Planning · Emergency preparedness
Evacuation time planner.
Add your pack-and-load time to the drive at a traffic slowdown you choose, plus a buffer, and see the total before you need it.
Inputs
Time to leave
Enter the numbers above.
How long does it take to evacuate?
There is no standard evacuation time for a household, so this planner adds up your own numbers. Total = time to get ready and load + (distance / speed x traffic factor) + a buffer for delays. The traffic factor multiplies the normal drive time (2x means the trip takes twice as long); it is a planning choice, not measured traffic data. Follow official evacuation orders and routes over any estimate.
Worked example. 45 minutes to get ready and load, 120 km at 90 km/h is 80 minutes, and heavy traffic at 2x makes the drive 160 minutes. Subtotal 205 minutes; a 25 percent buffer adds 51 minutes, for a total of 256 minutes, or 4 h 16 min. For fuel at 9 L per 100 km the trip needs 10.8 litres, and a 55 L tank at 50 percent holds 27.5 litres, so the fuel check passes.
Time yourself packing a grab-and-go kit once, then use that number instead of a guess. Public Safety Canada suggests keeping your gas tank at least half full (or your electric vehicle charged) if there is a risk of a power outage, and keeping your kit in an easy-to-reach place such as a front-hall closet.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to evacuate a house?
There is no published standard. It depends on how fast your household can get ready, how far you are going and how heavy traffic is. Time a practice run of loading the car and use this planner for the rest.
What traffic factor should I use?
During a large evacuation, roads can be much slower than normal. The options are planning multiples of your normal drive time, not measurements; pick the heavy setting if your route is a main highway.
How much fuel should I keep in the car?
Public Safety Canada says to keep your gas tank at least half full, or your electric vehicle charged, if there is risk of a power outage. The fuel check compares what you have to the trip at your stated fuel use, before any traffic idling.
Does the planner replace official evacuation orders?
No. Follow the routes, times and instructions from local authorities.
Sources
Checked
- Public Safety Canada, Get Prepared, "How to prepare before a power outage" (page dated 12 March 2026), opened 8 October 2026. keep the gas tank at least half full or the EV charged
- Public Safety Canada, Get Prepared, "Emergency kits", opened 8 October 2026. keep the kit in an easy-to-reach place such as a front-hall closet, grab-and-go kits
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Planning note
The traffic factor and buffer are your own planning inputs, not data about any real road or emergency. Follow official orders and local advice in a real evacuation.