How far is Kenai, AK from Ester, AK?
The driving distance from Kenai, AK to Ester, AK is about 506.9 miles (815.7 km), with a travel time of about 10h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 313.8 miles (505 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 21h 05m 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 10h 32m.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain And Snow
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kenai and Ester.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kenai and Ester.
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1
Start on Frontage Road
142 m · 25 sec · Frontage Road
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2
Turn left onto Broad Street
28 m · 6 sec · Broad Street
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3
Turn right onto Kenai Spur Highway
2847 ft · 1 min · Kenai Spur Highway
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4
Turn right onto Bridge Access Road
3.3 mi · 5 min · Bridge Access Road
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5
Turn left onto Kalifornsky Beach Road
6 mi · 8 min · Kalifornsky Beach Road
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6
Turn left onto Sterling Highway
58.4 mi · 1 hr 26 min · Sterling Highway
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7
At the end of the road, turn left onto Seward Highway
88.5 mi · 1 hr 47 min · Seward Highway
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8
Continue on Ingra Street
1 mi · 2 min · Ingra Street
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9
Turn right onto East 6th Avenue
1924 ft · 57 sec · East 6th Avenue
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10
Continue on East 5th Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · East 5th Avenue
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11
Continue on Glenn Highway
33 mi · 38 min · Glenn Highway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on East Parks Highway
14.5 mi · 20 min · East Parks Highway
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13
Continue on West Parks Highway
4.2 mi · 6 min · West Parks Highway
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14
Continue on George Parks Highway
295.2 mi · 5 hr 52 min · George Parks Highway
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15
Turn left onto Old Nenana Highway
1880 ft · 38 sec · Old Nenana Highway
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16
Turn right onto Village Road
744 ft · 34 sec · Village Road
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17
Turn right onto Main Street
635 ft · 30 sec · Main Street
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18
Turn left onto Ester Loop
83 m · 12 sec · Ester Loop
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Ester Loop
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kenai and Ester.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
George Parks Highway
Continue on George Parks Highway
295 mi · 05h 52m
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.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain And Snow leaving Kenai and Partly Sunny near Ester.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kenai to Ester?
The road trip is about 506.9 miles (815.7 km) and usually takes 10h 32m 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?
Talkeetna is a useful midpoint, sitting about 252.6 miles from Kenai and 254.2 miles from Ester.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 313.8 miles (505 km), while the road route adds roughly 193.1 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 $88.52 one way or $177.05 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 158.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain And Snow around Kenai and Partly Sunny near Ester.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kenai and Ester. Straight-line distance: 313.81 mi (505.03 km).
#1 Kenai
City in Alaska
| Population | 7,890 |
| Coordinates | 60.5544400, -151.2583300 |
| Altitude | 22 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Ester
Census designated place
| Population | 2,422 |
| Coordinates | 64.8472200, -148.0144400 |
| Altitude | 224 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ester (-148.01444, 64.84722)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 816 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 16h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 12h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 10h 08m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 08h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 07h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 06h 19m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $88.52 | $177.05 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $95.44 | $190.89 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $99.52 | $199.04 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $113.82 | $227.65 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.