Driving route · Canada

Route from Yellowknife to Fort Chipewyan

Interactive map, distance, and indicative drive time for the route from Yellowknife 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 Yellowknife (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 Yellowknife to Fort Chipewyan

The straight-line distance between Yellowknife and Fort Chipewyan is 453.5 km. The estimated road distance by car is around 512 km, with an indicative drive time of 5 h 42 min.

Straight-line distance 453.5 km
Estimated road distance ~512 km
Indicative drive time 5 h 42 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: Yellowknife – Fort Chipewyan

Route type Long

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

Indicative fuel cost $57–$78

Estimate: ~512 km, 8 L/100 km, $1.65/L. ±15%. Excludes tolls.

Driving directions from Yellowknife to Fort Chipewyan

The map shows the locations of Yellowknife (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.

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Driving directions from Yellowknife to Fort Chipewyan

Real distance: 964.4 km  ·  Estimated time: 17 h 37 min

🗓 Calculated on June 3, 2026
  1. Drive southeast on Ingraham Trail/Ingraham Trail/4. 43 m
  2. Turn right toward 3 South. 336.5 km
  3. Turn left onto 1/Mackenzie Highway. Continue on 1. 102.6 km
  4. Turn left onto Hay River Highway/2. 31.9 km
  5. Turn right onto Fort Smith Highway/5. Continue on 5. 61.2 km
  6. Turn right onto Fort Smith Highway/5. 206.9 km
  7. Turn right onto Pine Lake Road. 115.1 km
  8. Turn left. 55.3 km
  9. Keep right at the fork. 49.0 km
  10. Keep left to take MacKenzie Avenue. 4.3 km
  11. Turn left onto McDonald Street. 421 m

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

Estimate trip cost: Yellowknife – Fort Chipewyan

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

Indicative estimates based on ~512 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

Yellowknife

Northwest Territories · 62.47090, -114.40500

Yellowknife sits on the north shore of Great Slave Lake in the southern part of the Northwest Territories, at about 62.47°N. As the territory's largest community, it serves as the primary local centre for drivers…

Destination

Fort Chipewyan

Alberta · 58.71710, -111.15000

Fort Chipewyan sits on the western shore of Lake Athabasca in northern Alberta. On provincial maps it appears as a remote lakeside community at the edge of the boreal plain and adjacent wetlands. For drivers and route…

How to drive from Yellowknife to Fort Chipewyan

The straight-line distance between Yellowknife (Northwest Territories) and Fort Chipewyan (Alberta) is about 453.5 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: Yellowknife – Fort Chipewyan

Looking for directions from Yellowknife to Fort Chipewyan? The estimated road distance is 512 km (453.5 km straight line), with an indicative drive time of 5 h 42 min. 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. Choose the transport mode in the live planner to get the detailed track.

The trip starts at Yellowknife (Northwest Territories) — coordinates 62.4709° N, -114.4050° E. The destination is Fort Chipewyan (Alberta), at 58.7171° N, -111.1500° E.

Practical tips for the Yellowknife – 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 Fort Smith (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 512 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 Yellowknife

Full information about Yellowknife: map, GPS coordinates, and all routes from Yellowknife to other Canadian cities.

Yellowknife profile →

Related tools

Cities along the Yellowknife – Fort Chipewyan route

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

Routes with intermediate stops: Yellowknife → Fort Smith

Related routes

From Yellowknife to other cities:

To Fort Chipewyan from other cities:

From Fort Chipewyan to intermediate cities:

All info about Yellowknife →  ·  All info about Fort Chipewyan →

Similar-distance routes from Yellowknife

Other routes from Yellowknife with comparable distance (272–635 km straight line).

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Frequently asked questions: Yellowknife – Fort Chipewyan

What is the straight-line distance between Yellowknife and Fort Chipewyan?

The straight-line distance between Yellowknife and Fort Chipewyan is about 453.5 km. This is the direct geometric distance between the two coordinates, ignoring road geometry.

What is the estimated road distance from Yellowknife to Fort Chipewyan?

The estimated road distance from Yellowknife to Fort Chipewyan is about 512 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 Yellowknife to Fort Chipewyan?

Indicative drive time from Yellowknife to Fort Chipewyan is about 5 h 42 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 Yellowknife 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 Yellowknife–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 Yellowknife 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 Yellowknife to Fort Chipewyan?

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

Can I open the Yellowknife–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 Yellowknife as origin and Fort Chipewyan as destination.