How far is Ester, AK from Kenai, AK?
The driving distance from Ester, AK to Kenai, AK is about 505.4 miles (813.4 km), with a travel time of about 08h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 313.8 miles (505 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 17h 24m 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 08h 42m.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain And Snow then Mostly Cloudy
Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ester and Kenai.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ester and Kenai.
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1
Start on Ester Loop
83 m · 12 sec · Ester Loop
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2
Turn right onto Main Street
635 ft · 33 sec · Main Street
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3
Turn left onto Village Road
744 ft · 38 sec · Village Road
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4
Turn left onto Old Nenana Highway
1880 ft · 37 sec · Old Nenana Highway
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5
Turn right onto George Parks Highway
295.2 mi · 5 hr 52 min · George Parks Highway
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6
Continue on West Parks Highway
18.7 mi · 26 min · West Parks Highway
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7
Continue on Glenn Highway
33.1 mi · 38 min · Glenn Highway
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8
Continue on East 5th Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · East 5th Avenue
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9
Turn left onto Gambell Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · Gambell Street
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10
Continue on Seward Highway
87.9 mi · 1 hr 46 min · Seward Highway
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11
Take the exit slight right
58.4 mi · 1 hr 26 min
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12
Turn right onto Kalifornsky Beach Road
6 mi · 8 min · Kalifornsky Beach Road
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13
Turn right onto Bridge Access Road
3.3 mi · 5 min · Bridge Access Road
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14
Turn left onto Kenai Spur Highway
2847 ft · 1 min · Kenai Spur Highway
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15
Turn left onto Broad Street
28 m · 6 sec · Broad Street
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16
Turn right onto Frontage Road
142 m · 20 sec · Frontage Road
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Frontage Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ester and Kenai.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
George Parks Highway
Turn right onto George Parks Highway
295 mi · 05h 52m
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 Ester and Light Rain near Kenai.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ester to Kenai?
The road trip is about 505.4 miles (813.4 km) and usually takes 08h 42m 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?
Talkeetna is a useful midpoint, sitting about 252.4 miles from Ester and 253 miles from Kenai.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 313.8 miles (505 km), while the road route adds roughly 191.6 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 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 $88.28 one way or $176.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 158.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain And Snow then Mostly Cloudy around Ester and Light Rain near Kenai.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ester and Kenai. Straight-line distance: 313.81 mi (505.03 km).
#1 Ester
Census designated place
| Population | 2,422 |
| Coordinates | 64.8472200, -148.0144400 |
| Altitude | 224 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Kenai
City in Alaska
| Population | 7,890 |
| Coordinates | 60.5544400, -151.2583300 |
| Altitude | 22 |
| Country | United States |
End: Frontage Road (-151.258293, 60.554244)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 813 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 16h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 12h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 10h 06m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 08h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 07h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 06h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $88.28 | $176.55 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $95.18 | $190.35 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $99.24 | $198.48 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $113.51 | $227.01 |
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.