Driving route · Canada

Route from Fort Simpson to Southend

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

Distance from Fort Simpson to Southend

The straight-line distance between Fort Simpson and Southend is 1193.8 km. The estimated road distance by car is around 1349 km, with an indicative drive time of 14 h 59 min.

Straight-line distance 1193.8 km
Estimated road distance ~1349 km
Indicative drive time 14 h 59 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 Simpson – Southend

Route type Long

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

Indicative fuel cost $151–$205

Estimate: ~1349 km, 8 L/100 km, $1.65/L. ±15%. Excludes tolls.

Driving directions from Fort Simpson to Southend

The map shows the locations of Fort Simpson (A) and Southend (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 Simpson to Southend

Real distance: 2,205.3 km  ·  Estimated time: 30 h 28 min

🗓 Calculated on June 4, 2026
  1. Drive west on Tsetso Trail. 167 m
  2. Turn left onto Liard Trail/MacKenzie Highway/Mackenzie Highway/MacKenzie Highway/1. Continue on MacKenzie Highway/MacKenzie Highway/1. 11.2 km
  3. Take the Liard River Ferry. 683 m
  4. Drive south on Mackenzie Highway/1. 645.2 km
  5. Turn left onto Highway 58/58. 56.4 km
  6. Turn right onto Highway 88/88. 427.6 km
  7. Turn left onto Northern Woods & Water Route/2. 116.3 km
  8. Turn left onto Highway 55/2. 45.5 km
  9. Turn left onto 55/63/Northern Woods & Water Route. Continue on 55. 62.5 km
  10. Turn right onto Northern Woods & Water Route/55. 1.9 km
  11. Turn right onto Northern Woods & Water Route/36/55. Continue on 36/55. 17.8 km
  12. Turn left onto Northern Woods & Water Route/55. Continue on 55. 88.5 km

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

Estimate trip cost: Fort Simpson – Southend

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

Indicative estimates based on ~1349 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 Simpson

Northwest Territories · 61.80820, -121.32000

Fort Simpson sits in the Dehcho region of the Northwest Territories at the confluence of the Liard and Mackenzie rivers. Appearing on maps as a northern river town, it serves as a local centre for surrounding…

Destination

Southend

Saskatchewan · 56.33330, -103.23300

Southend sits on the southern shore of Reindeer Lake in northern Saskatchewan, serving as a mapped waypoint where inland lake country meets the province's boreal north. On road maps it appears as a remote lakeside…

How to drive from Fort Simpson to Southend

The straight-line distance between Fort Simpson (Northwest Territories) and Southend (Saskatchewan) is about 1193.8 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 – Southend

The distance from Fort Simpson to Southend is estimated at 1349 km on a mixed road profile, starting from 1193.8 km straight line. It is a long route (over 300 km) that connects Northwest Territories to Saskatchewan. 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 Southend (Saskatchewan), at 56.3333° N, -103.2330° E.

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

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 1349 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 Southend

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

Southend 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

Cities along the Fort Simpson – Southend route

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

Routes with intermediate stops: Fort Simpson → Fort Chipewyan · Fort Simpson → Fort Smith · Fort Simpson → Wood Buffalo

Related routes

From Fort Simpson to other cities:

To Southend from other cities:

From Southend to intermediate cities:

All info about Fort Simpson →  ·  All info about Southend →

Popular routes from Northwest Territories

Most-searched routes from Northwest Territories, ranked by popularity.

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Frequently asked questions: Fort Simpson – Southend

What is the straight-line distance between Fort Simpson and Southend?

The straight-line distance between Fort Simpson and Southend is about 1193.8 km. This is the direct geometric distance between the two coordinates, ignoring road geometry.

What is the estimated road distance from Fort Simpson to Southend?

The estimated road distance from Fort Simpson to Southend is about 1349 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 Southend?

Indicative drive time from Fort Simpson to Southend is about 14 h 59 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 Southend?

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–Southend 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 Southend?

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 Southend?

A common alternative is going via Fort Chipewyan or Fort Smith. Use the live planner to compare routes.

Can I open the Fort Simpson–Southend 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 Southend as destination.