How far is Fairbanks, AK from Seward, AK?

The driving distance from Fairbanks, AK to Seward, AK is about 484.2 miles (779.2 km), with a travel time of about 09h 57m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 331.6 miles (533.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 19h 55m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM AKDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
484.19 mi
09h 57m
Flight
331.64 mi
533.72 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Fairbanks.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
331.64 mi
Kilometers
533.72 km
Flight Time
00h 40m

Driving Distance

Road route
484.19 mi
Kilometers
779.23 km
Drive Time
09h 57m

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 57m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Seward
Thu, Apr 23, 11:11 AM AKDT
Return by in Fairbanks
Thu, Apr 23, 9:08 PM AKDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Fairbanks
2026-04-23T01:13
Arrive Seward
Thu, Apr 23, 11:11 AM AKDT
Route Timing
09h 57m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 7:30 AM AKDT
Treat this as a longer travel day
Arrive between
3:58 PM to 5:28 PM AKDT

Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.

Leave by
4:04 PM AKDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 08h 00m at the destination.
Back in Fairbanks
8:00 PM AKDT
Overnight-style route

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.

Mid-route stop
Talkeetna
AK

Place in Alaska

From Fairbanks
241.4 mi
04h 58m
To Seward
242.8 mi
04h 58m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
51°F
Thursday

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph E
Destination
41°F
Thursday

Rain

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
10 mph E

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Fairbanks and Seward.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fairbanks and Seward.

  1. 1

    Start on 12th Avenue

    133 m · 21 sec · 12th Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Noble Street

    813 ft · 26 sec · Noble Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Airport Way

    3.3 mi · 6 min · Airport Way

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight right

    2989 ft · 1 min

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto George Parks Highway

    301.1 mi · 6 hr · George Parks Highway

  6. 6

    Continue on West Parks Highway

    18.7 mi · 26 min · West Parks Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on Glenn Highway

    33.1 mi · 38 min · Glenn Highway

  8. 8

    Continue on East 5th Avenue

    1.5 mi · 3 min · East 5th Avenue

  9. 9

    Turn left onto Gambell Street

    1.1 mi · 3 min · Gambell Street

  10. 10

    Continue on Seward Highway

    124 mi · 2 hr 38 min · Seward Highway

  11. 11

    Continue on 3rd Avenue

    1 km · 59 sec · 3rd Avenue

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Jefferson Street

    92 m · 19 sec · Jefferson Street

  13. 13

    Turn left onto 2nd Avenue

    52 m · 7 sec · 2nd Avenue

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 2nd Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Fairbanks and Seward.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
14 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
2.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
George Parks Highway
301 mi · 62%
Seward Highway
124 mi · 26%
Glenn Highway
33.1 mi · 7%
West Parks Highway
18.7 mi · 4%
Airport Way
3.83 mi · 1%
East 5th Avenue
1.48 mi
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
09h 57m
Overnight route
Same-Day Return
19h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+152.6 mi
331.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Talkeetna
04h 58m from Fairbanks
Leave By
4:04 PM AKDT
Overnight-style route
Weather Watch

Mostly Cloudy leaving Fairbanks and Rain near Seward.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Fairbanks to Seward?

The road trip is about 484.2 miles (779.2 km) and usually takes 09h 57m 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 241.4 miles from Fairbanks and 242.8 miles from Seward.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 331.6 miles (533.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 152.6 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 $84.61 one way or $169.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 151.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Fairbanks and Rain near Seward.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Fairbanks and Seward. Straight-line distance: 331.64 mi (533.72 km).

Fairbanks

#1 Fairbanks

City in Alaska, USA

Population30,696
Coordinates64.8377800, -147.7163900
Altitude136
CountryUnited States
Seward

#2 Seward

City in Alaska, USA

Population2,927
Coordinates60.1042600, -149.4435000
Altitude28
CountryUnited States
Start: Fairbanks (-147.71639, 64.83778)
End: Seward (-149.4435, 60.10426)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 779 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)16h 07m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)12h 06m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)09h 41m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)08h 04m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)06h 55m
80 mph (129 km/h)06h 02m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
17.09 gal
64.68 L · about $84.61
Round trip
$169.23
34.18 gal · 129.36 L
Estimated CO2
151.9 kg one way
Round trip: 303.8 kg / 670 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $84.61 $169.23
Mid-grade $5.34 $91.23 $182.45
Premium $5.57 $95.12 $190.25
Diesel $6.37 $108.79 $217.59

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

There is no time difference between Fairbanks and Seward. The current time is 01:13:17.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.