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Hay River and other NWT routes
There is no scheduled bus from Yellowknife to Hay River, Fort Providence, Fort Smith or Edmonton today. Here is what the drive involves and what you can do now.
- Scheduled service
- None today
- Yellowknife to Hay River
- About 480 km
- For groups
- Charter the van
- Want a route?
- Join the list
Is there a bus from Yellowknife to Hay River?
No scheduled bus runs between Yellowknife and Hay River, Fort Providence, Fort Smith or Edmonton today. Fullstride Yellowknife Charter and Shuttle does not run these routes on a timetable. A group of up to 14 can charter the van for the trip, and if enough people ask for a route, that is how one starts.
The one scheduled route we run is Yellowknife to Behchokǫ̀, 104 km up Highway 3.
How far is the drive from Yellowknife?
Road distances, rounded. Drive times are for good conditions with no stops.
| To | Drive | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Hay RiverHighway 3, Highway 1 and Highway 2 | About 5 hours | 480 km |
| Fort ProvidenceHighway 3 | About 3 and a half hours | 315 km |
| Fort SmithHighway 3, Highway 1, Highway 2 and Highway 5 | About 8 hours | 740 km |
| EdmontonHighway 3 and the Mackenzie Highway | About 15 to 16 hours | 1,450 km |
Distances were checked against road routing data on November 12, 2026. Before a long drive, check GNWT highway conditions.
Hay River
Hay River to Yellowknife is the trip people ask about most. You drive Highway 3 to Fort Providence, cross the Mackenzie River on the Deh Cho Bridge, then turn south-east for Hay River. Allow about 5 hours each way. See the Hay River route on Google Maps.
Fort Providence and Fort Smith
Fort Providence is on the way to everywhere south, just past the bridge. Fort Smith is a full day in the vehicle, by way of Hay River and Highway 5.
Edmonton
Yellowknife to Edmonton is about 15 to 16 hours of driving on paved road. Most people fly. If you are bringing a group north by road, ask about a charter. See the Edmonton route on Google Maps.
What can you do now?
- Travelling as a group
- Ask about a charter. The van seats 14 and you get one price for the trip.
- Travelling alone
- Join the list below and name your route. You will hear from us only if it starts.
Tell us the route you want
Name the route and how often you would ride. If it starts, you will be the first to know.
Questions about NWT routes
Is there a bus from Yellowknife to Hay River?
No scheduled bus runs between Yellowknife and Hay River today. The drive is about 480 km and takes about 5 hours. A group can charter the Fullstride van, and you can register your interest in a scheduled run on this page.
Is there a bus from Edmonton to Yellowknife?
No scheduled bus runs between Edmonton and Yellowknife today. People fly or drive.
Can you drive to Yellowknife?
Yes. Yellowknife is on the road system all year. From Alberta you take the Mackenzie Highway north, cross the Mackenzie River on the Deh Cho Bridge near Fort Providence, and follow Highway 3 into the city.
How far is Hay River from Yellowknife?
About 480 km by road, about 5 hours of driving.
Which route does Fullstride run today?
One: the weekday shuttle between Yellowknife and Behchokǫ̀, $20 one way. A weekend shuttle on the same road starts soon.