changes with demand, and it takes only a minute to check both.
Planning the ride
For a 40 minute trip, a little preparation helps. Look at the pickup point in the app and move there before the driver arrives. Give the full street address in Port Moody and mention any entrance the driver should use.
If you have suitcases or equipment, ask whether they fit before loading, and pick XL when the group is large. Anyone who needs a wheelchair accessible vehicle should phone a taxi company a day or so ahead.
Allow some slack in your schedule. Forty minutes is an average, and busy periods tend to make both the time and the price go up together.