Origin
Anchorage, AK
Afternoon in Anchorage on Sunday
Local time
12:38 PM
AKDT
Current temp
30°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Anchorage, AK to Ketchikan, AK
Drive Time
48h 29m
Distance
936.7 mi
1,507 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
4-day trip
Fuel Cost
$204
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
47h 45m
★
6 AM
48h 29m
8 AM
49h 56m
10 AM
49h 0m
12 PM
48h 51m
3 PM
49h 4m
5 PM
49h 52m
8 PM
48h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Anchorage, AK
John De Leon
Ketchikan, AK
Luke Miller
Trip Overview
Embarking on the 936.7-mile journey from Anchorage to Ketchikan is a significant undertaking that requires careful planning rather than a quick day trip. Spanning approximately 48 hours and 29 minutes of travel time, this route relies entirely on the Alaska Marine Highway system, including segments from Whittier to Yakutat and Juneau to Ketchikan. You should budget roughly $204 for fuel costs, though the nature of ferry travel makes this distinct from a standard road trip. Given the 13 required stops and the vast distances covered across the Alaskan coast, a four-day itinerary is recommended to keep the pace manageable. It is an immersive experience that connects two major Alaskan hubs through a series of maritime corridors.
Trip Pace
Best split across 4 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
13 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
468.3 miles from Anchorage, AK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 28h 8m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a unique travel experience, as this route has a highway share of 0%, relying exclusively on ferry transit across the water. You will encounter varying segments of the Alaska Marine Highway, with the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 334.5 miles between Whittier and Yakutat. Unlike a traditional interstate grind, the road personality here is defined by maritime navigation and the rhythmic pace of ferry crossings. Transitioning between these coastal segments requires patience, as the route is essentially a series of long-distance water-based transitions rather than a high-speed driving trek. You will find that the journey feels less like a conventional drive and more like a carefully synchronized expedition across the region.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat is the longest continuous segment at about 334.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
At 48h 29m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West 4th Avenue.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 936.7 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West 4th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles (Gambell Street): Navigation decision point; at 395 miles (Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese 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
4
1 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
Gambell Street
Turn right onto Gambell Street
Navigation decision point
5
395 mi into trip
|
~23h 24m in
|
Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
657.6 mi into trip
|
~40h 24m in
|
Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau
Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
934.6 mi into trip
|
~48h 25m in
|
AK 7 / Tongass Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto AK 7 / Tongass Avenue
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat | 334.5 mi | 22h |
| Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau | 276.8 mi | 8h |
| Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat | 262.6 mi | 17h |
| Seward Highway | 47.1 mi | 57m |
| Portage Glacier Road | 5 mi | 7m |
| Portage Glacier Highway | 4.7 mi | 10m |
| Tongass Avenue | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| West Camp Road | 1.5 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
— 334.5 mi, about 22h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Anchorage, AK and Ketchikan, AK.
1
Start on this road
85 ft
·
8 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto West 4th Avenue
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West 4th Avenue
3
Turn right onto Gambell Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Gambell Street
4
Continue on AK 1
47 mi
·
57 min
·
Seward Highway
Use the none lane.
5
Turn left onto FFH 35
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Portage Glacier Road
6
Continue on Portage Glacier Highway
4.7 mi
·
10 min
·
Portage Glacier Highway
7
Continue on West Camp Road
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
West Camp Road
8
Turn right
169 ft
·
8 sec
9
Turn left
248 ft
·
4 sec
10
Turn straight onto Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
334 mi
·
22 hr
·
Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
11
Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
263 mi
·
17 hr
·
Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
12
Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau
277 mi
·
8 hr
·
Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau
13
Continue on Main Berth Ramp
197 ft
·
33 sec
·
Main Berth Ramp
14
Continue on Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road
15
At end of road, turn right onto AK 7
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Tongass Avenue
16
Turn right onto AK 7
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
Water Street
17
Turn right onto AK 7
400 ft
·
12 sec
·
Front Street
18
Turn right
8 ft
·
0 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To successfully navigate this 936.7-mile trek, prioritize a four-day schedule that allows for adequate rest during the 13 transitions. Since you are relying on the Alaska Marine Highway, ensure your departure times align strictly with ferry schedules, as these are not flexible like a standard road. Budgeting $204 for fuel is a helpful starting point, but keep additional funds available for the unique logistics of maritime travel. One concrete tip for this specific route is to prepare for the 334.5-mile stretch from Whittier to Yakutat by packing essential supplies, as you will be spending a significant amount of time on the water without access to standard roadside amenities. Staying organized with your ferry bookings will be the single most important factor in keeping your trip on track.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 4-day trip.
Plan roughly 13 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 468.3 miles from Anchorage, AK, or about 28h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 334.5 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 206 miles or 10h 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 468.3 miles or 28h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 234.2 miles or 12h 49m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 46h 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ketchikan, 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.
+
Treat this as a 4-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Anchorage, AK
Aim for roughly 234 miles and 12.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Keep the middle miles efficient
Aim for roughly 234 miles and 12.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 3
Keep the middle miles efficient
Aim for roughly 234 miles and 12.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 4
Finish the approach into Ketchikan, AK
Aim for roughly 234 miles and 12.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 206 miles from Anchorage, AK.
This route usually feels better as a 4-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 13 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat for about 334.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 468.3 mi from Anchorage, AK · 28h 8m into the drive
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
309 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
618 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Girdwood, AKOvernight Options
Night 1
234 mi · about 12.1h in
A practical overnight split lands near Eagle River, AK after about 234 miles or 12.1 hours of driving.
Find hotelsNight 2
468 mi · about 24.2h in
A practical overnight split lands near Girdwood, AK after about 468 miles or 24.2 hours of driving.
Find hotelsNight 3
703 mi · about 36.4h in
A practical overnight split lands near Girdwood, AK after about 703 miles or 36.4 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 206 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 468.3 miles from Anchorage, AK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 334.5 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 234 miles or 12.1 hours on the road.
Arriving in Ketchikan, AK
The final approach into Ketchikan, 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 Ketchikan, AK.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Ketchikan, AK with some flexibility left in the schedule.
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
$203.86 one way
$407.72 round trip
$5.53/gal
25.4 MPG avg
328 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.82 | $214.45 | $428.89 |
| premium | $6.02 | $222.08 | $444.16 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $208.10 | $416.20 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$204
Hotel (3n)
$240–$420
Meals
$100–$200
Total
$544–$824
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 327.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $98 in charging · 3 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 281 | 3 | $98.35 | $44.96 |
| Efficient EV | 234.2 | 2 | $81.96 | $37.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 374.7 | 4 | $131.14 | $59.95 |
Gas CO2
328 kg
EV CO2
110 kg (66% less)
Plan for 3 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.
Destination
Ketchikan, AK
Afternoon in Ketchikan on Sunday
Local time
12:38 PM
AKDT
Current temp
34°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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
4 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
48h 29m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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 Ketchikan, AK covers 936.7 miles and takes about 48h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat, Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau, Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 4-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 234 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 468.3 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 $203.86 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 13 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 936.7 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West 4th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles (Gambell Street): Navigation decision point; at 395 miles (Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
The route from Anchorage, AK to Ketchikan, AK does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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