Route from Hay River to Wood Buffalo
Interactive map, distance, and indicative drive time for the route from Hay River 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 Hay River (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 Hay River to Wood Buffalo
The straight-line distance between Hay River and Wood Buffalo is 436.2 km. The estimated road distance by car is around 493 km, with an indicative drive time of 5 h 29 min.
Trip cost and route type: Hay River – Wood Buffalo
Driving directions from Hay River to Wood Buffalo
The map shows the locations of Hay River (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: Hay River – Wood Buffalo
Indicative estimates based on ~493 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 Hay River to Wood Buffalo
The straight-line distance between Hay River (Northwest Territories) and Wood Buffalo (Alberta) is about 436.2 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: Hay River – Wood Buffalo
The trip from Hay River to Wood Buffalo covers about 493 km on the road (436.2 km straight line). Plan multiple breaks and check highway traffic, weather, and fuel availability — particularly in remote sections. The route connects Northwest Territories to Alberta and is classified as a long route (over 300 km). Click "Update route" for the latest track, turns, and fuel-cost estimate.
The trip starts at Hay River (Northwest Territories) — coordinates 60.7531° N, -115.9000° E. The destination is Wood Buffalo (Alberta), at 57.6042° N, -111.3280° E.
Practical tips for the Hay River – 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.
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 493 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 Hay River
Full information about Hay River: map, GPS coordinates, and all routes from Hay River to other Canadian cities.
Hay River profile →Related tools
Driving Directions
Live planner with turn-by-turn directions from Hay River to Wood Buffalo.
Interactive map
Open the area between Hay River 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 Hay River and Wood Buffalo in satellite imagery.
Related routes
From Hay River to other cities:
To Wood Buffalo from other cities:
Popular routes from Northwest Territories
Most-searched routes from Northwest Territories, ranked by popularity.
Frequently asked questions: Hay River – Wood Buffalo
What is the straight-line distance between Hay River and Wood Buffalo?
The straight-line distance between Hay River and Wood Buffalo is about 436.2 km. This is the direct geometric distance between the two coordinates, ignoring road geometry.
What is the estimated road distance from Hay River to Wood Buffalo?
The estimated road distance from Hay River to Wood Buffalo is about 493 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 Hay River to Wood Buffalo?
Indicative drive time from Hay River to Wood Buffalo is about 5 h 29 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 Hay River 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 Hay River–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 Hay River 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 Hay River to Wood Buffalo?
For alternative routes, use the live planner: pick between highways, secondary roads, and shorter or scenic options.
Can I open the Hay River–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 Hay River as origin and Wood Buffalo as destination.