Route from Cardston to Tofino

Distance from Cardston to Tofino

The straight-line distance between Cardston and Tofino is 913.9 km. The estimated road distance by car is around 1033 km, with an indicative drive time of 11 h 28 min.

Trip cost and route type: Cardston – Tofino

Driving directions from Cardston to Tofino

The map shows the locations of Cardston (A) and Tofino (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 Cardston to Tofino

Real distance: 1,436.5 km  ·  Estimated time: 21 h 18 min

1. • Drive south on Main Street/2. 26 m
2. → Turn right onto 1 Avenue West. 92.4 km
3. ↺ Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit toward Highway 3. 220 m
4. • Bear right to stay on Cowboy Trail/6. 2.7 km
5. ← Turn left toward Crowsnest Pass. 11.5 km
6. ↑ Keep straight to stay on Crowsnest Highway. 264.3 km
7. • Take the 3 West exit toward Creston/Nelson. 39.9 km
8. ← Turn left onto CN 3/Crowsnest Highway. 80.1 km
9. • Bear left onto CN 3/BC 6/Crowsnest Highway. Continue on CN 3/Crowsnest Highway. 10.4 km
10. • Take the exit toward Castlegar/Grand Fork. 76 m
11. • Bear right onto CN 3/Crowsnest Highway. Continue on CN 3. 245.8 km
12. ← Turn left toward 3 West/Penticton/Vancouver. 47.2 km
13. ← Turn left toward Princeton. 490 m
14. → Turn right onto CN 3/Crowsnest Highway/7th Avenue. 303.3 km
15. • Take exit 66 onto 10 West toward 232 St. 382 m
16. • Keep right to take 10 toward 232 Street/Langley. 194 m
17. • Keep left toward 232 Street North/72nd Avenue East. 40 m
18. ↺ Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit toward 232 Street South/Hope. 3.3 km
19. ← Turn left onto 10/Glover Road. 3.6 km
20. • Take the 10 exit. 23.8 km
21. → Take the 99 North ramp toward Ferries/Vancouver. 4.3 km
22. • Keep right to take exit 26 onto 17 West toward Tsawwassen. 657 m
23. • Keep right to take 17 West toward Tsawwassen. 14.0 km
24. ↑ Stay straight to take the ramp. 577 m
25. ← Turn left to take the ramp. 149 m
26. • Take the Duke Point ↔ Tsawwassen/30 Ferry. 66.6 km
27. • Drive south on 19. 8.2 km
28. • Keep right to take 19 toward Nanaimo/Campbell River. 1.8 km
29. • Keep right to stay on 19 toward Parksville/Campbell River. 49.8 km
30. • Take exit 60 onto 4 toward Port Alberni. 464 m
31. • Keep left to take 4 West toward Port Alberni. 1.0 km
32. • Bear right onto Highway 4/4. Continue on 4. 38.0 km
33. → Turn right onto River Road/River Road/4. 2.9 km
34. • Bear left onto Pacific Rim Highway/4. 87.5 km
35. → Turn right toward 4/Tofino. 28.6 km
36. → Turn right onto Sharp Road. 524 m
37. Show all 36 steps ↓

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

Estimate trip cost: Cardston – Tofino

Indicative estimates based on ~1033 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

How to drive from Cardston to Tofino

The straight-line distance between Cardston (Alberta) and Tofino (British Columbia) is about 913.9 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: Cardston – Tofino

The distance from Cardston to Tofino is estimated at 1033 km on a mixed road profile, starting from 913.9 km straight line. It is a long route (over 300 km) that connects Alberta to British Columbia. Plan multiple breaks and check highway traffic, weather, and fuel availability — particularly in remote sections. Calculate the current route with the live planner for detailed instructions.

The trip starts at Cardston (Alberta) — coordinates 49.2025° N, -113.3020° E. The destination is Tofino (British Columbia), at 49.1275° N, -125.8850° E.

Practical tips for the Cardston – Tofino 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 Tofino in British Columbia, mountainous, with the Coast Mountains, the Rockies, and a long Pacific coastline. The route also passes near Oliver (British Columbia).

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 1033 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.

Related tools

Cities along the Cardston – Tofino route

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

Routes with intermediate stops: Cardston → Oliver · Cardston → Osoyoos · Cardston → Keremeos

Related routes

From Cardston to other cities:

To Tofino from other cities:

From Tofino to intermediate cities:

All info about Cardston →  ·  All info about Tofino →

Popular routes from Alberta

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Frequently asked questions: Cardston – Tofino