How far is College, AK from Palmer, AK?

The driving distance from College, AK to Palmer, AK is about 326.1 miles (524.8 km), with a travel time of about 05h 24m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 228.7 miles (368.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 48m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM AKDT.
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
326.06 mi
05h 24m
Flight
228.73 mi
368.11 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from College.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
228.73 mi
Kilometers
368.11 km
Flight Time
00h 27m

Driving Distance

Road route
326.06 mi
Kilometers
524.75 km
Drive Time
05h 24m

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 05h 24m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Palmer
Sat, May 2, 12:40 PM AKDT
Return by in College
Sat, May 2, 6:04 PM AKDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave College
2026-05-02T07:15
Arrive Palmer
Sat, May 2, 12:40 PM AKDT
Route Timing
05h 24m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM AKDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:24 AM to 1:24 PM AKDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
6:12 AM AKDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in College
9:00 PM AKDT
Early departure recommended

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Healy
AK

Census designated place

From College
161.6 mi
02h 42m
To Palmer
164.5 mi
02h 42m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
51°F
Saturday

Chance Light Rain

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph S
Destination
48°F
Saturday

Light Rain Likely

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between College and Palmer.

  1. 1

    Start on College Road

    1632 ft · 42 sec · College Road

  2. 2

    Continue on Alumni Drive

    2081 ft · 43 sec · Alumni Drive

  3. 3

    Continue on Tanana Loop

    2430 ft · 49 sec · Tanana Loop

  4. 4

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward West Tanana Drive

    43 m · 3 sec · West Tanana Drive

  5. 5

    Exit the roundabout onto West Tanana Drive

    1.1 km · 1 min · West Tanana Drive

  6. 6

    Continue on Sheep Creek Road

    2618 ft · 58 sec · Sheep Creek Road

  7. 7

    Continue on Sheep Creek Road

    2164 ft · 38 sec · Sheep Creek Road

  8. 8

    At the end of the road, turn right onto George Parks Highway

    299.2 mi · 5 hr 58 min · George Parks Highway

  9. 9

    Continue on West Parks Highway

    11.8 mi · 18 min · West Parks Highway

  10. 10

    Turn left onto East Palmer-Wasilla Highway

    9.6 mi · 15 min · East Palmer-Wasilla Highway

  11. 11

    Continue on East Palmer Wasilla Highway

    1867 ft · 49 sec · East Palmer Wasilla Highway

  12. 12

    Continue on West Evergreen Avenue

    1423 ft · 51 sec · West Evergreen Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn right onto South Colony Way

    4 m · 1 sec · South Colony Way

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Colony Way

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
14 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
0 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
4.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
George Parks Highway
299 mi · 92%
West Parks Highway
11.8 mi · 4%
East Palmer-Wasilla Highway
9.63 mi · 3%
Sheep Creek Road
0.91 mi
West Tanana Drive
0.68 mi
Tanana Loop
0.46 mi
Longest Stretch

George Parks Highway

At the end of the road, turn right onto George Parks Highway

299 mi · 05h 58m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
05h 24m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+97.4 mi
228.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Healy
02h 42m from College
Leave By
6:12 AM AKDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Light Rain leaving College and Light Rain Likely near Palmer.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from College to Palmer?

The road trip is about 326.1 miles (524.8 km) and usually takes 05h 24m in normal driving conditions.

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

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Healy is a useful midpoint, sitting about 161.6 miles from College and 164.5 miles from Palmer.

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

The direct path is about 228.7 miles (368.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 97.4 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 8:00 AM AKDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:12 AM AKDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $56.94 one way or $113.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 102.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around College and Light Rain Likely near Palmer.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between College and Palmer. Straight-line distance: 228.73 mi (368.11 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 College

Census-designated place in Alaska, United States

Population12,964
Coordinates64.8569400, -147.8027800
Altitude137
CountryUnited States
Palmer

#2 Palmer

City in Alaska, USA

Population7,766
Coordinates61.5994100, -149.1145600
Altitude72
CountryUnited States
Start: College Road (-147.802743, 64.856906)
End: West Evergreen Avenue (-149.114582, 61.599443)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 525 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)10h 51m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)08h 09m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 31m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 26m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 39m
80 mph (129 km/h)04h 04m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
11.5 gal
43.55 L · about $56.94
Round trip
$113.87
23 gal · 87.1 L
Estimated CO2
102.2 kg one way
Round trip: 204.4 kg / 451 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $56.94 $113.87
Mid-grade $5.34 $61.39 $122.77
Premium $5.57 $64.01 $128.02
Diesel $6.37 $73.21 $146.42

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 02, 2026

There is no time difference between College and Palmer. The current time is 07:15:49.

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.