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Trip from Thorne Bay, AK to Edna Bay, AK

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

2h 30m

Distance

45.2 mi

73 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$10

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min
4 AM
2h 20m ★
6 AM
2h 30m
8 AM
2h 51m
10 AM
2h 37m
12 PM
2h 35m
3 PM
2h 38m
5 PM
2h 49m
8 PM
2h 24m

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

Downtown Thorne Bay, AK, AK

Thorne Bay, AK

Mario Vogt

Downtown Edna Bay, AK, AK

Edna Bay, AK

zeynep ışık

Trip Overview

This 45.2-mile journey from Thorne Bay to Edna Bay in Alaska is a manageable, turn-heavy local drive that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect the trip to take approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, with a modest fuel cost of around $10. You'll primarily be navigating North Island Road, South Thorne Bay Road, and Sandy Beach Road. Given the relatively short distance and the character of the route, it's well-suited as a day trip without the need for an overnight stay. The entire drive stays within Alaska, offering a focused experience of the local terrain.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

22.6 miles from Thorne Bay, AK

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 2m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

The drive between Thorne Bay and Edna Bay is characterized by frequent turns, making it a rather engaging local experience rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as there's zero highway share. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 27.9 miles on North Island Road, offering a bit of open road before the route becomes more winding. This profile suggests a drive where you'll be actively steering and navigating, with the landscape likely unfolding in close proximity rather than sweeping vistas. Be prepared for a dynamic driving experience as you transition between the various local roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 6 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Island Road is the longest continuous segment at about 27.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Sandy Beach Road.

Route Complexity 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

The drive from Thorne Bay, AK to Edna Bay, AK is easy. At 2h 30m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

There is one spot that needs extra attention: at 0.1 miles (Sandy Beach Road): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

1 of 1 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

4
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Sandy Beach Road

Turn left onto Sandy Beach Road

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
North Island Road 27.9 mi 1h 47m
South Thorne Bay Road 16.9 mi 40m
Sandy Beach Road 0.4 mi 1m
Scenic View Drive <0.1 mi <1m
Freeman Drive <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: North Island Road — 27.9 mi, about 1h 47m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Thorne Bay, AK and Edna Bay, AK.

1

Start on Scenic View Drive

328 ft · 14 sec · Scenic View Drive
2

Turn slight right onto Freeman Drive

127 ft · 12 sec · Freeman Drive
3

Turn left onto Sandy Beach Road

0.4 mi · 1 min · Sandy Beach Road
4

Continue on South Thorne Bay Road

17 mi · 40 min · South Thorne Bay Road
5

Continue on North Island Road

28 mi · 1 hr 47 min · North Island Road
6

Arrive at destination

North Island Road

Trip Plan

For this 2-hour and 30-minute drive, leaving in the morning allows you to enjoy the daylight and still have ample time for exploration or relaxation upon arrival in Edna Bay. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of just $10, you have a lot of flexibility. Pay close attention to the road names mentioned, as navigating the turns on North Island Road, South Thorne Bay Road, and Sandy Beach Road will be key. Since the longest stretch is under 30 miles, you can easily adjust your pace and make spontaneous short stops if needed.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 22.6 miles from Thorne Bay, AK, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27.9 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 45.2 miles or 2h 30m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 22.6 miles or 1h 2m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 4m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Edna Bay, AK than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Thorne Bay, 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 Thorne Bay, AK

This is one driving day of about 45.2 miles and 2h 30m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Thorne Bay, 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 North Island Road for about 27.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 22.6 mi from Thorne Bay, AK · 1h 2m into the drive

Downtown Wrangell, AK, AK

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Wrangell, AK

23 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

Petersburg, AK

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 45.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Wrangell, AK

Meal break

The midpoint is around 22.6 miles from Thorne Bay, AK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Edna Bay, AK

The final approach into Edna 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 Edna Bay, AK.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$9.80 one way

$19.59 round trip

$5.51/gal 25.4 MPG avg 16 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.79 $10.30 $20.60
premium $5.98 $10.64 $21.28
diesel $5.61 $9.98 $19.96

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$10

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$35–$60

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 15.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 13.6 0 $4.75 $2.17
Efficient EV 11.3 0 $3.96 $1.81
EV Truck/SUV 18.1 0 $6.33 $2.89

Gas CO2

16 kg

EV CO2

5 kg (69% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Thorne Bay, AK

Morning in Thorne Bay on Wednesday

Local time

11:04 AM

AKDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Edna Bay, AK

Morning in Edna Bay on Wednesday

Local time

11:04 AM

AKDT

Current temp

48°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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

2h 30m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Thorne Bay, AK to Edna Bay, AK covers 45.2 miles and takes about 2h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Island Road, South Thorne Bay Road, Sandy Beach Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 22.6 miles from Thorne Bay, AK. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.80 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Thorne Bay, AK to Edna Bay, AK is easy. At 2h 30m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
There is one spot that needs extra attention: at 0.1 miles (Sandy Beach Road): Navigation decision point.
The route from Thorne Bay, AK to Edna Bay, AK does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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