How far is Girdwood, AK from Ketchikan, AK?
The driving distance from Girdwood, AK to Ketchikan, AK is about 1153.5 miles (1856.3 km), with a travel time of about 32h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 743.5 miles (1196.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 64h 49m 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 32h 24m.
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.
City in Alaska
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Girdwood and Ketchikan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Girdwood and Ketchikan.
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1
Start on Dawson Street
132 m · 21 sec · Dawson Street
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2
Turn right onto Gold Street
99 m · 20 sec · Gold Street
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3
Turn left onto Main Street
154 m · 28 sec · Main Street
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4
Turn left onto Seward Highway
11.2 mi · 14 min · Seward Highway
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5
Turn left onto Portage Glacier Road
5 mi · 7 min · Portage Glacier Road
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6
Continue on Portage Glacier Highway
4.7 mi · 11 min · Portage Glacier Highway
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7
Continue on West Camp Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · West Camp Road
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8
Turn right
52 m · 8 sec
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9
Turn left
76 m · 4 sec
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10
Turn straight onto Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
334.5 mi · 22 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
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11
Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
262.6 mi · 17 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
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12
Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau
276.8 mi · 8 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau
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13
Continue on Main Berth Ramp
60 m · 34 sec · Main Berth Ramp
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14
Continue on Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road
629 ft · 19 sec · Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road
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15
At the end of the road, turn right onto Tongass Avenue
1.7 mi · 3 min · Tongass Avenue
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16
Turn right onto Water Street
1928 ft · 39 sec · Water Street
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17
Turn right onto Front Street
122 m · 12 sec · Front Street
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18
Turn right
3 m · 1 sec
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Girdwood and Ketchikan.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
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.
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Girdwood and Rain Showers near Ketchikan.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Girdwood to Ketchikan?
The road trip is about 1153.5 miles (1856.3 km) and usually takes 32h 24m 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?
Pelican is a useful midpoint, sitting about 448.1 miles from Girdwood and 705.3 miles from Ketchikan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 743.5 miles (1196.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 410 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 $201.51 one way or $403.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 361.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Girdwood and Rain Showers near Ketchikan.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Girdwood and Ketchikan. Straight-line distance: 743.5 mi (1196.54 km).
#1 Girdwood
City in United States of America
| Population | 2,250 |
| Coordinates | 60.9425000, -149.1663900 |
| Altitude | 11 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Ketchikan
City in Alaska, USA
| Population | 8,187 |
| Coordinates | 55.3418000, -131.6475700 |
| Altitude | 8 |
| Country | United States |
End: Front Street (-131.647548, 55.341795)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 1856 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 38h 26m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 28h 50m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 23h 04m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 19h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 16h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 14h 23m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $201.51 | $403.01 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $217.26 | $434.51 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $226.54 | $453.07 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $259.10 | $518.19 |
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.