Driving route · Canada

Route from South Nelson to Port Hawkesbury

Interactive map, distance, and indicative drive time for the route from South Nelson to Port Hawkesbury — 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 South Nelson (New Brunswick) and Port Hawkesbury (Nova Scotia). Use the live planner below to get up-to-date driving directions by car, on foot, or by bicycle.

Distance from South Nelson to Port Hawkesbury

The straight-line distance between South Nelson and Port Hawkesbury is 355.7 km. The estimated road distance by car is around 402 km, with an indicative drive time of 4 h 28 min.

Straight-line distance 355.7 km
Estimated road distance ~402 km
Indicative drive time 4 h 28 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: South Nelson – Port Hawkesbury

Route type Long

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

Indicative fuel cost $45–$61

Estimate: ~402 km, 8 L/100 km, $1.65/L. ±15%. Excludes tolls.

Driving directions from South Nelson to Port Hawkesbury

The map shows the locations of South Nelson (A) and Port Hawkesbury (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 South Nelson to Port Hawkesbury

Real distance: 470.7 km  ·  Estimated time: 5 h 39 min

🗓 Calculated on June 3, 2026
  1. Drive southeast on Coady Street. 255 m
  2. Turn left onto Old Line Avenue. 137 m
  3. Turn left onto Nelson Street/NB 126. 1.6 km
  4. Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto NB 117/NB 8/Route 117. 7 m
  5. Exit the roundabout onto NB 117/NB 8/Route 117. Continue on NB 117/NB 8. 7.8 km
  6. Turn right to take the NB 11 South/NB 11 Sud ramp toward Moncton. 131.6 km
  7. Take exit 19A onto 2 East toward Sackville/Nova Scotia. 49.3 km
  8. Take exit 1A onto LaPlanche Street toward 2/6/Amherst. 487 m
  9. Turn right onto Fort Lawrence Road. 119 m
  10. Turn left onto Highway 2/NS 2. 734 m
  11. Turn left to take the 104 East ramp toward Truro/Halifax. 240.8 km
  12. Keep left to take NS 104/TCH/Highway 104. 9.2 km

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

Estimate trip cost: South Nelson – Port Hawkesbury

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

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

Origin

South Nelson

New Brunswick · 46.98330, -65.55000

South Nelson sits in the eastern portion of New Brunswick, marked on provincial maps as a compact community amid rural countryside. For driving and route-planning purposes it functions as a local waypoint where feeder…

Destination

Port Hawkesbury

Nova Scotia · 45.61530, -61.36420

Port Hawkesbury sits on the southwestern edge of Cape Breton Island in eastern Nova Scotia, occupying a coastal position at a narrow inlet where island and mainland geography meet. On routable maps it appears as a…

How to drive from South Nelson to Port Hawkesbury

The straight-line distance between South Nelson (New Brunswick) and Port Hawkesbury (Nova Scotia) is about 355.7 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: South Nelson – Port Hawkesbury

How far is South Nelson from Port Hawkesbury? The road estimate is around 402 km, with an indicative drive time of 4 h 28 min. The route connects New Brunswick to Nova Scotia — 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 South Nelson (New Brunswick) — coordinates 46.9833° N, -65.5500° E. The destination is Port Hawkesbury (Nova Scotia), at 45.6153° N, -61.3642° E.

Practical tips for the South Nelson – Port Hawkesbury drive

Terrain along the way

The route starts in New Brunswick — a province forested and Acadian, with the Bay of Fundy and tidal coastlines — and reaches Port Hawkesbury in Nova Scotia, maritime, with Atlantic coves, harbours, and Cape Breton's highlands. The route also passes near Borden-Carleton (Prince Edward Island).

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 Port Hawkesbury

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

Port Hawkesbury profile →

Explore South Nelson

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

South Nelson profile →

Related tools

Cities along the South Nelson – Port Hawkesbury route

These cities are near the direct route between South Nelson and Port Hawkesbury. They may be useful as a stopover or alternate destination.

Routes with intermediate stops: South Nelson → Borden-Carleton · South Nelson → Borden · South Nelson → Cornwall

Related routes

From South Nelson to other cities:

To Port Hawkesbury from other cities:

From Port Hawkesbury to intermediate cities:

All info about South Nelson →  ·  All info about Port Hawkesbury →

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Frequently asked questions: South Nelson – Port Hawkesbury

What is the straight-line distance between South Nelson and Port Hawkesbury?

The straight-line distance between South Nelson and Port Hawkesbury is about 355.7 km. This is the direct geometric distance between the two coordinates, ignoring road geometry.

What is the estimated road distance from South Nelson to Port Hawkesbury?

The estimated road distance from South Nelson to Port Hawkesbury 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 South Nelson to Port Hawkesbury?

Indicative drive time from South Nelson to Port Hawkesbury 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 South Nelson to Port Hawkesbury?

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 South Nelson–Port Hawkesbury 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 South Nelson to Port Hawkesbury?

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 South Nelson to Port Hawkesbury?

A common alternative is going via Borden-Carleton or Borden. Use the live planner to compare routes.

Can I open the South Nelson–Port Hawkesbury 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 South Nelson as origin and Port Hawkesbury as destination.