Quickest Route to Radium - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

return to the red · 09-10-2010, 07:31 AM

So we are headed to Radium this weekend and just wondering what the quickest route would be from Lethbridge.

Should we go on the number 3 through the Pass, Fernie, etc. Or should we come through Calgary and then through Banff down to Radium.

It looks roughly the same distance but if you factor in the single lane compared to the other hiways I'm thinking through Calgary would be quicker. Thoughts?

SeeBass · 09-10-2010, 07:37 AM

The length of time is minimal I would just take the Banff route and enjoy the view.

If you have a heavy foot I find the Banff route a lower risk of getting caught.

But I also live in North Calgary so that may matter on time

Bigtime · 09-10-2010, 08:29 AM

Hmm, I've heard that the time difference between Crowsnest versus highway 1 to 93 is only about 15-20 minutes on average. So choose whatever route you prefer to drive.

Back in my flying days I did a few hops from Calgary over to Invermere, 25 minutes straight over the rocks. Makes doing the drive now feel like crawling the distance in comparison.

kermitology · 09-10-2010, 09:25 AM

I'm not really sure how it's not shorter to take the Crowsnest.. from Lethbridge that is..

My favourite part of that sort of drive is Columbia lake anyways..

troutman · 09-10-2010, 09:30 AM

Mapquest says Calgary - Banff - Radium:

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Calg...099998&2v=CITY

3 hours 15 minutes / 164.02 miles

Calgary to Fernie:

3 hours 19 minutes / 182.13 miles

Fernie to Radium:

2 hours 35 minutes / 137.32 miles

Not even close - Banff is much more direct.

OOPS - Leaving from Lethbridge. Try again troutman.

SeeBass · 09-10-2010, 09:32 AM

The biggest factor is what part of the city do you live in.

DownhillGoat · 09-10-2010, 09:34 AM

The OP says Lethbridge. Not Calgary.
Going through Calgary adds about another 50kms. Although you're going to average 30-40km/h higher speed. The #3/93 can get pretty slow, and a lot of sections are only 80km/h. For the extra 50km I'd take the #1, but cut across at Okotoks to Black Diamond instead of going through the city. Or Glenmore to the 22 to the 1.

SeeBass · 09-10-2010, 09:36 AM

OOh crap I guess I should read

ignore my stupidity

troutman · 09-10-2010, 09:36 AM

Mapquest says Lethbridge - Fernie - Radium:

5 hours 2 minutes / 266.39 miles

Lethbridge - Calgary - Banff - Radium:

2 hours 19 minutes / 137.96 miles

3 hours 15 minutes / 164.02 miles

IliketoPuck · 09-10-2010, 09:37 AM

It might slow you down a bit having to go through Calgary traffic, depending on the time of day you are travelling through the city.

DownhillGoat · 09-10-2010, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IliketoPuck

It might slow you down a bit having to go through Calgary traffic, depending on the time of day you are travelling through the city.

You wouldn't have to go through the city. Could cut across on Glenmore or the 22X, or through Black Diamond.

worth · 09-10-2010, 09:48 AM

Straight

return to the red · 09-10-2010, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troutman

Mapquest says Lethbridge - Fernie - Radium:

5 hours 2 minutes / 266.39 miles

Lethbridge - Calgary - Banff - Radium:

2 hours 19 minutes / 137.96 miles

3 hours 15 minutes / 164.02 miles

I'm not liking that whole 5 hour thing! damnit! Traffic on the number 3 could be pretty bad and seeing that it's only single lane with only a few passing lanes I think I will try Calgary going there and Fernie coming back.

I will take the 22X and cut off Calgary I think. Does map quest just take into consideration an average driving speed of 100km/h?

return to the red · 09-10-2010, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by worth

Straight

Thanks tips

Frank MetaMusil · 09-10-2010, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by return to the red

I'm not liking that whole 5 hour thing! damnit! Traffic on the number 3 could be pretty bad and seeing that it's only single lane with only a few passing lanes I think I will try Calgary going there and Fernie coming back.

I will take the 22X and cut off Calgary I think. Does map quest just take into consideration an average driving speed of 100km/h?

Spruce Meadows Masters is on this weekend and has been clogging up 22x pretty good in the late afternoon. Just something to be aware of.....

kermitology · 09-10-2010, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by return to the red

I'm not liking that whole 5 hour thing! damnit! Traffic on the number 3 could be pretty bad and seeing that it's only single lane with only a few passing lanes I think I will try Calgary going there and Fernie coming back.

I will take the 22X and cut off Calgary I think. Does map quest just take into consideration an average driving speed of 100km/h?

You also have to remember that the Banff-Radium highway is also mostly single lane with few passing lanes.

Bigtime · 09-10-2010, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kermitology

You also have to remember that the Banff-Radium highway is also mostly single lane with few passing lanes.

I mainly drive the #1 to 93 to Radium, but took the Crowsnest home a couple of weeks ago after being down in Cranbrook.

I'd have to say that the single lane on 93 offers many better passing opportunities than the #3. That's my opinion though.

4X4 · 09-10-2010, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kermitology

You also have to remember that the Banff-Radium highway is also mostly single lane with few passing lanes.

Not only that, it's a national park (90kph) and pretty windy (curvy). The highway from Cranbrook to Radium is relatively straight, though it is littered with stoners that go 90 anyway.

If it were me, I'd stick with the fernie route. Driving up to Calgary and then west and then south again seems like backtracking, and on a weekend, the #1 is going to be busy and full of stupid morons that drive in the left lane.

troutman · 09-10-2010, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by return to the red

Does map quest just take into consideration an average driving speed of 100km/h?

Looks like they assume a speed of 50 - 53 mph? About 85 km/h.

kermitology · 09-10-2010, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4X4

Not only that, it's a national park (90kph) and pretty windy (curvy). The highway from Cranbrook to Radium is relatively straight, though it is littered with stoners that go 90 anyway.

If it were me, I'd stick with the fernie route. Driving up to Calgary and then west and then south again seems like backtracking, and on a weekend, the #1 is going to be busy and full of stupid morons that drive in the left lane.

I haven't been much South of Canal Flats, but the speed limit does open up to 100 just a little bit South of there. At least to the entrance to Whiteswan provincial park.