How far is College, AK from Ketchikan, AK?
The driving distance from College, AK to Ketchikan, AK is about 1563.1 miles (2515.5 km), with a travel time of about 33h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 856.2 miles (1378 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 67h 06m 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 33h 33m.
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.
City in Alaska, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain And Snow then Mostly Cloudy
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between College and Ketchikan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between College and Ketchikan.
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1
Start on College Road
1632 ft · 42 sec · College Road
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2
Turn left onto University Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · University Avenue
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3
Continue on South University Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · South University Avenue
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4
Turn left onto Robert Mitchell Expressway
3.3 mi · 5 min · Robert Mitchell Expressway
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5
Keep slight right
1503 ft · 41 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Richardson Highway
5.4 mi · 7 min · Richardson Highway
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7
Continue on New Richardson Highway
1.1 mi · 1 min · New Richardson Highway
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8
Continue on Richardson Highway
87 mi · 1 hr 43 min · Richardson Highway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Alaska Highway
2043 ft · 50 sec · Alaska Highway
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10
Turn straight onto Alaska Hwy
2572 ft · 46 sec · Alaska Hwy
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11
Continue on Alaska Highway
103.7 mi · 2 hr · Alaska Highway
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12
Continue on Alaska Hwy
3.1 mi · 5 min · Alaska Hwy
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13
Continue on Alaska Highway
290.9 mi · 6 hr 30 min · Alaska Highway
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14
Continue on Alaska Highway
354.7 mi · 7 hr 34 min · Alaska Highway
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15
Turn right onto Cassiar Highway
352.2 mi · 8 hr 18 min · Cassiar Highway
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16
Continue on Cassiar Highway
97.4 mi · 2 hr 11 min · Cassiar Highway
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17
At the end of the road, turn right onto Yellowhead Highway
56.3 mi · 1 hr 11 min · Yellowhead Highway
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18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Yellowhead Highway
47 m · 2 sec · Yellowhead Highway
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19
Exit the roundabout onto Yellowhead Highway
1.6 km · 1 min · Yellowhead Highway
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20
Continue on Keith Avenue
2959 ft · 38 sec · Keith Avenue
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21
Turn right onto Yellowhead Highway
940 ft · 17 sec · Yellowhead Highway
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22
At the end of the road, turn left onto Yellowhead Highway
89.2 mi · 1 hr 42 min · Yellowhead Highway
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23
Continue on McBride Street
2941 ft · 1 min · McBride Street
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24
Continue on 2nd Avenue West
1.1 km · 53 sec · 2nd Avenue West
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25
Continue on Park Avenue
1 mi · 1 min · Park Avenue
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26
Continue on Yellowhead Highway
843 ft · 11 sec · Yellowhead Highway
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27
Keep slight left to continue on Yellowhead Highway
1063 ft · 17 sec · Yellowhead Highway
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28
Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway
152 m · 34 sec · Alaska Marine Highway
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29
Continue on 9
133 m · 32 sec · 9
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30
Turn right onto Alaska Marine Highway
70 m · 16 sec · Alaska Marine Highway
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31
Continue on Alaska Marine Highway - Prince Rupert ↔ Ketchikan
111.7 mi · 6 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Prince Rupert ↔ Ketchikan
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32
Continue on Main Berth Ramp
60 m · 34 sec · Main Berth Ramp
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33
Continue on Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road
629 ft · 19 sec · Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road
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34
At the end of the road, turn right onto Tongass Avenue
1.7 mi · 3 min · Tongass Avenue
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35
Turn right onto Water Street
1928 ft · 39 sec · Water Street
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36
Turn right onto Front Street
122 m · 12 sec · Front Street
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37
Turn right
3 m · 1 sec
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38
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between College and Ketchikan.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Alaska Highway
Continue on Alaska Highway
355 mi · 07h 34m
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 Rain And Snow then Mostly Cloudy leaving College and Mostly Sunny near Ketchikan.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from College to Ketchikan?
The road trip is about 1563.1 miles (2515.5 km) and usually takes 33h 33m 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?
Skagway is a useful midpoint, sitting about 781.1 miles from College and 781.9 miles from Ketchikan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 856.2 miles (1378 km), while the road route adds roughly 706.9 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 $273.05 one way or $546.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 490.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain And Snow then Mostly Cloudy around College and Mostly Sunny near Ketchikan.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between College and Ketchikan. Straight-line distance: 856.23 mi (1377.97 km).
#1 College
Census-designated place in Alaska, United States
| Population | 12,964 |
| Coordinates | 64.8569400, -147.8027800 |
| Altitude | 137 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Ketchikan
City in Alaska, USA
| Population | 8,187 |
| Coordinates | 55.3418000, -131.6475700 |
| Altitude | 8 |
| Country | United States |
End: Front Street (-131.647548, 55.341795)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 2515 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 52h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 39h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 31h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 26h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 22h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 19h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $273.05 | $546.10 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $294.39 | $588.78 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $306.96 | $613.93 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $351.08 | $702.17 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.