[3] The southernmost section is gravel; it runs for 3.9 km (2.4 mi) through the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass, where it then becomes the Forestry Trunk Road to Highway 541, which has a combined length of 102 km (63 mi).

The second section of Highway 40 is Kananaskis Trail, which is paved and runs through Kananaskis Country for 104 km (65 mi) from Highway 541, over Highwood Pass, and through Peter Lougheed Provincial Park and Spray Valley Provincial Park.

The intention is that one day the entire road will be a continuous paved highway.

The fourth section is 434 km (270 mi) and runs from the Lovett River in Yellowhead County to the City of Grande Prairie.

The 61 km (38 mi) section south of Cadomin is gravel while the remainder is paved.