How far is Kenai, AK from Eagle River, AK?

The driving distance from Kenai, AK to Eagle River, AK is about 171.4 miles (275.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 08m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 77.6 miles (124.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 17m 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
171.45 mi
03h 08m
Flight
77.63 mi
124.94 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Kenai.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
77.63 mi
Kilometers
124.94 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Road route
171.45 mi
Kilometers
275.93 km
Drive Time
03h 08m

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 03h 08m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Eagle River
Wed, Apr 22, 9:36 PM AKDT
Return by in Kenai
Thu, Apr 23, 12:45 AM AKDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Kenai
2026-04-22T18:27
Arrive Eagle River
Wed, Apr 22, 9:36 PM AKDT
Route Timing
03h 08m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM AKDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:09 AM to 11:09 AM AKDT

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

Leave by
10:42 AM AKDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Kenai
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
Girdwood
AK

City in United States of America

From Kenai
85.6 mi
01h 34m
To Eagle River
85.9 mi
01h 34m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
42°F
Wednesday

Light Rain

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph NE
Destination
45°F
Wednesday

Rain And Snow Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
5 mph E

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Kenai and Eagle River.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kenai and Eagle River.

  1. 1

    Start on Frontage Road

    142 m · 25 sec · Frontage Road

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Broad Street

    28 m · 6 sec · Broad Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Kenai Spur Highway

    2847 ft · 1 min · Kenai Spur Highway

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Bridge Access Road

    3.3 mi · 5 min · Bridge Access Road

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Kalifornsky Beach Road

    6 mi · 8 min · Kalifornsky Beach Road

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Sterling Highway

    58.4 mi · 1 hr 26 min · Sterling Highway

  7. 7

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Seward Highway

    88.5 mi · 1 hr 47 min · Seward Highway

  8. 8

    Continue on Ingra Street

    1 mi · 2 min · Ingra Street

  9. 9

    Turn right onto East 6th Avenue

    1924 ft · 57 sec · East 6th Avenue

  10. 10

    Continue on East 5th Avenue

    1 mi · 2 min · East 5th Avenue

  11. 11

    Continue on Glenn Highway

    11.8 mi · 14 min · Glenn Highway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward Eagle River

    1518 ft · 37 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on Eagle River, Downtown

    111 m · 9 sec

  14. 14

    Turn straight onto Old Glenn Highway

    814 ft · 24 sec · Old Glenn Highway

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Monte Road

    126 m · 14 sec · Monte Road

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Monte Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Kenai and Eagle River.

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
16 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Seward Highway
88.5 mi · 52%
Sterling Highway
58.4 mi · 34%
Glenn Highway
12.2 mi · 7%
Kalifornsky Beach Road
5.98 mi · 3%
Bridge Access Road
3.27 mi · 2%
Ingra Street
1.02 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Seward Highway

At the end of the road, turn left onto Seward Highway

88.5 mi · 01h 47m

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
03h 08m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+93.8 mi
77.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Girdwood
01h 34m from Kenai
Leave By
10:42 AM AKDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Light Rain leaving Kenai and Rain And Snow Likely near Eagle River.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Kenai to Eagle River?

The road trip is about 171.4 miles (275.9 km) and usually takes 03h 08m 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?

Girdwood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 85.6 miles from Kenai and 85.9 miles from Eagle River.

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

The direct path is about 77.6 miles (124.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 93.8 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 8:00 AM AKDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:42 AM AKDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.95 one way or $59.91 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Light Rain around Kenai and Rain And Snow Likely near Eagle River.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Kenai and Eagle River. Straight-line distance: 77.63 mi (124.94 km).

Kenai

#1 Kenai

City in Alaska

Population7,890
Coordinates60.5544400, -151.2583300
Altitude22
CountryUnited States
Eagle River

#2 Eagle River

Community in Alaska, USA

Population24,793
Coordinates61.3213900, -149.5677800
Altitude98
CountryUnited States
Start: Frontage Road (-151.258293, 60.554244)
End: Monte Road (-149.567778, 61.32158)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 276 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 42m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 17m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 25m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 51m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 26m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 08m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.05 gal
22.9 L · about $29.95
Round trip
$59.91
12.1 gal · 45.8 L
Estimated CO2
53.8 kg one way
Round trip: 107.5 kg / 237 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $29.95 $59.91
Mid-grade $5.34 $32.29 $64.59
Premium $5.57 $33.67 $67.35
Diesel $6.37 $38.51 $77.03

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 Kenai and Eagle River. The current time is 18:27:48.

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.