Driving route · Canada

Route from Thompson to Wainwright

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

Distance from Thompson to Wainwright

The straight-line distance between Thompson and Wainwright is 902.7 km. The estimated road distance by car is around 1020 km, with an indicative drive time of 11 h 20 min.

Straight-line distance 902.7 km
Estimated road distance ~1020 km
Indicative drive time 11 h 20 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: Thompson – Wainwright

Route type Long

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

Indicative fuel cost $114–$155

Estimate: ~1020 km, 8 L/100 km, $1.65/L. ±15%. Excludes tolls.

Driving directions from Thompson to Wainwright

The map shows the locations of Thompson (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.

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Driving directions from Thompson to Wainwright

Real distance: 1,169.6 km  ·  Estimated time: 14 h 34 min

🗓 Calculated on June 4, 2026
  1. Drive southeast on Selkirk Avenue. 417 m
  2. Turn right onto Mystery Lake Road/PR 391. 1.4 km
  3. Bear left onto Mystery Lake Road/PTH 6. 309.6 km
  4. Turn right onto Highway 10/PTH 10. Continue on PTH 10. 60.8 km
  5. Turn left onto PTH 10A. 1.5 km
  6. Turn right onto Third Avenue/PTH 10A. Continue on PTH 10A. 1.5 km
  7. Turn left onto Main Street/PTH 10. 3.0 km
  8. Turn right onto Main Street/106. Continue on 106. 325.0 km
  9. Turn right onto Northern Woods & Water Route/55. 124.5 km
  10. Turn left onto Highway 40/40. 155.5 km
  11. Turn right onto 16/40/Yellowhead Route. 761 m
  12. Keep left to stay on 16/40. 4.0 km

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

Estimate trip cost: Thompson – Wainwright

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

Indicative estimates based on ~1020 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

Thompson

Manitoba · 55.74330, -97.85530

Thompson sits in north-central Manitoba, well north of the province's main southern population belt. As the largest community in northern Manitoba, it functions as the primary road-access point for a broad swath of the…

Destination

Wainwright

Alberta · 52.83330, -110.86700

Situated in east-central Alberta on the open prairie, Wainwright functions as a modest regional centre for surrounding agricultural communities. It is not part of a larger metropolitan area but appears on maps as a…

How to drive from Thompson to Wainwright

The straight-line distance between Thompson (Manitoba) and Wainwright (Alberta) is about 902.7 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: Thompson – Wainwright

The distance from Thompson to Wainwright is estimated at 1020 km on a mixed road profile, starting from 902.7 km straight line. It is a long route (over 300 km) that connects Manitoba to Alberta. Plan multiple breaks and check highway traffic, weather, and fuel availability — particularly in remote sections. Calculate the current route with the live planner for detailed instructions.

The trip starts at Thompson (Manitoba) — coordinates 55.7433° N, -97.8553° E. The destination is Wainwright (Alberta), at 52.8333° N, -110.8670° E.

Practical tips for the Thompson – Wainwright drive

Terrain along the way

The route starts in Manitoba — a province prairie and lake country, with thousands of lakes and rivers — and reaches Wainwright in Alberta, prairie in the south rising into the Canadian Rockies in the west. The route also passes near Choiceland (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 1020 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 Thompson

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

Thompson profile →

Related tools

Cities along the Thompson – Wainwright route

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

Routes with intermediate stops: Thompson → Choiceland · Thompson → Napatak · Thompson → Nipawin

Related routes

From Thompson to other cities:

To Wainwright from other cities:

From Wainwright to intermediate cities:

All info about Thompson →  ·  All info about Wainwright →

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Frequently asked questions: Thompson – Wainwright

What is the straight-line distance between Thompson and Wainwright?

The straight-line distance between Thompson and Wainwright is about 902.7 km. This is the direct geometric distance between the two coordinates, ignoring road geometry.

What is the estimated road distance from Thompson to Wainwright?

The estimated road distance from Thompson to Wainwright is about 1020 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 Thompson to Wainwright?

Indicative drive time from Thompson to Wainwright is about 11 h 20 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 Thompson 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 Thompson–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 Thompson 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 Thompson to Wainwright?

A common alternative is going via Choiceland or Napatak. Use the live planner to compare routes.

Can I open the Thompson–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 Thompson as origin and Wainwright as destination.