Route from Lake Windermere to Wainwright
Interactive map, distance, and indicative drive time for the route from Lake Windermere to Wainwright — 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 Lake Windermere (British Columbia) and Wainwright (Alberta). Use the live planner below to get up-to-date driving directions by car, on foot, or by bicycle.
Distance from Lake Windermere to Wainwright
The straight-line distance between Lake Windermere and Wainwright is 439.4 km. The estimated road distance by car is around 497 km, with an indicative drive time of 5 h 31 min.
Trip cost and route type: Lake Windermere – Wainwright
Driving directions from Lake Windermere to Wainwright
The map shows the locations of Lake Windermere (A) and Wainwright (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 Lake Windermere to Wainwright
Real distance: 704.6 km · Estimated time: 8 h 39 min
- Drive east on Panorama Drive. 780 m
- Turn left onto Laurier Street. 2.6 km
- Turn left onto Kootenay-Columbia Highway/BC 93/BC 95. 13.1 km
- Bear right to stay on BC 93. 103.6 km
- Bear left onto Banff-Windermere Highway/Route Banff-Windermere/93. 366 m
- Turn right to take the 1 ramp. 95.5 km
- Take exit 131 onto North Morley Road. 530 m
- Turn left onto Mînî Thnî Road/133X. 3.9 km
- Turn right onto Highway 1A/1A. Continue on 1A. 26.1 km
- Turn left onto Horse Creek Road. 7.4 km
- Turn right onto Weedon Trail. 14.0 km
- Turn left onto Lochend Road/766. 16.4 km
Standard car route without avoiding highways. For advanced options (motorcycle, bicycle, transit, avoid tolls) use the live planner above.
Estimate trip cost: Lake Windermere – Wainwright
Indicative estimates based on ~497 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 Lake Windermere to Wainwright
The straight-line distance between Lake Windermere (British Columbia) and Wainwright (Alberta) is about 439.4 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: Lake Windermere – Wainwright
How far is Lake Windermere from Wainwright? The road estimate is around 497 km, with an indicative drive time of 5 h 31 min. The route connects British Columbia to Alberta — a long route (over 300 km). Plan multiple breaks and check highway traffic, weather, and fuel availability — particularly in remote sections. Verify the track with the live planner for current instructions.
The trip starts at Lake Windermere (British Columbia) — coordinates 50.5167° N, -116.0330° E. The destination is Wainwright (Alberta), at 52.8333° N, -110.8670° E.
Practical tips for the Lake Windermere – Wainwright drive
Terrain along the way
The route starts in British Columbia — a province mountainous, with the Coast Mountains, the Rockies, and a long Pacific coastline — and reaches Wainwright in Alberta, prairie in the south rising into the Canadian Rockies in the west. The route also passes near Linden (Alberta).
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 497 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 Wainwright
Full information about Wainwright: interactive map, GPS coordinates, elevation, nearby cities, and routes to and from Wainwright.
Wainwright profile →Explore Lake Windermere
Full information about Lake Windermere: map, GPS coordinates, and all routes from Lake Windermere to other Canadian cities.
Lake Windermere profile →Related tools
Driving Directions
Live planner with turn-by-turn directions from Lake Windermere to Wainwright.
Interactive map
Open the area between Lake Windermere and Wainwright 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 Lake Windermere and Wainwright in satellite imagery.
Cities along the Lake Windermere – Wainwright route
These cities are near the direct route between Lake Windermere and Wainwright. They may be useful as a stopover or alternate destination.
Routes with intermediate stops: Lake Windermere → Linden · Lake Windermere → Three Hills · Lake Windermere → Swalwell
Related routes
From Lake Windermere to other cities:
To Wainwright from other cities:
From Wainwright to intermediate cities:
All info about Lake Windermere → · All info about Wainwright →
Popular routes from British Columbia
Most-searched routes from British Columbia, ranked by popularity.
Frequently asked questions: Lake Windermere – Wainwright
What is the straight-line distance between Lake Windermere and Wainwright?
The straight-line distance between Lake Windermere and Wainwright is about 439.4 km. This is the direct geometric distance between the two coordinates, ignoring road geometry.
What is the estimated road distance from Lake Windermere to Wainwright?
The estimated road distance from Lake Windermere to Wainwright is about 497 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 Lake Windermere to Wainwright?
Indicative drive time from Lake Windermere to Wainwright is about 5 h 31 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 Lake Windermere to Wainwright?
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 Lake Windermere–Wainwright 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 Lake Windermere to Wainwright?
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 Lake Windermere to Wainwright?
A common alternative is going via Linden or Three Hills. Use the live planner to compare routes.
Can I open the Lake Windermere–Wainwright 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 Lake Windermere as origin and Wainwright as destination.