Trip from Wasilla, AK to Eagle River, AK

Drive Time

30m

Distance

29.3 mi

47 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$6

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 7 min
4 AM
0h 28m ★
6 AM
0h 30m
8 AM
0h 35m
10 AM
0h 32m
12 PM
0h 32m
3 PM
0h 32m
5 PM
0h 35m
8 PM
0h 29m

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

Downtown Wasilla, AK, AK

Wasilla, AK

Tima Miroshnichenko

Downtown Eagle River, AK, AK

Eagle River, AK

John De Leon

Trip Overview

Connecting Wasilla to Eagle River is a straightforward 29.3-mile journey that typically takes about 30 minutes behind the wheel. Because the duration is so brief, this trip is perfectly suited for a single-day outing, requiring no overnight stays. You will primarily navigate via East Parks Highway and the Glenn Highway before reaching the Eagle River area. With a fuel budget of roughly $6, it is an affordable and efficient transit between these two Alaskan communities. Whether you are commuting or heading out for local errands, the simplicity of this route makes it a practical choice for any traveler.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

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

Midpoint

14.6 miles from Wasilla, AK

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 15m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive as you transition between major roads. While the route covers less than 30 miles, the constant changes in direction require your full attention compared to a monotonous interstate stretch. You will find that the character of the road shifts as you merge from the East Parks Highway onto the Glenn Highway, eventually reaching your destination. Because the highway share is 0 percent, you should prepare for a driving experience that prioritizes local navigation over high-speed, long-distance cruising. Stay alert through the various segments, as the technical nature of the turns keeps the drive engaging from start to finish.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 9 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East Parks Highway is one of the defining roads on this drive.

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.

Route Complexity 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

The drive from Wasilla, AK to Eagle River, AK is easy. At 30m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Wasilla, AK to Eagle River, AK is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
East Parks Highway Unavailable Refreshing
Glenn Highway Unavailable Refreshing
Eagle River Unavailable Refreshing
Artillery Road Unavailable Refreshing
Artillery Rd (DETOUR) Unavailable Refreshing
Old Glenn Highway Unavailable Refreshing
Monte Road Unavailable Refreshing

Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.

Longest stretch: East Parks Highway — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Wasilla, AK and Eagle River, AK.

1

Start on Main Street

16 ft · 8 sec · Main Street
2

Turn left onto East Parks Highway

7.9 mi · 10 min · East Parks Highway
3

Continue on Glenn Highway

21 mi · 23 min · Glenn Highway
4

Take the exit slight right toward Eagle River

0.3 mi · 38 sec · Eagle River
5

Turn left onto Artillery Road

0.1 mi · 23 sec · Artillery Road
6

Continue on Artillery Rd (DETOUR)

361 ft · 11 sec · Artillery Rd (DETOUR)
7

Continue on Old Glenn Highway

0.1 mi · 19 sec · Old Glenn Highway
8

Turn right onto Monte Road

413 ft · 14 sec · Monte Road
9

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

Since this is a quick 30-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to worry about planning for multiple stops or long-distance rest breaks given the short distance. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before you leave Wasilla, though $6 should easily cover the cost of the trip under normal conditions. One concrete tip for this specific drive is to stay focused on the turn-heavy sections of the local roads, as they require more active steering than a standard highway route. Use the brevity of this drive to your advantage by keeping your schedule open for whatever you have planned upon arrival in Eagle River.

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 14.6 miles from Wasilla, AK, or about 15m into the drive.

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 29.3 miles or 30m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 14.6 miles or 15m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 25m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Wasilla, 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 Wasilla, AK

This is one driving day of about 29.3 miles and 30m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Wasilla, AK.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 14.6 mi from Wasilla, AK · 15m into the drive

Downtown Palmer, AK, AK

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Palmer, AK

15 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

Meadow Lakes, AK

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 29.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Palmer, AK

Meal break

The midpoint is around 14.6 miles from Wasilla, AK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Eagle River, AK

The final approach into Eagle River, 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 Eagle River, 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

$6.38 one way

$12.75 round trip

$5.53/gal 25.4 MPG avg 10 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.82 $6.71 $13.42
premium $6.02 $6.95 $13.89
diesel $5.64 $6.51 $13.02

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$6

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$31–$56

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 10.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 8.8 0 $3.08 $1.41
Efficient EV 7.3 0 $2.56 $1.17
EV Truck/SUV 11.7 0 $4.10 $1.88

Gas CO2

10 kg

EV CO2

3 kg (70% 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.

Origin

Wasilla, AK

Afternoon in Wasilla on Sunday

Local time

2:06 PM

AKDT

Current temp

31°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Eagle River, AK

Afternoon in Eagle River on Sunday

Local time

2:06 PM

AKDT

Current temp

26°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

27°F

Palmer, AK

15 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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

5 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

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 Wasilla, AK to Eagle River, AK covers 29.3 miles and takes about 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East Parks Highway, Glenn Highway, Eagle River. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 14.6 miles from Wasilla, AK. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.38 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.
The drive from Wasilla, AK to Eagle River, AK is easy. At 30m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Wasilla, AK to Eagle River, AK is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Wasilla, AK to Eagle River, AK does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Eagle River, AK to Wasilla, AK

Plan the drive back the other way.

29.3 mi 30m

Explore more options from Wasilla, AK or browse trips ending in Eagle River, AK.

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