How far is Utqiagvik, AK from Bethel, AK?

The estimated driving distance from Utqiagvik, AK to Bethel, AK is about 870.9 miles (1401.5 km), with a travel time of about 15h 16m by car.

  • This page is using an estimated road distance while the full route geometry is refreshed.
  • The straight-line flight distance is about 738 miles (1187.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 30h 32m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM AKDT.
Road route is being refreshed. This page currently uses an estimated driving distance until a routing provider returns the full road geometry.
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
870.88 mi
15h 16m · estimated
Flight
738.03 mi
1187.74 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Utqiagvik.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
738.03 mi
Kilometers
1187.74 km
Flight Time
01h 29m

Driving Distance

Estimated road route
870.88 mi
Estimated
Kilometers
1401.54 km
Drive Time
15h 16m

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 15h 16m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bethel
Sun, Apr 19, 5:23 PM AKDT
Return by in Utqiagvik
Mon, Apr 20, 8:39 AM AKDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Utqiagvik
2026-04-19T02:07
Arrive Bethel
Sun, Apr 19, 5:23 PM AKDT
Route Timing
15h 16m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 7:30 AM AKDT
Treat this as a longer travel day
Arrive between
9:16 PM to 10:46 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
5:28 AM AKDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 08h 00m at the destination.
Back in Utqiagvik
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
Selawik
AK

City in Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska, United States

From Utqiagvik
369 mi
07h 38m
To Bethel
501.9 mi
07h 38m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
Utqiagvik Weather
AK
Live fallback forecast
40°F
Sunday
Using College as the closest live forecast in the Alaska weather hub.

Chance Light Snow

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph E
Destination
29°F
Sunday

Light Snow Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
15 mph S

Driving Route Map

Road route is being refreshed. This page currently uses an estimated driving distance.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Utqiagvik and Bethel.

Turn-by-turn directions will appear after the road route is refreshed. The current distance is an estimate.

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
15h 16m
Overnight route
Same-Day Return
30h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+132.9 mi
738 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Selawik
07h 38m from Utqiagvik
Leave By
5:28 AM AKDT
Overnight-style route
Weather Watch

Chance Light Snow leaving Utqiagvik and Light Snow Likely near Bethel.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Utqiagvik to Bethel?

The road trip is about 870.9 miles (1401.5 km) and usually takes 15h 16m 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?

Selawik is a useful midpoint, sitting about 369 miles from Utqiagvik and 501.9 miles from Bethel.

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

The direct path is about 738 miles (1187.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 132.9 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 $152.14 one way or $304.29 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 273.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Light Snow around Utqiagvik and Light Snow Likely near Bethel.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Utqiagvik and Bethel. Straight-line distance: 738.03 mi (1187.74 km).

Utqiagvik

#1 Utqiagvik

Most northerly city in Alaska, USA

Population4,390
Coordinates71.2905800, -156.7887200
Altitude3
CountryUnited States
Bethel

#2 Bethel

City in Alaska, USA

Population6,658
Coordinates60.7922200, -161.7558300
Altitude1
CountryUnited States
Start: Utqiagvik (-156.78872, 71.29058)
End: Bethel (-161.75583, 60.79222)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 1402 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)29h 01m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)21h 46m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)17h 25m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)14h 30m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)12h 26m
80 mph (129 km/h)10h 51m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
30.73 gal
116.33 L · about $152.14
Round trip
$304.29
61.46 gal · 232.66 L
Estimated CO2
273.1 kg one way
Round trip: 546.2 kg / 1204 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $152.14 $304.29
Mid-grade $5.34 $164.04 $328.07
Premium $5.57 $171.04 $342.09
Diesel $6.37 $195.63 $391.25

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Utqiagvik and Bethel. The current time is 02:07:52.

Distance to Other Cities

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