How far is Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK from Ketchikan, AK?
The driving distance from Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK to Ketchikan, AK is about 1587.2 miles (2554.3 km), with a travel time of about 34h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 825.8 miles (1329 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 68h 39m 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 34h 19m.
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.
Light Snow Likely
Chance Rain And Snow
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fairbanks North Star Borough and Ketchikan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairbanks North Star Borough and Ketchikan.
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1
Start on Nugget Cabin Winter Trail
7.8 mi · 1 hr 14 min · Nugget Cabin Winter Trail
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2
Turn left onto Chena Hot Springs Road
31.1 mi · 43 min · Chena Hot Springs Road
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3
Continue on Chena Hot Springs Road
576 ft · 10 sec · Chena Hot Springs Road
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4
Continue on Chena Hot Springs Road
32 m · 2 sec · Chena Hot Springs Road
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5
Take the ramp right
1346 ft · 37 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Steese Highway
2.5 mi · 3 min · Steese Highway
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7
Turn right onto Johansen Expressway
4.2 mi · 5 min · Johansen Expressway
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8
Continue on Geist Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · Geist Road
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9
Take the exit right
1854 ft · 45 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto George Parks Highway
299.9 mi · 5 hr 59 min · George Parks Highway
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11
Continue on West Parks Highway
18.7 mi · 26 min · West Parks Highway
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12
Continue on Glenn Highway
33.1 mi · 38 min · Glenn Highway
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13
Continue on East 5th Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · East 5th Avenue
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14
Turn left onto Gambell Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · Gambell Street
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15
Continue on Seward Highway
47.1 mi · 58 min · Seward Highway
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16
Turn left onto Portage Glacier Road
5 mi · 7 min · Portage Glacier Road
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17
Continue on Portage Glacier Highway
4.7 mi · 11 min · Portage Glacier Highway
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18
Continue on West Camp Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · West Camp Road
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19
Turn right
52 m · 8 sec
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20
Turn left
76 m · 4 sec
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21
Turn straight onto Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
334.5 mi · 22 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
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22
Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
262.6 mi · 17 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
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23
Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau
276.8 mi · 8 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau
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24
Continue on Main Berth Ramp
60 m · 34 sec · Main Berth Ramp
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25
Continue on Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road
629 ft · 19 sec · Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road
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26
At the end of the road, turn right onto Tongass Avenue
1.7 mi · 3 min · Tongass Avenue
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27
Turn right onto Water Street
1928 ft · 39 sec · Water Street
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28
Turn right onto Front Street
122 m · 12 sec · Front Street
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29
Turn right
3 m · 1 sec
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fairbanks North Star Borough and Ketchikan.
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.
Light Snow Likely leaving Fairbanks North Star Borough and Chance Rain And Snow near Ketchikan.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fairbanks North Star Borough to Ketchikan?
The road trip is about 1587.2 miles (2554.3 km) and usually takes 34h 19m 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 666.4 miles from Fairbanks North Star Borough and 920.8 miles from Ketchikan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 825.8 miles (1329 km), while the road route adds roughly 761.4 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 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 $277.31 one way or $554.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 497.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Light Snow Likely around Fairbanks North Star Borough and Chance Rain And Snow near Ketchikan.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fairbanks North Star Borough and Ketchikan. Straight-line distance: 825.83 mi (1329.04 km).
#1 Fairbanks North Star Borough
Borough in Alaska, United States
| Population | 95,651 |
| Coordinates | 64.8333300, -146.4166700 |
| Altitude | 409 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Ketchikan
City in Alaska, USA
| Population | 8,187 |
| Coordinates | 55.3418000, -131.6475700 |
| Altitude | 8 |
| Country | United States |
End: Front Street (-131.647548, 55.341795)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 2554 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 52h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 39h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 31h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 26h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 22h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 19h 48m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $277.31 | $554.61 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $298.98 | $597.96 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $311.75 | $623.50 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $356.56 | $713.12 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.