How far is Bear Creek, AK from Palmer, AK?

The driving distance from Bear Creek, AK to Palmer, AK is about 165.8 miles (266.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 58m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 99.6 miles (160.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 56m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM AKDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
165.86 mi
02h 58m
Flight
99.61 mi
160.31 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Bear Creek.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
99.61 mi
Kilometers
160.31 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
165.86 mi
Kilometers
266.93 km
Drive Time
02h 58m

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 02h 58m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Palmer
Sat, May 30, 2:03 AM AKDT
Return by in Bear Creek
Sat, May 30, 5:01 AM AKDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Bear Creek
2026-05-29T23:05
Arrive Palmer
Sat, May 30, 2:03 AM AKDT
Route Timing
02h 58m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM AKDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:58 AM to 12:58 PM AKDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
12:34 PM AKDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Bear Creek
9:30 PM AKDT
Morning start is best

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
Girdwood
AK

City in United States of America

From Bear Creek
82.9 mi
01h 29m
To Palmer
83 mi
01h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
51°F
Friday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, May 29 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph S
Destination
58°F
Friday

Scattered Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, May 29 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph SE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Bear Creek and Palmer.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bear Creek and Palmer.

  1. 1

    Start on Wizard Avenue

    908 ft · 45 sec · Wizard Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Camelot Drive

    1510 ft · 1 min · Camelot Drive

  3. 3

    Continue on Excaliber Way

    1231 ft · 56 sec · Excaliber Way

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Moat Way

    577 ft · 29 sec · Moat Way

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Salmon Creek Road

    1.4 km · 3 min · Salmon Creek Road

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Nash Road

    75 m · 8 sec · Nash Road

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Seward Highway

    121.7 mi · 2 hr 34 min · Seward Highway

  8. 8

    Continue on Ingra Street

    1 mi · 2 min · Ingra Street

  9. 9

    Turn right onto East 6th Avenue

    1924 ft · 57 sec · East 6th Avenue

  10. 10

    Continue on East 5th Avenue

    1 mi · 2 min · East 5th Avenue

  11. 11

    Continue on Glenn Highway

    33 mi · 38 min · Glenn Highway

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on Glenn Highway

    7.2 mi · 10 min · Glenn Highway

  13. 13

    Turn right onto West Evergreen Avenue

    1367 ft · 49 sec · West Evergreen Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn right onto South Colony Way

    4 m · 1 sec · South Colony Way

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Colony Way

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Bear Creek and Palmer.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
15 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Seward Highway
122 mi · 73%
Glenn Highway
40.2 mi · 24%
Ingra Street
1.02 mi · 1%
East 5th Avenue
1 mi · 1%
Salmon Creek Road
0.88 mi · 1%
East 6th Avenue
0.36 mi
Longest Stretch

Seward Highway

Turn right onto Seward Highway

122 mi · 02h 34m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 58m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+66.2 mi
99.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Girdwood
01h 29m from Bear Creek
Leave By
12:34 PM AKDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Bear Creek and Scattered Rain Showers near Palmer.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Bear Creek to Palmer?

The road trip is about 165.8 miles (266.9 km) and usually takes 02h 58m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Girdwood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 82.9 miles from Bear Creek and 83 miles from Palmer.

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

The direct path is about 99.6 miles (160.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 66.2 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM AKDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:34 PM AKDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.96 one way or $57.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Bear Creek and Scattered Rain Showers near Palmer.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Bear Creek and Palmer. Straight-line distance: 99.61 mi (160.31 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Bear Creek

Town in Marion County, Alabama, USA

Population1,956
Coordinates60.1641700, -149.3950000
Altitude33
CountryUnited States
Palmer

#2 Palmer

City in Alaska, USA

Population7,766
Coordinates61.5994100, -149.1145600
Altitude72
CountryUnited States
Start: Castle Drive (-149.395033, 60.162278)
End: South Colony Way (-149.114582, 61.599443)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 267 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 31m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 08m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 19m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 45m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 22m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 04m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.85 gal
22.16 L · about $28.96
Round trip
$57.93
11.7 gal · 44.32 L
Estimated CO2
52 kg one way
Round trip: 104 kg / 229 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $28.96 $57.93
Mid-grade $5.34 $31.23 $62.45
Premium $5.57 $32.56 $65.12
Diesel $6.37 $37.24 $74.48

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 30, 2026

There is no time difference between Bear Creek and Palmer. The current time is 23:05:25.

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.