Ketchikan to Kodiak is 1180.9 miles and takes about 57 hours 7 minutes via Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat, Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau, Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat, with a fuel budget near $256 and multiple overnight stays required. This extensive journey traverses the unique coastal landscapes of Alaska, connecting two significant Alaskan communities. With a recommended duration of 4 days, this trip is designed for those who appreciate a slow, immersive travel experience, prioritizing the journey itself over reaching the destination quickly. Expect a travel profile best described as a long-distance drive, where the primary mode of transport involves ferry services.
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
590.4 miles from Ketchikan, AK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 28h 18m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Solo Traveler
57h 7m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Long-distance drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This route is characterized by its significant reliance on the Alaska Marine Highway system, meaning you'll spend a considerable amount of time on ferries rather than traditional paved roads. With a 0% highway share, this is a truly unique driving experience. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 334.5 miles on the Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat segment. The character of this drive is shaped by the ferry system, offering a blend of the open water and the coastal access points it connects.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 17 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?
At 57h 7m, 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.
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 11 significant decision points across 1180.9 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: 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 11 key points
These 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
279.1 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
5
541.7 mi into trip|~25h 6m in|Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
Turn sharp left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
876.2 mi into trip|~47h 6m in|Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Chenega Bay
Turn sharp left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Chenega Bay
Given the 57-hour 7-minute duration and 1180.9-mile distance, splitting this trip over the recommended 4 days is essential for a comfortable experience. Plan your ferry departures carefully, as schedules are crucial for this journey. Keep an eye on your fuel budget, estimated at $256, although ferry travel might alter traditional fuel consumption patterns. Ensure you are prepared for the extended time at sea and at various stops, with 16 planned stops offering opportunities for rest and resupply.
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 590.4 miles from Ketchikan, AK, or about 28h 18m 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 590.4 miles or 28h 18m 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 295.2 miles or 9h 8m
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 55h 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kodiak, AK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
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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.
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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 Ketchikan, AK
Aim for roughly 295 miles and 14.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Keep the middle miles efficient
Aim for roughly 295 miles and 14.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 3
Keep the middle miles efficient
Aim for roughly 295 miles and 14.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 4
Finish the approach into Kodiak, AK
Aim for roughly 295 miles and 14.3 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 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.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 590.4 mi from Ketchikan, AK
· 28h 18m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$255.94 one way
$511.88 round trip
$5.51/gal25.4 MPG avg413 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.79
$269.14
$538.29
premium
$5.98
$278.02
$556.05
diesel
$5.61
$260.73
$521.46
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$256
Hotel (3n)
$240–$420
Meals
$100–$200
Total
$596–$876
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 413.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $124 in charging
· 4 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
354.3
4
$123.99
$56.68
Efficient EV
295.2
3
$103.33
$47.24
EV Truck/SUV
472.4
5
$165.33
$75.58
Gas CO2
413 kg
EV CO2
138 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Ketchikan, AK
Morning
in Ketchikan on Friday
Local time
8:33 AM
AKDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kodiak, AK
Morning
in Kodiak on Friday
Local time
8:33 AM
AKDT
Current temp
43°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
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
57h 7m 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 Kodiak, AK covers 1180.9 miles and takes about 57h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat, Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau, 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 295 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 590.4 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 $255.94 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 11 significant decision points across 1180.9 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: 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.
The route from Ketchikan, AK to Kodiak, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
