How far is Council, AK from Shishmaref, AK?
The driving distance from Council, AK to Shishmaref, AK is about 166.7 miles (268.3 km), with a travel time of about 17h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 116.3 miles (187.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 35h 43m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM AKST.
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 17h 51m.
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, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Council and Shishmaref.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Council and Shishmaref.
-
1
Start on the route
72 m · 16 sec
-
2
Turn sharp right onto Camp Bendeleben Road
725 ft · 34 sec · Camp Bendeleben Road
-
3
Turn left onto Nome-Council Road
58.4 mi · 3 hr 18 min · Nome-Council Road
-
4
Continue on Nome-Council Road
12.4 mi · 30 min · Nome-Council Road
-
5
Turn right onto Nome-Taylor Highway
106.3 mi · 6 hr 48 min · Nome-Taylor Highway
-
6
Turn slight left
1.3 mi · 13 min
-
7
Turn left
1.4 km · 8 min
-
8
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Council and Shishmaref.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Nome-Taylor Highway
Turn right onto Nome-Taylor Highway
106 mi · 06h 48m
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.
Cloudy leaving Council and Mostly Cloudy near Shishmaref.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Council to Shishmaref?
The road trip is about 166.7 miles (268.3 km) and usually takes 17h 51m 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?
Nome is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.4 miles from Council and 77.3 miles from Shishmaref.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 116.3 miles (187.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 50.4 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 7:30 AM AKST. 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 $27.30 one way or $54.60 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Cloudy around Council and Mostly Cloudy near Shishmaref.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Council and Shishmaref. Straight-line distance: 116.3 mi (187.17 km).
#1 Council
This small community is situated on the east bank of the Niukluk River, 7 miles upstream from Norton Bay.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 64.8950000, -163.6763900 |
| Altitude | 39 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Shishmaref
City and village in the Nome Census Area, Alaska, United States
| Population | 606 |
| Coordinates | 66.2562100, -166.0722900 |
| Altitude | 4 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-164.870707, 65.512009)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 268 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.64 | $27.30 | $54.60 |
| Mid-grade | $4.79 | $28.15 | $56.31 |
| Premium | $5.07 | $29.84 | $59.67 |
| Diesel | $6.39 | $37.55 | $75.10 |
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 · Nov 08, 2026