Edmonton to Yellowknife by EV: An Epic Road Trip Through Alberta and the NWT

Driving from Vancouver to Yellowknife in an electric vehicle had been on my bucket list for a while. It combined a few personal goals: revisiting the Northwest Territories, where I grew up, testing the limits of EV range in remote parts of Canada, and proving that EVs can take on rugged, off-the-beaten-path road trips with the right planning.

This post breaks down the road trip from Edmonton to Yellowknife, which was the most remote and challenging section of my summer trip from Vancouver. You’ll get a leg-by-leg account of my experience including:

• Where to charge your EV across Northern Alberta
• How to handle the current state of EV charging in the NWT
• Unexpected challenges like wildfires, wildlife, and hotel mishaps
• Essential gear like EV adaptors, camping accessories, and range strategy tips

Whether you’re planning a similar adventure or just want to know if a my EV road trip planned to Yellowknife is even possible, this post has you covered. Spoiler: it is—but with the current charging gaps, it’s not for the faint of heart.

Electric Vehicle Charging in Northern Canada

One of the biggest challenges of this trip—and the most common concern I hear—is around charging. Northern Alberta’s EV infrastructure has improved over the past couple of years, but it’s still very patchy compared to the southern half of the province.

You’ll find reliable Tesla Superchargers in towns like Whitecourt and Valleyview, and a few scattered fast chargers in smaller communities like Fahler and La Crete, though they often feel out of place.

Beyond those, you’re relying mostly on Level 2 chargers, found at hotels, community centers, and car dealerships. The Best Western Mirage in High Level is one such example, and it was a lifeline on my route.

However, many locations listed on apps like PlugShare are either offline or unreliable. More on that on my return leg from Yellowknife to Edmonton.

Electric Vehicle Charging in the NWT

As for the Northwest Territories, charging infrastructure is still very much in its infancy. The NWT government has been installing new fast chargers in places like Enterprise, Hay River, Fort Providence, and Behchokǫ̀, but only a couple were operational during my trip. Others were either not yet online or mysteriously absent when I arrived.

This makes ensuring that you have the correct EV adaptors and cables absolutely critical. Bring a full set of charging gear, including extension cords and any necessary adapters for various plug types you might encounter at RV parks, public buildings, or random community plug-ins.

In short: if your EV has a range under 430km (267 miles), this route may not be feasible—yet. Winter conditions, in particular, would make it near impossible and dangerous without more chargers coming online

Leg One: Edmonton to High Level

After plotting out my EV road trip from Edmonton to Yellowknife, I left Vancouver and headed north. We’ll pick things up in Edmonton. You can check out my other Vancouver to Alberta route options here.

The first leg from Edmonton to High Level covers approximately 740km (460 miles) depending on your exact route. Originally, I planned to head through Slave Lake and use the FLO charger there, but a last-minute realization rerouted me. I discovered that Tesla Superchargers in Whitecourt and Valleyview made for a quicker and more efficient path.

I departed my friend’s place in Edmonton with about 80% charge, then stopped in Whitecourt, where I took a quick detour to Walmart for road trip essentials—snacks, fruit juices, and supplies for the cooler. Prices and availability really start to fluctuate the farther north you go, so stocking up early is wise.

Next was Valleyview, conveniently near a Tim Hortons where I grabbed a coffee and sandwich. From there, I drove to Fahler, Alberta, roughly 125km (78 miles) northwest.

Despite its small size, Fahler has a fast charger—likely the last one I’d see until reaching the Northwest Territories. While I waited for a full charge (took about 30 minutes), I biked around town, checked out the grain elevators, the world’s largest bee, and the tiny community hall.

Back at the charger, I met a fellow EV driver with a Model Y who was patiently waiting for me to charge to 100%. I told him I was driving to Yellowknife and understood the need.

We had a great chat where he shared stories of his Ford Lightning road trip to Mexico and also confirmed what I’ve noted in my Canadian provinces ranked by EV friendliness post—Alberta ranks low for EV infrastructure. He was from Westlock and was back from Peace River for work and said the area could certainly benefit from more L3 chargers.

My target was High Level, still about 350km (217 miles) away. My range estimate was shaky, so I topped up at an L2 charger near Peace River just in case. I even planned a stop at a nearby golf course to recharge (and maybe myself too), but there were no exterior plugs. Still, I got in a quick 9 holes before continuing north.

I rolled into High Level with just 6% battery left. The Best Western Mirage has a Tesla charger advertised, but there was a snag. They couldn’t find my reservation—turns out the system had an old credit card and phone number on file so they cancelled my reservation when they couldn’t reach me and now, the hotel was sold out.

Thankfully, a no-show freed up a room and I was in. Plugged in, charged to 100% overnight, and crashed hard after a long day.

Leg Two: High Level to Yellowknife – Fires, Bison, and the Amazing Race

Fully charged and rested, I hit the road north. The feeling of returning to the Northwest Territories, where I grew up, in an electric vehicle was surreal. A stop at the NWT border sign was a must. Memories of doing the trip as a child with my father towing boats north on the then gravel road came flooding in. This felt like such a unique and personally rewarding moment.

Just beyond the border lies Alexandria Falls, a stunning and powerful sight. I stopped for a quick stretch and walked along the falls.

My goal was to reach Enterprise, where PlugShare showed a new fast charger. I was skeptical, especially since the government-funded one hadn’t come online yet. A friend who drove ahead the day prior sent me photos of a working unit, so I had hope.

But when I arrived, it was just a dirt patch. The actual charger nearby—the one my friend photographed—was offline as expected.

This left me with no choice but to detour 80km (50 miles) to Hay River for the next charger. This leg became more stressful knowing I’d need enough charge for a 396 km (246 miles) stretch to Rae (Behchoko) afterward.

I charged to 100% and crawled north at 80km/h, gradually increasing speed as my buffer improved.

While charging in Hay River, I went for a bike ride past a school I once stayed at on a childhood ski trip. I grabbed some overpriced groceries and kept moving.

Crossing the Mackenzie River on the Deh Cho Bridge brought back memories as well. Back in the day, it was all ferries in summer, ice roads in winter, and helicopter car crossing durring breakup. It was wild then but still feels wild now.

I passed Fort Providence, knowing their chargers weren’t online yet, and pressed on. I had built up a 10% arrival buffer and was feeling pretty good, until… I hit a wildfire road closure.

Just like earlier road closures in northern Alberta, this was one of my biggest fears. Thankfully, I had prepared for the worst and had enough charge to turn around if needed and charge at a campground in Fort Providence. Thankfully, it didn’t come to that.

I waited over an hour until a pilot car arrived to lead us—literally—through the fire. HEPA filter engaged, I drove cautiously with flames on either side and smoke thick in the air. It was intense.

Also intense: the herds of bison casually roaming this stretch. Surreal doesn’t even cover it.

I finally rolled into a very smoky Behchoko with 10% charge, and though it’s 10km off the main road, it felt like an oasis. The charger worked, and I met two friendly locals who told me my Tesla was only the second EV they’d seen come through. NWT electric vehicles clearly still have a way to go.

We had a great chat, and they even invited me to their Hand Games Ceremony. Pretty special.

Final Stretch: Racing to a Floating Festival

The last leg to Yellowknife was about 110km (68 miles). I was on a mission to catch the tail end of Float on the Rocks, a unique music festival held on a houseboat originally built by my brother.

I pulled into Yellowknife just in time to hear the last two songs. My brother met me at the dock, and we paddled out with his two dogs—an unforgettable moment that made the whole trip feel like an episode of The Amazing Race.

What to See and Do in Yellowknife

Over the next few days, I enjoyed free EV charging at City Hall, visited Yellowknife’s own fast chargers, and reflected on how far EV infrastructure has come—but also how far it still has to go. These new chargers in Enterprise and Fort Providence are crucial for making the route accessible year-round, especially for those with under 430km (267 miles) of range.

In Yellowknife, I stayed at my brother’s Airbnb. Although he doesn’t have an EV charger, he will allow people to plug into a 15A exterior plug for a fee. This is more than enough for exploring the town.

I reconnected with family and friends, fished on the lake, and watched a friend perform live music for the first time in 20 years at Folk on the Rocks, Yellowknife’s beloved summer music festival. Between the natural beauty, midnight sun, and community energy, there’s something unique and grounding about being back in the North.

For visitors, highlights include exploring Old Town with its colorful cabins and boardwalk, grabbing a bite at Bullock’s Bistro, touring the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre (where one of the fast chargers is located) and taking in sweeping views from Pilot’s Monument.

Whether you’re into arts, culture, or the great outdoors, Yellowknife offers plenty to fill your days. You can check out more of my tips on what to do in Yellowknife in the fall here.

Final Thoughts on driving to Yellowknife in an EV

Every part of this trip felt rewarding—made all the more special by doing it in an EV. From long stretches of quiet highway to fast chargers in unexpected places, this journey proved that electric road trips to remote northern communities are not only possible, but deeply fulfilling.

On top of that, this wasn’t just about reaching Yellowknife—it was a trial run for something even bigger.

Stay tuned for my return trip and the next chapter: a fall EV road trip all the way to the Arctic Ocean. This adventure to Yellowknife helped me test gear, plan charging stops, and build confidence for what’s to come on the legendary Dempster Highway.

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