Brazil
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
French Guiana
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Germany
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Denmark
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Finland
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Hungary
Ireland
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Norway
Poland
Portugal
the United Kingdom
the Czech Republic
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
the United States
Mexico
the Dominican Republic
South Africa
Australia
Fiji
New Zealand
Papua New Guinea
Scenic route · Inuvik, Northwest Territories
Inuvik–Tuktoyaktuk Highway
A gravel road of about 138 km opened in 2017 across tundra and permafrost, the first to reach the Arctic Ocean in Canada.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Inuvik–Tuktoyaktuk Highway
Until 2017, Tuktoyaktuk could only be reached by plane, by boat in summer or by an ice road over the Mackenzie River and frozen sea in winter. The Inuvik–Tuktoyaktuk road opened in November 2017, at roughly 138 km, becoming Canada’s first road to reach the Arctic Ocean.
Construction was difficult: the ground is frozen, so the road was built on a thick layer of gravel that insulates the ice from the soil. The route crosses open tundra, with hundreds of lakes, low shrubs, distant pingos and sometimes caribou, foxes and birds.
The road is gravel, with no services or fuel along the way. The trip takes about 2½ to 3 hours each way, depending on conditions.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
One day, round trip.
Best time
Mid-June to September, when the road is dry and days are long.
How to get there
The road starts at the north exit of Inuvik, beside the airport.
Tip
Fill up in Inuvik, carry a spare tire and water: there are no services along the way.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Inuvik–Tuktoyaktuk Highway
When was the road to Tuktoyaktuk opened?
In November 2017.
Is the Inuvik–Tuktoyaktuk Highway paved?
No, it’s gravel.
Are there gas stations on the road to Tuktoyaktuk?
No; refuel in Inuvik.