Route from Merritt to Lake Louise
Interactive map, distance, and indicative drive time for the route from Merritt to Lake Louise — 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 Merritt (British Columbia) and Lake Louise (Alberta). Use the live planner below to get up-to-date driving directions by car, on foot, or by bicycle.
Distance from Merritt to Lake Louise
The straight-line distance between Merritt and Lake Louise is 355.6 km. The estimated road distance by car is around 402 km, with an indicative drive time of 4 h 28 min.
Trip cost and route type: Merritt – Lake Louise
Driving directions from Merritt to Lake Louise
The map shows the locations of Merritt (A) and Lake Louise (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 Merritt to Lake Louise
Real distance: 522.7 km · Estimated time: 6 h 34 min
- Drive east. 140 m
- Turn left onto Voght Street. 2.8 km
- Take the 5 North ramp toward Kamloops. 80.0 km
- Keep left toward Thru Traffic. 4.0 km
- Keep left to stay on TCH 1/Trans-Canada Highway. 26.0 km
- Keep left to stay on Trans-Canada Highway. 341.3 km
- Turn left onto Kicking Horse Rest Area. 80 m
- Turn left onto 1/Trans-Canada Highway. 67.7 km
- Turn left onto Slate Road. 163 m
Standard car route without avoiding highways. For advanced options (motorcycle, bicycle, transit, avoid tolls) use the live planner above.
Estimate trip cost: Merritt – Lake Louise
Indicative estimates based on ~402 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 Merritt to Lake Louise
The straight-line distance between Merritt (British Columbia) and Lake Louise (Alberta) is about 355.6 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: Merritt – Lake Louise
The route connects British Columbia to Alberta: from Merritt to Lake Louise you cover roughly 402 km on the road (geometric distance 355.6 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 Merritt (British Columbia) — coordinates 50.1128° N, -120.7900° E. The destination is Lake Louise (Alberta), at 51.4337° N, -116.1830° E.
Practical tips for the Merritt – Lake Louise 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 Lake Louise in Alberta, prairie in the south rising into the Canadian Rockies in the west. The route also passes near Revelstoke (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 402 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 Lake Louise
Full information about Lake Louise: interactive map, GPS coordinates, elevation, nearby cities, and routes to and from Lake Louise.
Lake Louise profile →Explore Merritt
Full information about Merritt: map, GPS coordinates, and all routes from Merritt to other Canadian cities.
Merritt profile →Related tools
Driving Directions
Live planner with turn-by-turn directions from Merritt to Lake Louise.
Interactive map
Open the area between Merritt and Lake Louise 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 Merritt and Lake Louise in satellite imagery.
Cities along the Merritt – Lake Louise route
These cities are near the direct route between Merritt and Lake Louise. They may be useful as a stopover or alternate destination.
Routes with intermediate stops: Merritt → Revelstoke · Merritt → Lumby
Related routes
From Merritt to other cities:
To Lake Louise from other cities:
From Lake Louise to intermediate cities:
Popular routes from British Columbia
Most-searched routes from British Columbia, ranked by popularity.
Frequently asked questions: Merritt – Lake Louise
What is the straight-line distance between Merritt and Lake Louise?
The straight-line distance between Merritt and Lake Louise is about 355.6 km. This is the direct geometric distance between the two coordinates, ignoring road geometry.
What is the estimated road distance from Merritt to Lake Louise?
The estimated road distance from Merritt to Lake Louise is about 402 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 Merritt to Lake Louise?
Indicative drive time from Merritt to Lake Louise is about 4 h 28 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 Merritt to Lake Louise?
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 Merritt–Lake Louise 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 Merritt to Lake Louise?
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 Merritt to Lake Louise?
A common alternative is going via Revelstoke or Lumby. Use the live planner to compare routes.
Can I open the Merritt–Lake Louise 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 Merritt as origin and Lake Louise as destination.