The practical way to get from Campbell River to Sayward is to drive north on Highway 19. Sayward sits on a spur road off the highway, in a valley about 1.6 km inland from Kelsey Bay, so there is no need to take Highway 28.
Driving north on Highway 19
Head north out of Campbell River on Highway 19 and watch for the signed turn toward Sayward and Kelsey Bay. The village is small, and signs lead you in from the highway.
Fill the tank before leaving Campbell River. North of town the stretches between services are longer, and Sayward is a small community with limited facilities. A call ahead to wherever you are staying or visiting will tell you what is open.
Weather and conditions
Check DriveBC for closures, roadworks and weather alerts before you go. Rain, fog and winter snow can slow the northern sections of the highway, and logging traffic is common in this part of the island. Give trucks space and avoid driving it tired.
Without a car
Public transit to Sayward is not something to assume. Look at the BC Transit trip planner for the Campbell River area for the current situation, and treat any schedule you find as subject to change. Private shuttle and bus operators also change their routes, so confirm directly with the operator before you plan around one.
A taxi from Campbell River is the flexible choice. See Campbell River taxi for local service, and use the taxi fare estimator for a starting figure. Because the trip is a long one for a local cab, ask about the fare and about the return before you book.
Sayward is a village of a few hundred people, and many visitors come for the waterfront at Kelsey Bay and the forest around it. Cell coverage can be patchy away from town, so save your directions to your phone before you leave Campbell River.