Kelowna, BC Driving & Commute Times [2024 Guide]

There's nothing more exciting than moving to a new city. Especially one like the city of Kelowna, where there are many amazing things to do and outdoor areas to explore. People moving to Kelowna may be curious about what it's like to drive here. Although Kelowna Regional Transit oversees the community's public transportation, many people use a car as their primary method of transportation. For those new to the area, this guide will give an overview of the major roads, what to expect during different times of the day, and parking situations in the city. Keep reading to become an expert on driving in Kelowna.

Get to Know the Major Roads in Kelowna

Located in the southern part of British Columbia, Kelowna is a beautiful city on the shore of Okanagan Lake filled with waterfront homes and new construction homes. As the third-largest city in British Columbia and the 20th largest city in Canada, a robust infrastructure system supports travel in the area. The two highways accessible in Kelowna are Highway 97 and Highway 33.

Highway 97 is a major north-south road that takes travellers directly through the Downtown Kelowna neighbourhood and goes through Kamloops, Prince George, Dawson Creek, and Fort St. John. After crossing the William R. Bennett Bridge over Okanagan Lake, the road turns into Highway 97C, also known as the Okanagan Connector. This road takes an east-west direction through the West Kelowna community and has branches that veer off south towards the Peachland community.

Highway 97 also connects to the other major road, Highway 33, which takes travellers east and west through the Kelowna region. Highway 33 is also known locally as the Kelowna-Rock Creek Highway. The two highway roads have a terminus in downtown Kelowna, helping drivers quickly get onto the right major highway that can take them in any direction.

In addition to the major highways, Kelowna also has many beautiful scenic roads that are worth travelling to, including:

• Big White Road
• Lakeshore Road
• Westside Road
• Boucherie Road

What to Expect During Rush Hour in Kelowna

Like most cities, Kelowna commute times are subject to increase during peak travel periods. While rush hour traffic can't be avoided entirely for people who need to travel for work, knowing the busiest times can help newcomers plan accordingly and in advance. Thankfully, the rush is much less difficult to navigate than in the bigger cities in British Columbia like Vancouver and Victoria, and most drivers can figure out a schedule that will work for them.

Highway 97 is the biggest source of rush hour traffic, and it's best to avoid the William R Bennett Bridge and Highway 97 during the peak hours of 7-8 a.m. and 4-6 p.m. Driving times during those periods can double, and planning alternative routes during these times can save time.

In addition to the regular rush hour traffic, Kelowna also sees an influx of summer traffic as tourists come to visit Okanagan Lake. Just as with rush hour traffic, be aware that peak times in summer can be even busier than in off-season months.

Overall, people who live in Kelowna spend about 20 minutes travelling to their workplace every day. That's less than 40 minutes of total commute time per day. Compared to the national average of approximately 26.2 minutes one way, that's a very nice commute! Commute times in Kelowna are even less than the average commute time of other people who live in British Columbia. In fact, commute times in Kelowna are almost six whole minutes less than the average BC commute of 25.9 minutes.

How to Cut Back Your Commute Time

If you're thinking about moving to Kelowna and would like to cut back your commute time, there are many things you can do to ensure that you spend as little time on the road as possible.

• Choose your neighbourhood carefully. The best way to avoid a long commute is to live close to your job, so spend time studying the maps and roads of Kelowna before deciding on the right neighbourhood for you.
• Drive the commute before making an offer on a home. Drive to your workplace on a weekday morning to get a good sense of how long it will take you to reach your workplace on an ordinary day.
• Ask your real estate professional about traffic patterns. Your real estate professional can tell you which roads in Kelowna are most congested, so you can avoid living in a high-traffic area.
• Find a carpool buddy. Ridesharing is common now, so check out this ridesharing website to find your carpool buddy.

Parking in Kelowna

Parking in Kelowna is generally accessible, with three providers of parking giving options to residents and tourists. The providers include:

• Kelowna Parking: parking lots owned by the City of Kelowna
• Reef Parking: privately owned
• Diamond Parking Service: privately owned

Most areas of Kelowna offer on-street and off-street parking for short-term and long-term parking needs. On-street parking during the off-season ranges from $1.25-$1.50/hour and $1.25-$1.75/hour for busy seasons. Off-street parking lots can range from $1.25/hour to $6-$7 for the entire day, depending on events and individual lot rules. Permits are also available for residents who need to park in lots daily for work.

Paid parking is generally only in effect during work hours, from Monday through Friday. Evenings and weekends typically offer free parking, except during special events or specific areas like City Hall and waterfront lots. Kelowna Parking provides additional information about parking regulations, accessible parking, Eco-Pass permits, tickets, towing, and more.

Other Helpful Things to Know About Driving in Kelowna

Driving in British Columbia can be a bit different for drivers from other provinces or countries. Here are a few helpful things to keep in mind for people navigating British Columbia and Kelowna:

Watch for Pedestrians

Pedestrians will use crosswalks and junctions at the same time as drivers, so be cautious before making turns. Always check to make sure that there are no pedestrians in the way before proceeding forwards.

Avoid the Light Rail Lane

The light rail lane is for public transport only, and there is no driving permitted on the light rail lanes. Avoid these lanes, and make sure you keep an eye on them as light rail transportation has the right-of-way.

Share the Road

In addition to pedestrians, many cyclists in Kelowna need to be respected on the road. Maintain a safe distance and be familiar with cyclists' hand signals when turning or coming to a stop. Like with pedestrians, make sure to exercise due diligence to keep everyone safe while driving.

Pay Attention to Weather

As part of British Columbia, Kelowna experiences a full range of seasons and can present hazardous driving conditions in the winter months. Cars should be equipped with anti-freeze, wiper tools, and battery backups, especially during October to April, where the weather can range from rain and fog to snow and ice.

Ready to Get on the Road in Kelowna?

Kelowna is a beautiful small city that offers a wide variety of outdoor recreation activities, lakefront beaches, shops, and restaurants. Residents of Kelowna like having the city's atmosphere combined with the natural beauty found in British Columbia, creating a unique experience for the area. Hit the road to Kelowna today!

If the opportunities in Kelowna excite you, contact the agents at KelownaHomes.ca at 250-999-9844 to get in touch with a local real estate agent who can help you find the perfect home in Kelowna today.