How far is Fairbanks, AK from Willow, AK?

The driving distance from Fairbanks, AK to Willow, AK is about 289.2 miles (465.4 km), with a travel time of about 05h 47m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 225.3 miles (362.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 34m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 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
289.19 mi
05h 47m
Flight
225.33 mi
362.64 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
225.33 mi
Kilometers
362.64 km
Flight Time
00h 27m

Driving Distance

Road route
289.19 mi
Kilometers
465.41 km
Drive Time
05h 47m

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 05h 47m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Willow
Sat, May 2, 8:53 AM AKDT
Return by in Fairbanks
Sat, May 2, 2:41 PM AKDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Fairbanks
2026-05-02T03:06
Arrive Willow
Sat, May 2, 8:53 AM AKDT
Route Timing
05h 47m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM AKDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:47 AM to 1:47 PM AKDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
5:26 AM AKDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Fairbanks
9:00 PM AKDT
Early departure recommended

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
Healy
AK

Census designated place

From Fairbanks
144.2 mi
02h 53m
To Willow
145 mi
02h 53m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
56°F
Saturday

Chance Light Rain

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph SE
Destination
50°F
Saturday

Light Rain

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    284.6 mi · 5 hr 37 min · George Parks Highway

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Willow Station Road

    1080 ft · 49 sec · Willow Station Road

  7. 7

    Turn right onto West Tuxedo Avenue

    13 m · 4 sec · West Tuxedo Avenue

  8. 8

    Continue on West Tuxedo Avenue

    657 ft · 34 sec · West Tuxedo Avenue

  9. 9

    Turn left onto Petticoat Street

    1101 ft · 48 sec · Petticoat Street

  10. 10

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Petticoat Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
10 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
3.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
George Parks Highway
285 mi · 98%
Airport Way
3.83 mi · 1%
Petticoat Street
0.21 mi
Willow Station Road
0.2 mi
Noble Street
0.15 mi
West Tuxedo Avenue
0.13 mi
Longest Stretch

George Parks Highway

Merge slight left onto George Parks Highway

285 mi · 05h 37m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
05h 47m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
11h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+63.9 mi
225.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Healy
02h 53m from Fairbanks
Leave By
5:26 AM AKDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Light Rain leaving Fairbanks and Light Rain near Willow.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 289.2 miles (465.4 km) and usually takes 05h 47m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Healy is a useful midpoint, sitting about 144.2 miles from Fairbanks and 145 miles from Willow.

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

The direct path is about 225.3 miles (362.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 63.9 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 8:00 AM AKDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:26 AM AKDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $50.50 one way or $101.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 90.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around Fairbanks and Light Rain near Willow.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Fairbanks and Willow. Straight-line distance: 225.33 mi (362.64 km).

Fairbanks

#1 Fairbanks

City in Alaska, USA

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

#2 Willow

Census-designated place in Alaska, USA

Population2,102
Coordinates61.7472200, -150.0375000
Altitude64
CountryUnited States
Start: Fairbanks (-147.71639, 64.83778)
End: Willow (-150.0375, 61.74722)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 465 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 38m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 13m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 47m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 49m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 07m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 36m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.2 gal
38.63 L · about $50.50
Round trip
$101.00
20.4 gal · 77.26 L
Estimated CO2
90.6 kg one way
Round trip: 181.3 kg / 400 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $50.50 $101.00
Mid-grade $5.34 $54.45 $108.90
Premium $5.57 $56.77 $113.55
Diesel $6.37 $64.93 $129.87

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 02, 2026

There is no time difference between Fairbanks and Willow. The current time is 03:06:31.

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.