How far is Kenai, AK from Gateway, AK?
The driving distance from Kenai, AK to Gateway, AK is about 195.7 miles (315 km), with a travel time of about 04h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 97.4 miles (156.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 38m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 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 04h 19m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Light Snow Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kenai and Gateway.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kenai and Gateway.
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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
1.6 mi · 2 min · East Parks Highway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Trunk Road
1409 ft · 35 sec
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Trunk Road north
114 m · 9 sec
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15
Turn straight onto Trunk Road
940 ft · 24 sec · Trunk Road
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16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Trunk Road
33 m · 2 sec · Trunk Road
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17
Exit the roundabout onto Trunk Road
2565 ft · 42 sec · Trunk Road
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18
Turn right onto East Duchess Drive
104 m · 13 sec · East Duchess Drive
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19
Turn right onto East Cottrell-Campus Drive
29 m · 5 sec · East Cottrell-Campus Drive
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20
Turn left onto East Duchess Drive
1982 ft · 1 min · East Duchess Drive
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21
Continue on Regents Road
1124 ft · 51 sec · Regents Road
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22
Turn right onto Joanne Drive
785 ft · 34 sec · Joanne Drive
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Joanne Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kenai and Gateway.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
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.
Chance Light Snow leaving Kenai and Light Snow Likely near Gateway.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kenai to Gateway?
The road trip is about 195.7 miles (315 km) and usually takes 04h 19m 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 97.6 miles from Kenai and 98.2 miles from Gateway.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 97.4 miles (156.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 98.3 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 8:22 AM AKDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.21 one way or $68.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Snow around Kenai and Light Snow Likely near Gateway.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kenai and Gateway. Straight-line distance: 97.46 mi (156.84 km).
#1 Kenai
City in Alaska
| Population | 7,890 |
| Coordinates | 60.5544400, -151.2583300 |
| Altitude | 22 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Gateway
Gateway is a place in Alaska, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 61.5727800, -149.2408300 |
| Altitude | 63 |
| Country | United States |
End: Gateway (-149.24083, 61.57278)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 315 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 53m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $34.21 | $68.42 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $36.89 | $73.77 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $38.46 | $76.92 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $43.99 | $87.98 |
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.