Route from Wood Buffalo to Fort Simpson
Interactive map, distance, and indicative drive time for the route from Wood Buffalo 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 Wood Buffalo (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 Wood Buffalo to Fort Simpson
The straight-line distance between Wood Buffalo and Fort Simpson is 728.5 km. The estimated road distance by car is around 823 km, with an indicative drive time of 9 h 9 min.
Trip cost and route type: Wood Buffalo – Fort Simpson
Driving directions from Wood Buffalo to Fort Simpson
The map shows the locations of Wood Buffalo (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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Estimate trip cost: Wood Buffalo – Fort Simpson
Indicative estimates based on ~823 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 Wood Buffalo to Fort Simpson
The straight-line distance between Wood Buffalo (Alberta) and Fort Simpson (Northwest Territories) is about 728.5 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: Wood Buffalo – Fort Simpson
The journey from Wood Buffalo to Fort Simpson covers roughly 823 km on the road, equal to 728.5 km straight line. The trip connects Alberta to Northwest Territories and is classified as a long route (over 300 km). Plan multiple breaks and check highway traffic, weather, and fuel availability — particularly in remote sections. Open the interactive planner for the route map, turns, and a fuel-or-EV cost calculator.
The trip starts at Wood Buffalo (Alberta) — coordinates 57.6042° N, -111.3280° E. The destination is Fort Simpson (Northwest Territories), at 61.8082° N, -121.3200° E.
Practical tips for the Wood Buffalo – 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. The route also passes near Hay River (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 823 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 Wood Buffalo
Full information about Wood Buffalo: map, GPS coordinates, and all routes from Wood Buffalo to other Canadian cities.
Wood Buffalo profile →Related tools
Driving Directions
Live planner with turn-by-turn directions from Wood Buffalo to Fort Simpson.
Interactive map
Open the area between Wood Buffalo 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 Wood Buffalo and Fort Simpson in satellite imagery.
Cities along the Wood Buffalo – Fort Simpson route
These cities are near the direct route between Wood Buffalo and Fort Simpson. They may be useful as a stopover or alternate destination.
Routes with intermediate stops: Wood Buffalo → Hay River
Related routes
From Wood Buffalo to other cities:
To Fort Simpson from other cities:
From Fort Simpson to intermediate cities:
All info about Wood Buffalo → · All info about Fort Simpson →
Similar-distance routes from Wood Buffalo
Other routes from Wood Buffalo with comparable distance (437–1020 km straight line).
Popular routes from Alberta
Most-searched routes from Alberta, ranked by popularity.
Frequently asked questions: Wood Buffalo – Fort Simpson
What is the straight-line distance between Wood Buffalo and Fort Simpson?
The straight-line distance between Wood Buffalo and Fort Simpson is about 728.5 km. This is the direct geometric distance between the two coordinates, ignoring road geometry.
What is the estimated road distance from Wood Buffalo to Fort Simpson?
The estimated road distance from Wood Buffalo to Fort Simpson is about 823 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 Wood Buffalo to Fort Simpson?
Indicative drive time from Wood Buffalo to Fort Simpson is about 9 h 9 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 Wood Buffalo 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 Wood Buffalo–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 Wood Buffalo 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 Wood Buffalo to Fort Simpson?
A common alternative is going via Hay River. Use the live planner to compare routes.
Can I open the Wood Buffalo–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 Wood Buffalo as origin and Fort Simpson as destination.