Explore the road map of Canada showing national highways and major roads spreaded all across Canada. Canada's road network spans over 645,000 miles (1.04 million kilometers), making it one of the most extensive in the world. The Trans-Canada Highway, the world's second-longest national highway, stretches 4,860 miles (7,821 kilometers) from St. John's, Newfoundland, to Victoria, British Columbia. Major urban centers such as Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver are connected by well-maintained highways, facilitating efficient transportation of goods and people. Additionally, rural and northern areas are accessible through a combination of paved and gravel roads, supporting the country's diverse and expansive geography.
The system covers 2,689 kilometers (1,671 miles) of highway in Saskatchewan.
Route
Class
Length (km)
Length (mi)
Name(s)
Hwy 1 (TCH)
Core
648
403
Trans-Canada Highway
Hwy 2
Core
51
32
Veterans Memorial Highway
Core
7
4
Veterans Memorial Highway
Northern / Remote
238
148
CanAm Highway
Hwy 6
Core
42
26
CanAm Highway
Hwy 7
Core
258
160
Hwy 10
Core
160
99
Hwy 11
Core
392
244
Louis Riel Trail
Hwy 16 (TCH)
Core
689
428
Yellowhead Highway, Trans-Canada Highway
Hwy 39
Core
195
121
CanAm Highway (Corinne - Weyburn)
Yukon
In Yukon, the system encompasses 2,017 kilometers (1,253 miles) of highway.
Route
Length (mi)
Length (km)
Class
Name(s)
Hwy 1
554
892
Core
Alaska Highway
Hwy 2
48
77
Feeder
(South) Klondike Highway
297
478
Northern / Remote
(North) Klondike Highway
Hwy 5
289
465
Northern / Remote
Dempster Highway
Hwy 37
2
3
Northern / Remote
Stewart-Cassiar Highway
National Highway System of Canada
The National Highway System (NHS) of Canada is a vital network of roads that facilitates the movement of people and goods across the country. This system includes key routes that connect major urban centers, economic regions, and international borders, ensuring the efficient transportation necessary for Canada's vast and diverse geography.
Overview
The National Highway System is composed of over 24,000 kilometers (14,913 miles) of roadways, classified into three categories: Core Routes, Feeder Routes, and Northern and Remote Routes. These classifications help prioritize maintenance and development efforts based on the roadways' significance to national connectivity.
Core Routes
Core Routes form the backbone of the NHS, encompassing approximately 15,500 kilometers (9,631 miles). These routes include the most critical highways for cross-country travel and international trade. The Trans-Canada Highway (TCH) is the most notable among them, stretching 7,821 kilometers (4,860 miles) from St. John's, Newfoundland, to Victoria, British Columbia. This highway is the world's second-longest national highway and connects all ten provinces, playing a crucial role in linking the country’s east and west coasts.
Key segments of the Core Routes include:
Highway 401 in Ontario: Also known as the Macdonald-Cartier Freeway, it is one of the busiest highways in North America, connecting Windsor to the Quebec border.
Autoroute 20 in Quebec: Part of the TCH, this highway runs from the Ontario border through Montreal to Rivière-du-Loup.
Highway 1 in British Columbia: This major route connects Vancouver to Alberta, traversing the scenic Rocky Mountains.
Feeder Routes
Feeder Routes span approximately 6,100 kilometers (3,790 miles) and support the Core Routes by connecting them to key economic and regional centers. These routes are essential for facilitating access to Core Routes from smaller urban areas and rural regions. Some significant Feeder Routes include:
Highway 17 in Ontario: Linking the northern part of the province to the TCH, this route is critical for regional connectivity and economic activities.
Highway 16 (Yellowhead Highway): Extending from Winnipeg, Manitoba, to Prince Rupert, British Columbia, it provides an alternate transcontinental route through the northern prairies and the Rockies.
Northern and Remote Routes
Northern and Remote Routes cover approximately 2,400 kilometers (1,491 miles) and are crucial for connecting remote and northern communities to the broader highway network. These routes ensure accessibility and support the socio-economic development of these regions. Examples include:
Highway 1 in the Northwest Territories: Connecting the Alberta border to Yellowknife, it is vital for the movement of goods and people in the northern territories.
Highway 10 in Newfoundland and Labrador: Providing connectivity to remote communities along the province's rugged coastline.
Economic Impact
The National Highway System is indispensable for Canada's economy, facilitating the movement of over 70% of all domestic freight. The system supports key industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, and natural resources by providing reliable routes for transporting goods to domestic and international markets. Efficient highway transportation is also critical for tourism, enabling access to Canada's diverse landscapes and attractions.
Maintenance and Investment
Maintaining and upgrading the NHS is a priority for both federal and provincial governments. Investment in the highway infrastructure ensures safety, reliability, and capacity to meet growing transportation demands. Significant funding is allocated for projects such as expanding highway capacity, improving safety features, and repairing aging infrastructure. For example, recent investments have focused on twinning sections of the TCH in Newfoundland and Labrador to enhance safety and traffic flow.
Challenges and Future Directions
The NHS faces several challenges, including harsh weather conditions, increasing traffic volumes, and the need for sustainable infrastructure. Addressing these challenges requires continuous investment and innovation in highway design, construction, and maintenance. Future directions include:
Sustainability Initiatives: Implementing green infrastructure practices to reduce environmental impact, such as using recycled materials and developing wildlife crossings.
Technological Advancements: Integrating smart highway technologies to improve traffic management, safety, and efficiency. This includes intelligent transportation systems (ITS) that provide real-time information to drivers.
Climate Resilience: Enhancing the resilience of highway infrastructure to withstand extreme weather events and climate change effects, ensuring long-term reliability and safety.
