It is the primary route between the Edmonton area and the Lesser Slave Lake region. The stretch between Highway 16 and Westlock was formerly Secondary Highway 794, but due to a large increase in traffic it was upgraded to Highway 44 in 1999.
It serves as the main passage connecting the Edmonton region to the Lesser Slave Lake area. The section between Highway 16 and Westlock was previously known as Secondary Highway 794, but it was upgraded to Highway 44 in 1999 due to a significant rise in traffic volume.