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Canada is the second-largest country in the world. Therefore, it is not surprising that the total length of all roads in Canada is 1,042,300 kilometers (647,655 miles), of which 415,600 kilometers (258242 miles) are paved.
Trans-Canada Highway is a major highway in Canada and the world’s longest national road. It was completed in 1971.The road stretches west-east between the Pacific and Atlantic shores through the country for 7,821 kilometers or 4,860 miles from Vancouver Island to Newfoundland and Labrador. It goes through all ten Canadian provinces, ties many of the country’s largest cities, and allows access to significant national and provincial parks.
In addition, there is a Yellowhead Highway, part of the Trans-Canada Highway that runs from Winnipeg to Graham Island off the shore of British Columbia via Saskatoon and Edmonton.
Highways in Canada
Highways in Canada are numbered, except 3 in the Northwest Territories, one in Alberta, one in Ontario, and one in Quebec.
The number of highways in all Canadian provinces is better known locally by their name rather than their number. Some highways in Canada have additional letters added to their number:
A is commonly an alternate route.
B is typically a business route.
Other letters are used for bypass (truck), connector, scenic, and spur routes.
The territory of Nunavut has no highways at all.
All the major highways and roads of Canada
The map below shows all roads in Canada. This map clearly illustrates how Canada’s population is redistributed. In Canada, the roads may be less well maintained in remote regions, especially in the country’s north. Many highways in the Northwest Territories and Yukon are gravel.
Want to learn more about Canadian roads? These road atlases might help:
