Origin
Ketchikan, AK
Afternoon in Ketchikan on Sunday
Local time
12:39 PM
AKDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ketchikan, AK to Juneau, AK
Drive Time
8h 22m
Distance
291.9 mi
470 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$64
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
8h 15m
★
6 AM
8h 23m
8 AM
8h 38m
10 AM
8h 28m
12 PM
8h 27m
3 PM
8h 29m
5 PM
8h 37m
8 PM
8h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ketchikan, AK
Luke Miller
Juneau, AK
Albert Koenig
Trip Overview
Traveling between Ketchikan and Juneau covers 291.9 miles and requires approximately 8 hours and 22 minutes of travel time. Because this route relies on the Alaska Marine Highway, it functions differently than a standard road trip and is best approached as a two-day journey rather than a single-day push. You should budget roughly $64 for fuel to cover this distance, though you will spend the vast majority of your travel time on the water. This transit connects two major hubs in the Alaska region, serving as a vital link for those navigating the state’s rugged coastal geography. Given the nature of the marine transit, planning ahead is essential to ensure a smooth transition between your departure and arrival points.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
145.9 miles from Ketchikan, AK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 14m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is defined by a turn-heavy local driving profile that departs significantly from the typical interstate experience. With 0% of the route categorized as traditional highway, you will spend your time navigating the Alaska Marine Highway for a staggering 276.8-mile stretch. Once you reach the destination area, you will transition onto Egan Drive and Glacier Highway to reach your final stop. Expect a slower, more technical pace as you move through these coastal corridors. The lack of standard highway miles means the driving experience is highly specialized, requiring constant focus rather than the monotonous cruising found on mainland thoroughfares.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau is the longest continuous segment at about 276.8 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
62 ft
0 ft
Total Climb
62 ft
Total Descent
29 ft
Highest Point
62 ft
~279.7 mi in
Elevation Range
62 ft
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 AK 7 / Water Street.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
The route itself is not hard, but at 8h 22m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 10 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
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 279.2 miles (AK 7 / Glacier Highway): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
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
5
2.3 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road
Turn left onto Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road
Navigation decision point
5
279.2 mi into trip
|
~8h 6m in
|
AK 7 / Glacier Highway
At end of road, turn right onto AK 7 / Glacier Highway
Navigation decision point
5
291.3 mi into trip
|
~8h 21m in
|
Highland Drive
Turn left onto Highland Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
291.8 mi into trip
|
~8h 22m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau | 276.8 mi | 8h |
| Egan Drive | 8.1 mi | 10m |
| Glacier Highway | 4 mi | 4m |
| Tongass Avenue | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Glacier Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Water Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| West 9th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau
— 276.8 mi, about 8h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ketchikan, AK and Juneau, AK.
1
Start on this road
0.1 mi
·
34 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto AK 7
218 ft
·
11 sec
·
Water Street
3
Continue on Water Street
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
Water Street
4
Turn left onto AK 7
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Tongass Avenue
5
Turn left
128 ft
·
5 sec
6
Turn right
428 ft
·
37 sec
7
Turn left onto Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road
468 ft
·
40 sec
·
Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road
8
Turn straight onto Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau
277 mi
·
8 hr
·
Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau
9
Continue
382 ft
·
7 sec
10
At end of road, turn right onto AK 7
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Glacier Highway
11
Enter roundabout onto AK 7
61 ft
·
0 sec
·
Glacier Highway
12
Continue on AK 7
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Glacier Highway
13
Turn straight onto AK 7
8.1 mi
·
10 min
·
Egan Drive
14
Turn left onto Highland Drive
336 ft
·
6 sec
·
Highland Drive
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto Glacier Avenue
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
Glacier Avenue
16
Turn left onto West 9th Street
359 ft
·
12 sec
·
West 9th Street
17
Turn right
32 ft
·
2 sec
18
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 8-hour and 22-minute transit, prioritize a two-day schedule to avoid fatigue and manage your 2 required stops effectively. Since the longest stretch spans 276.8 miles, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before boarding the ferry, as you will have limited opportunities to top off your tank while in transit. Depart early in the day to take full advantage of the daylight hours, especially when navigating the final stretches on Egan Drive and Glacier Highway. A key tip for this specific route is to closely monitor your ferry schedule, as the marine portion dictates your entire arrival timeline. Flexibility is your biggest asset here, so keep a close eye on weather reports that could impact travel across these coastal waters.
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 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 145.9 miles from Ketchikan, AK, or about 4h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 276.8 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 80 miles or 2h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 145.9 miles or 4h 14m 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 145.9 miles or 4h 14m
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 6h 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Juneau, 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 2-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 146 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Juneau, AK
Aim for roughly 146 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ketchikan, AK.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau for about 276.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 145.9 mi from Ketchikan, AK · 4h 14m into the drive
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
146 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 Haines, AKOvernight Options
Night 1
146 mi · about 4.2h in
A practical overnight split lands near Haines, AK after about 146 miles or 4.2 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 145.9 miles from Ketchikan, AK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 276.8 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 146 miles or 4.2 hours on the road.
Arriving in Juneau, AK
The final approach into Juneau, 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 Juneau, AK.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Juneau, 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
$63.53 one way
$127.06 round trip
$5.53/gal
25.4 MPG avg
102 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.82 | $66.83 | $133.65 |
| premium | $6.02 | $69.21 | $138.41 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $64.85 | $129.70 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$64
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$194–$304
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 87.6 | 1 | $30.65 | $14.01 |
| Efficient EV | 73 | 0 | $25.54 | $11.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 116.8 | 1 | $40.87 | $18.68 |
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Juneau, AK
Afternoon in Juneau on Sunday
Local time
12:39 PM
AKDT
Current temp
30°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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
8h 22m 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 Juneau, AK covers 291.9 miles and takes about 8h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau, Egan Drive, Glacier Highway. 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 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 146 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 145.9 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 $63.53 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 8h 22m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 10 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
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 279.2 miles (AK 7 / Glacier Highway): Navigation decision point.
The route from Ketchikan, AK to Juneau, AK does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 0 ft to 62 ft elevation with about 62 ft of total climbing.
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