How far is Anchorage, AK from Fairbanks, AK?

The driving distance from Anchorage, AK to Fairbanks, AK is about 359.8 miles (579.1 km), with a travel time of about 06h 18m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 259.2 miles (417.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 37m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM AKDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
359.82 mi
06h 18m
Flight
259.25 mi
417.23 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Anchorage.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
259.25 mi
Kilometers
417.23 km
Flight Time
00h 31m

Driving Distance

Road route
359.82 mi
Kilometers
579.08 km
Drive Time
06h 18m

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 06h 18m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fairbanks
Mon, May 4, 6:08 AM AKDT
Return by in Anchorage
Mon, May 4, 12:27 PM AKDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Anchorage
2026-05-03T23:50
Arrive Fairbanks
Mon, May 4, 6:08 AM AKDT
Route Timing
06h 18m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 7:30 AM AKDT
Treat this as a longer travel day
Arrive between
12:19 PM to 1:49 PM AKDT

Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.

Leave by
11:22 PM AKDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 08h 00m at the destination.
Back in Anchorage
8:00 PM AKDT
Overnight-style route

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.

Mid-route stop
Talkeetna
AK

Place in Alaska

From Anchorage
179.4 mi
03h 09m
To Fairbanks
180.4 mi
03h 09m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
46°F
Sunday

Light Rain Likely

Starts
Sun, May 3 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph N
Destination
52°F
Sunday

Slight Chance Rain And Snow

Starts
Sun, May 3 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph SE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Anchorage and Fairbanks.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Anchorage and Fairbanks.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    26 m · 8 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto West 4th Avenue

    1.3 mi · 4 min · West 4th Avenue

  3. 3

    Continue on Post Road

    663 ft · 21 sec · Post Road

  4. 4

    Turn right onto East 3rd Avenue

    3113 ft · 1 min · East 3rd Avenue

  5. 5

    Continue on Commercial Drive

    867 ft · 23 sec · Commercial Drive

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Reeve Boulevard

    715 ft · 22 sec · Reeve Boulevard

  7. 7

    Turn left onto East 5th Avenue

    1842 ft · 49 sec · East 5th Avenue

  8. 8

    Continue on Glenn Highway

    33 mi · 38 min · Glenn Highway

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on East Parks Highway

    14.5 mi · 20 min · East Parks Highway

  10. 10

    Continue on West Parks Highway

    4.2 mi · 6 min · West Parks Highway

  11. 11

    Continue on George Parks Highway

    301.4 mi · 6 hr 1 min · George Parks Highway

  12. 12

    Take the exit straight toward East Airport Way

    1630 ft · 40 sec

  13. 13

    Continue on Airport Way

    3.5 mi · 6 min · Airport Way

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Cushman Street

    635 ft · 27 sec · Cushman Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto 12th Avenue

    111 m · 16 sec · 12th Avenue

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 12th Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Anchorage and Fairbanks.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
16 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
4.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
George Parks Highway
301 mi · 84%
Glenn Highway
33 mi · 9%
East Parks Highway
14.5 mi · 4%
West Parks Highway
4.24 mi · 1%
Airport Way
3.49 mi · 1%
West 4th Avenue
1.27 mi
Longest Stretch

George Parks Highway

Continue on George Parks Highway

301 mi · 06h 01m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
06h 18m
Overnight route
Same-Day Return
12h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+100.6 mi
259.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Talkeetna
03h 09m from Anchorage
Leave By
11:22 PM AKDT
Overnight-style route
Weather Watch

Light Rain Likely leaving Anchorage and Slight Chance Rain And Snow near Fairbanks.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Anchorage to Fairbanks?

The road trip is about 359.8 miles (579.1 km) and usually takes 06h 18m 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 179.4 miles from Anchorage and 180.4 miles from Fairbanks.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 259.2 miles (417.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 100.6 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 $62.88 one way or $125.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 112.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Light Rain Likely around Anchorage and Slight Chance Rain And Snow near Fairbanks.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Anchorage and Fairbanks. Straight-line distance: 259.25 mi (417.23 km).

Anchorage

#1 Anchorage

The most populous city in Alaska and the center of the Anchorage metropolitan area.

Population294,356
Coordinates61.2180600, -149.9002800
Altitude31
CountryUnited States
Fairbanks

#2 Fairbanks

City in Alaska, USA

Population30,696
Coordinates64.8377800, -147.7163900
Altitude136
CountryUnited States
Start: (-149.900352, 61.218324)
End: 12th Avenue (-147.71648, 64.838038)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 579 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)11h 59m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)08h 59m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)07h 11m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 59m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)05h 08m
80 mph (129 km/h)04h 29m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
12.7 gal
48.06 L · about $62.88
Round trip
$125.76
25.4 gal · 96.12 L
Estimated CO2
112.9 kg one way
Round trip: 225.7 kg / 498 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $62.88 $125.76
Mid-grade $5.34 $67.79 $135.59
Premium $5.57 $70.69 $141.38
Diesel $6.37 $80.85 $161.70

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 · May 04, 2026

There is no time difference between Anchorage and Fairbanks. The current time is 23:50:20.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.