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Trip from Anchor Point, AK to Palmer, AK

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 29m

Distance

248.2 mi

399 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$54

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 16m ★
6 AM
5h 29m
8 AM
5h 56m
10 AM
5h 39m
12 PM
5h 36m
3 PM
5h 40m
5 PM
5h 55m
8 PM
5h 21m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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census-designated place in Alaska, United States

Anchor Point, AK

Wikimedia Commons

city in Alaska, USA

Palmer, AK

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 248.2-mile journey from Anchor Point to Palmer, Alaska, is best tackled as a single-day trip, estimated to take around 5 hours and 29 minutes of driving time. You'll primarily navigate the Sterling Highway, Seward Highway, and Glenn Highway, with a fuel cost projected at $54. The route is characterized by frequent turns, suggesting a more engaged driving experience rather than a straight shot. With only one recommended stop, it's a manageable drive for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination efficiently. This trip offers a practical way to travel between different points within Alaska.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

124.1 miles from Anchor Point, AK

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 56m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 29m. Total distance: 248.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile.

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, meaning you'll be navigating a variety of road conditions and turns. While there's no highway percentage indicated, the longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 116.7 miles on the Sterling Highway. This suggests a significant portion of the drive involves more localized road segments. The profile points to a driving experience that requires consistent attention to navigation and road changes, rather than a monotonous, high-speed cruise.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Sterling Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 116.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near AK 1 / Sterling Highway.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 5h 29m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (AK 1 / Sterling Highway): Navigation decision point; at 116.8 miles (AK 1 / Seward Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 240.7 miles (AK 1 / Glenn Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 6 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

4
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | AK 1 / Sterling Highway

At end of road, turn right onto AK 1 / Sterling Highway

Navigation decision point

5
116.8 mi into trip | ~2h 47m in | AK 1 / Seward Highway

At end of road, turn left onto AK 1 / Seward Highway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
240.7 mi into trip | ~5h 18m in | AK 1 / Glenn Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto AK 1 / Glenn Highway toward Palmer, Glenallen

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward Palmer, Glenallen
6
247.9 mi into trip | ~5h 28m in | West Evergreen Avenue

Turn right onto West Evergreen Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
5
248.2 mi into trip | ~5h 29m in | South Colony Way

Turn right onto South Colony Way

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Sterling Highway 116.7 mi 2h 47m
Seward Highway 88.5 mi 1h 47m
Glenn Highway 40.2 mi 48m
Ingra Street 1 mi 2m
East 5th Avenue 1 mi 1m
East 6th Avenue 0.4 mi <1m
West Evergreen Avenue 0.3 mi <1m
Bates Avenue <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Sterling Highway — 116.7 mi, about 2h 47m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Anchor Point, AK and Palmer, AK.

1

Start on Bates Avenue

280 ft · 13 sec · Bates Avenue
2

At end of road, turn right onto AK 1

117 mi · 2 hr 47 min · Sterling Highway
3

At end of road, turn left onto AK 1

89 mi · 1 hr 47 min · Seward Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4

Continue on AK 1

1.0 mi · 2 min · Ingra Street
5

Turn right onto AK 1

0.4 mi · 56 sec · East 6th Avenue
6

Continue on AK 1

1.0 mi · 1 min · East 5th Avenue
7

Continue on AK 1

33 mi · 38 min · Glenn Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto AK 1

7.2 mi · 10 min · Glenn Highway
Toward Palmer, Glenallen Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9

Turn right onto West Evergreen Avenue

0.3 mi · 49 sec · West Evergreen Avenue
Use the right lane.
10

Turn right onto South Colony Way

12 ft · 0 sec · South Colony Way
11

Arrive at destination

South Colony Way

Trip Plan

Given the 5-hour 29-minute duration, departing Anchor Point in the morning will allow you to reach Palmer with ample daylight. The route has just one suggested stop, so plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or when you feel the need to stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 116.7-mile stretch on the Sterling Highway, as services might be less frequent. This drive is well-suited for a single day, offering flexibility in your departure time.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 124.1 miles from Anchor Point, AK, or about 2h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 116.7 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 55 miles or 1h 19m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 124.1 miles or 2h 56m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 32m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Palmer, AK than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Anchor Point, AK so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Anchor Point, AK

This is one driving day of about 248.2 miles and 5h 29m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Anchor Point, AK.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Sterling Highway for about 116.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 124.1 mi from Anchor Point, AK · 2h 56m into the drive

human settlement in United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Girdwood, AK

124 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Cohoe, AK

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Girdwood, AK

Meal break

The midpoint is around 124.1 miles from Anchor Point, AK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Sterling Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 116.7 miles.

Arriving in Palmer, AK

The final approach into Palmer, AK usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Palmer, AK.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Vagabond Blues

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Palmer, Alaska

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 248.2

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+19077452233

Visit website

Palmer Alehouse

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Palmer, Alaska

0.2 mi

La Fiesta Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Palmer, Alaska

0 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Purple Moose Espresso

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Palmer, Alaska

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 248.2

Hours: 5:30 am–7 pm

+19077463949

Visit website

Alauda Coffeehouse

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Palmer, Alaska

0.1 mi

The Art Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Palmer, Alaska

0.4 mi

Vagabond Blues

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 248.2

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+19077452233

Visit website

Palmer Alehouse

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $20 to $30 mile 248.2

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+19077462537

Visit website

La Fiesta Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 248.2

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+19077463335

Visit website

Turkey Red

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $20 to $30 mile 248.2

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+19077465544

Visit website

Bleeding Heart Brewery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route mile 248.2

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 2–8 pm

+19077462421

Visit website

The Fern AK

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 248.2

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+19077453376

Visit website

Garcia's Grill & KM

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 248.2

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 11 am–5 pm

+19077452676

Visit website

AK Best Philly's

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 248.2

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+19077458778

Visit website

Purple Moose Espresso

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 248.2

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 5:30 am–7 pm

+19077463949

Visit website

Alauda Coffeehouse

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 248.2

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+19079821600

The Art Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately mile 248.2

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 11 am–6 pm

+19077456100

Visit website

Brew HaHa

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 248.2

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 5:30 am–6 pm

+19077457847

Visit website

Dead Horse Donuts

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 248.2

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+19079829911

Visit website

Northern Lights Coffee

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $1 to $10

Anchor Point, Alaska

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

Visit website

Lekker Coffee and Baking Co.

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 248.2

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+19073091613

Perkup Espresso

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 248.2

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 4 am–7 pm

+19077464365

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route mile 248.2

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 106.4

Cooper Landing, Alaska

+18668167584

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 212.7

Anchorage, Alaska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Tesla Supercharger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 230.5

Chugiak, Alaska

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

EvGateway Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 70.9

Sterling, Alaska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19499452000

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route mile 248.2

Palmer, Alaska

EV Connect Charging Station

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 195

Anchorage, Alaska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18888074522

Visit website

EV Gateway Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 230.5

Chugiak, Alaska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19499452000

Visit website

Matanuska Brewery and Tap Room, Palmer

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $20 to $30 mile 248.2

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 11:30 am–8 pm

+19077452337

Visit website

Poppy Lane

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 248.2

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+19079829215

Visit website

The Palmer Bar and Grill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0 mi from route $20 to $30 mile 248.2

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 11:30 am–12 pm

+19077453041

Visit website

Palmer Visitor Information Center

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 248.2

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+19077467668

Visit website

Chai Medicinals

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0 mi from route mile 248.2

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 1–6 pm

+19077079843

Visit website

Upscale Stay • Hot Tub • Steps to Dining/Coffee

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 248.2

Palmer, Alaska

Visit website

Prospector John

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 106.4

Cooper Landing, Alaska

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+19075981808

Visit website

Escape Anchorage

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 230.5

Chugiak, Alaska

Hours: 5–11 pm

+19078549482

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$53.79 one way

$107.59 round trip

$5.51/gal 25.4 MPG avg 87 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.79 $56.57 $113.14
premium $5.98 $58.43 $116.87
diesel $5.61 $54.80 $109.60

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$54

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$79–$104

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 86.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 74.5 0 $26.06 $11.91
Efficient EV 62.1 0 $21.72 $9.93
EV Truck/SUV 99.3 1 $34.75 $15.88

Gas CO2

87 kg

EV CO2

29 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Anchor Point, AK

Afternoon in Anchor Point on Friday

Local time

2:46 PM

AKDT

Current temp

37°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Palmer, AK

Afternoon in Palmer on Friday

Local time

2:46 PM

AKDT

Current temp

24°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

13 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

5h 29m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Anchor Point, AK to Palmer, AK covers 248.2 miles and takes about 5h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Sterling Highway, Seward Highway, Glenn Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 124.1 miles from Anchor Point, AK. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $53.79 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

This is a straightforward 5h 29m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (AK 1 / Sterling Highway): Navigation decision point; at 116.8 miles (AK 1 / Seward Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 240.7 miles (AK 1 / Glenn Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

The route from Anchor Point, AK to Palmer, AK does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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