Haines, AK to Fairbanks, AK is 1095.9 miles and takes about 56h 12m via Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat, George Parks Highway, Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat, with a fuel budget near $238 and multiple days needed to complete. This journey spans across Alaska, offering a true sense of the state's vast interior and coastal access. With a recommended 4 days, you'll have ample time to experience this long-distance drive without feeling rushed. Prepare for a trip that requires careful planning due to its length and the unique transportation methods involved.
Trip Pace
Best split across 4 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
16 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
547.9 miles from Haines, AK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 39h 2m into the drive
.
Toward Wasilla, FairbanksUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on AK 3
4.2 mi·5 min·West Parks Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
22
Continue on AK 3
301 mi·6 hr·George Parks Highway
Use the straight lane.
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward East Airport WayUse the right lane.
24
Continue on Airport Way
3.5 mi·6 min·Airport Way
Use the left lane.
25
Turn left onto Cushman Street
0.1 mi·27 sec·Cushman Street
26
Turn right onto 12th Avenue
363 ft·15 sec·12th Avenue
27
Arrive at destination
12th Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 56h 12m duration, this trip is best split over the recommended 4 days to maximize your experience and minimize fatigue. Start your journey early in the day when possible, especially when transitioning to highway driving. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without services could be substantial, and fuel costs are estimated at $238. Planning your ferry reservations well in advance is crucial for this route, as availability can be limited.
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 16 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 547.9 miles from Haines, AK, or about 39h 2m 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 220 miles or 17h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 547.9 miles or 39h 2m 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 274 miles or 21h 5m
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 54h 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fairbanks, AK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
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Open the route before leaving Haines, 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.
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Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
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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 Haines, AK
Aim for roughly 274 miles and 14.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Keep the middle miles efficient
Aim for roughly 274 miles and 14.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 3
Keep the middle miles efficient
Aim for roughly 274 miles and 14.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 4
Finish the approach into Fairbanks, AK
Aim for roughly 274 miles and 14.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 220 miles from Haines, AK.
This route usually feels better as a 4-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 16 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 1091.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|2nd Avenue
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
80.9 mi into trip|~8h 35m in|Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
343.4 mi into trip|~25h 35m in|Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
Turn sharp left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
8
771.7 mi into trip|~49h 37m 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
1091.9 mi into trip|~56h 4m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$237.52 one way
$475.03 round trip
$5.51/gal25.4 MPG avg383 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.79
$249.77
$499.54
premium
$5.98
$258.01
$516.02
diesel
$5.61
$241.96
$483.92
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$238
Hotel (3n)
$240–$420
Meals
$100–$200
Total
$578–$858
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 383.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
4 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: sparse
Tesla Supercharger
Fairbanks, Alaska
Tesla
1 DCFC
FLO Charging Station
Fairbanks, Alaska
FLO
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Wasilla, Alaska
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Blink Charging Station
Wasilla, Alaska
Blink
1 DCFC
Tesla: 1
FLO: 1
ChargePoint: 1
Blink: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $115 in charging
· 4 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
328.8
4
$115.07
$52.60
Efficient EV
274
3
$95.89
$43.84
EV Truck/SUV
438.4
5
$153.43
$70.14
Gas CO2
383 kg
EV CO2
128 kg (67% less)
This is a long EV road trip requiring 4 charging stops. Plan your route around charger locations and allow extra time for charging.
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 Jun 23, 2022
Origin
Haines, AK
Morning
in Haines on Saturday
Local time
11:53 AM
AKDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fairbanks, AK
Morning
in Fairbanks on Saturday
Local time
11:53 AM
AKDT
Current temp
35°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
24°F
Palmer, AK
723 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.
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
41 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
56h 12m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Headlines screamed "Gold!" The dream of a better life catapulted thousands of people to Alaska and the Yukon Territory. Their journey shaped them, and changed the people they encountered and the north...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route presents a distinctive character, heavily influenced by its inclusion of the Alaska Marine Highway, which accounts for its 0% highway share. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 334.5 miles on the Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat, suggesting a significant ferry component. The George Parks Highway offers a more traditional driving experience in between ferry segments. Expect varied driving conditions, from open water travel to potentially remote highway stretches.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 27 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?
7/10
At 56h 12m, 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 2nd Avenue.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 1095.9 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 (2nd Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 80.9 miles (Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 343.4 miles (Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Haines, AK to Fairbanks, AK, road signs begin pointing toward Wasilla along the way.
Wasilla
771.7 mi in|~49h 37m|via AK 3
Who Is This Route For?
Solo Traveler
56h 12m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Long-distance drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Haines, AK to Fairbanks, AK covers 1095.9 miles and takes about 56h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat, George Parks Highway, 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 274 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 547.9 miles from Haines, AK. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $237.52 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 16 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 12 significant decision points across 1095.9 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 (2nd Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 80.9 miles (Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 343.4 miles (Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
On the drive from Haines, AK to Fairbanks, AK, road signs begin pointing toward Wasilla along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park.
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.
