Driving route · Canada

Route from Swan River to Slave Lake

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

Distance from Swan River to Slave Lake

The straight-line distance between Swan River and Slave Lake is 954.8 km. The estimated road distance by car is around 1079 km, with an indicative drive time of 11 h 59 min.

Straight-line distance 954.8 km
Estimated road distance ~1079 km
Indicative drive time 11 h 59 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: Swan River – Slave Lake

Route type Long

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

Indicative fuel cost $121–$164

Estimate: ~1079 km, 8 L/100 km, $1.65/L. ±15%. Excludes tolls.

Driving directions from Swan River to Slave Lake

The map shows the locations of Swan River (A) and Slave Lake (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 Swan River to Slave Lake

Real distance: 1,198.8 km  ·  Estimated time: 14 h 25 min

🗓 Calculated on June 4, 2026
  1. Drive east on Main Street East/PTH 10A/PTH 83A. 1.1 km
  2. Turn left onto Kelsey Trail/Northern Woods and Water Route/Kelsey Trail/PTH 10. Continue on PTH 10. 75.4 km
  3. Turn left onto Provincial Trunk Highway 77/PTH 77. 91.2 km
  4. Turn right onto Highway 3/3. 90.6 km
  5. Turn left onto 3/23. 3.3 km
  6. Turn right onto Highway 3/3. 62.7 km
  7. Keep right to take Highway 41/41. 147 m
  8. Turn right onto 41A. 3.4 km
  9. Turn left onto CanAm Highway/3. Continue on 3. 91.3 km
  10. Turn left onto 15 Street East/3/302. Continue on 3/302. 1.5 km
  11. Turn right onto 2/3/2 Avenue West. Continue on 2. 1.5 km
  12. Take the Northern Woods & Water Route exit. 179.4 km

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

Estimate trip cost: Swan River – Slave Lake

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

Indicative estimates based on ~1079 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

Swan River

Manitoba · 52.10580, -101.26700

Swan River sits in west-central Manitoba on the floor of the Swan River Valley, where agricultural fields meet nearby forested highlands. It functions as a small regional centre for surrounding farming communities and…

Destination

Slave Lake

Alberta · 55.28530, -114.77100

Slave Lake sits on the southeast shore of Lesser Slave Lake in north-central Alberta and serves as a focal town for drivers using regional and provincial routes through the boreal landscape. The town functions as a…

How to drive from Swan River to Slave Lake

The straight-line distance between Swan River (Manitoba) and Slave Lake (Alberta) is about 954.8 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: Swan River – Slave Lake

The trip from Swan River to Slave Lake covers about 1079 km on the road (954.8 km straight line). Plan multiple breaks and check highway traffic, weather, and fuel availability — particularly in remote sections. The route connects Manitoba to Alberta and is classified as a long route (over 300 km). Click "Update route" for the latest track, turns, and fuel-cost estimate.

The trip starts at Swan River (Manitoba) — coordinates 52.1058° N, -101.2670° E. The destination is Slave Lake (Alberta), at 55.2853° N, -114.7710° E.

Practical tips for the Swan River – Slave Lake drive

Terrain along the way

The route starts in Manitoba — a province prairie and lake country, with thousands of lakes and rivers — and reaches Slave Lake in Alberta, prairie in the south rising into the Canadian Rockies in the west. The route also passes near Leoville (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 1079 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 Slave Lake

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

Slave Lake profile →

Explore Swan River

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

Swan River profile →

Related tools

Cities along the Swan River – Slave Lake route

These cities are near the direct route between Swan River and Slave Lake. They may be useful as a stopover or alternate destination.

Routes with intermediate stops: Swan River → Leoville · Swan River → Medstead · Swan River → Spiritwood

Related routes

From Swan River to other cities:

To Slave Lake from other cities:

From Slave Lake to intermediate cities:

All info about Swan River →  ·  All info about Slave Lake →

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Frequently asked questions: Swan River – Slave Lake

What is the straight-line distance between Swan River and Slave Lake?

The straight-line distance between Swan River and Slave Lake is about 954.8 km. This is the direct geometric distance between the two coordinates, ignoring road geometry.

What is the estimated road distance from Swan River to Slave Lake?

The estimated road distance from Swan River to Slave Lake is about 1079 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 Swan River to Slave Lake?

Indicative drive time from Swan River to Slave Lake is about 11 h 59 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 Swan River to Slave Lake?

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 Swan River–Slave Lake 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 Swan River to Slave Lake?

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 Swan River to Slave Lake?

A common alternative is going via Leoville or Medstead. Use the live planner to compare routes.

Can I open the Swan River–Slave Lake 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 Swan River as origin and Slave Lake as destination.