Origin
Sitka, AK
Afternoon in Sitka on Sunday
Local time
4:29 PM
AKDT
Current temp
30°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sitka, AK to Kenai, AK
Drive Time
52h 19m
Distance
1157.8 mi
1,863 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
4-day trip
Fuel Cost
$252
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
51h 32m
★
6 AM
52h 19m
8 AM
53h 53m
10 AM
52h 52m
12 PM
52h 43m
3 PM
52h 57m
5 PM
53h 49m
8 PM
51h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sitka, AK
Tima Miroshnichenko
Kenai, AK
Tima Miroshnichenko
Trip Overview
Traveling from Sitka to Kenai is an ambitious 1,157.8-mile journey that requires careful planning, as it is not a standard day trip. Expect to spend roughly 52 hours and 19 minutes behind the wheel, making this a significant commitment that spans four recommended travel days. Your route begins on local paths like Sawmill Creek Road and Halibut Point Road before transitioning to the Alaska Marine Highway for the connection between Sitka and Juneau. With an estimated fuel cost of $252, you should budget accordingly for the long distance ahead. This trek is best viewed as a multi-stage expedition rather than a simple commute, requiring you to navigate both local roads and maritime ferry segments across the Alaska region.
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
578.9 miles from Sitka, AK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 26h 9m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a unique driving experience that shifts gears from local Sitka corridors to the specialized logistics of the Alaska Marine Highway. Because this route involves ferry travel, the highway share is 0%, meaning you will not be contending with typical high-speed interstate grinds. Navigating these 1,157.8 miles requires patience as you manage 14 distinct stops along the way. The road’s personality is defined by its hybrid nature, blending essential local infrastructure with the transit requirements of the marine ferry system. Prepare for a slower, more deliberate pace that focuses on connectivity rather than highway speed.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Sawmill Creek Road is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
At 52h 19m, 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.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 0 significant decision points across 1157.8 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?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Sitka, AK to Kenai, AK is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Sawmill Creek Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Halibut Point Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Alaska Marine Highway - Sitka-Juneau | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Camp Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Portage Glacier Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Portage Glacier Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Sawmill Creek Road
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sitka, AK and Kenai, AK.
1
Start on Baranof Street
220 ft
·
15 sec
·
Baranof Street
2
Turn left onto Sawmill Creek Road
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Sawmill Creek Road
3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Halibut Point Road
59 ft
·
1 sec
·
Halibut Point Road
4
Exit the roundabout onto Halibut Point Road
6.6 mi
·
11 min
·
Halibut Point Road
5
Turn left
0.1 mi
·
48 sec
6
Turn straight onto Alaska Marine Highway - Sitka-Juneau
154 mi
·
9 hr 30 min
·
Alaska Marine Highway - Sitka-Juneau
7
Turn sharp left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
263 mi
·
17 hr
·
Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
8
Turn sharp left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
334 mi
·
22 hr
·
Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
9
Continue straight
374 ft
·
7 sec
10
At the end of the road, turn right onto West Camp Road
174 ft
·
9 sec
·
West Camp Road
11
Continue on West Camp Road
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
West Camp Road
12
Continue on Portage Glacier Highway
4.7 mi
·
10 min
·
Portage Glacier Highway
13
Continue on Portage Glacier Road
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Portage Glacier Road
14
At the end of the road, turn left onto Seward Highway
41 mi
·
47 min
·
Seward Highway
15
Take the exit slight right
58 mi
·
1 hr 26 min
16
Turn right onto Kalifornsky Beach Road
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Kalifornsky Beach Road
17
Turn right onto Bridge Access Road
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Bridge Access Road
18
Turn left onto Kenai Spur Highway
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Kenai Spur Highway
19
Turn left onto Broad Street
92 ft
·
6 sec
·
Broad Street
20
Turn right onto Frontage Road
466 ft
·
20 sec
·
Frontage Road
21
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Given the 52-hour duration, your best strategy is to break this trip into four manageable segments to avoid fatigue. Start your departure early each morning to stay ahead of the 14 stops required to complete the journey. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $252 budget is just an estimate and costs can fluctuate depending on your specific vehicle and local availability. Since the route relies on the Alaska Marine Highway, confirm your ferry reservations well in advance to ensure your vehicle makes the transition between Sitka and Juneau. Staying flexible with your schedule is essential, as the maritime portion of your drive is subject to nautical timetables rather than just road conditions.
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 578.9 miles from Sitka, AK, or about 26h 9m into the drive.
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 9h 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 578.9 miles or 26h 9m 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 289.4 miles or 13h 4m
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 49h 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kenai, AK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Sitka, 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 Sitka, AK
Aim for roughly 289 miles and 13.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Keep the middle miles efficient
Aim for roughly 289 miles and 13.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 3
Keep the middle miles efficient
Aim for roughly 289 miles and 13.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 4
Finish the approach into Kenai, AK
Aim for roughly 289 miles and 13.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 220 miles from Sitka, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 578.9 mi from Sitka, AK · 26h 9m into the drive
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
382 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
764 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 Anchorage, AKOvernight Options
Night 1
289 mi · about 13.1h in
A practical overnight split lands near Girdwood, AK after about 289 miles or 13.1 hours of driving.
Find hotelsNight 2
579 mi · about 26.2h in
A practical overnight split lands near Eagle River, AK after about 579 miles or 26.2 hours of driving.
Find hotelsNight 3
868 mi · about 39.2h in
A practical overnight split lands near Anchorage, AK after about 868 miles or 39.2 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 578.9 miles from Sitka, AK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 289 miles or 13.1 hours on the road.
Final-third reset
Rest stopPlan one more short stretch-and-water break in the final third of the drive so the last arrival window feels easier.
Arriving in Kenai, AK
The final approach into Kenai, 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 Kenai, AK.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Kenai, AK with some flexibility left in the schedule.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$251.98 one way
$503.96 round trip
$5.53/gal
25.4 MPG avg
405 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.82 | $265.06 | $530.13 |
| premium | $6.02 | $274.50 | $549.00 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $257.22 | $514.45 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$252
Hotel (3n)
$240–$420
Meals
$100–$200
Total
$592–$872
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 405.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $122 in charging · 4 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 347.3 | 4 | $121.57 | $55.57 |
| Efficient EV | 289.5 | 3 | $101.31 | $46.31 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 463.1 | 5 | $162.09 | $74.10 |
Gas CO2
405 kg
EV CO2
135 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
Kenai, AK
Afternoon in Kenai on Sunday
Local time
4:29 PM
AKDT
Current temp
27°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
3 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
52h 19m 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 Sitka, AK to Kenai, AK covers 1157.8 miles and takes about 52h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Sawmill Creek Road, Halibut Point Road, Alaska Marine Highway - Sitka-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 289 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 578.9 miles from Sitka, AK. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $251.98 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 0 significant decision points across 1157.8 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.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Sitka, AK to Kenai, AK is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Sitka, AK to Kenai, AK does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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