If you wanted to see more of the Island, From Victoria, take the 14 up the west side of the island to Port Roberts. Have the seafood chowder at the Coastal Kitchen Cafe. It's great. Ride the interior of the island through Lake Cowichan to SaltSpring Island.
Although I have not taken the 17 from Victoria to Saltspring, it's probably very scenic, judging from the map. I doubt you'll have a bad time, scenery-wise.
Pay careful attention to the ferry times and connections you'll have to make from Courtenay back to the mainland. Last time I was there, the schedules sucked, and we would never make it though to the next ferry at Gibson's in time for the next sailing, without waiting a long time for another sailing after. Hopefully that has changed. We went to Naniamo and across to Van instead, then north up the sea to sky hwy.
99 to Whistler and Pemberton is a good choice. It was choppy last time I was through, hopefully it's been improved since then. But very pretty country. Stop at Cayoosh Creek, under the 1-lane bridge, there's a cool little day-campsite there down next to the creek. Good place for a short rest and stretch.
Kamloops is going to be nutty with tourists in motorhomes, and really busy. I would avoid. It's beautiful there, which is why everyone flocks there. High season in summer is obscene, if you're trying to get away from it all.
The Coquihalla is a technically impressive road, but full of huge trucks labouring up and down the steep grade hauling freight to and from Vancouver's port. I would avoid, unless you're hell bent on getting from point A to point B.
On the way to Banff, go further north up the 95 and take the #1 past Field BC, towards Lake Louise, and check out Takakkwa falls. Pretty cool. Emerald Lake is pretty too.
Eat at the Truffle Pigs Bistro in Field, it's off the highway a little, and right in the center of town.
If you're going to Banff, take the day trip up to Jasper via the Icefields Parkway and see the Athabasca Glacier (what's left of it anyhow) and Sunwapta and Athabasca falls.
You will pass over a triple continental divide on the way to Jasper. The colombia icefields feed the pacific, arctic, and North Atlantic oceans.
The 1A from Banff to Lake Louise is a beautiful scenic byway. You can also do the 93a either on the way north or south.
Banff and Jasper both have trams, great views from either.
If you take the Banff tram, hike over to Sanson's peak, it's not far from the top of the tram. There's an old observatory up there, it's a national historical site.
You could opt to hike all the way up Sulphur Mountain from the hot springs, and take the tram down, it's cheaper.
Or if you're old and tired like me, take the tram up and hike back down Sulphur Mountain.
Easy button!
And just for the sake of the architecture, have a look at the Banff Springs Hotel. Gorgeous building. Or, better yet, stay there. Bring your wallets.
Some nice views of the Hotel and Bow falls from Buffalo Street and Tunnel Mountain Drive.
Watch the edge!!!!
If you go on the other side of the river, you can park in the lot right off Bow River Drive and it's a short walk right up to the bottom of Bow Falls.
Near Castlegar, go to Nelson, Kaslo, and New Denver.
Also try to include the run from Vernon to Lumby and Fauquier, and Nakusp, or at least some of them.
6, 3a, 31, try them all.
