How far is Fairbanks, AK from Sitka, AK?

Fastest route

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
885.48 mi
36h 17m
Flight
677.24 mi
1089.91 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
677.24 mi
Kilometers
1089.91 km
Flight Time
01h 21m

Driving Distance

Road route
885.48 mi
Kilometers
1425.04 km
Drive Time
36h 17m

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 17m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sitka
Thu, Apr 30, 8:21 AM AKDT
Return by in Fairbanks
Fri, May 1, 8:38 PM AKDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Fairbanks
2026-04-28T20:04
Arrive Sitka
Thu, Apr 30, 8:21 AM AKDT
Route Timing
36h 17m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 7:30 AM AKDT
Treat this as a longer travel day
Arrive between
6:17 PM to 7:47 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
11:26 AM 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
Cordova
AK

City in Alaska, USA

From Fairbanks
586.2 mi
18h 08m
To Sitka
299.3 mi
18h 08m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
53°F
This Afternoon

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, Apr 28 5:00 PM AKDT
Wind
10 mph S
Destination
42°F
This Afternoon

Light Rain Likely

Starts
Tue, Apr 28 2:00 PM AKDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    47.1 mi · 58 min · Seward Highway

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Portage Glacier Road

    5 mi · 7 min · Portage Glacier Road

  12. 12

    Continue on Portage Glacier Highway

    4.7 mi · 11 min · Portage Glacier Highway

  13. 13

    Continue on West Camp Road

    1.5 mi · 2 min · West Camp Road

  14. 14

    Turn right

    52 m · 8 sec

  15. 15

    Turn left

    76 m · 4 sec

  16. 16

    Turn straight onto Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat

    334.5 mi · 22 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat

  17. 17

    Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat

    262.6 mi · 17 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat

  18. 18

    Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Sitka-Juneau

    153.9 mi · 9 hr 30 min · Alaska Marine Highway - Sitka-Juneau

  19. 19

    Continue straight

    662 ft · 50 sec

  20. 20

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Halibut Point Road

    6.6 mi · 12 min · Halibut Point Road

  21. 21

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Sawmill Creek Road

    36 m · 2 sec · Sawmill Creek Road

  22. 22

    Exit the roundabout onto Sawmill Creek Road

    752 ft · 17 sec · Sawmill Creek Road

  23. 23

    Turn right onto Baranof Street

    67 m · 10 sec · Baranof Street

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Baranof Street

Car Route Details

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

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
24 steps
13 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
2.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
334 mi · 38%
George Parks Highway
301 mi · 34%
Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
263 mi · 30%
Alaska Marine Highway - Sitka-Juneau
154 mi · 17%
Seward Highway
47.2 mi · 5%
Glenn Highway
33.1 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

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.

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
36h 17m
Overnight route
Same-Day Return
72h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+208.3 mi
677.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Cordova
18h 08m from Fairbanks
Leave By
11:26 AM AKDT
Overnight-style route
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Fairbanks and Light Rain Likely near Sitka.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 885.5 miles (1425 km) and usually takes 36h 17m 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 586.2 miles from Fairbanks and 299.3 miles from Sitka.

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

The direct path is about 677.2 miles (1089.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 208.3 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 $154.72 one way or $309.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 277.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Fairbanks and Light Rain Likely near Sitka.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Fairbanks and Sitka. Straight-line distance: 677.24 mi (1089.91 km).

Fairbanks

#1 Fairbanks

City in Alaska, USA

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

#2 Sitka

City-borough in Alaska, USA

Population8,493
Coordinates57.0531500, -135.3308800
Altitude8
CountryUnited States
Start: 12th Avenue (-147.71648, 64.838038)
End: Baranof Street (-135.330703, 57.053171)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 1425 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)29h 30m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)22h 08m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)17h 42m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)14h 45m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)12h 39m
80 mph (129 km/h)11h 02m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
31.25 gal
118.28 L · about $154.72
Round trip
$309.44
62.5 gal · 236.56 L
Estimated CO2
277.7 kg one way
Round trip: 555.4 kg / 1224 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $154.72 $309.44
Mid-grade $5.34 $166.81 $333.63
Premium $5.57 $173.94 $347.88
Diesel $6.37 $198.94 $397.88

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 29, 2026

There is no time difference between Fairbanks and Sitka. The current time is 20:04:16.

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.