Route from Fort Simpson to Wood Buffalo
Interactive map, distance, and indicative drive time for the route from Fort Simpson to Wood Buffalo — 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 Wood Buffalo (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 Wood Buffalo
The straight-line distance between Fort Simpson and Wood Buffalo 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: Fort Simpson – Wood Buffalo
Driving directions from Fort Simpson to Wood Buffalo
The map shows the locations of Fort Simpson (A) and Wood Buffalo (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: Fort Simpson – Wood Buffalo
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 Fort Simpson to Wood Buffalo
The straight-line distance between Fort Simpson (Northwest Territories) and Wood Buffalo (Alberta) 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: Fort Simpson – Wood Buffalo
The distance from Fort Simpson to Wood Buffalo is estimated at 823 km on a mixed road profile, starting from 728.5 km straight line. It is a long route (over 300 km) that connects Northwest Territories to Alberta. Plan multiple breaks and check highway traffic, weather, and fuel availability — particularly in remote sections. Calculate the current route with the live planner for detailed instructions.
The trip starts at Fort Simpson (Northwest Territories) — coordinates 61.8082° N, -121.3200° E. The destination is Wood Buffalo (Alberta), at 57.6042° N, -111.3280° E.
Practical tips for the Fort Simpson – Wood Buffalo 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 Wood Buffalo 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 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 Wood Buffalo
Full information about Wood Buffalo: interactive map, GPS coordinates, elevation, nearby cities, and routes to and from Wood Buffalo.
Wood Buffalo 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 Wood Buffalo.
Interactive map
Open the area between Fort Simpson and Wood Buffalo 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 Wood Buffalo in satellite imagery.
Cities along the Fort Simpson – Wood Buffalo route
These cities are near the direct route between Fort Simpson and Wood Buffalo. 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 Wood Buffalo from other cities:
From Wood Buffalo to intermediate cities:
All info about Fort Simpson → · All info about Wood Buffalo →
Popular routes from Northwest Territories
Most-searched routes from Northwest Territories, ranked by popularity.
Frequently asked questions: Fort Simpson – Wood Buffalo
What is the straight-line distance between Fort Simpson and Wood Buffalo?
The straight-line distance between Fort Simpson and Wood Buffalo 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 Fort Simpson to Wood Buffalo?
The estimated road distance from Fort Simpson to Wood Buffalo 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 Fort Simpson to Wood Buffalo?
Indicative drive time from Fort Simpson to Wood Buffalo 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 Fort Simpson to Wood Buffalo?
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–Wood Buffalo 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 Wood Buffalo?
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 Wood Buffalo?
A common alternative is going via Hay River. Use the live planner to compare routes.
Can I open the Fort Simpson–Wood Buffalo 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 Wood Buffalo as destination.