Trip from Ketchikan, AK to Fairbanks, AK

Drive Time

55h 43m

Distance

1294.2 mi

2,083 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

4-day trip

Fuel Cost

$282

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 150 min

4 AM

54h 53m ★

6 AM

55h 43m

8 AM

57h 23m

10 AM

56h 18m

12 PM

56h 8m

3 PM

56h 23m

5 PM

57h 18m

8 PM

55h 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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Ketchikan, AK

Luke Miller

Fairbanks, AK

John De Leon

Trip Overview

Embarking on the 1,294.2-mile journey from Ketchikan to Fairbanks is a significant undertaking that requires careful planning. Covering this distance takes approximately 55 hours and 43 minutes of travel time, necessitating a minimum of four days to complete safely. You will rely heavily on the Alaska Marine Highway system, specifically the segments connecting Ketchikan to Juneau and Whittier to Yakutat, before transitioning to the George Parks Highway. Budgeting at least $282 for fuel is essential for this multi-regional trek across Alaska. Because this trip involves complex logistics and long hours, it is certainly not a day trip; instead, view it as a major expedition that demands a well-prepared vehicle and a flexible schedule.

Trip Pace

Best split across 4 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

15 planned breaks

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

Midpoint

647.1 miles from Ketchikan, AK

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 32h 1m into the drive .

Drive Character

This route offers a unique blend of maritime travel and traditional highway driving, as it features no traditional highway share percentage. You will face a significant shift in driving conditions, moving from ferry transit to the George Parks Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is the 334.5-mile segment along the Alaska Marine Highway between Whittier and Yakutat. Expect a mix of technical logistics and open-road driving as you navigate these varied transit modes. Staying attentive is vital, as the transition from water-based travel to the mainland road system requires constant adjustments to your pace and focus behind the wheel.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 28 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.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

2,341 ft 0 ft

Total Climb

2,347 ft

Total Descent

2,005 ft

Highest Point

2,341 ft

~1132.4 mi in

Elevation Range

2,341 ft

Notable High Points

2,341 ft at ~1132.4 miles +950 ft prominence

How Hard Is This Drive?

At 55h 43m, 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 around 0.1 miles in near AK 7 / Water Street.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 1294.2 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: at 0.1 miles (AK 7 / Water Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles (Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road): Navigation decision point; at 279.1 miles (Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

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

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | AK 7 / Water Street

At end of road, turn right onto AK 7 / Water Street

Navigation decision point

2.3 mi into trip | ~5m in | Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road

Turn left onto Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road

Navigation decision point

279.1 mi into trip | ~8h 6m in | Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat

Turn sharp left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

970 mi into trip | ~49h 8m 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

1290.2 mi into trip | ~55h 35m 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

Towns Along This Route

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

Wasilla

970 mi in | ~49h 8m | via AK 3

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat	334.5 mi	22h
George Parks Highway	301.4 mi	6h
Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau	276.8 mi	8h
Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat	262.6 mi	17h
Seward Highway	47.2 mi	58m
Glenn Highway	33 mi	38m
East Parks Highway	14.5 mi	20m
Portage Glacier Road	5 mi	6m

Longest stretch: Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat — 334.5 mi, about 22h

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on this road

0.1 mi · 34 sec · this road

At end of road, turn right onto AK 7

218 ft · 11 sec · Water Street

Continue on Water Street

0.4 mi · 37 sec · Water Street

Turn left onto AK 7

1.6 mi · 3 min · Tongass Avenue

Turn left

128 ft · 5 sec

Turn right

428 ft · 37 sec

Turn left onto Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road

468 ft · 40 sec · Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road

Turn straight onto Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau

277 mi · 8 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau

Turn sharp left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat

263 mi · 17 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat

Turn sharp left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat

334 mi · 22 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat

Continue

374 ft · 7 sec

At end of road, turn right onto West Camp Road

173 ft · 9 sec · West Camp Road

Continue on West Camp Road

1.4 mi · 2 min · West Camp Road

Continue on Portage Glacier Highway

4.7 mi · 10 min · Portage Glacier Highway

Continue on FFH 35

5.0 mi · 6 min · Portage Glacier Road

Turn right onto AK 1

47 mi · 58 min · Seward Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on AK 1

1.0 mi · 2 min · Ingra Street

Turn right onto AK 1

0.4 mi · 56 sec · East 6th Avenue

Continue on AK 1

1.0 mi · 1 min · East 5th Avenue

Continue on AK 1

33 mi · 38 min · Glenn Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

Continue on AK 3

4.2 mi · 5 min · West Parks Highway

Use the left / straight lanes.

Continue on AK 3

301 mi · 6 hr · George Parks Highway

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec

Toward East Airport Way Use the right lane.

Continue on Airport Way

3.5 mi · 6 min · Airport Way

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto Cushman Street

0.1 mi · 27 sec · Cushman Street

Turn right onto 12th Avenue

363 ft · 15 sec · 12th Avenue

Arrive at destination

12th Avenue

Trip Plan

With 15 stops scheduled throughout the trek, pacing is the most important factor in your success. Aim to split the 1,294.2-mile distance into manageable chunks over your four recommended days to avoid driver fatigue. Since your fuel costs will hover around $282, keep a close eye on your gauge and top off whenever you reach a major stop. Because of the reliance on the Alaska Marine Highway, ensure your ferry reservations are confirmed well in advance, as these segments are the backbone of your journey. Always carry extra supplies for the 334.5-mile stretches where services may be limited, ensuring you are fully self-sufficient between your major waypoints.

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 15 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 647.1 miles from Ketchikan, AK, or about 32h 1m 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 6h 23m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 647.1 miles or 32h 1m 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 323.5 miles or 10h 58m

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 28m

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 Ketchikan, 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 Ketchikan, AK

Aim for roughly 324 miles and 13.9 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Keep the middle miles efficient

Aim for roughly 324 miles and 13.9 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 3

Keep the middle miles efficient

Aim for roughly 324 miles and 13.9 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 4

Finish the approach into Fairbanks, AK

Aim for roughly 324 miles and 13.9 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 220 miles from Ketchikan, AK.

This route usually feels better as a 4-day drive than as one long push.

Plan about 15 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 647.1 mi from Ketchikan, AK · 32h 1m into the drive

Early stop town

Coffee and fuel

Wasilla, AK

324 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.

Popular next leg

Wasilla, AK to Ester, AK

306.6 mi · 6h 9m

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Willow, AK

647 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 Willow, AK

Late stop town

Final reset

Ester, AK

971 mi into the route

Best for: Food, fuel, and one last short break

This is a smart final reset before the arrival run into Fairbanks, AK.

Overnight Options

Night 1

Wasilla, AK

324 mi · about 13.9h in

A practical overnight split lands near Wasilla, AK after about 324 miles or 13.9 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Night 2

Willow, AK

647 mi · about 27.9h in

A practical overnight split lands near Willow, AK after about 647 miles or 27.9 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Night 3

Ester, AK

971 mi · about 41.8h in

A practical overnight split lands near Ester, AK after about 971 miles or 41.8 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Petersburg, AK

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 220 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cordova, AK

Meal break

The midpoint is around 647.1 miles from Ketchikan, AK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 334.5 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 324 miles or 13.9 hours on the road.

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.

On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Fairbanks, 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

$281.67 one way

$563.33 round trip

$5.53/gal 25.4 MPG avg 453 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.82	$296.29	$592.58
premium	$6.02	$306.84	$613.67
diesel	$5.64	$287.53	$575.05

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$282

Hotel (3n)

$240–$420

Meals

$100–$200

Total

$622–$902

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 452.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $136 in charging · 4 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	388.3	4	$135.89	$62.12
Efficient EV	323.6	3	$113.24	$51.77
EV Truck/SUV	517.7	6	$181.19	$82.83

Gas CO2

453 kg

EV CO2

151 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Ketchikan, AK

Afternoon in Ketchikan on Sunday

Local time

12:40 PM

AKDT

Current temp

34°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Fairbanks, AK

Afternoon in Fairbanks on Sunday

Local time

12:40 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.

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

10 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

55h 43m 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 Ketchikan, AK to Fairbanks, AK covers 1294.2 miles and takes about 55h 43m 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 - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau. 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 324 miles on day one.

The midpoint is about 647.1 miles from Ketchikan, AK. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $281.67 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 15 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

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

Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 0 ft to 2,341 ft elevation with about 2,347 ft of total climbing. There is 1 notable high point along the way.

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Trip from Ketchikan, AK to Fairbanks, AK

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

Elevation Profile

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Overnight Options

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Fairbanks, AK

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Ketchikan, AK

Fairbanks, AK

Same local time

10 degrees cooler at arrival

55h 43m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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