Yellowhead Highway, Principal interprovincial road across western Canada.
Yellowhead Highway is a major interprovincial road running roughly 2,900 kilometers across western Canada. It links regional centers while passing through mountain passes, prairie landscapes, and forested areas.
The road takes its name from a Métis-Iroquois fur trader from the early 1800s who worked with the Hudson Bay Company. The route follows ancient trading paths that Indigenous peoples had used for centuries.
The road runs through territories of many First Nations communities and follows paths that have linked regions for generations. These connections remain visible today where modern settlements sit near historical trading locations.
Travelers should expect varying conditions depending on season and region, particularly in mountain passes from October through April. Attention is needed for wildlife crossings and changing road conditions across the long distances.
The route begins with a ferry crossing from Haida Gwaii to Prince Rupert before continuing onto mainland Canada. This water crossing connects the westernmost starting points with the mainland network.
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