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Trip from Fairbanks, AK to Valdez, AK

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 15m

Distance

363.8 mi

585 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$79

one way

EV Charging

Sparse

1 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
7h 5m ★
6 AM
7h 15m
8 AM
7h 37m
10 AM
7h 23m
12 PM
7h 21m
3 PM
7h 24m
5 PM
7h 36m
8 PM
7h 9m

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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city in Alaska, USA

Fairbanks, AK

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Valdez, AK, AK

Valdez, AK

Rafael Paganotti

Trip Overview

The drive from Fairbanks, AK to Valdez, AK covers 363.8 miles and takes about 7h 15m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Richardson Highway, New Richardson Highway, East Egan Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 361.7 miles on Richardson Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $78.85 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

181.9 miles from Fairbanks, AK

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 37m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 15m. Total distance: 363.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 15m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

Expect a 7h 15m drive with frequent turns across 363.8 miles of local and secondary roads.

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.
Richardson Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 361.7 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 Noble Street.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 15m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 6 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Noble Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Airport Way): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (AK 2 / Richardson Highway): Navigation decision point.

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 | Noble Street

Turn right onto Noble Street

Navigation decision point

6
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | Airport Way

At end of road, turn left onto Airport Way

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.
4
0.4 mi into trip | ~1m in | AK 2 / Richardson Highway

Turn right onto AK 2 / Richardson Highway

Navigation decision point

6
95.2 mi into trip | ~1h 54m in | AK 4 / Richardson Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto AK 4 / Richardson Highway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
363.8 mi into trip | ~7h 15m in

Turn right

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Richardson Highway 361.7 mi 7h 11m
New Richardson Highway 1.1 mi 1m
East Egan Avenue 0.4 mi <1m
Airport Way 0.2 mi <1m
Noble Street 0.2 mi <1m
East Pioneer Drive 0.1 mi <1m
12th Avenue <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Richardson Highway — 361.7 mi, about 7h 11m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on 12th Avenue

436 ft · 21 sec · 12th Avenue
2

Turn right onto Noble Street

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Noble Street
3

At end of road, turn left onto Airport Way

0.2 mi · 33 sec · Airport Way
Use the straight / left lanes.
4

Turn right onto AK 2

6.6 mi · 8 min · Richardson Highway
5

Continue on AK 2

1.1 mi · 1 min · New Richardson Highway
6

Continue on AK 2

87 mi · 1 hr 42 min · Richardson Highway
7

Keep slight right at fork onto AK 4

268 mi · 5 hr 20 min · Richardson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Continue on AK 4

0.4 mi · 37 sec · East Egan Avenue
9

Turn right onto East Pioneer Drive

0.1 mi · 20 sec · East Pioneer Drive
10

Turn right

17 ft · 1 sec
11

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

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 181.9 miles from Fairbanks, AK, or about 3h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 361.7 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 80 miles or 1h 36m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 181.9 miles or 3h 37m 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 3m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Fairbanks, 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 Fairbanks, AK

This is one driving day of about 363.8 miles and 7h 15m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Fairbanks, 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 Richardson Highway for about 361.7 miles.

Nearby Places

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

Top Restaurant

Aurora Mediterranean Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Fairbanks, Alaska

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+19073280577

Visit website

The Crepery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Fairbanks, Alaska

0.4 mi

Soba

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Fairbanks, Alaska

0.4 mi

Top Coffee Stop

The Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Valdez, Alaska

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 363.8

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

+19078353720

Visit website

Klondike Coffee Drive Thru

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Valdez, Alaska

0.1 mi

Sipping Streams Tea Company

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Fairbanks, Alaska

1 mi

Aurora Mediterranean Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Fairbanks, Alaska

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+19073280577

Visit website

The Crepery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

Fairbanks, Alaska

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+19074509192

Visit website

Soba

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Fairbanks, Alaska

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+19074607622

Visit website

Jazz Bistro on 4th

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

Fairbanks, Alaska

Hours: 6–11 pm

+19073283663

Visit website

Thai House Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Fairbanks, Alaska

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+19074526123

Visit website

Nim's House of Thai Food

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Fairbanks, Alaska

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+19074562170

Bahn Thai

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Fairbanks, Alaska

Hours: 11 am–4 pm

+19074528424

Visit website

Hari Om Cuisine Of India

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Fairbanks, Alaska

Hours: 12–8 pm

+19073283218

Visit website

The Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 363.8

Valdez, Alaska

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

+19078353720

Visit website

Klondike Coffee Drive Thru

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 363.8

Valdez, Alaska

Hours: 4:30 am–7 pm

+19078353961

Visit website

Sipping Streams Tea Company

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately

Fairbanks, Alaska

Hours: 9 am–4:30 pm

+18558327487

Visit website

Bee Happy Coffee Company

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 259.8

Copper Center, Alaska

FLO Charging Station

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour

Fairbanks, Alaska

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Uncle Nicolai's Inn

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 259.8

Copper Center, Alaska

+19072593117

Visit website

Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 259.8

Copper Center, Alaska

+19078224000

Visit website

Gakona Lodge & Trading Post

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 233.8

Gakona, Alaska

+19078223482

Visit website

Fairbanks Children's Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Fairbanks, Alaska

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19073747060

Visit website

Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Fairbanks, Alaska

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+19074593700

Visit website

Moose Antler Arch

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Fairbanks, Alaska

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Discover Valdez

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 363.8

Valdez, Alaska

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+19078352984

Visit website

Fairbanks Ice Museum

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Fairbanks, Alaska

Hours: 12–6 pm

+19074518222

Visit website

Golden Heart Plaza

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Fairbanks, Alaska

Hours: 6 am–1 pm

Visit website

Escape Room AK

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Fairbanks, Alaska

Hours: 12–8:30 pm

+19077480660

Visit website

Fairbanks Alaska Public Lands Information Center

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Fairbanks, Alaska

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+19074593730

Visit website

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$78.85 one way

$157.69 round trip

$5.51/gal 25.4 MPG avg 127 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.79 $82.91 $165.83
premium $5.98 $85.65 $171.30
diesel $5.61 $80.32 $160.64

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$79

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$104–$129

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 127.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

1 DC fast chargers · Coverage: sparse

FLO Charging Station

Fairbanks, Alaska

FLO

1 DCFC

FLO: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 109.1 1 $38.20 $17.46
Efficient EV 91 1 $31.83 $14.55
EV Truck/SUV 145.5 1 $50.93 $23.28

Gas CO2

127 kg

EV CO2

43 kg (66% 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Fairbanks, AK

Evening in Fairbanks on Friday

Local time

7:58 PM

AKDT

Current temp

35°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Valdez, AK

Evening in Valdez on Friday

Local time

7:58 PM

AKDT

Current temp

29°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

6 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 15m 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 Fairbanks, AK to Valdez, AK covers 363.8 miles and takes about 7h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Richardson Highway, New Richardson Highway, East Egan Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 181.9 miles from Fairbanks, AK. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $78.85 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 15m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 6 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Noble Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Airport Way): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (AK 2 / Richardson Highway): Navigation decision point.

The route from Fairbanks, AK to Valdez, 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, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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