How far is Bethel, AK from Kotzebue, AK?

The estimated driving distance from Bethel, AK to Kotzebue, AK is about 498.8 miles (802.7 km), with a travel time of about 08h 44m by car.

  • This page is using an estimated road distance while the full route geometry is refreshed.
  • The straight-line flight distance is about 422.7 miles (680.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 17h 29m 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
498.75 mi
08h 44m · estimated
Flight
422.67 mi
680.22 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
422.67 mi
Kilometers
680.22 km
Flight Time
00h 51m

Driving Distance

Estimated road route
498.75 mi
Estimated
Kilometers
802.66 km
Drive Time
08h 44m

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 08h 44m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Kotzebue
Wed, Apr 29, 3:26 AM AKDT
Return by in Bethel
Wed, Apr 29, 12:11 PM AKDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Bethel
2026-04-28T18:42
Arrive Kotzebue
Wed, Apr 29, 3:26 AM AKDT
Route Timing
08h 44m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 7:30 AM AKDT
Treat this as a longer travel day
Arrive between
2:45 PM to 4:15 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
6:30 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
Stebbins
AK

City in Nome Census Area, Alaska, United States

From Bethel
211.3 mi
04h 22m
To Kotzebue
287.4 mi
04h 22m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
40°F
Tuesday

Chance Rain And Snow Showers

Starts
Tue, Apr 28 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
15 to 25 mph SE
Destination
Kotzebue Weather
AK
Live fallback forecast
40°F
Tuesday
Using Bethel as the closest live forecast in the Alaska weather hub.

Chance Rain And Snow Showers

Starts
Tue, Apr 28 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
15 to 25 mph SE

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 Kotzebue.

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
08h 44m
Overnight route
Same-Day Return
17h 30m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+76.1 mi
422.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Stebbins
04h 22m from Bethel
Leave By
6:30 PM AKDT
Overnight-style route
Weather Watch

Chance Rain And Snow Showers leaving Bethel and Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Kotzebue.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 498.8 miles (802.7 km) and usually takes 08h 44m 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?

Stebbins is a useful midpoint, sitting about 211.3 miles from Bethel and 287.4 miles from Kotzebue.

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

The direct path is about 422.7 miles (680.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 76.1 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 $87.14 one way or $174.28 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 156.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain And Snow Showers around Bethel and Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Kotzebue.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Bethel and Kotzebue. Straight-line distance: 422.67 mi (680.22 km).

Bethel

#1 Bethel

City in Alaska, USA

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

#2 Kotzebue

City in Alaska, USA

Population3,260
Coordinates66.8984600, -162.5980900
Altitude6
CountryUnited States
Start: Bethel (-161.75583, 60.79222)
End: Kotzebue (-162.59809, 66.89846)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 803 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)16h 37m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)12h 28m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)09h 58m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)08h 18m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)07h 07m
80 mph (129 km/h)06h 13m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
17.6 gal
66.62 L · about $87.14
Round trip
$174.28
35.2 gal · 133.24 L
Estimated CO2
156.4 kg one way
Round trip: 312.8 kg / 690 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $87.14 $174.28
Mid-grade $5.34 $93.95 $187.90
Premium $5.57 $97.96 $195.92
Diesel $6.37 $112.04 $224.08

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 29, 2026

There is no time difference between Bethel and Kotzebue. The current time is 18:42:09.

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.