Route from Fort McMurray to Fort Simpson
Interactive map, distance, and indicative drive time for the route from Fort McMurray to Fort Simpson — 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 McMurray (Alberta) and Fort Simpson (Northwest Territories). Use the live planner below to get up-to-date driving directions by car, on foot, or by bicycle.
Distance from Fort McMurray to Fort Simpson
The straight-line distance between Fort McMurray and Fort Simpson is 796.7 km. The estimated road distance by car is around 900 km, with an indicative drive time of 10 h.
Trip cost and route type: Fort McMurray – Fort Simpson
Driving directions from Fort McMurray to Fort Simpson
The map shows the locations of Fort McMurray (A) and Fort Simpson (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 McMurray to Fort Simpson
Real distance: 1,576.0 km · Estimated time: 21 h 13 min
- Drive southwest on Richard Street. 165 m
- Turn left onto Fraser Avenue. 207 m
- Turn right onto Morrison Street. 472 m
- Turn left onto 63. 247.5 km
- Take the exit toward Boyle/ Edmonton. 138 m
- Bear right onto 55/63/Northern Woods & Water Route. Continue on 55/63. 22.8 km
- Turn right onto Northern Woods & Water Route/55. 45.5 km
- Turn right onto Northern Woods & Water Route/2. 116.3 km
- Turn right onto Highway 88/88. 427.6 km
- Turn left onto Highway 58/58. 56.4 km
- Turn right onto 35/Mackenzie Highway. 645.2 km
- Take the Liard River Ferry. 683 m
Standard car route without avoiding highways. For advanced options (motorcycle, bicycle, transit, avoid tolls) use the live planner above.
Estimate trip cost: Fort McMurray – Fort Simpson
Indicative estimates based on ~900 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 McMurray to Fort Simpson
The straight-line distance between Fort McMurray (Alberta) and Fort Simpson (Northwest Territories) is about 796.7 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 McMurray – Fort Simpson
Driving directions from Fort McMurray to Fort Simpson: estimated road distance 900 km, indicative time about 10 h 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 McMurray (Alberta) — coordinates 56.7333° N, -111.3830° E. The destination is Fort Simpson (Northwest Territories), at 61.8082° N, -121.3200° E.
Practical tips for the Fort McMurray – Fort Simpson 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 Fort Simpson in Northwest Territories, subarctic and lake-dotted, with the Mackenzie River and tundra to the north.
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 900 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 Fort Simpson
Full information about Fort Simpson: interactive map, GPS coordinates, elevation, nearby cities, and routes to and from Fort Simpson.
Fort Simpson profile →Explore Fort McMurray
Full information about Fort McMurray: map, GPS coordinates, and all routes from Fort McMurray to other Canadian cities.
Fort McMurray profile →Related tools
Driving Directions
Live planner with turn-by-turn directions from Fort McMurray to Fort Simpson.
Interactive map
Open the area between Fort McMurray and Fort Simpson 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 McMurray and Fort Simpson in satellite imagery.
Related routes
From Fort McMurray to other cities:
To Fort Simpson from other cities:
All info about Fort McMurray → · All info about Fort Simpson →
Similar-distance routes from Fort McMurray
Other routes from Fort McMurray with comparable distance (478–1115 km straight line).
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Frequently asked questions: Fort McMurray – Fort Simpson
What is the straight-line distance between Fort McMurray and Fort Simpson?
The straight-line distance between Fort McMurray and Fort Simpson is about 796.7 km. This is the direct geometric distance between the two coordinates, ignoring road geometry.
What is the estimated road distance from Fort McMurray to Fort Simpson?
The estimated road distance from Fort McMurray to Fort Simpson is about 900 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 McMurray to Fort Simpson?
Indicative drive time from Fort McMurray to Fort Simpson is about 10 h, 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 McMurray to Fort Simpson?
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 McMurray–Fort Simpson 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 McMurray to Fort Simpson?
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 McMurray to Fort Simpson?
For alternative routes, use the live planner: pick between highways, secondary roads, and shorter or scenic options.
Can I open the Fort McMurray–Fort Simpson 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 McMurray as origin and Fort Simpson as destination.