Driving route · Canada

Route from Big River to Fort Chipewyan

Interactive map, distance, and indicative drive time for the route from Big River 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 Big River (Saskatchewan) 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 Big River to Fort Chipewyan

The straight-line distance between Big River and Fort Chipewyan is 598.9 km. The estimated road distance by car is around 677 km, with an indicative drive time of 7 h 31 min.

Straight-line distance 598.9 km
Estimated road distance ~677 km
Indicative drive time 7 h 31 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: Big River – 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 $76–$103

Estimate: ~677 km, 8 L/100 km, $1.65/L. ±15%. Excludes tolls.

Driving directions from Big River to Fort Chipewyan

The map shows the locations of Big River (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 Big River to Fort Chipewyan

Real distance: 983.3 km  ·  Estimated time: 16 h 53 min

🗓 Calculated on June 4, 2026
  1. Drive northwest on Fourth Avenue/55. Continue on 55. 125.1 km
  2. Turn right onto Northern Woods & Water Route/4/55. Continue on Northern Woods & Water Route/55. 67.5 km
  3. Turn right onto Northern Woods & Water Route/26/55. 1.4 km
  4. Turn left onto Northern Woods & Water Route/55. Continue on 55. 65.5 km
  5. Turn left onto Highway 28/28. 33.0 km
  6. Turn right onto Secondary Highway 660/660. 5.4 km
  7. Turn right onto Buffalo Trail/41. 16.3 km
  8. Turn left onto 50 Avenue/55. Continue on 55. 88.5 km
  9. Turn right onto Northern Woods & Water Route/36/55. Continue on 36/55. 17.8 km
  10. Turn left onto Northern Woods & Water Route/55. 41.6 km
  11. Turn right toward Wandering River/Fort McMurray. 519.1 km
  12. 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: Big River – Fort Chipewyan

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

Indicative estimates based on ~677 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

Big River

Saskatchewan · 53.83700, -107.03500

Big River sits in north-central Saskatchewan on the provincial map as a small community serving drivers navigating lake country and forested rural tracts away from major metropolitan corridors. Not part of a…

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 Big River to Fort Chipewyan

The straight-line distance between Big River (Saskatchewan) and Fort Chipewyan (Alberta) is about 598.9 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: Big River – Fort Chipewyan

From Big River to Fort Chipewyan the estimated road distance is roughly 677 km (598.9 km straight line). The trip connects Saskatchewan to Alberta and is a long route (over 300 km). Plan multiple breaks and check highway traffic, weather, and fuel availability — particularly in remote sections. The live planner provides turn-by-turn instructions, indicative arrival time, and a fuel-or-electricity cost estimate.

The trip starts at Big River (Saskatchewan) — coordinates 53.8370° N, -107.0350° E. The destination is Fort Chipewyan (Alberta), at 58.7171° N, -111.1500° E.

Practical tips for the Big River – Fort Chipewyan drive

Terrain along the way

The route starts in Saskatchewan — a province prairie to the south and boreal forest, lakes, and Shield country 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 Dillon (Saskatchewan).

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 677 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 Big River

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

Big River profile →

Related tools

Cities along the Big River – Fort Chipewyan route

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

Routes with intermediate stops: Big River → Dillon

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From Big River to other cities:

To Fort Chipewyan from other cities:

From Fort Chipewyan to intermediate cities:

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Frequently asked questions: Big River – Fort Chipewyan

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

The straight-line distance between Big River and Fort Chipewyan is about 598.9 km. This is the direct geometric distance between the two coordinates, ignoring road geometry.

What is the estimated road distance from Big River to Fort Chipewyan?

The estimated road distance from Big River to Fort Chipewyan is about 677 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 Big River to Fort Chipewyan?

Indicative drive time from Big River to Fort Chipewyan is about 7 h 31 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 Big River 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 Big River–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 Big River 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 Big River to Fort Chipewyan?

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

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