Driving route · Canada

Route from Mackay to Emerson

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

Distance from Mackay to Emerson

The straight-line distance between Mackay and Emerson is 1371 km. The estimated road distance by car is around 1549 km, with an indicative drive time of 17 h 13 min.

Straight-line distance 1371 km
Estimated road distance ~1549 km
Indicative drive time 17 h 13 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: Mackay – Emerson

Route type Long

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

Indicative fuel cost $174–$235

Estimate: ~1549 km, 8 L/100 km, $1.65/L. ±15%. Excludes tolls.

Driving directions from Mackay to Emerson

The map shows the locations of Mackay (A) and Emerson (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 Mackay to Emerson

Real distance: 1,588.0 km  ·  Estimated time: 19 h 34 min

🗓 Calculated on June 4, 2026
  1. Drive southwest on Highway 751/751. 3.7 km
  2. Turn left onto 16/Yellowhead Highway/Route Yellowhead. 91.1 km
  3. Turn right toward Carvel. 13.2 km
  4. Turn left onto Garden Valley Road/627. 39.2 km
  5. Take the 216 East ramp toward Anthony Henday Drive. 11.1 km
  6. Keep left to stay on 216/Anthony Henday Drive NW. 10.3 km
  7. Keep right to take exit 66 onto 14 East toward Camrose/Wainwright. 304.8 km
  8. Turn right onto Highway 21/21. 35.7 km
  9. Turn left onto Highway 14/14. 30.1 km
  10. Turn right onto Highway 14/14. Continue on 14. 156.7 km
  11. Take the Circle Drive South exit. 66 m
  12. Keep left to take Circle Drive South. 165.5 km

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

Estimate trip cost: Mackay – Emerson

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

Indicative estimates based on ~1549 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

Mackay

Alberta · 53.64420, -115.58300

Mackay is a very small rural locality in west-central Alberta. It lies well outside major metropolitan areas and appears on regional maps as a sparsely populated point amid farmland and patches of northern forest. For…

Destination

Emerson

Manitoba · 49.00790, -97.22340

Emerson sits in southern Manitoba near latitude 49.0079 and longitude -97.2234, positioned on the province’s agricultural plains close to the international boundary. A small community of roughly 660 people, it functions…

How to drive from Mackay to Emerson

The straight-line distance between Mackay (Alberta) and Emerson (Manitoba) is about 1371 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: Mackay – Emerson

From Mackay to Emerson the estimated road distance is roughly 1549 km (1371 km straight line). The trip connects Alberta to Manitoba and is a long route (over 300 km). Plan multiple breaks and check highway traffic, weather, and fuel availability — particularly in remote sections. The live planner provides turn-by-turn instructions, indicative arrival time, and a fuel-or-electricity cost estimate.

The trip starts at Mackay (Alberta) — coordinates 53.6442° N, -115.5830° E. The destination is Emerson (Manitoba), at 49.0079° N, -97.2234° E.

Practical tips for the Mackay – Emerson 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 Emerson in Manitoba, prairie and lake country, with thousands of lakes and rivers. The route also passes near Kenaston (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 1549 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 Emerson

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

Emerson profile →

Explore Mackay

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

Mackay profile →

Related tools

Cities along the Mackay – Emerson route

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

Routes with intermediate stops: Mackay → Kenaston · Mackay → Loreburn · Mackay → Davidson

Related routes

From Mackay to other cities:

To Emerson from other cities:

From Emerson to intermediate cities:

All info about Mackay →  ·  All info about Emerson →

Popular routes from Alberta

Most-searched routes from Alberta, ranked by popularity.

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Frequently asked questions: Mackay – Emerson

What is the straight-line distance between Mackay and Emerson?

The straight-line distance between Mackay and Emerson is about 1371 km. This is the direct geometric distance between the two coordinates, ignoring road geometry.

What is the estimated road distance from Mackay to Emerson?

The estimated road distance from Mackay to Emerson is about 1549 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 Mackay to Emerson?

Indicative drive time from Mackay to Emerson is about 17 h 13 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 Mackay to Emerson?

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 Mackay–Emerson 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 Mackay to Emerson?

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 Mackay to Emerson?

A common alternative is going via Kenaston or Loreburn. Use the live planner to compare routes.

Can I open the Mackay–Emerson 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 Mackay as origin and Emerson as destination.