Origin
Palmer, AK
Late night in Palmer on Wednesday
Local time
1:42 AM
AKDT
Current temp
27°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Palmer, AK to Prudhoe Bay, AK
Data updated 3 hours ago
Drive Time
23h 6m
Distance
826.5 mi
1,330 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
3-day trip
Fuel Cost
$179
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
22h 46m
★
6 AM
23h 7m
8 AM
23h 48m
10 AM
23h 21m
12 PM
23h 17m
3 PM
23h 23m
5 PM
23h 46m
8 PM
22h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Palmer, AK
Wikimedia Commons
Prudhoe Bay, AK
John De Leon
Trip Overview
Embarking on the 826.5-mile journey from Palmer to Prudhoe Bay is a significant undertaking, requiring approximately 23 hours and 6 minutes of driving time. This long-distance expedition is best split over at least 3 recommended days to allow for a comfortable pace and necessary stops. The primary routes guiding you are the George Parks Highway, Elliott Highway, and the formidable Dalton Highway. With an estimated fuel cost of $179, this trip demands careful budgeting. This route offers a true Alaskan adventure, taking you from the south-central region all the way north.
Trip Pace
Best split across 3 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
6 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
413.2 miles from Palmer, AK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 8h 49m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This drive is characterized by its extensive use of the Dalton Highway, which makes up 100% of your highway driving on this route. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 415.8 miles on the Dalton Highway, presenting a significant test of endurance and vehicle preparedness. While the initial sections might offer a more conventional highway experience, the majority of your time will be spent on the rugged, remote Dalton Highway, a gravel and paved road known for its challenging conditions and isolation. Expect a raw, unpolished driving experience as you traverse this iconic Alaskan artery.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Dalton Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 415.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
At 23h 6m, 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.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 826.5 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 10.2 miles (AK 3 / East Parks Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 322.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 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
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.
5
322.1 mi into trip
|
~6h 33m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
328 mi into trip
|
~6h 41m in
|
AK 2 / Steese Highway
Turn left onto AK 2 / Steese Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
5
822 mi into trip
|
~22h 55m in
|
Spine Road
At end of road, turn right onto Spine Road
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dalton Highway | 415.8 mi | 14h 20m |
| George Parks Highway | 299.8 mi | 5h 58m |
| Elliott Highway | 68.1 mi | 1h 38m |
| East Palmer-Wasilla Highway | 9.5 mi | 15m |
| Steese Highway | 9.1 mi | 12m |
| East Parks Highway | 7.6 mi | 11m |
| West Parks Highway | 4.2 mi | 5m |
| Johansen Expressway | 4.2 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
Dalton Highway
— 415.8 mi, about 14h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palmer, AK and Prudhoe Bay, 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
300 mi
·
5 hr 58 min
·
George Parks Highway
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
10
Turn left onto Geist Road
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Geist Road
11
Continue on Johansen Expressway
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Johansen Expressway
Use the left lane.
12
Turn left onto AK 2
9.1 mi
·
12 min
·
Steese Highway
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
13
Continue on AK 2
68 mi
·
1 hr 38 min
·
Elliott Highway
14
Continue on AK 11
416 mi
·
14 hr 20 min
·
Dalton Highway
15
At end of road, turn right onto Colleen Lake Road
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Colleen Lake Road
16
At end of road, turn right onto Spine Road
3.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Spine Road
17
Keep slight right at fork
1.4 mi
·
3 min
18
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
this road
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 23-hour duration, it's essential to plan for at least three days of travel, utilizing the 6 planned stops to break up the 826.5 miles. Departing early in the morning each day will maximize daylight hours, especially considering the remote nature of the Dalton Highway. Be mindful of the longest stretch of 415.8 miles on the Dalton Highway and ensure you have ample fuel before entering it, as services are extremely limited. The $179 fuel cost is a significant factor, so research fuel availability and prices along your planned stops.
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 3-day trip.
Plan roughly 6 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 413.2 miles from Palmer, AK, or about 8h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 415.8 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 182 miles or 3h 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 413.2 miles or 8h 49m 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 275.5 miles or 5h 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 21h
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Prudhoe Bay, 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 3-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 276 miles and 7.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Keep the middle miles efficient
Aim for roughly 276 miles and 7.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 3
Finish the approach into Prudhoe Bay, AK
Aim for roughly 276 miles and 7.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 182 miles from Palmer, AK.
This route usually feels better as a 3-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 6 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Dalton Highway for about 415.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 413.2 mi from Palmer, AK · 8h 49m into the drive
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
273 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.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
545 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 Ester, AKOvernight Options
Night 1
276 mi · about 7.7h in
A practical overnight split lands near Healy, AK after about 276 miles or 7.7 hours of driving.
Find hotelsNight 2
551 mi · about 15.4h in
A practical overnight split lands near Ester, AK after about 551 miles or 15.4 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 182 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 413.2 miles from Palmer, AK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Dalton Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 415.8 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 276 miles or 7.7 hours on the road.
Arriving in Prudhoe Bay, AK
The final approach into Prudhoe Bay, 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 Prudhoe Bay, AK.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Prudhoe Bay, 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
$179.13 one way
$358.26 round trip
$5.51/gal
25.4 MPG avg
289 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.79 | $188.37 | $376.74 |
| premium | $5.98 | $194.59 | $389.17 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $182.48 | $364.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$179
Hotel (2n)
$160–$280
Meals
$75–$150
Total
$414–$609
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 289.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $87 in charging · 3 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 248 | 3 | $86.78 | $39.67 |
| Efficient EV | 206.6 | 2 | $72.32 | $33.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 330.6 | 4 | $115.71 | $52.90 |
Gas CO2
289 kg
EV CO2
97 kg (66% less)
Plan for 3 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
Prudhoe Bay, AK
Late night in Prudhoe Bay on Wednesday
Local time
1:42 AM
AKDT
Current temp
2°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
25 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
23h 6m 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 Prudhoe Bay, AK covers 826.5 miles and takes about 23h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dalton Highway, George Parks Highway, Elliott Highway. 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 3-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 276 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 413.2 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 $179.13 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 6 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 9 significant decision points across 826.5 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 10.2 miles (AK 3 / East Parks Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 322.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
The route from Palmer, AK to Prudhoe Bay, AK does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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