Driving route · Canada

Route from Thompson to Wood Buffalo

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

Distance from Thompson to Wood Buffalo

The straight-line distance between Thompson and Wood Buffalo is 847.1 km. The estimated road distance by car is around 957 km, with an indicative drive time of 10 h 38 min.

Straight-line distance 847.1 km
Estimated road distance ~957 km
Indicative drive time 10 h 38 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 – Wood Buffalo

Route type Long

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

Indicative fuel cost $107–$145

Estimate: ~957 km, 8 L/100 km, $1.65/L. ±15%. Excludes tolls.

Driving directions from Thompson to Wood Buffalo

The map shows the locations of Thompson (A) and Wood Buffalo (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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Estimate trip cost: Thompson – Wood Buffalo

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

Indicative estimates based on ~957 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

Wood Buffalo

Alberta · 57.60420, -111.32800

Wood Buffalo sits in northeastern Alberta at roughly 57.6°N, 111.3°W. The municipal area covers a broad boreal and river-valley landscape and serves as a northern regional centre for drivers moving between remote work…

How to drive from Thompson to Wood Buffalo

The straight-line distance between Thompson (Manitoba) and Wood Buffalo (Alberta) is about 847.1 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 – Wood Buffalo

How far is Thompson from Wood Buffalo? The road estimate is around 957 km, with an indicative drive time of 10 h 38 min. The route connects Manitoba 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 Thompson (Manitoba) — coordinates 55.7433° N, -97.8553° E. The destination is Wood Buffalo (Alberta), at 57.6042° N, -111.3280° E.

Practical tips for the Thompson – Wood Buffalo drive

Terrain along the way

The route starts in Manitoba — a province prairie and lake country, with thousands of lakes and rivers — and reaches Wood Buffalo in Alberta, prairie in the south rising into the Canadian Rockies in the west. The route also passes near Southend (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 957 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 Wood Buffalo

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

Wood Buffalo 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 – Wood Buffalo route

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

Routes with intermediate stops: Thompson → Southend

Related routes

From Thompson to other cities:

To Wood Buffalo from other cities:

From Wood Buffalo to intermediate cities:

All info about Thompson →  ·  All info about Wood Buffalo →

Popular routes from Manitoba

Most-searched routes from Manitoba, ranked by popularity.

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Frequently asked questions: Thompson – Wood Buffalo

What is the straight-line distance between Thompson and Wood Buffalo?

The straight-line distance between Thompson and Wood Buffalo is about 847.1 km. This is the direct geometric distance between the two coordinates, ignoring road geometry.

What is the estimated road distance from Thompson to Wood Buffalo?

The estimated road distance from Thompson to Wood Buffalo is about 957 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 Wood Buffalo?

Indicative drive time from Thompson to Wood Buffalo is about 10 h 38 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 Wood Buffalo?

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–Wood Buffalo 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 Wood Buffalo?

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 Wood Buffalo?

A common alternative is going via Southend. Use the live planner to compare routes.

Can I open the Thompson–Wood Buffalo 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 Wood Buffalo as destination.