How far is Ester, AK from Sitka, AK?
The driving distance from Ester, AK to Sitka, AK is about 895.4 miles (1441 km), with a travel time of about 36h 12m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 683.8 miles (1100.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 72h 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 36h 12m.
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.
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ester and Sitka.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ester and Sitka.
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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
47.1 mi · 58 min · Seward Highway
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11
Turn left onto Portage Glacier Road
5 mi · 7 min · Portage Glacier Road
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12
Continue on Portage Glacier Highway
4.7 mi · 11 min · Portage Glacier Highway
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13
Continue on West Camp Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · West Camp Road
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14
Turn right
52 m · 8 sec
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15
Turn left
76 m · 4 sec
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16
Turn straight onto Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
334.5 mi · 22 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
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17
Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
262.6 mi · 17 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
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18
Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Sitka-Juneau
153.9 mi · 9 hr 30 min · Alaska Marine Highway - Sitka-Juneau
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19
Continue straight
662 ft · 50 sec
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20
At the end of the road, turn right onto Halibut Point Road
6.6 mi · 12 min · Halibut Point Road
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21
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Sawmill Creek Road
36 m · 2 sec · Sawmill Creek Road
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22
Exit the roundabout onto Sawmill Creek Road
752 ft · 17 sec · Sawmill Creek Road
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23
Turn right onto Baranof Street
67 m · 10 sec · Baranof Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Baranof Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ester and Sitka.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
Turn straight onto Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
334 mi · 22h 00m
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.
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Light Rain leaving Ester and Mostly Sunny near Sitka.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ester to Sitka?
The road trip is about 895.4 miles (1441 km) and usually takes 36h 12m 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?
Cordova is a useful midpoint, sitting about 581.5 miles from Ester and 313.9 miles from Sitka.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 683.8 miles (1100.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 211.6 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 $156.40 one way or $312.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 280.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Light Rain around Ester and Mostly Sunny near Sitka.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ester and Sitka. Straight-line distance: 683.76 mi (1100.4 km).
#1 Ester
Census designated place
| Population | 2,422 |
| Coordinates | 64.8472200, -148.0144400 |
| Altitude | 224 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Sitka
City-borough in Alaska, USA
| Population | 8,493 |
| Coordinates | 57.0531500, -135.3308800 |
| Altitude | 8 |
| Country | United States |
End: Baranof Street (-135.330703, 57.053171)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 1441 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 29h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 22h 23m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 17h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 14h 55m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 12h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 11h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $156.40 | $312.80 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $168.63 | $337.25 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $175.83 | $351.66 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $201.10 | $402.20 |
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 04, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.