Getting Around Calgary: By car

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It is easy to be confused by Calgary's quadrant system until you understand the layout of the city and then you will find it very easy to navigate.

Calgary is divided into its quadrants at Centre Ave and Centre St. Being north of Centre Ave means you are in the northern quadrants and being east of Centre St means you are in the eastern quadrants. All street and avenue numbers radiate out from centre so being on 17th Ave SW is fairly close to the centre while being on 52nd St NE is not.

Most of Calgary's roads are numbered, the only time that they are not numbered being when the road is very important (usually called a trail) or a side street in some community. The layout of Calgary's roads is rectangular with very few roads that are not straight.

In general the cities roads are poorly planned and maintained, with heavy use of traffic lights that are not synchronized, resulting in a lot of gridlock so allow extra time when you venture out.

A car is essential in the prairies; crossing the vast expanses in the comfort of your own vehicle is the main method of transportation. A car is also the easiest way to explore Calgary and its surroundings.