Route from Fort Chipewyan to Yellowknife
Interactive map, distance, and indicative drive time for the route from Fort Chipewyan to Yellowknife — with the live planner for up-to-date turn-by-turn directions.
This page provides the map and indicative distance data for the route between Fort Chipewyan (Alberta) and Yellowknife (Northwest Territories). Use the live planner below to get up-to-date driving directions by car, on foot, or by bicycle.
Distance from Fort Chipewyan to Yellowknife
The straight-line distance between Fort Chipewyan and Yellowknife is 453.5 km. The estimated road distance by car is around 512 km, with an indicative drive time of 5 h 42 min.
Trip cost and route type: Fort Chipewyan – Yellowknife
Driving directions from Fort Chipewyan to Yellowknife
The map shows the locations of Fort Chipewyan (A) and Yellowknife (B). Use the form below to calculate the up-to-date road route with turn-by-turn directions, real distance, and estimated drive time.
Turn-by-turn directions
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Driving directions from Fort Chipewyan to Yellowknife
Real distance: 964.3 km · Estimated time: 17 h 37 min
- Drive south on McDonald Street. 421 m
- Turn right onto MacKenzie Avenue. 108.6 km
- Turn right onto Pine Lake Road. 115.2 km
- Turn left onto Highway 48/48. 206.9 km
- Turn left onto Fort Smith Highway/5. Continue on 5. 61.2 km
- Turn left onto Hay River Highway/2. 31.9 km
- Turn right onto 1/MacKenzie Highway. Continue on 1. 102.4 km
- Take the exit. 336.3 km
- Turn left toward 3 North. 130 m
Standard car route without avoiding highways. For advanced options (motorcycle, bicycle, transit, avoid tolls) use the live planner above.
Estimate trip cost: Fort Chipewyan – Yellowknife
Indicative estimates based on ~512 km. Tolls calculated at ~$0.10/km on tolled segments. The calculator updates with the live planner's real distance. Actual consumption, driving style, weather, and toll rates vary.
Origin and destination
How to drive from Fort Chipewyan to Yellowknife
The straight-line distance between Fort Chipewyan (Alberta) and Yellowknife (Northwest Territories) is about 453.5 km. The actual road distance varies by chosen route, road type, and travel conditions — especially in winter and across mountain or northern segments.
Before you leave, consider:
- Check current traffic with a navigation app — particularly around major cities.
- Look up any toll segments on your route (Ontario 407, select bridges).
- In winter or at higher elevations, drive times and conditions can change quickly. Carry a charged phone, fuel reserve, and weather-appropriate gear.
- Plan stops at service centres or towns along the way — fuel and rest stops can be sparse on remote sections.
Route description: Fort Chipewyan – Yellowknife
Driving directions from Fort Chipewyan to Yellowknife: estimated road distance 512 km, indicative time about 5 h 42 min by car. The route connects Alberta to Northwest Territories — a long route (over 300 km). Plan multiple breaks and check highway traffic, weather, and fuel availability — particularly in remote sections. Use the live planner for an up-to-date track with turn-by-turn directions.
The trip starts at Fort Chipewyan (Alberta) — coordinates 58.7171° N, -111.1500° E. The destination is Yellowknife (Northwest Territories), at 62.4709° N, -114.4050° E.
Practical tips for the Fort Chipewyan – Yellowknife drive
Terrain along the way
The route starts in Alberta — a province prairie in the south rising into the Canadian Rockies in the west — and reaches Yellowknife in Northwest Territories, subarctic and lake-dotted, with the Mackenzie River and tundra to the north. The route also passes near Fort Smith (Northwest Territories).
When to leave
For a long route, leave early (before 06:30) or wait until after 10:00. Avoid summer long-weekend exoduses and major holidays. Plan a break every 1.5–2 hours of driving — and check weather, especially across the Prairies and through mountain passes.
Alternatives
For this route of about 512 km, consider VIA Rail Canada — VIA's Corridor service connects many Eastern Canadian cities, and the long-distance trains (the Canadian, Ocean) run through the Prairies and the Maritimes. Cross-border trips may also include Amtrak's Adirondack or Cascades. Check schedules at viarail.ca and amtrak.com.
Explore Yellowknife
Full information about Yellowknife: interactive map, GPS coordinates, elevation, nearby cities, and routes to and from Yellowknife.
Yellowknife profile →Explore Fort Chipewyan
Full information about Fort Chipewyan: map, GPS coordinates, and all routes from Fort Chipewyan to other Canadian cities.
Fort Chipewyan profile →Related tools
Driving Directions
Live planner with turn-by-turn directions from Fort Chipewyan to Yellowknife.
Interactive map
Open the area between Fort Chipewyan and Yellowknife on the map.
GPS coordinates
Find precise coordinates for any point along the route.
Distance calculator
Measure straight-line distances between intermediate points.
Elevation
Check elevation along the route — useful for mountain passes.
Satellite map
View the terrain between Fort Chipewyan and Yellowknife in satellite imagery.
Cities along the Fort Chipewyan – Yellowknife route
These cities are near the direct route between Fort Chipewyan and Yellowknife. They may be useful as a stopover or alternate destination.
Routes with intermediate stops: Fort Chipewyan → Fort Smith
Related routes
From Fort Chipewyan to other cities:
To Yellowknife from other cities:
From Yellowknife to intermediate cities:
All info about Fort Chipewyan → · All info about Yellowknife →
Popular routes from Alberta
Most-searched routes from Alberta, ranked by popularity.
Frequently asked questions: Fort Chipewyan – Yellowknife
What is the straight-line distance between Fort Chipewyan and Yellowknife?
The straight-line distance between Fort Chipewyan and Yellowknife is about 453.5 km. This is the direct geometric distance between the two coordinates, ignoring road geometry.
What is the estimated road distance from Fort Chipewyan to Yellowknife?
The estimated road distance from Fort Chipewyan to Yellowknife is about 512 km — derived by multiplying the straight-line distance by a road-deviation factor (1.13–1.30 based on length). For an up-to-date route, use the live planner.
How long does it take to drive from Fort Chipewyan to Yellowknife?
Indicative drive time from Fort Chipewyan to Yellowknife is about 5 h 42 min, based on an average highway speed of 90 km/h on a mixed motorway/highway profile. Real time depends on traffic, weather, stops, vehicle type, and conditions.
How do I get up-to-date driving directions from Fort Chipewyan to Yellowknife?
Use the live planner on this page: select your transport mode and click "Update route". You'll see the route with turn-by-turn directions, current distance, and estimated time based on up-to-date routing data.
Does the Fort Chipewyan–Yellowknife route involve highway tolls?
CanadaDrivingDirections.com does not provide toll details. Toll roads are limited in Canada — Ontario's 407 ETR, a few Quebec bridges, and the Confederation Bridge to PEI are the main ones. Check the operator's site for current pricing.
How does traffic affect the route from Fort Chipewyan to Yellowknife?
Traffic varies by time of day, season, and weather. The live planner uses up-to-date routing data; for live traffic, use a navigation app before departure — especially in winter when conditions can change rapidly.
Is there an alternative route from Fort Chipewyan to Yellowknife?
A common alternative is going via Fort Smith. Use the live planner to compare routes.
Can I open the Fort Chipewyan–Yellowknife route in Google Maps?
Yes. Click "Open in Google Maps" on this page to view the route in the Google Maps app or browser. You can also open Google Maps directly and enter Fort Chipewyan as origin and Yellowknife as destination.