How far is Houston, AK from Ketchikan, AK?
The driving distance from Houston, AK to Ketchikan, AK is about 1660.7 miles (2672.6 km), with a travel time of about 35h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 782.9 miles (1260 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 71h 36m 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 35h 48m.
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, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Houston and Ketchikan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houston and Ketchikan.
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1
Start on George Parks Highway
4.7 mi · 7 min · George Parks Highway
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2
Continue on West Parks Highway
18.7 mi · 26 min · West Parks Highway
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3
Continue on Glenn Highway
33.1 mi · 38 min · Glenn Highway
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4
Continue on East 5th Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · East 5th Avenue
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5
Turn left onto Gambell Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · Gambell Street
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6
Continue on Seward Highway
47.1 mi · 58 min · Seward Highway
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7
Turn left onto Portage Glacier Road
5 mi · 7 min · Portage Glacier Road
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8
Continue on Portage Glacier Highway
4.7 mi · 11 min · Portage Glacier Highway
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9
Continue on West Camp Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · West Camp Road
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10
Turn right
52 m · 8 sec
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11
Turn left
76 m · 4 sec
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12
Turn straight onto Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
334.5 mi · 22 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
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13
Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
262.6 mi · 17 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
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14
Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau
276.8 mi · 8 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau
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15
Continue on Main Berth Ramp
60 m · 34 sec · Main Berth Ramp
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16
Continue on Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road
629 ft · 19 sec · Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road
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17
At the end of the road, turn right onto Tongass Avenue
1.7 mi · 3 min · Tongass Avenue
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18
Turn right onto Water Street
1928 ft · 39 sec · Water Street
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19
Turn right onto Front Street
122 m · 12 sec · Front Street
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20
Turn right
3 m · 1 sec
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Houston 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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Houston 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 Houston to Ketchikan?
The road trip is about 1660.7 miles (2672.6 km) and usually takes 35h 48m 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?
Haines is a useful midpoint, sitting about 495.4 miles from Houston and 1165.3 miles from Ketchikan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 782.9 miles (1260 km), while the road route adds roughly 877.8 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 $290.13 one way or $580.26 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 520.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Houston and Rain Showers near Ketchikan.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Houston and Ketchikan. Straight-line distance: 782.9 mi (1259.96 km).
#1 Houston
City in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska, United States
| Population | 2,462 |
| Coordinates | 61.6302800, -149.8180600 |
| Altitude | 76 |
| 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: 2673 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 55h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 41h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 33h 12m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 27h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 23h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 20h 43m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $290.13 | $580.26 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $312.81 | $625.61 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $326.17 | $652.34 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $373.05 | $746.10 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.