Calgary lies at the intersection of the Trans-Canada Highway and the QE2 Highway, an hour east of the Rockies.

To navigate Calgary roadways, this is what you need to know: the city uses a numbered street system laid out on a grid. Numbered streets run north-south while avenues run east-west.

Once you've got the hang of the city, you often need only know the address and the quadrant (N.W., N.E., S.W. or S.E.) and you can leave your map in the glove box, point the car, and drive. (But beware in the suburbs where an array of winding boulevards and trails, crescents and closes will have you cracking open that map after all.)

In foul weather, check the road report before driving to your destination.

• Road Report