The turnoff at the Alaska Highway is known as Junction 37. The highway offers unparalleled scenery and access to some of the most remote areas of northern British Columbia. It passes through Meziadin Lake Provincial Park and Dease Lake.
The Stewart-Cassiar Highway wasn’t named after a person, rather, the name of the highway refers to the small community of Stewart, BC and the former asbestos mine community of Cassiar that the highway historically serviced. Today, you can reach Stewart via Highway 37A, which turns west from Meziadin Junction.
Cassiar was the location of a successful asbestos mine and a thriving community during much of the 20th century. In 1992, financial difficulties caused the asbestos mine to close down. Today, Cassiar is a ghost town located a short drive off the Stewart-Cassiar Highway.
Jade City is a “spot on the road” close to Cassiar on the Stewart-Cassiar Highway. Jade City is a small town with population of only twenty people. There are two businesses that offer highway services to travellers and sell jade products. One store is open year round. One owner now owns both of the stores and only one is operational. A church opens during the summer months to offer Sunday service.
| Length | About 725 km (450 mi), Kitwanga Junction on Highway 16 to the Yukon border at the Alaska Highway |
|---|---|
| North end | Junction 37 on the Alaska Highway, about 21 km (13 mi) west of Watson Lake |
| Highway number | B.C. Highway 37 |
| Surface & season | Paved with a few short gravel breaks, open year-round. Narrow, with little or no shoulder and few passing lanes. |
| Fuel | Kitwanga junction · Meziadin Junction · Bell 2 · Tatogga Lake (seasonal) · Iskut · Dease Lake · Junction 37. Good Hope Lake is not a reliable fuel stop. |
| Side trips | Stewart, B.C. and Hyder, Alaska (Highway 37A, 64 km from Meziadin Junction) · Telegraph Creek (113 km from Dease Lake) |
| Why take it | About 210 km shorter than driving the whole Alaska Highway route to the Yukon |
| Road conditions | DriveBC (B.C.) · 511 Yukon (once you reach the Alaska Highway) |
| Stop | Approx. km |
|---|---|
| Kitwanga Junction (Highway 16) | 0 |
| Meziadin Junction (Highway 37A to Stewart) | 157 |
| Bell 2 | 249 |
| Tatogga Lake | 391 |
| Iskut | 406 |
| Dease Lake | 489 |
| Jade City | 603 |
| Boya Lake Provincial Park | 639 |
| Junction 37, Alaska Highway | 724 |
Kilometres are converted from The MILEPOST and are approximate. Always check 511 Yukon before you travel. Last updated: October 2026.
About 725 km (450 miles), from Kitwanga Junction on Highway 16 in northwestern B.C. to the Yukon border at the Alaska Highway, according to the B.C. government.
At Junction 37, about 21 km (13 miles) west of Watson Lake, Yukon. There is a gas station at the junction.
Yes, apart from a few short gravel breaks. It is narrower than most two-lane highways, with little or no shoulder, almost no passing lanes and a few 8 per cent grades. Drive with your headlights on and watch for logging and freight trucks.
Fuel is available at Kitwanga junction, Meziadin Junction, Bell 2, Tatogga Lake (seasonal), Iskut, Dease Lake and Junction 37. Good Hope Lake is not a reliable fuel stop, so fill up in Dease Lake before the long run north to the Alaska Highway.
Yes. Taking the Stewart-Cassiar instead of driving the whole Alaska Highway saves about 210 km (130 miles) on the way to the Yukon.
Yes. At Meziadin Junction, Highway 37A leads west about 64 km (40 miles) past Bear Glacier to Stewart, B.C., and across the border to Hyder, Alaska.
A small stop about 603 km north of Kitwanga with a jade store, jade-cutting demonstrations, a gift shop and a small hotel.
Use DriveBC (drivebc.ca) for the B.C. section, including highway cameras, and 511 Yukon (511yukon.ca) once you reach the Alaska Highway.