Driving route · Canada

Route from Smithers to Benson

Interactive map, distance, and indicative drive time for the route from Smithers to Benson — 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 Smithers (British Columbia) and Benson (Saskatchewan). Use the live planner below to get up-to-date driving directions by car, on foot, or by bicycle.

Distance from Smithers to Benson

The straight-line distance between Smithers and Benson is 1741.7 km. The estimated road distance by car is around 1968 km, with an indicative drive time of 21 h 52 min.

Straight-line distance 1741.7 km
Estimated road distance ~1968 km
Indicative drive time 21 h 52 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: Smithers – Benson

Route type Long

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

Indicative fuel cost $221–$299

Estimate: ~1968 km, 8 L/100 km, $1.65/L. ±15%. Excludes tolls.

Driving directions from Smithers to Benson

The map shows the locations of Smithers (A) and Benson (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 Smithers to Benson

Real distance: 2,137.5 km  ·  Estimated time: 25 h 3 min

🗓 Calculated on June 4, 2026
  1. Drive northeast. 50 m
  2. Turn right onto YH 16/Yellowhead Highway. Continue on YH 16. 366.8 km
  3. Turn right onto Ferry Avenue. 4.6 km
  4. Turn right onto YH 16/1st Avenue. 371.8 km
  5. Turn right onto Icefields Parkway/93. 151.4 km
  6. Turn left onto David Thompson Highway/11. Continue on 11. 186.1 km
  7. Turn right onto Highway 22/22. 25.1 km
  8. Turn left onto Highway 54/54/22. Continue on 54. 69.2 km
  9. Take the 2 South ramp toward Calgary. 24.3 km
  10. Take exit 340A onto 27 East toward Torrington/Trochu/Three Hills. 54.5 km
  11. Turn right onto Range Road 235/21/27. 16.2 km
  12. Turn left onto Township Road 312/27. 376.0 km

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

Estimate trip cost: Smithers – Benson

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

Indicative estimates based on ~1968 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

Smithers

British Columbia · 54.78190, -127.16800

Smithers sits in northwestern British Columbia in the Bulkley Valley, on the floodplain of the Bulkley River. With a population of about 5,351, it is the principal town in the valley and a frequent waypoint for drivers…

Destination

Benson

Saskatchewan · 49.46280, -103.00900

Benson sits in southeastern Saskatchewan on the southern prairie, a small rural community of roughly 95 residents. On provincial maps it appears as a compact settlement amid agricultural land and functions primarily as…

How to drive from Smithers to Benson

The straight-line distance between Smithers (British Columbia) and Benson (Saskatchewan) is about 1741.7 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: Smithers – Benson

Driving directions from Smithers to Benson: estimated road distance 1968 km, indicative time about 21 h 52 min by car. The route connects British Columbia to Saskatchewan — a long route (over 300 km). Plan multiple breaks and check highway traffic, weather, and fuel availability — particularly in remote sections. Use the live planner for an up-to-date track with turn-by-turn directions.

The trip starts at Smithers (British Columbia) — coordinates 54.7819° N, -127.1680° E. The destination is Benson (Saskatchewan), at 49.4628° N, -103.0090° E.

Practical tips for the Smithers – Benson 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 Benson in Saskatchewan, prairie to the south and boreal forest, lakes, and Shield country to the north. The route also passes near Caroline (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 1968 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 Benson

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

Benson profile →

Explore Smithers

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

Smithers profile →

Related tools

Cities along the Smithers – Benson route

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

Routes with intermediate stops: Smithers → Caroline · Smithers → Rocky Mountain House · Smithers → Leslieville

Related routes

From Smithers to other cities:

To Benson from other cities:

From Benson to intermediate cities:

All info about Smithers →  ·  All info about Benson →

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Frequently asked questions: Smithers – Benson

What is the straight-line distance between Smithers and Benson?

The straight-line distance between Smithers and Benson is about 1741.7 km. This is the direct geometric distance between the two coordinates, ignoring road geometry.

What is the estimated road distance from Smithers to Benson?

The estimated road distance from Smithers to Benson is about 1968 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 Smithers to Benson?

Indicative drive time from Smithers to Benson is about 21 h 52 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 Smithers to Benson?

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 Smithers–Benson 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 Smithers to Benson?

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 Smithers to Benson?

A common alternative is going via Caroline or Rocky Mountain House. Use the live planner to compare routes.

Can I open the Smithers–Benson 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 Smithers as origin and Benson as destination.