The Province of Alberta is covered by an extensive network of primary and secondary highways. Primary highways are multi-lane thoroughfares that may or may not be divided by a median. They are indicated by shields that denote the one- or two-digit highway number. The maximum speed on primary highways is 110kph (68mph). Single-lane secondary highways exist outside highly populated areas and have a maximum speed of 90kph (56mph). Traffic drives on the right. The minimum driving age in Alberta is 16 years. Proof of insurance is compulsory and foreign drivers must possess a licence from their country of origin. The maximum legal alcohol to blood ratio for driving is 0.08%. Seat belts must be worn at all times.

The Alberta Motor Association (AMA) (tel: (403) 240 5300; website: www.ama.ab.ca) provides emergency road service, as well as a variety of other automobile-related services, including a 24-hour road report (tel: (403) 246 5853). The AMA is affiliated with both the Canadian Automobile Association and the American Automobile Association, for breakdown service in the rest of Canada and the USA.

Emergency breakdown service: AMA (tel: (403) 246 0606) or CAA/AAA (tel: 1 800 222 4357).

Routes to the city: The Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) becomes 16th Avenue as it passes through Calgary to the north of the city centre, running east-west. It connects with Banff, Kamloops and Vancouver to the west and Medicine Hat and Regina to the east. Highway 2 runs through the city centre, where it becomes Macleod Trail, connecting with Lethbridge to the south and Edmonton to the north.

Driving times to Calgary: From Banff - 1 hour 30 minutes; Edmonton - 3 hours; Regina - 7 hours 45 minutes; Vancouver - 11 hours 30 minutes.

Coach services: Greyhound Canada (tel: (403) 265 9111 or 1 800 661 8747; website: www.greyhound.ca) links Calgary with all major destinations in western Canada, as well as many in the western USA (such as Seattle, Portland and Salt Lake City). The Greyhound Bus Terminal, 850 16th Street SW, is the hub for most intercity coach services, both national and international. Facilities include a restaurant, bathrooms, storage lockers and a games room.

Red Arrow Motorcoach (tel: (403) 531 0350 or 1 800 232 1958; website: www.redarrow.pwt.ca) operates executive-style coach services to Red Deer, Edmonton and Fort McMurray. The service includes executive seats, snacks and refreshments, laptop plug-ins, mobile phones, newspapers, and on-board movies. Coaches depart from the Fording Coal Building, 205 Ninth Avenue SE, and a new building at 304 35th Avenue NE (pre-paid reservation required).