Driving route · Canada

Route from Fort Chipewyan to Big River

Interactive map, distance, and indicative drive time for the route from Fort Chipewyan to Big River — 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 Big River (Saskatchewan). Use the live planner below to get up-to-date driving directions by car, on foot, or by bicycle.

Distance from Fort Chipewyan to Big River

The straight-line distance between Fort Chipewyan and Big River is 598.9 km. The estimated road distance by car is around 677 km, with an indicative drive time of 7 h 31 min.

Straight-line distance 598.9 km
Estimated road distance ~677 km
Indicative drive time 7 h 31 min
Note: values are approximate estimates. Road distance is calculated by multiplying the straight-line distance by a road-deviation factor (1.13–1.30 based on length). Drive time assumes ~90 km/h average. Real traffic, tolls, and conditions can vary significantly. Use the live planner for current data.

Trip cost and route type: Fort Chipewyan – Big River

Route type Long

Long route (over 300 km) — plan a break roughly every 2 hours and check highway traffic and weather.

Indicative fuel cost $76–$103

Estimate: ~677 km, 8 L/100 km, $1.65/L. ±15%. Excludes tolls.

Driving directions from Fort Chipewyan to Big River

The map shows the locations of Fort Chipewyan (A) and Big River (B). Use the form below to calculate the up-to-date road route with turn-by-turn directions, real distance, and estimated drive time.

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Driving directions from Fort Chipewyan to Big River

Real distance: 986.8 km  ·  Estimated time: 16 h 57 min

🗓 Calculated on June 4, 2026
  1. Drive south on McDonald Street. 421 m
  2. Turn right onto MacKenzie Avenue. 4.2 km
  3. Keep left to take Fort Chipewyan Winter Road. 142.0 km
  4. Keep right to stay on Fort Chipewyan Winter Road. 128.8 km
  5. Keep left to take 63. 248.2 km
  6. Turn left toward Lac La Biche. 39.7 km
  7. Turn right to stay on Northern Woods & Water Route/55. 1.9 km
  8. Turn right onto Northern Woods & Water Route/36/55. Continue on 36/55. 17.8 km
  9. Turn left onto Northern Woods & Water Route/55. Continue on 55. 88.5 km
  10. Turn right onto Buffalo Trail/41. 16.3 km
  11. Turn left onto Secondary Highway 660/660. 5.4 km
  12. Turn left onto Highway 28/28. 33.0 km

Standard car route without avoiding highways. For advanced options (motorcycle, bicycle, transit, avoid tolls) use the live planner above.

Estimate trip cost: Fort Chipewyan – Big River

Litres estimated
Fuel cost
Toll estimate
Total estimate
Range ±15%

Indicative estimates based on ~677 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

Origin

Fort Chipewyan

Alberta · 58.71710, -111.15000

Fort Chipewyan sits on the western shore of Lake Athabasca in northern Alberta. On provincial maps it appears as a remote lakeside community at the edge of the boreal plain and adjacent wetlands. For drivers and route…

Destination

Big River

Saskatchewan · 53.83700, -107.03500

Big River sits in north-central Saskatchewan on the provincial map as a small community serving drivers navigating lake country and forested rural tracts away from major metropolitan corridors. Not part of a…

How to drive from Fort Chipewyan to Big River

The straight-line distance between Fort Chipewyan (Alberta) and Big River (Saskatchewan) is about 598.9 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 – Big River

How far is Fort Chipewyan from Big River? The road estimate is around 677 km, with an indicative drive time of 7 h 31 min. The route connects Alberta to Saskatchewan — a long route (over 300 km). Plan multiple breaks and check highway traffic, weather, and fuel availability — particularly in remote sections. Verify the track with the live planner for current instructions.

The trip starts at Fort Chipewyan (Alberta) — coordinates 58.7171° N, -111.1500° E. The destination is Big River (Saskatchewan), at 53.8370° N, -107.0350° E.

Practical tips for the Fort Chipewyan – Big River 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 Big River in Saskatchewan, prairie to the south and boreal forest, lakes, and Shield country to the north. The route also passes near Dillon (Saskatchewan).

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 677 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 Big River

Full information about Big River: interactive map, GPS coordinates, elevation, nearby cities, and routes to and from Big River.

Big River 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

Cities along the Fort Chipewyan – Big River route

These cities are near the direct route between Fort Chipewyan and Big River. They may be useful as a stopover or alternate destination.

Routes with intermediate stops: Fort Chipewyan → Dillon

Related routes

From Fort Chipewyan to other cities:

To Big River from other cities:

From Big River to intermediate cities:

All info about Fort Chipewyan →  ·  All info about Big River →

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Frequently asked questions: Fort Chipewyan – Big River

What is the straight-line distance between Fort Chipewyan and Big River?

The straight-line distance between Fort Chipewyan and Big River is about 598.9 km. This is the direct geometric distance between the two coordinates, ignoring road geometry.

What is the estimated road distance from Fort Chipewyan to Big River?

The estimated road distance from Fort Chipewyan to Big River is about 677 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 Big River?

Indicative drive time from Fort Chipewyan to Big River is about 7 h 31 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 Big River?

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–Big River 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 Big River?

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 Big River?

A common alternative is going via Dillon. Use the live planner to compare routes.

Can I open the Fort Chipewyan–Big River 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 Big River as destination.