Drive Time
3h 38m
Distance
163.8 mi
264 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
The drive from Eagle River, AK to Ridgeway, AK covers 163.8 miles and takes about 3h 38m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Seward Highway, AK 1, Glenn Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 87.9 miles on Seward Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $35.65 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
81.9 miles from Eagle River, AK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 41m into the drive .
The drive from Eagle River, AK to Ridgeway, AK covers 163.8 miles and takes about 3h 38m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Old Glenn Highway.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Eagle River, AK to Ridgeway, AK is easy. At 3h 38m with 35% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Old Glenn Highway): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (AK 1 / Glenn Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.1 miles (AK 1 / Gambell Street): Navigation decision point.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
At end of road, turn left onto Old Glenn Highway
Navigation decision point
Merge onto AK 1 / Glenn Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto AK 1 / Gambell Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto Churchill Avenue
Navigation decision point
Turn right
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Seward Highway | 87.9 mi | 1h 45m |
| AK 1 | 57.1 mi | 1h 23m |
| Glenn Highway | 12 mi | 13m |
| Kenai Spur Highway | 3.4 mi | 6m |
| East 5th Avenue | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| Gambell Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Old Glenn Highway | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Churchill Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Eagle River, AK and Ridgeway, AK.
Start on Monte Road
At end of road, turn left onto Old Glenn Highway
Continue on Artillery Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto AK 1
Continue on AK 1
Turn left onto AK 1
Continue on AK 1
Take the exit onto AK 1
Turn right onto Kenai Spur Highway
Turn left onto Churchill Avenue
Turn right
Arrive at destination
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.
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 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.9 miles or 1h 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 2h 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ridgeway, AK than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Eagle River, 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 Eagle River, AK
This is one driving day of about 163.8 miles and 3h 38m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 81.9 mi from Eagle River, AK · 1h 41m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
82 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 81.9 miles from Eagle River, AK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Seward Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 87.9 miles.
The final approach into Ridgeway, 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 Ridgeway, AK.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$35.65 one way
$71.30 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.82 | $37.50 | $75.00 |
| premium | $6.02 | $38.83 | $77.67 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $36.39 | $72.78 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.1 | 0 | $17.20 | $7.86 |
| Efficient EV | 41 | 0 | $14.33 | $6.55 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 65.5 | 0 | $22.93 | $10.48 |
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Afternoon in Eagle River on Saturday
Local time
2:17 PM
AKDT
Current temp
26°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Afternoon in Ridgeway on Saturday
Local time
2:17 PM
AKDT
Current temp
27°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
27°F
Palmer, AK
82 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Eagle River, AK or browse trips ending in Ridgeway, AK.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AK road trips.
Explore maps for Eagle River, AK or Ridgeway, AK on MapSof.net.
