Drive Time
1h 40m
Distance
79.3 mi
128 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
The drive from Palmer, AK to Girdwood, AK covers 79.3 miles and takes about 1h 40m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Glenn Highway, Seward Highway, East 5th Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 40.1 miles on Glenn Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $17.26 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
39.6 miles from Palmer, AK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .
Expect a 1h 40m drive with frequent turns across 79.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West Evergreen Avenue.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Palmer, AK to Girdwood, AK is easy. At 1h 40m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West Evergreen Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (AK 1 / Glenn Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 41.9 miles (AK 1 / Gambell Street): Navigation decision point.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto West Evergreen Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto AK 1 / Glenn Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto AK 1 / Gambell Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto Gold Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto Dawson Street
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Glenn Highway | 40.1 mi | 48m |
| Seward Highway | 36 mi | 44m |
| East 5th Avenue | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| Gambell Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| West Evergreen Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East Parks Highway | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Main Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Dawson Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Palmer, AK and Girdwood, AK.
Start on South Colony Way
Turn left onto West Evergreen Avenue
Turn left onto AK 1
Merge onto AK 3
Continue on AK 1
Continue on AK 1
Turn left onto AK 1
Continue on AK 1
Turn left onto Main Street
Turn right onto Gold Street
Turn left onto Dawson Street
Arrive at destination
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 79.3 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.6 miles or 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Girdwood, AK than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Palmer, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Palmer, AK
This is one driving day of about 79.3 miles and 1h 40m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 39.6 mi from Palmer, AK · 48m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
40 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 79.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 39.6 miles from Palmer, AK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Girdwood, 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 Girdwood, AK.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$17.26 one way
$34.52 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.82 | $18.15 | $36.31 |
| premium | $6.02 | $18.80 | $37.60 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $17.62 | $35.24 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.8 | 0 | $8.33 | $3.81 |
| Efficient EV | 19.8 | 0 | $6.94 | $3.17 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.7 | 0 | $11.10 | $5.08 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Afternoon in Palmer on Saturday
Local time
1:09 PM
AKDT
Current temp
27°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Afternoon in Girdwood on Saturday
Local time
1:09 PM
AKDT
Current temp
29°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
26°F
Eagle River, AK
40 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.
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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