Route from Big River to Fort Simpson
Interactive map, distance, and indicative drive time for the route from Big River to Fort Simpson — 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 Simpson (Northwest Territories). 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 Simpson
The straight-line distance between Big River and Fort Simpson is 1220.1 km. The estimated road distance by car is around 1379 km, with an indicative drive time of 15 h 19 min.
Trip cost and route type: Big River – Fort Simpson
Driving directions from Big River to Fort Simpson
The map shows the locations of Big River (A) and Fort Simpson (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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Driving directions from Big River to Fort Simpson
Real distance: 1,789.8 km · Estimated time: 23 h 53 min
- Drive northwest on Fourth Avenue/55. Continue on 55. 125.1 km
- Turn right onto Northern Woods & Water Route/4/55. Continue on Northern Woods & Water Route/55. 67.5 km
- Turn right onto Northern Woods & Water Route/26/55. 1.4 km
- Turn left onto Northern Woods & Water Route/55. Continue on 55. 65.5 km
- Turn left onto Highway 28/28. 33.0 km
- Turn right onto Secondary Highway 660/660. 5.4 km
- Turn right onto Buffalo Trail/41. 16.3 km
- Turn left onto 50 Avenue/55. Continue on 55. 88.5 km
- Turn right onto Northern Woods & Water Route/36/55. Continue on 36/55. 17.8 km
- Turn left onto Northern Woods & Water Route/55. 1.9 km
- Turn left onto Northern Woods & Water Route/55. Continue on 55. 62.5 km
- Turn right onto Northern Woods & Water Route/55. 45.5 km
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 Simpson
Indicative estimates based on ~1379 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 Big River to Fort Simpson
The straight-line distance between Big River (Saskatchewan) and Fort Simpson (Northwest Territories) is about 1220.1 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 Simpson
From Big River to Fort Simpson the estimated road distance is roughly 1379 km (1220.1 km straight line). The trip connects Saskatchewan to Northwest Territories 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 Simpson (Northwest Territories), at 61.8082° N, -121.3200° E.
Practical tips for the Big River – Fort Simpson 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 Simpson in Northwest Territories, subarctic and lake-dotted, with the Mackenzie River and tundra to the north.
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 1379 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 Simpson
Full information about Fort Simpson: interactive map, GPS coordinates, elevation, nearby cities, and routes to and from Fort Simpson.
Fort Simpson 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
Driving Directions
Live planner with turn-by-turn directions from Big River to Fort Simpson.
Interactive map
Open the area between Big River and Fort Simpson 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 Big River and Fort Simpson in satellite imagery.
Related routes
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To Fort Simpson from other cities:
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Frequently asked questions: Big River – Fort Simpson
What is the straight-line distance between Big River and Fort Simpson?
The straight-line distance between Big River and Fort Simpson is about 1220.1 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 Simpson?
The estimated road distance from Big River to Fort Simpson is about 1379 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 Simpson?
Indicative drive time from Big River to Fort Simpson is about 15 h 19 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 Simpson?
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 Simpson 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 Simpson?
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 Simpson?
For alternative routes, use the live planner: pick between highways, secondary roads, and shorter or scenic options.
Can I open the Big River–Fort Simpson 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 Simpson as destination.