Route from Fort Simpson to Fort Chipewyan
Interactive map, distance, and indicative drive time for the route from Fort Simpson to Fort Chipewyan — 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 Simpson (Northwest Territories) and Fort Chipewyan (Alberta). Use the live planner below to get up-to-date driving directions by car, on foot, or by bicycle.
Distance from Fort Simpson to Fort Chipewyan
The straight-line distance between Fort Simpson and Fort Chipewyan is 656.8 km. The estimated road distance by car is around 742 km, with an indicative drive time of 8 h 15 min.
Trip cost and route type: Fort Simpson – Fort Chipewyan
Driving directions from Fort Simpson to Fort Chipewyan
The map shows the locations of Fort Simpson (A) and Fort Chipewyan (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 Simpson to Fort Chipewyan
Real distance: 910.8 km · Estimated time: 20 h 29 min
- Drive west on Tsetso Trail. 167 m
- Turn left onto Liard Trail/MacKenzie Highway/Mackenzie Highway/MacKenzie Highway/1. Continue on MacKenzie Highway/MacKenzie Highway/1. 11.2 km
- Take the Liard River Ferry. 683 m
- Drive south on Mackenzie Highway/1. Continue on 1. 373.5 km
- Turn left onto Hay River Highway/2. 31.9 km
- Turn right onto Fort Smith Highway/5. Continue on 5. 61.2 km
- Turn right onto Fort Smith Highway/5. 206.9 km
- Turn right onto Pine Lake Road. 115.1 km
- Turn left. 55.3 km
- Keep right at the fork. 49.0 km
- Keep left to take MacKenzie Avenue. 4.4 km
- Turn left onto McDonald Street. 155 m
Standard car route without avoiding highways. For advanced options (motorcycle, bicycle, transit, avoid tolls) use the live planner above.
Estimate trip cost: Fort Simpson – Fort Chipewyan
Indicative estimates based on ~742 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 Simpson to Fort Chipewyan
The straight-line distance between Fort Simpson (Northwest Territories) and Fort Chipewyan (Alberta) is about 656.8 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 Simpson – Fort Chipewyan
Planning a trip from Fort Simpson to Fort Chipewyan means budgeting around 742 km on the road and an indicative drive time of 8 h 15 min by car. The route connects Northwest Territories to Alberta and falls into a long route (over 300 km). Plan multiple breaks and check highway traffic, weather, and fuel availability — particularly in remote sections.
The trip starts at Fort Simpson (Northwest Territories) — coordinates 61.8082° N, -121.3200° E. The destination is Fort Chipewyan (Alberta), at 58.7171° N, -111.1500° E.
Practical tips for the Fort Simpson – Fort Chipewyan drive
Terrain along the way
The route starts in Northwest Territories — a province subarctic and lake-dotted, with the Mackenzie River and tundra to the north — and reaches Fort Chipewyan in Alberta, prairie in the south rising into the Canadian Rockies in the west. 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 742 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 Chipewyan
Full information about Fort Chipewyan: interactive map, GPS coordinates, elevation, nearby cities, and routes to and from Fort Chipewyan.
Fort Chipewyan profile →Explore Fort Simpson
Full information about Fort Simpson: map, GPS coordinates, and all routes from Fort Simpson to other Canadian cities.
Fort Simpson profile →Related tools
Driving Directions
Live planner with turn-by-turn directions from Fort Simpson to Fort Chipewyan.
Interactive map
Open the area between Fort Simpson and Fort Chipewyan 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 Simpson and Fort Chipewyan in satellite imagery.
Cities along the Fort Simpson – Fort Chipewyan route
These cities are near the direct route between Fort Simpson and Fort Chipewyan. They may be useful as a stopover or alternate destination.
Routes with intermediate stops: Fort Simpson → Hay River
Related routes
From Fort Simpson to other cities:
To Fort Chipewyan from other cities:
From Fort Chipewyan to intermediate cities:
All info about Fort Simpson → · All info about Fort Chipewyan →
Popular routes from Northwest Territories
Most-searched routes from Northwest Territories, ranked by popularity.
Frequently asked questions: Fort Simpson – Fort Chipewyan
What is the straight-line distance between Fort Simpson and Fort Chipewyan?
The straight-line distance between Fort Simpson and Fort Chipewyan is about 656.8 km. This is the direct geometric distance between the two coordinates, ignoring road geometry.
What is the estimated road distance from Fort Simpson to Fort Chipewyan?
The estimated road distance from Fort Simpson to Fort Chipewyan is about 742 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 Simpson to Fort Chipewyan?
Indicative drive time from Fort Simpson to Fort Chipewyan is about 8 h 15 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 Simpson to Fort Chipewyan?
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 Simpson–Fort Chipewyan 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 Simpson to Fort Chipewyan?
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 Simpson to Fort Chipewyan?
A common alternative is going via Hay River. Use the live planner to compare routes.
Can I open the Fort Simpson–Fort Chipewyan 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 Simpson as origin and Fort Chipewyan as destination.