Saskatchewan Highway 2 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Highway 2
Veterans Memorial Highway (segment) CanAm Highway (segment)
Highway 2 highlighted in red.
Route information
Length	797.7 km (495.7 mi)
Major junctions
South end	Canada-US border (MT 24) at West Poplar
	Hwy 13 in Assiniboia Hwy 1 (TCH) in Moose Jaw Hwy 11 at Chamberlain Hwy 16 (TCH) near Colonsay Hwy 5 near Meacham Hwy 41 at Wakaw Hwy 11 near Prince Albert Hwy 3 in Prince Albert Hwy 55 in Prince Albert
North end	Hwy 102 in La Ronge
Location
Districts:	Northern Administration District
Rural municipalities:	Old Post, Poplar Valley, Willow Bunch, Stonehenge, Lake of the Rivers, Sutton, Lake Johnston, Terrell, Baildon, Moose Jaw, Marquis, Dufferin, Sarnia, Big Arm, Wood Creek, Morris, Colonsay, Bayne, Hoodoo, Fish Creek, St. Louis, Prince Albert, Buckland, Paddockwood, Lakeland
Major cities:	Moose Jaw, Prince Albert
Towns:	Assiniboia, Watrous, Wakaw, La Ronge
Highway system
Provincial highways in Saskatchewan ← Hwy 1 Hwy 3 →

Highway 2 is a long road in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It is the longest highway in Saskatchewan, stretching about 809 kilometers (503 miles). Parts of the highway have two lanes going in each direction, while other parts have only one lane in each direction. For example, near Moose Jaw, about 18 km (11 mi) are divided, and near Prince Albert, about 21 km (13 mi) are divided.

Highway 2 is an important route that runs from south to north. It starts at the Canada-US border near West Poplar, where Montana Highway 24 continues south into the United States. The highway goes through big cities like Moose Jaw in the south and Prince Albert in the north. For a short part of its journey, Highway 2 shares the road with Highway 11 between Chamberlain and Findlater. This 11 km (7 mi) section is a bit unusual because the two highways go in opposite directions. Highway 2 ends in La Ronge, where it changes into Highway 102.

This highway began as a simple dirt road in the 1920s. Local farmers helped maintain it. In the 1950s, many parts were paved, making them usable in all kinds of weather. The section of Highway 2 between Moose Jaw and Prince Albert was named the Veterans Memorial Highway in 2005. This was done to honor Canadian veterans. Highway 2 is also part of the CanAm Highway, a long route that connects Canada, the United States, and Mexico.

Exploring Highway 2: South to North

A busy intersection where Highway 11 and Highway 2 meet.

Saskatchewan Highway 2 starts at the Canada–United States border and heads north. On the U.S. side, Montana Highway 24 continues south. The border crossing is at West Poplar River in Canada and Opheim, Montana, in the U.S.

Discovering the Big Muddy Badlands

Near the start of the highway, you can find campgrounds and information about the Poplar River. This area is famous for the Big Muddy Badlands, a place with a rich history. Outlaws and rum runners used to hide here in the 1800s and early 1900s. The land here was shaped by ancient glaciers, creating unique hills. Scientists have even found a 63-million-year-old sea turtle fossil in the Killdeer area!

About 12 km (7 mi) into the journey, the highway reaches Killdeer. Here, you can turn onto Highway 18 to visit the Wood Mountain Post Provincial Historical Park. This park is about 17 km (11 mi) north.

Journey Through Farmland and Towns

As you continue, you'll see fields of alfalfa, hay, and wheat. These are important crops in the area. Around 42 km (26 mi) from the border, you enter the Wood Mountain Uplands. This region has mining activities for things like coal and clay.

At 49 km (30 mi), you reach Rockglen. The highway then turns north again. Rockglen and Assiniboia are the two biggest towns between the border and Moose Jaw.

Just west of Highway 2, about 10.4 km (6.5 mi) away, is the St. Victor Petroglyph Historic Park. Here, you can see ancient carvings in sandstone, though they are slowly fading away.

The road leading into Assiniboia.

At 103 km (64 mi), you arrive in Assiniboia. This is where Highway 2 meets Highway 13, also known as the Red Coat Trail. This junction gives you access to Lafleche. Further along, you'll pass near Vantage and Mossbank. Near Mossbank is the southeast part of Old Wives Lake. This lake is part of a special area that protects three salty lakes and marshes, important for shorebirds.

Near Ardill, you'll find the northern end of Lake of the Rivers. At 175 km (109 mi), Highway 2 meets Highway 36, which leads to Crestwynd and the Jean Louis Legare Regional Park.

Veterans Memorial Highway: A Special Section

Highway 2 crosses the Qu'Appelle Valley and Buffalo Pound Lake between Moose Jaw and Chamberlain.

As you get closer to Moose Jaw, at 202 km (126 mi), you'll find the home of the Snowbirds, Canada's famous air demonstration team, at CFB Moose Jaw. Before entering Moose Jaw, the highway becomes a divided road for about 18 km (11 mi).

Exploring Moose Jaw's Attractions

Moose Jaw is a city with about 32,000 people. It has fun roadside attractions like Capone's Car and Mac the Moose. Other popular places to visit include the Temple Gardens Mineral Spa Resort, the Tunnels of Moose Jaw, and the History of Transportation Western Development Museum.

North of Moose Jaw, Highway 2 crosses Saskatchewan Highway 1, which is part of the Trans Canada Highway. At 226 km (140 mi), you can turn east to reach Buffalo Pound Provincial Park. A little further, at 230 km (143 mi), you can access the small town of Tuxford at the Highway 42 junction.

A sign welcoming visitors to Tuxford.

The highway then crosses the Qu'Appelle Valley and goes past Buffalo Pound Lake. This lake was formed by glaciers about 10,000 years ago.

Shared Roads and Wildlife Warnings

At the junction with Highway 11 in Chamberlain, Highway 2 shares the road for about 11.5 km (7 mi). This section is a divided highway. There's a rest area south of Chamberlain with a historical marker. You can also see views of the Arm River valley. At 275 km (171 mi), Highway 2 turns sharply north, leaving Highway 11.

Further north, you can access Last Mountain Lake (also known as Long Lake) by turning onto Highway 733. This lake is home to the Last Mountain Lake Sanctuary, which was Canada's first federal bird sanctuary. You'll also pass through small communities like Holdfast, Penzance, and Liberty.

Watrous and Potash Mines

The village of Simpson is along the highway, running parallel to Last Mountain Lake. There are several spots to pull over and enjoy the lake views. Highway 15 provides access to Nokomis to the east and Kenaston to the west.

Before reaching Watrous, you'll pass the small community of Amazon. Watrous is a popular place for tourists because it's close to Manitou Beach. Manitou Beach is famous for its mineral spa and the Danceland dance hall, which has a unique dance floor built on horsehair!

At 419 km (260 mi), Highway 2 meets the Yellowhead Highway. Near here, you'll find Colonsay, which is known for its potash mines. Potash is a type of salt used in fertilizers, and Saskatchewan has a lot of it!

Animals and Safety on the Road

After the Yellowhead Highway, Highway 2 continues towards Prince Albert. You'll notice that the landscape changes to the Aspen Parkland ecoregion, with small groups of trembling aspen trees.

In these areas, deer and other large animals can be a danger to drivers, especially in the fall and spring. There are over 3,500 car accidents involving deer each year in Saskatchewan. To help prevent this, there are fences, feeding programs, and even special warning systems that use lights, sounds, or smells to scare animals away when a car is coming.

At 460 km (286 mi), Highway 2 meets Highway 27, which goes west to Prud'homme and east to Muskiki Lake. Further on, at the Highway 777 intersection, you can reach Cudworth.

Lakes and Historical Sites

The intersection of Highway 41 is in Wakaw. Wakaw is a tourist town with a golf course, campground, and recreation site at Wakaw Lake.

The two-way highway ends near Chamberlain, where it becomes divided.

At the junction of Highway 25, you'll find the town of St. Louis. This town is famous for a historical mystery called the St. Louis Light, also known as the St. Louis Ghost Train.

Nearby, Domremy has a park built to celebrate the province's 100th birthday. Highway 225 leads to the Batoche National Historical Site. This was where Louis Riel, a leader who fought for Metis rights, made his last stand in 1885. Recently, a large archaeological site with ancient artifacts was found in St. Louis.

The access road to the Arm River Rest Area.

Highway 2 then crosses the South Saskatchewan River using the St. Louis Bridge. Traffic increases significantly after the junction with Highway 11 (the Louis Riel Trail), which is about 4 km (2.5 mi) south of Prince Albert at 553 km (344 mi).

CanAm Highway: Connecting Continents

A road sign showing the junction for Highway 42 in Chamberlain.

Highway 3 joins Highway 2 for a short distance at 559 km (347 mi). After crossing the North Saskatchewan River, the two highways separate at the interchange with Highway 55. North of Prince Albert, there's another 11 km (7 mi) section of divided highway.

From this point north, Highway 2 becomes part of the CanAm Highway, an international route. Prince Albert is a city of over 34,000 people, located where agricultural fields meet forested areas.

At 581 km (361 mi), Highway 2 meets Highway 355. To the northwest are the Little Red River and Montreal Lake Indian Reserves. Christopher Lake is at 597 km (371 mi), where you can turn onto Highway 263 to reach the Prince Albert National Park.

Further north, at 634 km (394 mi), Highway 2 meets Highway 264, another route to Waskesiu Lake in Prince Albert National Park. At 648 km (403 mi), there's an intersection with Highway 969, which also leads to the park and to the Montreal Lake Indian Reserve.

As you travel further north, there are fewer roads in the southern boreal forest. The next highway connection is at 680 km (423 mi) with Highway 916.

Saskatchewan has over 100,000 lakes, mostly in the northern part of the province. Montreal Lake is west of Highway 2, with its northern shores near Weyakwin at 704 km (437 mi). At 746 km (464 mi), Highway 2 meets Highway 165, which goes north to Morin Lake Indian Reserve.

Finally, at 798 km (496 mi), you reach the Lac la Ronge Indian Reserve before the highway ends in La Ronge at the junction with Highway 102. This marks the northern end of the CanAm Highway.

History of Highway 2

Early Days and Road Building

In the past, crossing the South Saskatchewan River at St. Louis meant taking a ferry. In 1912, a railway bridge was built, and in 1928, lanes for vehicles were added to it.

Road construction in the early 1900s was very different from today. In 1907, when the highway was built south of Chamberlain, workers used simple tools like horse-drawn scrapers and plows. By 1926, they had better equipment, including an elevating grader pulled by 16 horses, along with dump wagons.

The Saskatchewan Highway Act was created in 1922. At first, only about 10 miles (16 km) of highway were gravel, and the rest were just dirt roads. These roads often followed the straight lines of the land survey system, which meant they had many 90-degree turns. Early settlers, like John Abrey, sometimes even did road maintenance themselves. In the 1930s, seeing a car was rare. People like Alexander Black remember using four horses to pull a grain tank on the highway.

Modern Improvements and Special Names

After World War II, there was a big push to build better roads that could be used in all weather. The highway section from Chamberlain to Moose Jaw was finished in 1953, and paving projects quickly followed. By 1955, parts of Highway 2 were already paved, including sections near Moose Jaw, north of Watrous, and near Prince Albert.

In 1956, people talked about creating a North-South International Highway from El Paso, Texas, all the way to La Ronge. The northern part of the CanAm Highway, which goes into La Ronge, was completed in 1977. While the CanAm Highway doesn't go through Wakaw, Highway 2 does, and it connects to the CanAm Highway at Prince Albert. In 1952, Highway 2 was changed so it went straight along the western edge of Wakaw instead of winding through the town.

Changes in Transportation

Agriculture is Saskatchewan's main industry. In the past, farmers used horses and carts to take their grain to elevators. Around World War I, trucks started to take over. Between 1950 and 1970, long-haul trucking became very popular. Today, 95 percent of goods in Saskatchewan are transported by truck.

To keep the highways in good condition, new methods are used. In 1999, a method called "cold in-place recycling" (CIR) was tested on Highway 2 south of Watrous. This process recycles the top layer of the road, mixing it with asphalt and then compacting it back onto the highway. This helps save money and materials.

In 2001, parts of Highway 2 near Cudworth and north of the Highway 27 junction were resurfaced. Officials noted that increased truck traffic was causing wear and tear on the highway, and these improvements were important for driver safety. More improvements were made in 2002 south of the Yellowhead Highway.

Veterans Memorial Highway: A Tribute

Veterans Memorial Highway is the official name for the section of Highway 2 between Moose Jaw and Prince Albert.

Highway 2 passing by Buffalo Pound Lake.

This name was given to the highway on November 10, 2005, to honor Saskatchewan veterans. Premier Lorne Calvert, along with other officials, unveiled the new highway sign during Veterans Week. This special naming was part of "The Year of the Veteran" in 2005, which marked 60 years since the end of World War II.

The Royal Canadian Legion, a group that supports veterans, helped choose this highway because of the military history along its route. Many Royal Canadian Legion branches are located in towns along Highway 2, including Moose Jaw, Watrous, and Prince Albert. There's also a military history museum in Watrous, and the Royal Canadian Air Force base, CFB Moose Jaw, is near Moose Jaw.

CanAm Highway: An International Link

The northern 238.4 km (148.1 mi) of Saskatchewan Highway 2 are part of the CanAm Highway. This section runs between Prince Albert and La Ronge.

Highway 2 near the Bethune Lake dam on the Qu'Appelle River.

The entire CanAm Highway is about 4,122 km (2,561 mi) long. It stretches from El Paso, Texas, near the Mexican border, all the way to La Ronge, Saskatchewan, where Highway 2 meets Highway 102. This highway is part of a larger idea to connect Mexico, the United States, and Canada for trade and travel. The idea for the CanAm Highway started in the 1920s.

Major intersections

From south to north.

Rural municipality	Location	km	mi	Destinations	Notes
Old Post No. 43	West Poplar		MT 24 south – Glasgow	Continuation into Montana
		Canada–United States border at Opheim–West Poplar River Border Crossing
	Killdeer	12.0	7.5	Hwy 18 west – Mankota, Val Marie	South end of Hwy 18 concurrency
Poplar Valley No. 12	Rockglen	49.2	30.6	Hwy 18 east – Coronach, Minton	North end of Hwy 18 concurrency
Willow Bunch No. 42	​	69.7	43.3	Hwy 705 – Willow Bunch, Wood Mountain
Old Post No. 43	No major junctions
Stonehenge No. 73	​	79.0	49.1	St. Victor Access Road
Lake of the Rivers No. 72	Assiniboia	103.4	64.2	Hwy 13 east (1st Avenue E) – Weyburn	Hwy 2 branches west south end of Hwy 13 concurrency; concurrency turns north west of intersection
		104.8	65.1	Hwy 13 west – Lafleche, Cadillac Hwy 717 east	North end of Hwy 13 concurrency
Stonehenge No. 73	No major junctions
Sutton No. 103	​	131.0	81.4	Hwy 43 west – Gravelbourg	North of Vantage
Lake Johnston No. 102	​	137.5	85.4	Hwy 718 north – Mossbank
	Ardill	149.1	92.6	Hwy 715 east – Mitchellton, Galilee
Terrell No. 101	No major junctions
Baildon No. 131	​	175.3	108.9	Hwy 36 south – Willow Bunch
	​	182.5	113.4	Hwy 716 east – Briercrest
Moose Jaw No. 161	​	202.2	125.6	To Hwy 363 west – Bushell Park, CFB Moose Jaw, Hodgeville
City of Moose Jaw		208.1	129.3	Manitoba Street E to Hwy 1 (TCH) east 2nd Street NE	Hwy 2 branches west
		208.5	129.6	Main Street N Manitoba Street W (Hwy 363 west)	Hwy 2 branches north
			Hwy 1 (TCH) – Swift Current, Regina	Interchange
		South end of Veterans Memorial Highway
Moose Jaw No. 161	​	225.5	140.1	Hwy 202 east – Buffalo Pound Provincial Park	Signed access to Hwy 202 for northbound Hwy 2
↑ / ↓	Tuxford	229.3	142.5	Hwy 202 east / Township Road 190 – Buffalo Pound Provincial Park	Signed access to Hwy 202 for southbound Hwy 2
Marquis No. 191		230.4	143.2	Hwy 42 west – Central Butte, Gardiner Dam
↑ / ↓	​	246.5– 247.2	153.2– 153.6	Crosses Buffalo Pound Lake
Dufferin No. 190	​	252.2	156.7	Hwy 739 east – Bethune
↑ / ↓	​	261.9	162.7	Hwy 733 west	South end of Hwy 733 concurrency
Sarnia No. 221	Chamberlain	263.6	163.8	Hwy 11 north – Saskatoon Hwy 733 east	Hwy 2 branches southeast; north end of Hwy 11 wrong-way concurrency; north end of Hwy 733 concurrency
Dufferin No. 190	​	275.1	170.9	Hwy 11 south – Regina	Hwy 2 branches north; south end of Hwy 11 wrong-way concurrency
Sarnia No. 221			Hwy 733 – Chamberlain, Dilke
	​	294.1	182.7	Hwy 732 east – Holdfast	South end of Hwy 732 concurrency
	Penzance	302.2	187.8	Hwy 732 west – Craik	North end of Hwy 732 concurrency
Big Arm No. 251	Liberty	315.1	195.8	Hwy 749 west – Girvin
	Imperial	334.6	207.9	Hwy 747 west – Davidson
Wood Creek No. 281	​	354.0	220.0	Hwy 15 – Outlook, Kenaston, Nokomis
Morris No. 312	Watrous	372.4	231.4	Hwy 365 north – Plunkett
	Young	395.6	245.8	Hwy 670 east – Viscount
	​	397.6	247.1	Hwy 763 west (Zelma Access Road) – Zelma, Allan
Colonsay No. 342	​	418.7	260.2	Hwy 16 (TCH) – Saskatoon, Yorkton	East of Colonsay
↑ / ↓	​	438.6	272.5	Hwy 5 west – Saskatoon	South end of Hwy 5 concurrency; north of Meacham
Bayne No. 371	​	444.1	276.0	Hwy 5 east – Humboldt	North end of Hwy 5 concurrency
	Sagehill	455.2	282.8	Dana access road
	​	460.2	286.0	Hwy 27 west – Prud'homme, Aberdeen
	​	465.3	289.1	Hwy 756 east – Bremen
Hoodoo No. 401	​	476.8	296.3	Hwy 767 west – Smuts
	Cudworth	484.0	300.7	Hwy 777 east	South end of Hwy 777 concurrency
Fish Creek No. 402	​	487.3	302.8	Hwy 777 west – Alvena	North end of Hwy 777 concurrency
	Wakaw	494.8	307.5	Hwy 41 – Saskatoon, Melfort
		495.4	307.8	Hwy 312 west – Rosthern, Waldheim
St. Louis No. 431	​	511.7	318.0	Hwy 225 west – Batoche
	​	512.5	318.5	Hwy 320 east – Domremy
	​	519.6	322.9	Old Highway 2 north – Hoey, St. Louis	Former Hwy 2 alignment to the old St. Louis Bridge
	​	528.2	328.2	Hwy 25 east – Birch Hills Hwy 782 west – St. Louis
↑ / ↓	​	529.2	328.8	(New) St. Louis Bridge across South Saskatchewan River
Prince Albert No. 461			Hwy 11 south – Saskatoon
	North end of Veterans Memorial Highway
City of Prince Albert		557.1	346.2	Marquis Road to Hwy 3 east
			Hwy 3 east / 15th Street W (Hwy 302) – Melfort	South end of Hwy 3 concurrency
		South end of CanAm Highway segment
		559.8	347.8	River Street	Grade separated; southbound exit only
		559.8– 560.2	347.8– 348.1	Diefenbaker Bridge across North Saskatchewan River
		560.2	348.1	To Hwy 55 east (Riverside Drive) – Nipawin	Interchange, northbound entrance and exit; northbound access to Hwy 55 east
		561.0	348.6	Hwy 3 west / Hwy 55 – Nipawin, Shellbrook, The Battlefords	Interchange North end of Hwy 3 concurrency; southbound access to Hwy 55 east
Buckland No. 491	​	571.4	355.1	Hwy 780 east – White Star
	​	578.7	359.6	Pulp Hull Road to Hwy 55
	Spruce Home	581.2	361.1	Hwy 355 – Meath Park
Paddockwood No. 520	Northside	594.2	369.2	Hwy 791 east – Paddockwood
	Christopher Lake	597.4	371.2	Hwy 263 west – Prince Albert National Park
Lakeland No. 521	​	622.3	386.7	Hwy 953 west – Anglin Lake
	​	634.3	394.1	Hwy 264 west – Prince Albert National Park, Waskesiu Lake
	​	647.6	402.4	Candle Lake Road	Former Hwy 969
Northern Administration District	​	655.7	407.4	Hwy 969 east – Montreal Lake	Former Hwy 930
	​	680.0	422.5	Hwy 916 north
	​	723.6	449.6	Hwy 936 north
	​	745.8	463.4	Hwy 165 west – Beauval	South end of Hwy 165 concurrency
	​	765.5	475.7	Hwy 165 east – Creighton	North end of Hwy 165 concurrency
	La Ronge		Brown Street Hwy 102 north – Southend	CanAm Highway northern terminus
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi