Driving route · Canada

Route from Cardiff to Fort Frances

Interactive map, distance, and indicative drive time for the route from Cardiff to Fort Frances — with the live planner for up-to-date turn-by-turn directions.

This page provides the map and indicative distance data for the route between Cardiff (Alberta) and Fort Frances (Ontario). Use the live planner below to get up-to-date driving directions by car, on foot, or by bicycle.

Distance from Cardiff to Fort Frances

The straight-line distance between Cardiff and Fort Frances is 1513.3 km. The estimated road distance by car is around 1710 km, with an indicative drive time of 19 h.

Straight-line distance 1513.3 km
Estimated road distance ~1710 km
Indicative drive time 19 h
Note: values are approximate estimates. Road distance is calculated by multiplying the straight-line distance by a road-deviation factor (1.13–1.30 based on length). Drive time assumes ~90 km/h average. Real traffic, tolls, and conditions can vary significantly. Use the live planner for current data.

Trip cost and route type: Cardiff – Fort Frances

Route type Long

Long route (over 300 km) — plan a break roughly every 2 hours and check highway traffic and weather.

Indicative fuel cost $192–$260

Estimate: ~1710 km, 8 L/100 km, $1.65/L. ±15%. Excludes tolls.

Driving directions from Cardiff to Fort Frances

The map shows the locations of Cardiff (A) and Fort Frances (B). Use the form below to calculate the up-to-date road route with turn-by-turn directions, real distance, and estimated drive time.

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Driving directions from Cardiff to Fort Frances

Real distance: 1,748.8 km  ·  Estimated time: 22 h 40 min

🗓 Calculated on June 4, 2026
  1. Drive north on Mill Road. 263 m
  2. Turn right onto Main Street. 6.7 km
  3. Turn right onto Range Road 243/28. Continue on 28. 6.5 km
  4. Turn left onto Highway 37/37. Continue on 37. 5.4 km
  5. Turn right onto 50 Street NW. 6.5 km
  6. Turn left onto 195 Avenue NW. 3.2 km
  7. Turn right onto 18 Street NW. 46 m
  8. Turn right onto 15/Manning Drive NW. 2.3 km
  9. Take the 216/Anthony Henday Drive ramp. 439 m
  10. Keep left to take 216 East/Anthony Henday Drive East. 20.8 km
  11. Keep right to take exit 66 onto 14 East toward Camrose/Wainwright. 305.8 km
  12. Turn right onto Highway 21/21. 35.7 km

Standard car route without avoiding highways. For advanced options (motorcycle, bicycle, transit, avoid tolls) use the live planner above.

Estimate trip cost: Cardiff – Fort Frances

Litres estimated
Fuel cost
Toll estimate
Total estimate
Range ±15%

Indicative estimates based on ~1710 km. Tolls calculated at ~$0.10/km on tolled segments. The calculator updates with the live planner's real distance. Actual consumption, driving style, weather, and toll rates vary.

Origin and destination

Origin

Cardiff

Alberta · 53.77230, -113.60000

Cardiff is a small rural community in central Alberta positioned on the province's north-central plains. On a driving map it appears as a compact settlement set among mixed farmland and pockets of boreal forest; it…

Destination

Fort Frances

Ontario · 48.61670, -93.40000

Fort Frances sits in northwestern Ontario on the western edge of the province’s lake-and-river country, where a small urban grid meets waterfront. As a compact town of about 7,739 people, it functions as a local access…

How to drive from Cardiff to Fort Frances

The straight-line distance between Cardiff (Alberta) and Fort Frances (Ontario) is about 1513.3 km. The actual road distance varies by chosen route, road type, and travel conditions — especially in winter and across mountain or northern segments.

Before you leave, consider:

  • Check current traffic with a navigation app — particularly around major cities.
  • Look up any toll segments on your route (Ontario 407, select bridges).
  • In winter or at higher elevations, drive times and conditions can change quickly. Carry a charged phone, fuel reserve, and weather-appropriate gear.
  • Plan stops at service centres or towns along the way — fuel and rest stops can be sparse on remote sections.

Route description: Cardiff – Fort Frances

Looking for directions from Cardiff to Fort Frances? The estimated road distance is 1710 km (1513.3 km straight line), with an indicative drive time of 19 h. A long route (over 300 km) that connects Alberta to Ontario. Plan multiple breaks and check highway traffic, weather, and fuel availability — particularly in remote sections. Choose the transport mode in the live planner to get the detailed track.

The trip starts at Cardiff (Alberta) — coordinates 53.7723° N, -113.6000° E. The destination is Fort Frances (Ontario), at 48.6167° N, -93.4000° E.

Practical tips for the Cardiff – Fort Frances drive

Terrain along the way

The route starts in Alberta — a province prairie in the south rising into the Canadian Rockies in the west — and reaches Fort Frances in Ontario, Great Lakes shoreline in the south, Canadian Shield forests across the north. The route also passes near Ituna (Saskatchewan).

When to leave

For a long route, leave early (before 06:30) or wait until after 10:00. Avoid summer long-weekend exoduses and major holidays. Plan a break every 1.5–2 hours of driving — and check weather, especially across the Prairies and through mountain passes.

Alternatives

For this route of about 1710 km, consider VIA Rail Canada — VIA's Corridor service connects many Eastern Canadian cities, and the long-distance trains (the Canadian, Ocean) run through the Prairies and the Maritimes. Cross-border trips may also include Amtrak's Adirondack or Cascades. Check schedules at viarail.ca and amtrak.com.

Explore Fort Frances

Full information about Fort Frances: interactive map, GPS coordinates, elevation, nearby cities, and routes to and from Fort Frances.

Fort Frances profile →

Explore Cardiff

Full information about Cardiff: map, GPS coordinates, and all routes from Cardiff to other Canadian cities.

Cardiff profile →

Related tools

Cities along the Cardiff – Fort Frances route

These cities are near the direct route between Cardiff and Fort Frances. They may be useful as a stopover or alternate destination.

Routes with intermediate stops: Cardiff → Ituna · Cardiff → Lipton · Cardiff → Balcarres

Related routes

From Cardiff to other cities:

To Fort Frances from other cities:

From Fort Frances to intermediate cities:

All info about Cardiff →  ·  All info about Fort Frances →

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Frequently asked questions: Cardiff – Fort Frances

What is the straight-line distance between Cardiff and Fort Frances?

The straight-line distance between Cardiff and Fort Frances is about 1513.3 km. This is the direct geometric distance between the two coordinates, ignoring road geometry.

What is the estimated road distance from Cardiff to Fort Frances?

The estimated road distance from Cardiff to Fort Frances is about 1710 km — derived by multiplying the straight-line distance by a road-deviation factor (1.13–1.30 based on length). For an up-to-date route, use the live planner.

How long does it take to drive from Cardiff to Fort Frances?

Indicative drive time from Cardiff to Fort Frances is about 19 h, based on an average highway speed of 90 km/h on a mixed motorway/highway profile. Real time depends on traffic, weather, stops, vehicle type, and conditions.

How do I get up-to-date driving directions from Cardiff to Fort Frances?

Use the live planner on this page: select your transport mode and click "Update route". You'll see the route with turn-by-turn directions, current distance, and estimated time based on up-to-date routing data.

Does the Cardiff–Fort Frances route involve highway tolls?

CanadaDrivingDirections.com does not provide toll details. Toll roads are limited in Canada — Ontario's 407 ETR, a few Quebec bridges, and the Confederation Bridge to PEI are the main ones. Check the operator's site for current pricing.

How does traffic affect the route from Cardiff to Fort Frances?

Traffic varies by time of day, season, and weather. The live planner uses up-to-date routing data; for live traffic, use a navigation app before departure — especially in winter when conditions can change rapidly.

Is there an alternative route from Cardiff to Fort Frances?

A common alternative is going via Ituna or Lipton. Use the live planner to compare routes.

Can I open the Cardiff–Fort Frances route in Google Maps?

Yes. Click "Open in Google Maps" on this page to view the route in the Google Maps app or browser. You can also open Google Maps directly and enter Cardiff as origin and Fort Frances as destination.