Drive or Fly: Fairbanks, AK to Haines, AK?
Side-by-side comparison of driving versus flying for this route. Costs, time, and trade-offs at a glance.
Flying wins
Flying saves significant time at this distance. Consider driving only if you enjoy the road trip.
Drive
Door to Door
56h 12m
Distance
1095.5 mi
Total Cost
$998
CO2
443 kg
Cost Breakdown
Fuel$238
Hotel (5 nights)$550
Meals (6 days)$210
+
No luggage restrictions or TSA lines
+
Stop anywhere along the route
+
Have your own car at the destination
−
Requires 6 days of driving
−
Driver fatigue on longer stretches
−
Wear and tear on vehicle
−
Fuel price fluctuations
Fly
Door to Door
4h 46m
1h 6m in the air
Air Distance
553 mi
Total Cost
$197
CO2
141 kg
Cost Breakdown
Estimated ticket$142
Rental car (1 day)$55
Nearest Airports
Fairbanks, AKFairbanks International Airport (5 mi)
Haines, AKHaines Airport (3 mi)
+
Saves about 51h 26m compared to driving
+
Less physical fatigue
+
Predictable arrival time
−
Airport security and check-in overhead
−
May need a rental car at destination
−
Luggage fees and restrictions
−
Less flexibility for stops along the way
At a Glance
| Drive | Fly | |
|---|---|---|
| Door-to-door time | 56h 12m | 4h 46m |
| Total cost (1 person) | $998 | $197 |
| Carbon footprint | 443 kg CO2 | 141 kg CO2 |
| Flexibility | High | Low |
| Luggage | Unlimited | Restricted |
Costs are rough estimates based on US averages. Flight prices vary by airline, date, and booking time.
Decided to drive? See the full trip plan from Fairbanks, AK to Haines, AK with stops, fuel costs, and turn-by-turn directions.