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Trip from Anchorage, AK to Fairbanks, AK

Drive Time

7h 19m

Distance

359.8 mi

579 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$78

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

18 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
7h 9m ★
6 AM
7h 20m
8 AM
7h 41m
10 AM
7h 27m
12 PM
7h 25m
3 PM
7h 28m
5 PM
7h 40m
8 PM
7h 13m

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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Downtown Anchorage, AK, AK

Anchorage, AK

John De Leon

Downtown Fairbanks, AK, AK

Fairbanks, AK

John De Leon

Trip Overview

Connecting Anchorage and Fairbanks, this 359.8-mile journey typically takes about 7 hours and 19 minutes of driving time. You will spend the vast majority of your time traveling along the George Parks Highway, supplemented by segments of the Glenn Highway and East Parks Highway. While it is physically possible to complete this trip in a single day, be prepared for a long stint behind the wheel. Budgeting approximately $78 for fuel is a smart way to prepare for the costs of this Alaskan trek. Whether you choose to power through in one go or break it up, understanding the scale of this route is essential for a smooth trip between these two major Alaskan regions.

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

2 planned breaks

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

Midpoint

179.9 miles from Anchorage, AK

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 41m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy, local driving experience rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. The route features a significant 301.4-mile stretch along the George Parks Highway, which serves as the backbone of your journey. As you transition between the Glenn Highway and the Parks Highway, the road's character shifts, requiring your full attention as you navigate the turns. This isn't a high-speed freeway sprint; it is a driving experience that demands engagement and patience. Because the highway share is minimal, you should anticipate a more rustic and intimate feel as you traverse the Alaskan landscape.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
George Parks Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 301.4 miles.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

1,230 ft 102 ft

Total Climb

1,128 ft

Total Descent

0 ft

Highest Point

1,230 ft

~154.2 mi in

Elevation Range

1,128 ft

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 early in the drive near West 4th Avenue.

Route Complexity 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 19m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 7 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (West 4th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles (Reeve Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 35.7 miles (AK 3 / East Parks Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 7 key points

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

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | West 4th Avenue

Turn right onto West 4th Avenue

Navigation decision point

7
2.2 mi into trip | ~5m in | Reeve Boulevard

Turn right onto Reeve Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
8
35.7 mi into trip | ~44m in | AK 3 / East Parks Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto AK 3 / East Parks Highway toward Wasilla, Fairbanks

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

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward Wasilla, Fairbanks
6
355.9 mi into trip | ~7h 11m in

Take the exit toward East Airport Way

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward East Airport Way
5
359.8 mi into trip | ~7h 19m in | 12th Avenue

Turn right onto 12th Avenue

Navigation decision point

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Anchorage, AK to Fairbanks, AK, road signs begin pointing toward Wasilla along the way.

Wasilla

35.7 mi in | ~44m | via AK 3

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
George Parks Highway 301.4 mi 6h
Glenn Highway 33 mi 38m
East Parks Highway 14.5 mi 20m
West Parks Highway 4.2 mi 5m
Airport Way 3.5 mi 6m
West 4th Avenue 1.3 mi 3m
East 3rd Avenue 0.6 mi 1m
East 5th Avenue 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: George Parks Highway — 301.4 mi, about 6h

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Anchorage, AK and Fairbanks, AK.

1

Start on this road

85 ft · 8 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto West 4th Avenue

1.3 mi · 3 min · West 4th Avenue
3

Continue on Post Road

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Post Road
4

Turn right onto East 3rd Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · East 3rd Avenue
5

Continue on Commercial Drive

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Commercial Drive
Use the straight / right lanes.
6

Turn right onto Reeve Boulevard

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Reeve Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
7

Turn left onto AK 1

0.3 mi · 48 sec · East 5th Avenue
8

Continue on AK 1

33 mi · 38 min · Glenn Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto AK 3

15 mi · 20 min · East Parks Highway
Toward Wasilla, Fairbanks Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on AK 3

4.2 mi · 5 min · West Parks Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
11

Continue on AK 3

301 mi · 6 hr · George Parks Highway
Use the none lane.
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec
Toward East Airport Way Use the right lane.
13

Continue on Airport Way

3.5 mi · 6 min · Airport Way
Use the none lane.
14

Turn left onto Cushman Street

0.1 mi · 27 sec · Cushman Street
15

Turn right onto 12th Avenue

363 ft · 15 sec · 12th Avenue
16

Arrive at destination

12th Avenue

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 359.8-mile drive, plan for at least two intentional stops to stretch your legs and break up the 7-hour and 19-minute duration. Departing early in the morning is your best strategy to ensure you aren't rushing through the longest 301.4-mile segment of the George Parks Highway after dark. Keep a close eye on your gas gauge throughout the trip, as the $78 fuel estimate is a baseline that can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency and local prices. Since this is a turn-heavy route, prioritize steady pacing over speed to stay comfortable behind the wheel. Use the flexibility of a one-day trip to your advantage, but don't hesitate to pull over if you need a break during the extended highway stretches.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 179.9 miles from Anchorage, AK, or about 3h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 301.4 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 80 miles or 1h 41m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 179.9 miles or 3h 41m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 4m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Anchorage, 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.

+

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Anchorage, AK

This is one driving day of about 359.8 miles and 7h 19m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Anchorage, AK.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on George Parks Highway for about 301.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 179.9 mi from Anchorage, AK · 3h 41m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Willow, AK

180 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

Willow, AK

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Willow, AK

Meal break

The midpoint is around 179.9 miles from Anchorage, AK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before George Parks Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 301.4 miles.

Arriving in Fairbanks, AK

The final approach into Fairbanks, 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 Fairbanks, 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$78.31 one way

$156.61 round trip

$5.53/gal 25.4 MPG avg 126 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.82 $82.37 $164.74
premium $6.02 $85.30 $170.61
diesel $5.64 $79.94 $159.87

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$78

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$103–$128

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 125.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

EV Charging Along Route

18 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Fred Meyer - Tesla Supercharger

Anchorage, AK

Tesla

8 DCFC

Chugiak, AK - Tesla Supercharger

Chugiak, AK

Tesla

8 DCFC

Shell - Tesla Supercharger

Trapper Creek, AK

Tesla

8 DCFC

Jack River Properties - Tesla Supercharger

Cantwell, AK

Tesla

8 DCFC

Nenana - Tesla Supercharger

Nenana, AK

Tesla

8 DCFC

Fred Meyer - Tesla Supercharger

Fairbanks, AK

Tesla

7 DCFC

Three Bears - Birchwood

Chugiak, AK

EVGATEWAY

4 DCFC

Kendall Ford of Wasilla

Wasilla, AK

Blink Network

4 DCFC

Tesla: 6 Non-Networked: 4 EVGATEWAY: 3 FLO: 2 SYNERGEV: 1 ChargePoint Network: 1 Blink Network: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 107.9 1 $37.78 $17.27
Efficient EV 90 1 $31.48 $14.39
EV Truck/SUV 143.9 1 $50.37 $23.03

Gas CO2

126 kg

EV CO2

42 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 data refreshed 33 minutes ago

Origin

Anchorage, AK

Evening in Anchorage on Sunday

Local time

5:43 PM

AKDT

Current temp

32°F

Rain And Snow

SW 5 mph 80% chance Live forecast

Winter Weather Advisory

Winter Weather Advisory issued April 12 at 3:04PM AKDT until April 13 at 7:00AM AKDT by NWS Fairbanks AK

Winter Weather Advisory

Winter Weather Advisory issued April 12 at 11:53AM AKDT until April 14 at 4:00AM AKDT by NWS Fairbanks AK

Destination

Fairbanks, AK

Evening in Fairbanks on Sunday

Local time

5:43 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

8 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

7h 19m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Anchorage, AK to Fairbanks, AK covers 359.8 miles and takes about 7h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are George Parks Highway, Glenn Highway, East Parks Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 179.9 miles from Anchorage, AK. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $78.31 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 19m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 7 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West 4th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles (Reeve Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 35.7 miles (AK 3 / East Parks Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Anchorage, AK to Fairbanks, AK, road signs begin pointing toward Wasilla along the way.

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