How far is Bethel, AK from Palmer, AK?

The estimated driving distance from Bethel, AK to Palmer, AK is about 500.1 miles (804.9 km), with a travel time of about 08h 46m by car.

  • This page is using an estimated road distance while the full route geometry is refreshed.
  • The straight-line flight distance is about 423.8 miles (682.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 17h 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
500.11 mi
08h 46m · estimated
Flight
423.82 mi
682.08 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
423.82 mi
Kilometers
682.08 km
Flight Time
00h 51m

Driving Distance

Estimated road route
500.11 mi
Estimated
Kilometers
804.85 km
Drive Time
08h 46m

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 46m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Palmer
Sun, Apr 19, 7:23 AM AKDT
Return by in Bethel
Sun, Apr 19, 4:09 PM AKDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Bethel
2026-04-18T22:37
Arrive Palmer
Sun, Apr 19, 7:23 AM AKDT
Route Timing
08h 46m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 7:30 AM AKDT
Treat this as a longer travel day
Arrive between
2:46 PM to 4:16 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
6:28 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
Nondalton
AK

City in Lake and Peninsula Borough, Alaska, United States

From Bethel
211.9 mi
04h 23m
To Palmer
288.2 mi
04h 23m

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
42°F
Saturday

Rain And Snow Likely

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

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 Palmer.

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 46m
Overnight route
Same-Day Return
17h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+76.3 mi
423.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Nondalton
04h 23m from Bethel
Leave By
6:28 PM AKDT
Overnight-style route
Weather Watch

Chance Light Snow leaving Bethel and 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 Bethel to Palmer?

The road trip is about 500.1 miles (804.9 km) and usually takes 08h 46m 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?

Nondalton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 211.9 miles from Bethel and 288.2 miles from Palmer.

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

The direct path is about 423.8 miles (682.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 76.3 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 $87.39 one way or $174.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 156.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Bethel and Palmer. Straight-line distance: 423.82 mi (682.08 km).

Bethel

#1 Bethel

City in Alaska, USA

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

#2 Palmer

City in Alaska, USA

Population7,766
Coordinates61.5994100, -149.1145600
Altitude72
CountryUnited States
Start: Bethel (-161.75583, 60.79222)
End: Palmer (-149.11456, 61.59941)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 805 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)16h 39m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)12h 30m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)10h 00m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)08h 20m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)07h 08m
80 mph (129 km/h)06h 14m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
17.65 gal
66.8 L · about $87.39
Round trip
$174.77
35.3 gal · 133.6 L
Estimated CO2
156.9 kg one way
Round trip: 313.7 kg / 692 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $87.39 $174.77
Mid-grade $5.34 $94.22 $188.43
Premium $5.57 $98.24 $196.48
Diesel $6.37 $112.36 $224.72

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 Palmer. The current time is 22:37:07.

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.