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Trip from Palmer, AK to Healy, AK

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 35m

Distance

220 mi

354 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$48

one way

EV Charging

Good

7 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 22m ★
6 AM
4h 35m
8 AM
5h 2m
10 AM
4h 45m
12 PM
4h 42m
3 PM
4h 46m
5 PM
5h 1m
8 PM
4h 27m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Alaska, USA

Palmer, AK

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Healy, AK, AK

Healy, AK

Tima Miroshnichenko

Trip Overview

The drive from Palmer, AK to Healy, AK covers 220 miles and takes about 4h 35m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on George Parks Highway, East Palmer-Wasilla Highway, East Parks Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 195.1 miles on George Parks Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $47.68 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

110 miles from Palmer, AK

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 20m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 35m. Total distance: 220 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile.

Drive Character

Expect a 4h 35m drive with frequent turns across 220 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 9 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
George Parks Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 195.1 miles.

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 early in the drive near West Evergreen Avenue.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 4h 35m drive. You will face about 4 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (West Evergreen Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles (East Palmer-Wasilla Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.2 miles (AK 3 / East Parks Highway): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

4 of 4 key points

These 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.
3
0.7 mi into trip | ~1m in | East Palmer-Wasilla Highway

Turn straight onto East Palmer-Wasilla Highway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
4
10.2 mi into trip | ~16m in | AK 3 / East Parks Highway

Turn right onto AK 3 / East Parks Highway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
4
217.2 mi into trip | ~4h 29m in | Healy Spur Road

Turn right onto Healy Spur Road

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
George Parks Highway 195.1 mi 3h 54m
East Palmer-Wasilla Highway 9.5 mi 15m
East Parks Highway 7.6 mi 11m
West Parks Highway 4.2 mi 5m
Healy Spur Road 2.9 mi 5m
East Palmer Wasilla Highway 0.4 mi 1m
West Evergreen Avenue 0.3 mi <1m
South Colony Way <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: George Parks Highway — 195.1 mi, about 3h 54m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Palmer, AK and Healy, 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

Continue on East Palmer Wasilla Highway

0.4 mi · 1 min · East Palmer Wasilla Highway
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
4

Turn straight onto East Palmer-Wasilla Highway

9.5 mi · 15 min · East Palmer-Wasilla Highway
Use the straight lane.
5

Turn right onto AK 3

7.6 mi · 11 min · East Parks Highway
Use the right lane.
6

Continue on AK 3

4.2 mi · 5 min · West Parks Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
7

Continue on AK 3

195 mi · 3 hr 54 min · George Parks Highway
Use the straight lane.
8

Turn right onto Healy Spur Road

2.9 mi · 5 min · Healy Spur Road
9

Arrive at destination

Healy Spur Road

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 110 miles from Palmer, AK, or about 2h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 195.1 miles.

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 48 miles or 1h 5m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 110 miles or 2h 20m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 45m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Healy, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Palmer, AK

This is one driving day of about 220 miles and 4h 35m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Palmer, AK.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on George Parks Highway for about 195.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 110 mi from Palmer, AK · 2h 20m into the drive

Downtown Willow, AK, AK

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Willow, AK

110 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Meadow Lakes, AK

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Willow, AK

Meal break

The midpoint is around 110 miles from Palmer, AK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Healy, AK

The final approach into Healy, 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 Healy, AK.

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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Vagabond Blues

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Palmer, Alaska

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+19077452233

Visit website

Palmer Alehouse

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Palmer, Alaska

0.2 mi

La Fiesta Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Palmer, Alaska

0 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Purple Moose Espresso

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Palmer, Alaska

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 5:30 am–7 pm

+19077463949

Visit website

Alauda Coffeehouse

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Palmer, Alaska

0.1 mi

The Art Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Palmer, Alaska

0.4 mi

Vagabond Blues

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+19077452233

Visit website

Palmer Alehouse

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $20 to $30

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+19077462537

Visit website

La Fiesta Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0 mi from route $10 to $20

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+19077463335

Visit website

Turkey Red

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $20 to $30

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+19077465544

Visit website

Bleeding Heart Brewery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 2–8 pm

+19077462421

Visit website

The Fern AK

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+19077453376

Visit website

Garcia's Grill & KM

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0 mi from route $10 to $20

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 11 am–5 pm

+19077452676

Visit website

AK Best Philly's

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+19077458778

Visit website

Purple Moose Espresso

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 5:30 am–7 pm

+19077463949

Visit website

Alauda Coffeehouse

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+19079821600

The Art Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 11 am–6 pm

+19077456100

Visit website

Brew HaHa

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 5:30 am–6 pm

+19077457847

Visit website

Dead Horse Donuts

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+19079829911

Visit website

Lekker Coffee and Baking Co.

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+19073091613

Perkup Espresso

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 4 am–7 pm

+19077464365

Visit website

Starbucks Coffee Company

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+19077614200

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route

Palmer, Alaska

ReCharge Alaska Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 188.6

Denali National Park and Preserve, AK

Hours: Open 24 hours

+17208331479

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 78.6

Trapper Creek, Alaska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

EvGateway Charging Station

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 220

Healy, Alaska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+17208331479

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 15.7

Wasilla, Alaska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EvGateway Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 78.6

Trapper Creek, Alaska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19499452000

Visit website

Matanuska Brewery and Tap Room, Palmer

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $20 to $30

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 11:30 am–8 pm

+19077452337

Visit website

Poppy Lane

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+19079829215

Visit website

The Palmer Bar and Grill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0 mi from route $20 to $30

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 11:30 am–12 pm

+19077453041

Visit website

Palmer Visitor Information Center

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+19077467668

Visit website

Chai Medicinals

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0 mi from route

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 1–6 pm

+19077079843

Visit website

Museum of Alaska Transportation

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 15.7

Wasilla, Alaska

Hours: 11 am–4 pm

+19073761211

Visit website

Upscale Stay • Hot Tub • Steps to Dining/Coffee

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Palmer, Alaska

Visit website

Denali Visitor Center

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 204.3

Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska

Hours: 8:30 am–6 pm

+19076839532

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$47.68 one way

$95.36 round trip

$5.51/gal 25.4 MPG avg 77 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.79 $50.14 $100.28
premium $5.98 $51.80 $103.59
diesel $5.61 $48.57 $97.15

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$48

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$73–$98

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 77 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 66 0 $23.10 $10.56
Efficient EV 55 0 $19.25 $8.80
EV Truck/SUV 88 1 $30.80 $14.08

Gas CO2

77 kg

EV CO2

26 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Palmer, AK

Morning in Palmer on Friday

Local time

7:29 AM

AKDT

Current temp

24°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Healy, AK

Morning in Healy on Friday

Local time

7:29 AM

AKDT

Current temp

25°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.

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

1 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

4h 35m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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 Healy, AK covers 220 miles and takes about 4h 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are George Parks Highway, East Palmer-Wasilla Highway, East Parks Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 110 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 $47.68 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

This is a straightforward 4h 35m drive. You will face about 4 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (West Evergreen Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles (East Palmer-Wasilla Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.2 miles (AK 3 / East Parks Highway): Lane positioning matters here.

The route from Palmer, AK to Healy, 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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