Origin
North Pole, AK
Afternoon in North Pole on Sunday
Local time
12:39 PM
AKDT
Current temp
19°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from North Pole, AK to Ketchikan, AK
Drive Time
55h 57m
Distance
1307 mi
2,103 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
4-day trip
Fuel Cost
$284
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
55h 7m
★
6 AM
55h 57m
8 AM
57h 38m
10 AM
56h 33m
12 PM
56h 23m
3 PM
56h 38m
5 PM
57h 33m
8 PM
55h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
North Pole, AK
John De Leon
Ketchikan, AK
Luke Miller
Trip Overview
Embarking on the 1,307-mile journey from North Pole to Ketchikan is a significant undertaking that requires careful planning. Covering this distance takes approximately 55 hours and 57 minutes, making it impossible to complete as a day trip. You will navigate via AK 3 before transitioning to the Alaska Marine Highway system, specifically the Whittier-Yakutat and Juneau-Ketchikan segments. Budgeting roughly $284 for fuel is essential for this multi-leg expedition. Because this route spans vast stretches of Alaska, you should plan for at least four days on the road to maintain a manageable pace. It is a serious commitment that blends inland driving with ferry travel, so ensure your vehicle is prepped for the long haul.
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
653.5 miles from North Pole, AK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 23h 30m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a diverse driving experience that shifts from standard highway pavement to maritime transit. Only 25% of this route consists of traditional highways, meaning much of your travel involves the Alaska Marine Highway. You will face a longest single stretch of 334.5 miles on the Whittier-Yakutat ferry leg, which provides a stark contrast to the inland segments on AK 3. The road’s personality is defined by these transitions between asphalt and water, requiring you to remain attentive to ferry schedules and boarding procedures. This is not a monotonous interstate drive; instead, it is a technical route that demands patience as you navigate through different modes of Alaskan transportation.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 30 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
2,183 ft
0 ft
Total Climb
1,711 ft
Total Descent
2,183 ft
Highest Point
2,183 ft
~163.4 mi in
Elevation Range
2,183 ft
Notable High Points
2,183 ft at ~163.4 miles
+1,066 ft prominence
How Hard Is This Drive?
At 55h 57m, 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 Snowman Lane.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 1307 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 (Snowman Lane): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (North Santa Claus Lane): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.9 miles (AK 2 / Richardson Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Snowman Lane
Turn right onto Snowman Lane
Navigation decision point
5
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
North Santa Claus Lane
Enter roundabout onto North Santa Claus Lane
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
0.9 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
AK 2 / Richardson Highway
Merge onto AK 2 / Richardson Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
11.9 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
AK 3
Take the exit onto AK 3
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
765.4 mi into trip
|
~30h 52m in
|
Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat | 334.5 mi | 22h |
| AK 3 | 325 mi | 6h 34m |
| Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau | 276.8 mi | 8h |
| Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat | 262.6 mi | 17h |
| Seward Highway | 47.1 mi | 57m |
| Glenn Highway | 33.1 mi | 38m |
| Richardson Highway | 11 mi | 13m |
| Portage Glacier Road | 5 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
— 334.5 mi, about 22h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Pole, AK and Ketchikan, AK.
1
Start on Fourth Avenue
196 ft
·
10 sec
·
Fourth Avenue
2
Turn right onto Snowman Lane
146 ft
·
11 sec
·
Snowman Lane
3
Turn left onto 4th Avenue
348 ft
·
17 sec
·
4th Avenue
4
Turn right onto South Santa Claus Lane
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
South Santa Claus Lane
5
Enter roundabout onto North Santa Claus Lane
120 ft
·
2 sec
·
North Santa Claus Lane
6
Continue on North Santa Claus Lane
465 ft
·
9 sec
·
North Santa Claus Lane
7
Turn slight left onto Badger Road
442 ft
·
12 sec
·
Badger Road
8
Continue on Badger Road
85 ft
·
1 sec
·
Badger Road
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
10
Merge onto AK 2
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Richardson Highway
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit onto AK 3
325 mi
·
6 hr 34 min
·
AK 3
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Continue on AK 1
33 mi
·
38 min
·
Glenn Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on AK 1
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
East 5th Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
14
Turn left onto AK 1
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Gambell Street
15
Continue on AK 1
47 mi
·
57 min
·
Seward Highway
16
Turn left onto FFH 35
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Portage Glacier Road
17
Continue on Portage Glacier Highway
4.7 mi
·
10 min
·
Portage Glacier Highway
18
Continue on West Camp Road
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
West Camp Road
19
Turn right
169 ft
·
8 sec
20
Turn left
248 ft
·
4 sec
21
Turn straight onto Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
334 mi
·
22 hr
·
Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
22
Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
263 mi
·
17 hr
·
Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
23
Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau
277 mi
·
8 hr
·
Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau
24
Continue on Main Berth Ramp
197 ft
·
33 sec
·
Main Berth Ramp
25
Continue on Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road
26
At end of road, turn right onto AK 7
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Tongass Avenue
27
Turn right onto AK 7
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
Water Street
28
Turn right onto AK 7
400 ft
·
12 sec
·
Front Street
29
Turn right
8 ft
·
0 sec
30
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To tackle this 15-stop itinerary effectively, prioritize a flexible schedule that accounts for the specific timing of the Alaska Marine Highway ferries. Since the total transit time is nearly 56 hours, breaking the trip into four days is the most practical way to manage fatigue. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially when preparing for ferry transfers where services may be limited. Before you depart, verify your boarding times for the Whittier-Yakutat segment, as this 334.5-mile stretch is the most critical leg of your journey. Always carry extra supplies for your vehicle, as the remote nature of this route makes self-sufficiency your best asset while traveling between regions.
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 653.5 miles from North Pole, AK, or about 23h 30m 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 4h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 653.5 miles or 23h 30m 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 326.8 miles or 6h 37m
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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ketchikan, AK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving North Pole, 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 North Pole, AK
Aim for roughly 327 miles and 14 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Keep the middle miles efficient
Aim for roughly 327 miles and 14 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 3
Keep the middle miles efficient
Aim for roughly 327 miles and 14 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 4
Finish the approach into Ketchikan, AK
Aim for roughly 327 miles and 14 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 220 miles from North Pole, 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 653.5 mi from North Pole, AK · 23h 30m into the drive
Early stop town
Coffee and fuel
327 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.
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
654 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
980 mi into the route
Best for: Food, fuel, and one last short break
This is a smart final reset before the arrival run into Ketchikan, AK.
Overnight Options
Night 1
327 mi · about 14h in
A practical overnight split lands near Ester, AK after about 327 miles or 14 hours of driving.
Find hotelsNight 2
654 mi · about 28h in
A practical overnight split lands near Willow, AK after about 654 miles or 28 hours of driving.
Find hotelsNight 3
980 mi · about 42h in
A practical overnight split lands near Palmer, AK after about 980 miles or 42 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 220 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 653.5 miles from North Pole, AK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 334.5 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 327 miles or 14 hours on the road.
Arriving in Ketchikan, AK
The final approach into Ketchikan, 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 Ketchikan, AK.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Ketchikan, 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
$284.45 one way
$568.91 round trip
$5.53/gal
25.4 MPG avg
457 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.82 | $299.22 | $598.44 |
| premium | $6.02 | $309.87 | $619.74 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $290.37 | $580.74 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$284
Hotel (3n)
$240–$420
Meals
$100–$200
Total
$624–$904
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 457.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $137 in charging · 4 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 392.1 | 4 | $137.23 | $62.74 |
| Efficient EV | 326.8 | 3 | $114.36 | $52.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 522.8 | 6 | $182.98 | $83.65 |
Gas CO2
457 kg
EV CO2
153 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.
Destination
Ketchikan, AK
Afternoon in Ketchikan on Sunday
Local time
12:39 PM
AKDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
27°F
Palmer, AK
980 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
15 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
55h 57m 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 North Pole, AK to Ketchikan, AK covers 1307 miles and takes about 55h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat, AK 3, 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 327 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 653.5 miles from North Pole, AK. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $284.45 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 1307 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 (Snowman Lane): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (North Santa Claus Lane): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.9 miles (AK 2 / Richardson Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from North Pole, AK to Ketchikan, AK does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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