How far is Fairbanks, AK from Kenai, AK?
The driving distance from Fairbanks, AK to Kenai, AK is about 514.6 miles (828.1 km), with a travel time of about 09h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 316.4 miles (509.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 18h 18m 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 09h 09m.
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.
Place in Alaska
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fairbanks and Kenai.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairbanks and Kenai.
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1
Start on 12th Avenue
133 m · 21 sec · 12th Avenue
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2
Turn right onto Noble Street
813 ft · 26 sec · Noble Street
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3
Turn right onto Airport Way
3.3 mi · 6 min · Airport Way
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4
Take the ramp slight right
2989 ft · 1 min
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5
Merge slight left onto George Parks Highway
301.1 mi · 6 hr · 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 Fairbanks 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
Merge slight left onto George Parks Highway
301 mi · 06h 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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Fairbanks and Mostly Sunny near Kenai.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fairbanks to Kenai?
The road trip is about 514.6 miles (828.1 km) and usually takes 09h 09m 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 257.1 miles from Fairbanks and 257.5 miles from Kenai.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 316.4 miles (509.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 198.2 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 $89.91 one way or $179.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 161.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Fairbanks and Mostly Sunny near Kenai.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fairbanks and Kenai. Straight-line distance: 316.41 mi (509.21 km).
#1 Fairbanks
City in Alaska, USA
| Population | 30,696 |
| Coordinates | 64.8377800, -147.7163900 |
| Altitude | 136 |
| 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: 828 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 17h 08m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 12h 51m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 10h 17m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 08h 34m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 07h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 06h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $89.91 | $179.82 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $96.94 | $193.88 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $101.08 | $202.16 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $115.61 | $231.21 |
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 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.