How far is Fairbanks, AK from Prudhoe Bay, AK?
The driving distance from Fairbanks, AK to Prudhoe Bay, AK is about 500.6 miles (805.6 km), with a travel time of about 16h 29m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 374.7 miles (603 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 32h 58m 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 16h 29m.
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 Chance Rain And Snow
Cloudy then Areas Of Blowing Snow
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fairbanks and Prudhoe Bay.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairbanks and Prudhoe Bay.
-
1
Start on 12th Avenue
133 m · 25 sec · 12th Avenue
-
2
Turn left onto Noble Street
130 m · 16 sec · Noble Street
-
3
Turn right onto 10th Avenue
1413 ft · 41 sec · 10th Avenue
-
4
Turn left onto Steese Highway
10.8 mi · 16 min · Steese Highway
-
5
Continue on Elliott Highway
68.1 mi · 1 hr 39 min · Elliott Highway
-
6
Continue on Dalton Highway
415.8 mi · 14 hr 21 min · Dalton Highway
-
7
At the end of the road, turn right onto Colleen Lake Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Colleen Lake Road
-
8
At the end of the road, turn right onto Spine Road
3 mi · 7 min · Spine Road
-
9
Keep slight right
1.4 mi · 3 min
-
10
Continue straight
936 ft · 26 sec
-
11
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fairbanks and Prudhoe Bay.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Dalton Highway
Continue on Dalton Highway
416 mi · 14h 21m
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 Chance Rain And Snow leaving Fairbanks and Cloudy then Areas Of Blowing Snow near Prudhoe Bay.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fairbanks to Prudhoe Bay?
The road trip is about 500.6 miles (805.6 km) and usually takes 16h 29m 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?
Bettles is a useful midpoint, sitting about 246.8 miles from Fairbanks and 253.8 miles from Prudhoe Bay.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 374.7 miles (603 km), while the road route adds roughly 125.9 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 $87.98 one way or $175.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 156.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain And Snow around Fairbanks and Cloudy then Areas Of Blowing Snow near Prudhoe Bay.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fairbanks and Prudhoe Bay. Straight-line distance: 374.67 mi (602.97 km).
#1 Fairbanks
City in Alaska, USA
| Population | 30,696 |
| Coordinates | 64.8377800, -147.7163900 |
| Altitude | 136 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Prudhoe Bay
This remote Alaskan outpost, situated at an elevation of 46 feet in the North Slope Borough, is a key industrial center on the Arctic coast.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 70.2552800, -148.3372200 |
| Altitude | 14 |
| Country | United States |
End: Prudhoe Bay (-148.33722, 70.25528)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 806 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 16h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 12h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 10h 00m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 08h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 07h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 06h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.98 | $87.98 | $175.96 |
| Mid-grade | $5.23 | $92.38 | $184.76 |
| Premium | $5.45 | $96.21 | $192.42 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $116.03 | $232.05 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026