Route from Ralston to Francis
Interactive map, distance, and indicative drive time for the route from Ralston to Francis — 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 Ralston (Alberta) and Francis (Saskatchewan). Use the live planner below to get up-to-date driving directions by car, on foot, or by bicycle.
Distance from Ralston to Francis
The straight-line distance between Ralston and Francis is 520 km. The estimated road distance by car is around 588 km, with an indicative drive time of 6 h 32 min.
Trip cost and route type: Ralston – Francis
Driving directions from Ralston to Francis
The map shows the locations of Ralston (A) and Francis (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
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Driving directions from Ralston to Francis
Real distance: 573.7 km · Estimated time: 6 h 43 min
- Drive south on Pendine Avenue. 18 m
- Turn right onto Dugway Drive. 406 m
- Turn left onto Highway 884/884. 3.0 km
- Turn left onto 1/Trans-Canada Highway. Continue on Trans-Canada Highway. 490.5 km
- Keep right to take 1 toward Winnipeg/Saskatoon. 20.7 km
- Take exit 237 onto 33/Arcola Avenue toward Francis. 810 m
- Keep right to take 33 South toward Francis. 56.8 km
- Turn left toward Francis/Qu'Appelle. 187 m
- Turn right onto Railway Avenue. 309 m
- Turn left onto Main Street. 57 m
- Turn right. 50 m
- Turn left. 167 m
Standard car route without avoiding highways. For advanced options (motorcycle, bicycle, transit, avoid tolls) use the live planner above.
Estimate trip cost: Ralston – Francis
Indicative estimates based on ~588 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 Ralston to Francis
The straight-line distance between Ralston (Alberta) and Francis (Saskatchewan) is about 520 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: Ralston – Francis
The route connects Alberta to Saskatchewan: from Ralston to Francis you cover roughly 588 km on the road (geometric distance 520 km). A long route (over 300 km). Plan multiple breaks and check highway traffic, weather, and fuel availability — particularly in remote sections. The live planner calculates the optimal route with step-by-step instructions and trip cost.
The trip starts at Ralston (Alberta) — coordinates 50.2474° N, -111.1670° E. The destination is Francis (Saskatchewan), at 50.1017° N, -103.8660° E.
Practical tips for the Ralston – Francis 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 Francis in Saskatchewan, prairie to the south and boreal forest, lakes, and Shield country to the north. The route also passes near Wymark (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 588 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 Francis
Full information about Francis: interactive map, GPS coordinates, elevation, nearby cities, and routes to and from Francis.
Francis profile →Explore Ralston
Full information about Ralston: map, GPS coordinates, and all routes from Ralston to other Canadian cities.
Ralston profile →Related tools
Driving Directions
Live planner with turn-by-turn directions from Ralston to Francis.
Interactive map
Open the area between Ralston and Francis 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 Ralston and Francis in satellite imagery.
Cities along the Ralston – Francis route
These cities are near the direct route between Ralston and Francis. They may be useful as a stopover or alternate destination.
Routes with intermediate stops: Ralston → Wymark · Ralston → Swift Current · Ralston → Herbert
Related routes
From Ralston to other cities:
To Francis from other cities:
From Francis to intermediate cities:
Popular routes from Alberta
Most-searched routes from Alberta, ranked by popularity.
Frequently asked questions: Ralston – Francis
What is the straight-line distance between Ralston and Francis?
The straight-line distance between Ralston and Francis is about 520 km. This is the direct geometric distance between the two coordinates, ignoring road geometry.
What is the estimated road distance from Ralston to Francis?
The estimated road distance from Ralston to Francis is about 588 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 Ralston to Francis?
Indicative drive time from Ralston to Francis is about 6 h 32 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 Ralston to Francis?
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 Ralston–Francis 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 Ralston to Francis?
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 Ralston to Francis?
A common alternative is going via Wymark or Swift Current. Use the live planner to compare routes.
Can I open the Ralston–Francis 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 Ralston as origin and Francis as destination.