Route from Watson Lake to Slave Lake
Interactive map, distance, and indicative drive time for the route from Watson Lake 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 Watson Lake (Yukon) 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 Watson Lake to Slave Lake
The straight-line distance between Watson Lake and Slave Lake is 988.6 km. The estimated road distance by car is around 1117 km, with an indicative drive time of 12 h 25 min.
Trip cost and route type: Watson Lake – Slave Lake
Driving directions from Watson Lake to Slave Lake
The map shows the locations of Watson Lake (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.
Turn-by-turn directions
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Driving directions from Watson Lake to Slave Lake
Real distance: 1,365.6 km · Estimated time: 16 h 32 min
- Drive northwest on Airport Road. 1.2 km
- Turn right onto Campbell Highway/YK 4. Continue on YK 4. 10.1 km
- Turn left toward 1 East/Dawson Creek. 59.8 km
- Keep left to stay on Alaska Highway. 906.9 km
- Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit toward 49/Spirit River. 254.1 km
- Turn left onto Northern Woods & Water Route/2. Continue on 2. 130.4 km
- Turn left onto Main Street South. 1.3 km
- Turn right onto 4 Avenue NE. 58 m
- Turn left. 26 m
Standard car route without avoiding highways. For advanced options (motorcycle, bicycle, transit, avoid tolls) use the live planner above.
Estimate trip cost: Watson Lake – Slave Lake
Indicative estimates based on ~1117 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
How to drive from Watson Lake to Slave Lake
The straight-line distance between Watson Lake (Yukon) and Slave Lake (Alberta) is about 988.6 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: Watson Lake – Slave Lake
The trip from Watson Lake to Slave Lake covers about 1117 km on the road (988.6 km straight line). Plan multiple breaks and check highway traffic, weather, and fuel availability — particularly in remote sections. The route connects Yukon 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 Watson Lake (Yukon) — coordinates 60.1166° N, -128.8000° E. The destination is Slave Lake (Alberta), at 55.2853° N, -114.7710° E.
Practical tips for the Watson Lake – Slave Lake drive
Terrain along the way
The route starts in Yukon — a province subarctic mountains and rivers — the territory of the Yukon River and the Klondike — and reaches Slave Lake in Alberta, prairie in the south rising into the Canadian Rockies in the west. The route also passes near Fort St. John (British Columbia).
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 1117 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 Watson Lake
Full information about Watson Lake: map, GPS coordinates, and all routes from Watson Lake to other Canadian cities.
Watson Lake profile →Related tools
Driving Directions
Live planner with turn-by-turn directions from Watson Lake to Slave Lake.
Interactive map
Open the area between Watson Lake and Slave Lake on the map.
GPS coordinates
Find precise coordinates for any point along the route.
Distance calculator
Measure straight-line distances between intermediate points.
Elevation
Check elevation along the route — useful for mountain passes.
Satellite map
View the terrain between Watson Lake and Slave Lake in satellite imagery.
Cities along the Watson Lake – Slave Lake route
These cities are near the direct route between Watson Lake and Slave Lake. They may be useful as a stopover or alternate destination.
Routes with intermediate stops: Watson Lake → Fort St. John
Related routes
From Watson Lake to other cities:
To Slave Lake from other cities:
From Slave Lake to intermediate cities:
Popular routes from Yukon
Most-searched routes from Yukon, ranked by popularity.
Frequently asked questions: Watson Lake – Slave Lake
What is the straight-line distance between Watson Lake and Slave Lake?
The straight-line distance between Watson Lake and Slave Lake is about 988.6 km. This is the direct geometric distance between the two coordinates, ignoring road geometry.
What is the estimated road distance from Watson Lake to Slave Lake?
The estimated road distance from Watson Lake to Slave Lake is about 1117 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 Watson Lake to Slave Lake?
Indicative drive time from Watson Lake to Slave Lake is about 12 h 25 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 Watson Lake 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 Watson Lake–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 Watson Lake 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 Watson Lake to Slave Lake?
A common alternative is going via Fort St. John. Use the live planner to compare routes.
Can I open the Watson Lake–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 Watson Lake as origin and Slave Lake as destination.