Drive Time
51h 4m
Distance
863.6 mi
1,390 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
4-day trip
Fuel Cost
$188
one way
The drive from Sitka, AK to Tanaina, AK covers 863.6 miles and takes about 51h 4m 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 - Sitka-Juneau 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 $187.95 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
431.8 miles from Sitka, AK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 27h 16m into the drive .
At 863.6 miles and 51h 4m 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.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
493 ft
Total Descent
31 ft
Highest Point
493 ft
~863.6 mi in
Elevation Range
493 ft
At 51h 4m, 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 S-933 / Sawmill Creek Road.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 863.6 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 (S-933 / Sawmill Creek Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (F-99 / Halibut Point Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 160.8 miles (Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto S-933 / Sawmill Creek Road
Navigation decision point
Enter roundabout onto F-99 / Halibut Point Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Turn sharp left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Turn sharp left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Keep slight left at fork onto AK 3 / East Parks Highway toward Wasilla, Fairbanks
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat | 334.5 mi | 22h |
| Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat | 262.6 mi | 17h |
| Alaska Marine Highway - Sitka-Juneau | 153.9 mi | 9h 30m |
| Seward Highway | 47.2 mi | 58m |
| Glenn Highway | 33 mi | 38m |
| East Parks Highway | 8.3 mi | 11m |
| Halibut Point Road | 6.6 mi | 11m |
| Portage Glacier Road | 5 mi | 6m |
Step-by-step road directions between Sitka, AK and Tanaina, AK.
Start on Baranof Street
Turn left onto S-933
Enter roundabout onto F-99
Continue on F-99
Turn left
Turn straight onto Alaska Marine Highway - Sitka-Juneau
Turn sharp left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
Turn sharp left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
Continue
At end of road, turn right onto West Camp Road
Continue on West Camp Road
Continue on Portage Glacier Highway
Continue on FFH 35
Turn right onto AK 1
Continue on AK 1
Turn right onto AK 1
Continue on AK 1
Continue on AK 1
Keep slight left at fork onto AK 3
Turn right onto North Lucille Street
Enter roundabout onto North Lucille Street
Continue on North Lucille Street
At end of road, turn right onto East Schrock Road
Turn left onto McCormick
At end of road, turn left onto East McAdoo Way
Turn right onto Barra Loop
Turn right onto Loch Ness Court
Arrive at destination
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.
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 190 miles or 11h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 431.8 miles or 27h 16m 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 215.9 miles or 13h 17m
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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tanaina, AK than in the middle of the route.
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 216 miles and 12.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Keep the middle miles efficient
Aim for roughly 216 miles and 12.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 3
Keep the middle miles efficient
Aim for roughly 216 miles and 12.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 4
Finish the approach into Tanaina, AK
Aim for roughly 216 miles and 12.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 431.8 mi from Sitka, AK · 27h 16m into the drive
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
285 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.
Night 1
216 mi · about 12.8h in
A practical overnight split lands near Palmer, AK after about 216 miles or 12.8 hours of driving.
Find hotelsNight 2
432 mi · about 25.5h in
A practical overnight split lands near Anchorage, AK after about 432 miles or 25.5 hours of driving.
Find hotelsNight 3
648 mi · about 38.3h in
A practical overnight split lands near Palmer, AK after about 648 miles or 38.3 hours of driving.
Find hotelsA short stop after about 190 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Halfway reset
Meal breakThe midpoint is around 431.8 miles from Sitka, 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 216 miles or 12.8 hours on the road.
The final approach into Tanaina, 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 Tanaina, AK.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Tanaina, 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.
Regular Gas
$187.95 one way
$375.90 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.82 | $197.71 | $395.42 |
| premium | $6.02 | $204.75 | $409.50 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $191.86 | $383.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$188
Hotel (3n)
$240–$420
Meals
$100–$200
Total
$528–$808
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 302.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $91 in charging · 3 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 259.1 | 3 | $90.68 | $41.45 |
| Efficient EV | 215.9 | 2 | $75.57 | $34.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 345.4 | 4 | $120.90 | $55.27 |
Gas CO2
302 kg
EV CO2
101 kg (67% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Afternoon in Sitka on Saturday
Local time
2:17 PM
AKDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Sunny
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 11 at 4:52AM AKDT by NWS Juneau AK
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 11 at 2:15AM AKDT by NWS Fairbanks AK
Destination
Afternoon in Tanaina on Saturday
Local time
2:17 PM
AKDT
Current temp
43°F
Mostly Cloudy
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 11 at 4:52AM AKDT by NWS Juneau AK
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 11 at 2:15AM AKDT by NWS Fairbanks AK
Along the Route
26°F
Eagle River, AK
285 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.
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
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
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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