How far is Anchorage, AK from Ester, AK?
The driving distance from Anchorage, AK to Ester, AK is about 350.3 miles (563.7 km), with a travel time of about 07h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 257.6 miles (414.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 14h 10m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM AKDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 07h 05m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Place in Alaska
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Light Rain
Chance Rain And Snow then Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Anchorage and Ester.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Anchorage and Ester.
-
1
Start on the route
26 m · 8 sec
-
2
Turn right onto West 4th Avenue
1.3 mi · 4 min · West 4th Avenue
-
3
Continue on Post Road
663 ft · 21 sec · Post Road
-
4
Turn right onto East 3rd Avenue
3113 ft · 1 min · East 3rd Avenue
-
5
Continue on Commercial Drive
867 ft · 23 sec · Commercial Drive
-
6
Turn right onto Reeve Boulevard
715 ft · 22 sec · Reeve Boulevard
-
7
Turn left onto East 5th Avenue
1842 ft · 49 sec · East 5th Avenue
-
8
Continue on Glenn Highway
33 mi · 38 min · Glenn Highway
-
9
Keep slight left to continue on East Parks Highway
14.5 mi · 20 min · East Parks Highway
-
10
Continue on West Parks Highway
4.2 mi · 6 min · West Parks Highway
-
11
Continue on George Parks Highway
295.2 mi · 5 hr 52 min · George Parks Highway
-
12
Turn left onto Old Nenana Highway
1880 ft · 38 sec · Old Nenana Highway
-
13
Turn right onto Village Road
744 ft · 34 sec · Village Road
-
14
Turn right onto Main Street
635 ft · 30 sec · Main Street
-
15
Turn left onto Ester Loop
83 m · 12 sec · Ester Loop
-
16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Ester Loop
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Anchorage and Ester.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
George Parks Highway
Continue on George Parks Highway
295 mi · 05h 52m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Light Rain leaving Anchorage and Chance Rain And Snow then Mostly Cloudy near Ester.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Anchorage to Ester?
The road trip is about 350.3 miles (563.7 km) and usually takes 07h 05m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Talkeetna is a useful midpoint, sitting about 174.6 miles from Anchorage and 175.7 miles from Ester.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 257.6 miles (414.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 92.7 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM AKDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $61.19 one way or $122.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 109.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Light Rain around Anchorage and Chance Rain And Snow then Mostly Cloudy near Ester.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Anchorage and Ester. Straight-line distance: 257.59 mi (414.55 km).
#1 Anchorage
The most populous city in Alaska and the center of the Anchorage metropolitan area.
| Population | 294,356 |
| Coordinates | 61.2180600, -149.9002800 |
| Altitude | 31 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Ester
Census designated place
| Population | 2,422 |
| Coordinates | 64.8472200, -148.0144400 |
| Altitude | 224 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ester (-148.01444, 64.84722)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 564 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 45m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 00m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 50m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 00m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $61.19 | $122.39 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $65.98 | $131.96 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $68.80 | $137.59 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $78.68 | $157.37 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Alaska · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.