Origin
Palmer, AK
Morning in Palmer on Friday
Local time
10:39 AM
AKDT
Current temp
24°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Palmer, AK to Haines, AK
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
49h 48m
Distance
779.1 mi
1,254 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
4-day trip
Fuel Cost
$169
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
49h 4m
★
6 AM
49h 48m
8 AM
51h 18m
10 AM
50h 20m
12 PM
50h 11m
3 PM
50h 24m
5 PM
51h 14m
8 PM
49h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Palmer, AK
Wikimedia Commons
Haines, AK
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Palmer, AK to Haines, AK covers 779.1 miles and takes about 49h 48m behind the wheel. It usually feels better as a 4-day road trip than as one long push.
The route leans on Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat, Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat, Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Haines for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is long-distance drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 334.5 miles on Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat. At current regular gas prices, budget about $168.86 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Best split across 4 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
14 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
389.5 miles from Palmer, AK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 21h 10m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Solo Traveler
49h 48m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Long-distance drive route profile.
Drive Character
At 779.1 miles and 49h 48m of driving, this is a route where fuel stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single turn. The main roads are Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat and Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 22 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 49h 48m, 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 West Evergreen Avenue.
Driving Effort
7/10
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 779.1 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 (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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West Evergreen Avenue
Turn left onto West Evergreen Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
AK 1 / Glenn Highway
Turn left onto AK 1 / Glenn Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
4
41.9 mi into trip
|
~52m in
|
AK 1 / Gambell Street
Turn left onto AK 1 / Gambell Street
Navigation decision point
5
435.9 mi into trip
|
~24h 13m in
|
Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
779.1 mi into trip
|
~49h 48m in
|
Dalton Street
Turn right onto Dalton Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat | 334.5 mi | 22h |
| Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat | 262.6 mi | 17h |
| Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Haines | 76.4 mi | 8h 29m |
| Seward Highway | 47.1 mi | 57m |
| Glenn Highway | 40.1 mi | 48m |
| Portage Glacier Road | 5 mi | 7m |
| Portage Glacier Highway | 4.7 mi | 10m |
| Lutak Road | 3.7 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
— 334.5 mi, about 22h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palmer, AK and Haines, AK.
1
Start on South Colony Way
12 ft
·
8 sec
·
South Colony Way
2
Turn left onto West Evergreen Avenue
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
West Evergreen Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Turn left onto AK 1
7.0 mi
·
10 min
·
Glenn Highway
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto AK 3
516 ft
·
6 sec
·
East Parks Highway
5
Continue on AK 1
33 mi
·
38 min
·
Glenn Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on AK 1
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
East 5th Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
Turn left onto AK 1
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Gambell Street
8
Continue on AK 1
47 mi
·
57 min
·
Seward Highway
9
Turn left onto FFH 35
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Portage Glacier Road
10
Continue on Portage Glacier Highway
4.7 mi
·
10 min
·
Portage Glacier Highway
11
Continue on West Camp Road
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
West Camp Road
12
Turn right
169 ft
·
8 sec
13
Turn left
248 ft
·
4 sec
14
Turn straight onto Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
334 mi
·
22 hr
·
Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
15
Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
263 mi
·
17 hr
·
Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
16
Turn left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Haines
76 mi
·
8 hr 29 min
·
Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Haines
17
Continue on Ferry Terminal - Haines {Lutak)
328 ft
·
6 sec
·
Ferry Terminal - Haines {Lutak)
18
Continue on this road
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
this road
19
Merge onto Lutak Road
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Lutak Road
20
Continue on 2nd Avenue
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
2nd Avenue
21
Turn right onto Dalton Street
49 ft
·
2 sec
·
Dalton Street
22
Arrive at destination
Dalton Street
Trip Plan
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 14 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 389.5 miles from Palmer, AK, or about 21h 10m 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 171 miles or 6h 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 389.5 miles or 21h 10m 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 194.8 miles or 8h 21m
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 43h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Haines, AK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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.
+
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 Palmer, AK
Aim for roughly 195 miles and 12.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Keep the middle miles efficient
Aim for roughly 195 miles and 12.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 3
Keep the middle miles efficient
Aim for roughly 195 miles and 12.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 4
Finish the approach into Haines, AK
Aim for roughly 195 miles and 12.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 171 miles from Palmer, AK.
This route usually feels better as a 4-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 14 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 389.5 mi from Palmer, AK · 21h 10m into the drive
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
257 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.
Overnight Options
Night 1
195 mi · about 12.5h in
A practical overnight split lands near Eagle River, AK after about 195 miles or 12.5 hours of driving.
Find hotelsNight 2
390 mi · about 24.9h in
A practical overnight split lands near Anchorage, AK after about 390 miles or 24.9 hours of driving.
Find hotelsNight 3
584 mi · about 37.4h in
A practical overnight split lands near Eagle River, AK after about 584 miles or 37.4 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 171 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Halfway reset
Meal breakThe midpoint is around 389.5 miles from Palmer, 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 195 miles or 12.5 hours on the road.
Arriving in Haines, AK
The final approach into Haines, 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 Haines, AK.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Haines, 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
$168.86 one way
$337.71 round trip
$5.51/gal
25.4 MPG avg
273 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.79 | $177.57 | $355.13 |
| premium | $5.98 | $183.43 | $366.85 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $172.02 | $344.03 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$169
Hotel (3n)
$240–$420
Meals
$100–$200
Total
$509–$789
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 272.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $82 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 233.7 | 2 | $81.81 | $37.40 |
| Efficient EV | 194.8 | 2 | $68.17 | $31.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 311.6 | 3 | $109.07 | $49.86 |
Gas CO2
273 kg
EV CO2
91 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Haines, AK
Morning in Haines on Friday
Local time
10:39 AM
AKDT
Current temp
76°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
52 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
49h 48m 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 Palmer, AK to Haines, AK covers 779.1 miles and takes about 49h 48m 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 - Juneau-Yakutat, Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Haines. 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 195 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 389.5 miles from Palmer, AK. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $168.86 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 14 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 779.1 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 (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.
The route from Palmer, AK to Haines, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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