Origin
Wasilla, AK
Afternoon in Wasilla on Sunday
Local time
3:24 PM
AKDT
Current temp
31°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Wasilla, AK to Palmer, AK
Drive Time
17m
Distance
13.3 mi
21 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 16m
★
6 AM
0h 17m
8 AM
0h 20m
10 AM
0h 18m
12 PM
0h 18m
3 PM
0h 19m
5 PM
0h 20m
8 PM
0h 16m
★
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wasilla, AK
Tima Miroshnichenko
Palmer, AK
Engin Akyurt
Trip Overview
Connecting Wasilla and Palmer, this quick 13.3-mile journey is a straightforward transit across the heart of Alaska's Mat-Su Borough. Expect to spend about 17 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stops. You will primarily navigate via East Parks Highway and East Palmer-Wasilla Highway to complete the transit between these two communities. With fuel costs estimated at $3, this is an incredibly budget-friendly drive that remains accessible for any traveler. Whether you are running errands or moving between regional hubs, the short duration offers total flexibility for your schedule.
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
6.6 miles from Wasilla, AK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 8m into the drive .
Drive Character
This 13.3-mile path functions as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise. Because the highway share is 0%, you should prepare for a series of transitions between local roads rather than long, uninterrupted stretches of open pavement. The route demands your full attention as you maneuver through the specific intersections connecting East Parks Highway to the East Palmer-Wasilla Highway. You will find that the road maintains a practical, functional character consistent with daily regional travel. It is a no-frills transition that gets you from point A to point B efficiently.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 7 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 Palmer, AK is easy. At 17m 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 Palmer, AK is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Parks Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Palmer-Wasilla Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Palmer Wasilla Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Evergreen Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Colony Way | 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 Palmer, AK.
1
Start on Main Street
16 ft
·
8 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn left onto East Parks Highway
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
East Parks Highway
3
Turn left onto East Palmer-Wasilla Highway
9.6 mi
·
15 min
·
East Palmer-Wasilla Highway
4
Continue on East Palmer Wasilla Highway
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
East Palmer Wasilla Highway
5
Continue on West Evergreen Avenue
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
West Evergreen Avenue
6
Turn right onto South Colony Way
13 ft
·
South Colony Way
7
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since the entire drive takes only 17 minutes, you have the advantage of being able to depart whenever your schedule allows without worrying about complex timing or fatigue. Keep in mind that because this is a turn-heavy route, you should map out your turns on the East Palmer-Wasilla Highway ahead of time to stay on course. You will not need to plan for any stops along the way, allowing for a direct and seamless transit. If you are budget-conscious, the $3 fuel estimate makes this an easy trip to manage without needing to worry about refueling mid-route. Staying alert at the local intersections is your best strategy for a smooth arrival in Palmer.
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 6.6 miles from Wasilla, AK, or about 8m 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 13.3 miles or 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 6.6 miles or 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Palmer, 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 13.3 miles and 17m.
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 6.6 mi from Wasilla, AK · 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
7 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 13.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 6.6 miles from Wasilla, AK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Palmer, AK
The final approach into Palmer, 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 Palmer, 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
$2.89 one way
$5.79 round trip
$5.53/gal
25.4 MPG avg
5 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.82 | $3.04 | $6.09 |
| premium | $6.02 | $3.15 | $6.31 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $2.95 | $5.91 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4 | 0 | $1.40 | $0.64 |
| Efficient EV | 3.3 | 0 | $1.16 | $0.53 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 5.3 | 0 | $1.86 | $0.85 |
Gas CO2
5 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (60% 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.
Destination
Palmer, AK
Afternoon in Palmer on Sunday
Local time
3:24 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.
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
4 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
17m 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 Palmer, AK covers 13.3 miles and takes about 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East Parks Highway, East Palmer-Wasilla Highway, East Palmer Wasilla Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 6.6 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 $2.89 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 Palmer, AK is easy. At 17m 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 Palmer, AK is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Wasilla, AK to Palmer, AK does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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