Route from Cold Lake to Big River
Interactive map, distance, and indicative drive time for the route from Cold Lake to Big River — 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 Cold Lake (Alberta) and Big River (Saskatchewan). Use the live planner below to get up-to-date driving directions by car, on foot, or by bicycle.
Distance from Cold Lake to Big River
The straight-line distance between Cold Lake and Big River is 216.5 km. The estimated road distance by car is around 245 km, with an indicative drive time of 2 h 43 min.
Trip cost and route type: Cold Lake – Big River
Driving directions from Cold Lake to Big River
The map shows the locations of Cold Lake (A) and Big River (B). Use the form below to calculate the up-to-date road route with turn-by-turn directions, real distance, and estimated drive time.
Turn-by-turn directions
Prefer another app? Open in Google Maps ↗
Driving directions from Cold Lake to Big River
Real distance: 271.6 km · Estimated time: 3 h 24 min
- Drive west on 8 Avenue/28. Continue on 28. 11.8 km
- Turn left onto Northern Woods & Water Route/55. Continue on 55. 65.5 km
- Turn right onto Northern Woods & Water Route/26/55. 1.4 km
- Turn left to stay on Northern Woods & Water Route/55. 67.5 km
- Turn left onto 1 Avenue West/55. Continue on 55. 123.4 km
Standard car route without avoiding highways. For advanced options (motorcycle, bicycle, transit, avoid tolls) use the live planner above.
Estimate trip cost: Cold Lake – Big River
Indicative estimates based on ~245 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 Cold Lake to Big River
The straight-line distance between Cold Lake (Alberta) and Big River (Saskatchewan) is about 216.5 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: Cold Lake – Big River
The route from Cold Lake to Big River connects Alberta to Saskatchewan. The straight-line distance is about 216.5 km, with an estimated road distance of 245 km — a medium-distance route (100–300 km). Plan at least one stop and check fuel before departure. Use the live planner for an up-to-date track, turn-by-turn directions, and a trip-cost estimate.
The trip starts at Cold Lake (Alberta) — coordinates 54.4642° N, -110.1830° E. The destination is Big River (Saskatchewan), at 53.8370° N, -107.0350° E.
Practical tips for the Cold Lake – Big River 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 Big River in Saskatchewan, prairie to the south and boreal forest, lakes, and Shield country to the north. The route also passes near Meadow Lake (Saskatchewan).
When to leave
For a medium-distance trip, leaving before 07:00 or after 10:00 helps you avoid urban congestion. Friday afternoons and Sunday returns often slow the major highways.
Alternatives
For this route of about 245 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 Big River
Full information about Big River: interactive map, GPS coordinates, elevation, nearby cities, and routes to and from Big River.
Big River profile →Explore Cold Lake
Full information about Cold Lake: map, GPS coordinates, and all routes from Cold Lake to other Canadian cities.
Cold Lake profile →Related tools
Driving Directions
Live planner with turn-by-turn directions from Cold Lake to Big River.
Interactive map
Open the area between Cold Lake and Big River on the map.
GPS coordinates
Find precise coordinates for any point along the route.
Distance calculator
Measure straight-line distances between intermediate points.
Elevation
Check elevation along the route — useful for mountain passes.
Satellite map
View the terrain between Cold Lake and Big River in satellite imagery.
Cities along the Cold Lake – Big River route
These cities are near the direct route between Cold Lake and Big River. They may be useful as a stopover or alternate destination.
Routes with intermediate stops: Cold Lake → Meadow Lake
Related routes
From Cold Lake to other cities:
To Big River from other cities:
From Big River to intermediate cities:
Popular routes from Alberta
Most-searched routes from Alberta, ranked by popularity.
Frequently asked questions: Cold Lake – Big River
What is the straight-line distance between Cold Lake and Big River?
The straight-line distance between Cold Lake and Big River is about 216.5 km. This is the direct geometric distance between the two coordinates, ignoring road geometry.
What is the estimated road distance from Cold Lake to Big River?
The estimated road distance from Cold Lake to Big River is about 245 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 Cold Lake to Big River?
Indicative drive time from Cold Lake to Big River is about 2 h 43 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 Cold Lake to Big River?
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 Cold Lake–Big River 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 Cold Lake to Big River?
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 Cold Lake to Big River?
A common alternative is going via Meadow Lake. Use the live planner to compare routes.
Can I open the Cold Lake–Big River 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 Cold Lake as origin and Big River as destination.