Driving route · Canada

Route from Cardiff to Ottawa

Interactive map, distance, and indicative drive time for the route from Cardiff to Ottawa — 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 Ottawa (Ontario). Use the live planner below to get up-to-date driving directions by car, on foot, or by bicycle.

Distance from Cardiff to Ottawa

The straight-line distance between Cardiff and Ottawa is 2845.6 km. The estimated road distance by car is around 3216 km, with an indicative drive time of 35 h 44 min.

Straight-line distance 2845.6 km
Estimated road distance ~3216 km
Indicative drive time 35 h 44 min
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 – Ottawa

Route type Long

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

Indicative fuel cost $361–$488

Estimate: ~3216 km, 8 L/100 km, $1.65/L. ±15%. Excludes tolls.

Driving directions from Cardiff to Ottawa

The map shows the locations of Cardiff (A) and Ottawa (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 Ottawa

Real distance: 3,521.2 km  ·  Estimated time: 44 h 15 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 – Ottawa

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

Indicative estimates based on ~3216 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

Ottawa

Ontario · 45.42470, -75.69500

Ottawa sits on the southern bank of the Ottawa River in eastern Ontario, where the provincial boundary with Quebec follows the river valley. As Canada's national capital it is the principal urban concentration in the…

How to drive from Cardiff to Ottawa

The straight-line distance between Cardiff (Alberta) and Ottawa (Ontario) is about 2845.6 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 – Ottawa

The route from Cardiff to Ottawa connects Alberta to Ontario. The straight-line distance is about 2845.6 km, with an estimated road distance of 3216 km — a long route (over 300 km). Plan multiple breaks and check highway traffic, weather, and fuel availability — particularly in remote sections. Use the live planner for an up-to-date track, turn-by-turn directions, and a trip-cost estimate.

The trip starts at Cardiff (Alberta) — coordinates 53.7723° N, -113.6000° E. The destination is Ottawa (Ontario), at 45.4247° N, -75.6950° E.

Practical tips for the Cardiff – Ottawa 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 Ottawa in Ontario, Great Lakes shoreline in the south, Canadian Shield forests across the north. The route also passes near Keewatin (Ontario).

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 3216 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 Ottawa

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

Ottawa 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 – Ottawa route

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

Routes with intermediate stops: Cardiff → Keewatin · Cardiff → Kenora · Cardiff → Rainy River

Related routes

From Cardiff to other cities:

To Ottawa from other cities:

From Ottawa to intermediate cities:

All info about Cardiff →  ·  All info about Ottawa →

Popular routes from Alberta

Most-searched routes from Alberta, ranked by popularity.

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Frequently asked questions: Cardiff – Ottawa

What is the straight-line distance between Cardiff and Ottawa?

The straight-line distance between Cardiff and Ottawa is about 2845.6 km. This is the direct geometric distance between the two coordinates, ignoring road geometry.

What is the estimated road distance from Cardiff to Ottawa?

The estimated road distance from Cardiff to Ottawa is about 3216 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 Ottawa?

Indicative drive time from Cardiff to Ottawa is about 35 h 44 min, 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 Ottawa?

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–Ottawa 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 Ottawa?

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 Ottawa?

A common alternative is going via Keewatin or Kenora. Use the live planner to compare routes.

Can I open the Cardiff–Ottawa 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 Ottawa as destination.