Prince Edward Island Road Map

Description:
This map shows cities, towns, highways, major roads, secondary roads, airports, beaches, lighthouses, scenic views on Prince Edward Island.

Road Network of Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island maintains approximately 3,700 kilometers of public roads, making it one of the smallest provincial road networks in Canada. The system includes provincial highways, regional routes, and municipal streets managed by the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure.

Highway System

The Trans-Canada Highway (Route 1) traverses the island for 106 kilometers from the Confederation Bridge at Borden-Carleton to the Wood Islands ferry terminal. This controlled-access highway serves as the primary east-west corridor and handles the majority of commercial traffic entering and leaving the province. The highway was upgraded to Trans-Canada standards in the 1990s with the construction of the Confederation Bridge.

Route 2, known as the Veterans Memorial Highway, forms the second major artery, running 180 kilometers from Tignish in the northwest to Souris in the northeast. This highway passes through Summerside and skirts north of Charlottetown, serving numerous rural communities along its length.

Regional Routes

The province maintains three scenic touring routes that highlight different aspects of island geography and culture. The Central Coastal Drive follows Route 6 and other roads around Queens County, connecting attractions like Cavendish Beach and Prince Edward Island National Park. The Points East Coastal Drive covers the eastern portion through Kings County, while the North Cape Coastal Drive explores western Prince County. These designated routes total over 700 kilometers combined.

Secondary highways numbered from 3 to 25 connect smaller communities to the main highway network. Route 4 links Route 1 to Charlottetown's eastern neighborhoods. Route 15 provides access to Cavendish and the north shore beaches from Route 2.

Infrastructure and Maintenance

Most primary highways feature two lanes with paved shoulders. The province experiences significant freeze-thaw cycles that damage road surfaces, requiring extensive annual maintenance programs. Winter maintenance involves snow removal and application of sand and salt on approximately 2,800 kilometers of roads from November through April. The relatively flat terrain and absence of major mountains simplifies road construction compared to other Atlantic provinces.