Origin
Wasilla, AK
Late night in Wasilla on Wednesday
Local time
1:42 AM
AKDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Wasilla, AK to Prudhoe Bay, AK
Data updated 3 hours ago
Drive Time
22h 48m
Distance
815.2 mi
1,312 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
3-day trip
Fuel Cost
$177
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
22h 28m
★
6 AM
22h 48m
8 AM
23h 29m
10 AM
23h 2m
12 PM
22h 58m
3 PM
23h 5m
5 PM
23h 27m
8 PM
22h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wasilla, AK
Wikimedia Commons
Prudhoe Bay, AK
John De Leon
Trip Overview
Embark on an extensive 815.2-mile journey from Wasilla to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, a trip that will take approximately 22 hours and 48 minutes to complete. This long-distance drive is best split over at least 3 recommended days, so don't plan on doing it all in one go. You'll primarily be traveling on the Dalton Highway and George Parks Highway. With an estimated fuel cost of $177, budgeting for gas is essential. The route involves 6 planned stops, offering opportunities to break up the extensive mileage. This drive traverses the vast Alaskan landscape, connecting two points within the same state but offering a stark contrast in environments.
Trip Pace
Best split across 3 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
6 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
407.6 miles from Wasilla, AK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 8h 42m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This route is defined by its extensive use of the Dalton Highway, which accounts for the entirety of your driving on this road type. You'll experience a significant stretch of 415.8 miles on the Dalton Highway, representing the longest uninterrupted segment of your journey. The overall profile is that of a long-distance drive, with a 100% highway share. Expect a mix of conditions as you transition between highways, but the character leans towards remote and expansive, with long stretches where services are sparse. The personality of this drive is one of endurance and immersion in the Alaskan wilderness.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Dalton Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 415.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
At 22h 48m, 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 AK 3 / East Parks Highway.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 7 significant decision points across 815.2 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 (AK 3 / East Parks Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 310.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 316.7 miles (AK 2 / Steese Highway): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
AK 3 / East Parks Highway
Turn left onto AK 3 / East Parks Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
310.7 mi into trip
|
~6h 14m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
316.7 mi into trip
|
~6h 22m in
|
AK 2 / Steese Highway
Turn left onto AK 2 / Steese Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
4
809.7 mi into trip
|
~22h 34m in
|
Colleen Lake Road
At end of road, turn right onto Colleen Lake Road
Navigation decision point
5
810.6 mi into trip
|
~22h 37m in
|
Spine Road
At end of road, turn right onto Spine Road
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dalton Highway | 415.8 mi | 14h 20m |
| George Parks Highway | 299.8 mi | 5h 58m |
| Elliott Highway | 68.1 mi | 1h 38m |
| Steese Highway | 9.1 mi | 12m |
| East Parks Highway | 6.5 mi | 9m |
| West Parks Highway | 4.2 mi | 5m |
| Johansen Expressway | 4.2 mi | 5m |
| Spine Road | 3 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
Dalton Highway
— 415.8 mi, about 14h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wasilla, AK and Prudhoe Bay, AK.
1
Start on Main Street
26 ft
·
8 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn left onto AK 3
6.5 mi
·
9 min
·
East Parks Highway
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on AK 3
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
West Parks Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Continue on AK 3
300 mi
·
5 hr 58 min
·
George Parks Highway
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
7
Turn left onto Geist Road
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Geist Road
8
Continue on Johansen Expressway
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Johansen Expressway
Use the left lane.
9
Turn left onto AK 2
9.1 mi
·
12 min
·
Steese Highway
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on AK 2
68 mi
·
1 hr 38 min
·
Elliott Highway
11
Continue on AK 11
416 mi
·
14 hr 20 min
·
Dalton Highway
12
At end of road, turn right onto Colleen Lake Road
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Colleen Lake Road
13
At end of road, turn right onto Spine Road
3.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Spine Road
14
Keep slight right at fork
1.4 mi
·
3 min
15
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
this road
16
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 22-hour and 48-minute duration, planning for at least 3 days is crucial for this 815.2-mile trip. Aim to start your days early to maximize daylight and cover significant ground. You'll encounter 6 stops along the way, so pace yourself and utilize these for rest and refueling. A key consideration is the longest stretch of 415.8 miles on the Dalton Highway; ensure you have ample fuel before entering this section, as services are extremely limited. The estimated fuel cost is $177, so factor this into your overall budget.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 3-day trip.
Plan roughly 6 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 407.6 miles from Wasilla, AK, or about 8h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 415.8 miles.
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 179 miles or 3h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 407.6 miles or 8h 42m 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 271.7 miles or 5h 27m
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 20h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Prudhoe Bay, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 3-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Wasilla, AK
Aim for roughly 272 miles and 7.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Keep the middle miles efficient
Aim for roughly 272 miles and 7.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 3
Finish the approach into Prudhoe Bay, AK
Aim for roughly 272 miles and 7.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 179 miles from Wasilla, AK.
This route usually feels better as a 3-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 6 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Dalton Highway for about 415.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 407.6 mi from Wasilla, AK · 8h 42m into the drive
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
269 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.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
538 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Ester, AKOvernight Options
Night 1
272 mi · about 7.6h in
A practical overnight split lands near Healy, AK after about 272 miles or 7.6 hours of driving.
Find hotelsNight 2
543 mi · about 15.2h in
A practical overnight split lands near Ester, AK after about 543 miles or 15.2 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 179 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 407.6 miles from Wasilla, AK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Dalton Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 415.8 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 272 miles or 7.6 hours on the road.
Arriving in Prudhoe Bay, AK
The final approach into Prudhoe 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 Prudhoe Bay, AK.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Prudhoe Bay, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$176.68 one way
$353.36 round trip
$5.51/gal
25.4 MPG avg
285 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.79 | $185.79 | $371.59 |
| premium | $5.98 | $191.93 | $383.85 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $179.99 | $359.97 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$177
Hotel (2n)
$160–$280
Meals
$75–$150
Total
$412–$607
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 285.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $86 in charging · 3 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 244.6 | 3 | $85.60 | $39.13 |
| Efficient EV | 203.8 | 2 | $71.33 | $32.61 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 326.1 | 4 | $114.13 | $52.17 |
Gas CO2
285 kg
EV CO2
95 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.
Destination
Prudhoe Bay, AK
Late night in Prudhoe Bay on Wednesday
Local time
1:42 AM
AKDT
Current temp
2°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.
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
42 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
22h 48m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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 Prudhoe Bay, AK covers 815.2 miles and takes about 22h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dalton Highway, George Parks Highway, Elliott Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 3-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 272 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 407.6 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 $176.68 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 6 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 7 significant decision points across 815.2 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.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (AK 3 / East Parks Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 310.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 316.7 miles (AK 2 / Steese Highway): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Wasilla, AK to Prudhoe Bay, AK does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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