Drive Time
5h 59m
Distance
267.5 mi
431 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$58
one way
Photo: Tima Miroshnichenko
The drive from Tanaina, AK to Homer, AK covers 267.5 miles and takes about 5h 59m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on AK 1, Seward Highway, Glenn Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 132 miles on AK 1. At current regular gas prices, budget about $58.22 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
133.8 miles from Tanaina, AK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 47m into the drive .
The drive from Tanaina, AK to Homer, AK covers 267.5 miles and takes about 5h 59m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
1,043 ft
Total Descent
1,437 ft
Highest Point
995 ft
~133.8 mi in
Elevation Range
964 ft
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Barra Loop.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 5h 59m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Barra Loop): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (East McAdoo Way): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (East Schrock Road): Navigation decision point.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto Barra Loop
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto East McAdoo Way
Navigation decision point
At end of road, turn right onto East Schrock Road
Navigation decision point
At end of road, turn left onto AK 3 / East Parks Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| AK 1 | 132 mi | 3h 10m |
| Seward Highway | 87.9 mi | 1h 45m |
| Glenn Highway | 33.1 mi | 38m |
| East Parks Highway | 8.2 mi | 11m |
| North Lucille Street | 3.1 mi | 6m |
| East 5th Avenue | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| Gambell Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| East Schrock Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Tanaina, AK and Homer, AK.
Start on Loch Ness Court
Turn left onto Barra Loop
Turn left onto East McAdoo Way
Turn right onto McCormick
At end of road, turn right onto East Schrock Road
Turn left onto North Lucille Street
Enter roundabout onto North Lucille Street
Continue on North Lucille Street
At end of road, turn left onto AK 3
Continue on AK 1
Continue on AK 1
Turn left onto AK 1
Continue on AK 1
Take the exit onto AK 1
Turn left onto Greatland Street
Turn left
Arrive at destination
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.
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 80 miles or 1h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.8 miles or 2h 47m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Homer, AK than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Tanaina, 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 Tanaina, AK
This is one driving day of about 267.5 miles and 5h 59m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 133.8 mi from Tanaina, AK · 2h 47m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
134 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 133.8 miles from Tanaina, AK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before AK 1 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 132 miles.
The final approach into Homer, 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 Homer, 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.
Regular Gas
$58.22 one way
$116.44 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.82 | $61.24 | $122.48 |
| premium | $6.02 | $63.42 | $126.84 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $59.43 | $118.86 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$58
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 80.3 | 0 | $28.09 | $12.84 |
| Efficient EV | 66.9 | 0 | $23.41 | $10.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 107 | 1 | $37.45 | $17.12 |
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Afternoon in Tanaina on Saturday
Local time
2:17 PM
AKDT
Current temp
30°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Afternoon in Homer on Saturday
Local time
2:17 PM
AKDT
Current temp
30°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
29°F
Girdwood, AK
134 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.
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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