How far is Eagle River, AK from Kenai, AK?

The driving distance from Eagle River, AK to Kenai, AK is about 171.2 miles (275.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 09m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 77.6 miles (124.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 18m 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
171.21 mi
03h 09m
Flight
77.63 mi
124.94 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Eagle River.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
77.63 mi
Kilometers
124.94 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Road route
171.21 mi
Kilometers
275.53 km
Drive Time
03h 09m

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 03h 09m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Kenai
Tue, May 12, 11:01 PM AKDT
Return by in Eagle River
Wed, May 13, 2:11 AM AKDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Eagle River
2026-05-12T19:52
Arrive Kenai
Tue, May 12, 11:01 PM AKDT
Route Timing
03h 09m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM AKDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:09 AM to 11:09 AM AKDT

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

Leave by
10:42 AM AKDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Eagle River
9:00 PM AKDT
Early departure recommended

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
Girdwood
AK

City in United States of America

From Eagle River
85.4 mi
01h 34m
To Kenai
85.8 mi
01h 34m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
51°F
Tuesday

Mostly Cloudy then Isolated Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph E
Destination
49°F
Tuesday

Chance Light Rain

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
15 mph NE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Eagle River and Kenai.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Eagle River and Kenai.

  1. 1

    Start on Monte Road

    126 m · 19 sec · Monte Road

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Old Glenn Highway

    1045 ft · 27 sec · Old Glenn Highway

  3. 3

    Continue on Artillery Road

    584 ft · 17 sec · Artillery Road

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight right

    1120 ft · 28 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Glenn Highway

    12 mi · 14 min · Glenn Highway

  6. 6

    Continue on East 5th Avenue

    1.5 mi · 3 min · East 5th Avenue

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Gambell Street

    1.1 mi · 3 min · Gambell Street

  8. 8

    Continue on Seward Highway

    87.9 mi · 1 hr 46 min · Seward Highway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right

    58.4 mi · 1 hr 26 min

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Kalifornsky Beach Road

    6 mi · 8 min · Kalifornsky Beach Road

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Bridge Access Road

    3.3 mi · 5 min · Bridge Access Road

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Kenai Spur Highway

    2847 ft · 1 min · Kenai Spur Highway

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Broad Street

    28 m · 6 sec · Broad Street

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Frontage Road

    142 m · 20 sec · Frontage Road

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Frontage Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Eagle River and Kenai.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
15 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Seward Highway
146 mi · 85%
Glenn Highway
12 mi · 7%
Kalifornsky Beach Road
5.98 mi · 3%
Bridge Access Road
3.27 mi · 2%
East 5th Avenue
1.48 mi · 1%
Gambell Street
1.11 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Seward Highway

Continue on Seward Highway

87.9 mi · 01h 46m

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
03h 09m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+93.6 mi
77.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Girdwood
01h 34m from Eagle River
Leave By
10:42 AM AKDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Cloudy then Isolated Rain Showers leaving Eagle River and Chance Light Rain near Kenai.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Eagle River to Kenai?

The road trip is about 171.2 miles (275.5 km) and usually takes 03h 09m 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?

Girdwood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 85.4 miles from Eagle River and 85.8 miles from Kenai.

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

The direct path is about 77.6 miles (124.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 93.6 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 10:42 AM AKDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.90 one way or $59.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Isolated Rain Showers around Eagle River and Chance Light Rain near Kenai.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Eagle River and Kenai. Straight-line distance: 77.63 mi (124.94 km).

Eagle River

#1 Eagle River

Community in Alaska, USA

Population24,793
Coordinates61.3213900, -149.5677800
Altitude98
CountryUnited States
Kenai

#2 Kenai

City in Alaska

Population7,890
Coordinates60.5544400, -151.2583300
Altitude22
CountryUnited States
Start: Monte Road (-149.567778, 61.32158)
End: Frontage Road (-151.258293, 60.554244)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 276 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 42m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 16m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 25m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 51m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 26m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 08m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.04 gal
22.87 L · about $29.90
Round trip
$59.81
12.08 gal · 45.74 L
Estimated CO2
53.7 kg one way
Round trip: 107.4 kg / 237 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $29.90 $59.81
Mid-grade $5.34 $32.24 $64.48
Premium $5.57 $33.62 $67.24
Diesel $6.37 $38.45 $76.90

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 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Eagle River and Kenai. The current time is 19:52:24.

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.