If you’ve ever lived in British Columbia or spent time scrolling through trucking forums, you know the name. British Columbia Highway 5. Most people just call it "The Coq" (The Coquihalla). It’s 524 kilometers of tarmac that connects the Southern Interior to the Coast, and honestly, it’s a beast.
It isn't just a road. It’s a literal lifeline for the Canadian economy that also happens to be a high-altitude gauntlet. You start in Hope, sea level basically, and then you’re suddenly climbing toward the Great Bear Snowshed, praying your brakes don't catch fire on the way back down. It’s intense.
The Reality of Driving the Coquihalla
There is a reason Discovery Channel filmed Highway Thru Hell here. It wasn't for the scenery, though the mountains are stunning. It was for the carnage. The Coquihalla section—that’s the 186 km stretch between Hope and Kamloops—is notorious.
Why? Elevation.
The summit sits at 1,244 meters. That is high enough that the weather doesn't just "change"; it flips a switch. You can leave the Fraser Valley in a light drizzle and hit a literal wall of whiteout snow twenty minutes later. I’ve seen it happen in October. I’ve seen it happen in May.
Most people don't realize that Highway 5 actually has three distinct identities.
- The Coquihalla (Hope to Kamloops): The heavy hitter. Four to six lanes of high-speed mountain passes.
- The Yellowhead (Kamloops to Tête Jaune Cache): A much more chill, two-lane scenic route that follows the North Thompson River.
- The Southern Connector: The bit that feeds into the US border via Highway 5A, though most people ignore that part.
If you are heading up from Vancouver to the Okanagan or the Rockies, you are likely taking the Coquihalla. It was built in a record-breaking 20 months back in the mid-80s to get people to Expo ‘86. They basically blasted through solid granite at breakneck speed. It was a toll road until 2008. Now it’s free, but the "cost" is usually paid in brake pads and nerves.
Why the 2021 Floods Changed Everything
We have to talk about November 2021. If you want to understand British Columbia Highway 5 today, you have to understand the Atmospheric River.
It was a disaster. Total devastation.
In just two days, an insane amount of rain fell. It didn't just cause puddles; it melted the snowpack and sent entire sections of the highway into the river. Bridges snapped like toothpicks. The province lost more than 20 sites along the Coquihalla. It cut off Vancouver from the rest of Canada.
The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) pulled off a miracle getting it open for commercial traffic in 35 days, but it wasn't "normal" for a long time. Even now, if you drive it, you’ll see the new bridges. They are higher. They are wider. They are built to survive a 1-in-200-year flood because the old ones clearly couldn't handle the new climate reality.
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Engineers like those at Kiewit and Flatiron had to rethink how we build in the mountains. They used "riprap"—those massive jagged rocks—to reinforce the banks of the Coldwater River. It’s a bit of a scar on the landscape, but it’s the only way to keep the road from washing away again.
Surviving the Smasher and the Snowshed
If you’re driving north from Hope, you hit the "Smasher" first. It’s a brutal, long incline that cooks engines.
You’ll see semi-trucks pulled over with smoke billowing from their hoods. Don't be that guy. If your temp gauge is climbing, turn off the A/C. Seriously. It helps.
Then there’s the Great Bear Snowshed.
It’s a massive concrete tunnel designed to let avalanches slide right over the top of the highway. It’s cool to look at, but it’s a hazard zone. The light changes instantly, your eyes have to adjust, and the pavement inside is often slick while the road outside is dry. Or vice versa.
- The Box Canyon: A tight spot where wind gusts can literally push a small SUV into the next lane.
- Zopkios Rest Area: The last spot to second-guess your life choices before hitting the highest point.
- Larson Hill: A notorious downhill stretch where it’s incredibly easy to pick up too much speed.
If you're a tourist, you’re probably looking at the peaks. If you're a local, you're looking at the clouds over the Coquihalla Summit. If they look dark and heavy, you brace yourself.
The Logistics: Trucks vs. Tourists
British Columbia Highway 5 is a commercial corridor. Thousands of trucks move through here every single day.
There is a weird tension between a family in a minivan trying to get to a Kelowna winery and a B-train hauling 60,000 kg of freight. The speed limit is 120 km/h in some spots, which is the highest in Canada. But just because you can go 120 doesn't mean you should when it’s raining.
Truckers use the "Slow Moving Vehicle" lanes for a reason. Give them space. Their brakes can fail. "Runaway Lanes" exist for this exact reason—deep pits of gravel designed to stop a truck that has lost its braking power. If you see a truck heading for one, get out of the way.
Mandatory Winter Tires
Do not mess with this. From October 1 to April 30 (and sometimes into May), winter tires are mandatory.
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Not "suggested." Mandatory.
The RCMP and Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement (CVSE) officers do set up roadblocks. If you have "All-Season" tires without the M+S or the Mountain Snowflake symbol, they will turn you around. Or fine you. Or both. It’s for your own good. I’ve seen people spinning out in the middle of the road because they thought their AWD Honda Civic could handle 10 cm of slush on a 10% grade. It can’t.
Beyond the Coq: The Yellowhead Stretch
Once you get past Kamloops, Highway 5 changes its name and its vibe. It becomes the Yellowhead Highway.
It’s quieter.
It follows the North Thompson River through towns like Barriere, Clearwater, and Blue River. This is where you go if you want to see Wells Gray Provincial Park. Clearwater is the gateway to "The Park of Sights," and if you have the time, you should stop. Helmcken Falls is actually higher than Niagara Falls. It’s a massive drop into a canyon, and in the winter, it forms this giant ice cone that looks like something from another planet.
Blue River is the heliskiing capital. It’s also where the "River Safari" happens—you can take a boat through the mountains to see grizzly bears. It’s a stark contrast to the white-knuckle driving of the Coquihalla.
Eventually, Highway 5 ends at Tête Jaune Cache where it meets Highway 16. If you turn right, you’re heading to Jasper and the Rockies. Turn left, and you’re going toward Prince George.
Common Misconceptions About Highway 5
People think the "Coquihalla" is the whole road. It’s not.
People also think that because it’s a big, wide freeway, it’s "safe." Statistically, it’s one of the most dangerous roads in BC because of the speeds involved. A mistake at 120 km/h is a lot more final than a mistake at 80 km/h on the old Hope-Princeton (Highway 3).
Another myth? "The road is always cleared."
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The maintenance contractors (like YRB) are good. They are fast. But during a "Pineapple Express" or a heavy interior blizzard, the snow falls faster than the plows can move. There are times when the highway simply closes. You’ll be stuck in Hope or Merritt for 12 hours waiting for the gates to open.
Actionable Tips for Your Trip
If you are planning to drive British Columbia Highway 5, don't just put it in Google Maps and go.
Check DriveBC.ca. This is non-negotiable. They have webcams at every major pass. Look at the Coquihalla Summit camera. If you see white, and you don't have winter tires, stay home.
Fuel up in Hope. It is a long, steep climb to Merritt, and your fuel economy will tank during the ascent. There are no gas stations on the stretch between Hope and Merritt. If you run out of gas at the summit, a tow truck is going to cost you a fortune.
Check your fluids. Especially coolant. The "Smasher" has claimed more radiators than I can count.
Watch the wildlife. As you get closer to Merritt and Kamloops, the terrain turns into a high-plateau desert. Deer and elk love to hang out near the highway. At 110 km/h, hitting a deer is like hitting a brick wall.
Use your gears. If you’re driving an automatic, many have a "manual" mode or a "low" gear. Use it on the long descents down from the summit. It saves your brakes from overheating. If you smell burning toast, it’s probably your brake pads. Pull over (safely) and let them cool.
British Columbia Highway 5 is a masterpiece of engineering, but it demands respect. Treat it like a mountain climb, not a Sunday drive.
Next Steps for Your Trip:
- Download the DriveBC app or bookmark the Coquihalla Summit webcam.
- Verify your tires have the "M+S" or 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol before heading out between October and April.
- Pack an emergency kit containing a blanket, candles, and extra water, as winter closures can trap drivers for several hours without warning.
- Plan your fuel stop in Merritt or Hope to avoid the high-consumption stretch of the mountain passes.