Powell River is on Highway 101, but it is not connected to the main Lower Mainland road network. Driving from Vancouver means taking BC Ferries from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale, crossing the lower Sunshine Coast by road, and taking a second ferry from Earls Cove to Saltery Bay. From Vancouver Island, ferries run between Comox and Powell River's Westview terminal.
Pacific Coastal Airlines flies between Vancouver and Powell River, which is the simplest option if you are short on time. A car is useful once you arrive, especially for Inland Lake, the canoe route, and the smaller beaches north and south of town.