How far is Bethel, AK from Ketchikan, AK?

The estimated driving distance from Bethel, AK to Ketchikan, AK is about 1358.1 miles (2185.6 km), with a travel time of about 23h 48m by car.

  • This page is using an estimated road distance while the full route geometry is refreshed.
  • The straight-line flight distance is about 1150.9 miles (1852.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 47h 36m 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
1358.05 mi
23h 48m · estimated
Flight
1150.89 mi
1852.18 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Bethel.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
1150.89 mi
Kilometers
1852.18 km
Flight Time
02h 18m

Driving Distance

Estimated road route
1358.05 mi
Estimated
Kilometers
2185.57 km
Drive Time
23h 48m

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 23h 48m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ketchikan
Sun, Apr 19, 8:52 PM AKDT
Return by in Bethel
Mon, Apr 20, 8:40 PM AKDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Bethel
2026-04-18T21:03
Arrive Ketchikan
Sun, Apr 19, 8:52 PM AKDT
Route Timing
23h 48m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 7:30 AM AKDT
Treat this as a longer travel day
Arrive between
5:48 AM to 7:18 AM AKDT

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

Leave by
12:24 PM AKDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 08h 00m at the destination.
Back in Bethel
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
Seward
AK

City in Alaska, USA

From Bethel
575.5 mi
11h 54m
To Ketchikan
782.6 mi
11h 54m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
31°F
Saturday

Chance Light Snow

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SE
Destination
44°F
Saturday

Light Rain Likely

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
10 mph E

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 Bethel and Ketchikan.

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
23h 48m
Overnight route
Same-Day Return
47h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+207.2 mi
1150.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Seward
11h 54m from Bethel
Leave By
12:24 PM AKDT
Overnight-style route
Weather Watch

Chance Light Snow leaving Bethel and Light Rain Likely near Ketchikan.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 1358.1 miles (2185.6 km) and usually takes 23h 48m 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?

Seward is a useful midpoint, sitting about 575.5 miles from Bethel and 782.6 miles from Ketchikan.

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

The direct path is about 1150.9 miles (1852.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 207.2 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 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 $237.25 one way or $474.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 425.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Bethel and Ketchikan. Straight-line distance: 1150.89 mi (1852.18 km).

Bethel

#1 Bethel

City in Alaska, USA

Population6,658
Coordinates60.7922200, -161.7558300
Altitude1
CountryUnited States
Ketchikan

#2 Ketchikan

City in Alaska, USA

Population8,187
Coordinates55.3418000, -131.6475700
Altitude8
CountryUnited States
Start: Bethel (-161.75583, 60.79222)
End: Ketchikan (-131.64757, 55.3418)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 2186 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)45h 14m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)33h 57m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)27h 09m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)22h 38m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)19h 24m
80 mph (129 km/h)16h 56m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
47.92 gal
181.4 L · about $237.25
Round trip
$474.50
95.84 gal · 362.8 L
Estimated CO2
425.9 kg one way
Round trip: 851.7 kg / 1878 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $237.25 $474.50
Mid-grade $5.34 $255.80 $511.59
Premium $5.57 $266.72 $533.45
Diesel $6.37 $305.06 $610.12

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 Bethel and Ketchikan. The current time is 21:03:34.

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.