How far is Utqiagvik, AK from Palmer, AK?
The driving distance from Utqiagvik, AK to Palmer, AK is about 877 miles (1411.4 km), with a travel time of about 25h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 701 miles (1128.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 50h 39m 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 25h 19m.
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.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Light Snow
Chance Rain And Snow then Rain And Snow Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Utqiagvik and Palmer.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Utqiagvik and Palmer.
-
1
Start on the route
2.9 mi · 19 min
-
2
Turn left
10.4 mi · 25 min
-
3
At the end of the road, turn right
1.2 km · 2 min
-
4
Turn right onto Oliktok Road
4.7 mi · 11 min · Oliktok Road
-
5
Keep slight left to continue on Oliktok Road
732 ft · 20 sec · Oliktok Road
-
6
Turn straight onto Spine Road
35.1 mi · 1 hr 24 min · Spine Road
-
7
Continue on Spine Road
1.2 mi · 3 min · Spine Road
-
8
Turn right onto Colleen Lake Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Colleen Lake Road
-
9
Turn left onto Dalton Highway
415.8 mi · 14 hr 21 min · Dalton Highway
-
10
Continue on Elliott Highway
68.1 mi · 1 hr 39 min · Elliott Highway
-
11
Continue on Steese Highway
9 mi · 12 min · Steese Highway
-
12
Turn right onto Johansen Expressway
4.2 mi · 5 min · Johansen Expressway
-
13
Continue on Geist Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · Geist Road
-
14
Take the exit right
1854 ft · 45 sec
-
15
Merge slight left onto George Parks Highway
299.9 mi · 5 hr 59 min · George Parks Highway
-
16
Continue on West Parks Highway
11.8 mi · 18 min · West Parks Highway
-
17
Turn left onto East Palmer-Wasilla Highway
9.6 mi · 15 min · East Palmer-Wasilla Highway
-
18
Continue on East Palmer Wasilla Highway
1867 ft · 49 sec · East Palmer Wasilla Highway
-
19
Continue on West Evergreen Avenue
1423 ft · 51 sec · West Evergreen Avenue
-
20
Turn right onto South Colony Way
4 m · 1 sec · South Colony Way
-
21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Colony Way
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Utqiagvik and Palmer.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Dalton Highway
Turn left onto Dalton Highway
416 mi · 14h 21m
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.
Chance Light Snow leaving Utqiagvik and Chance Rain And Snow then Rain And Snow Likely near Palmer.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Utqiagvik to Palmer?
The road trip is about 877 miles (1411.4 km) and usually takes 25h 19m 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?
Ester is a useful midpoint, sitting about 437.1 miles from Utqiagvik and 439.9 miles from Palmer.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 701 miles (1128.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 176 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 $153.23 one way or $306.47 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 275.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Snow around Utqiagvik and Chance Rain And Snow then Rain And Snow Likely near Palmer.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Utqiagvik and Palmer. Straight-line distance: 701 mi (1128.15 km).
#1 Utqiagvik
Most northerly city in Alaska, USA
| Population | 4,390 |
| Coordinates | 71.2905800, -156.7887200 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Palmer
City in Alaska, USA
| Population | 7,766 |
| Coordinates | 61.5994100, -149.1145600 |
| Altitude | 72 |
| Country | United States |
End: Palmer (-149.11456, 61.59941)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 1411 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 29h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 21h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 17h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 14h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 12h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 10h 56m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $153.23 | $306.47 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $165.21 | $330.42 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $172.27 | $344.54 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $197.03 | $394.06 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.