How far is Kenai, AK from North Pole, AK?
The driving distance from Kenai, AK to North Pole, AK is about 529.1 miles (851.5 km), with a travel time of about 11h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 315.2 miles (507.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 22h 03m 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 11h 01m.
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.
Place in Alaska
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Light Snow
Chance Light Snow
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kenai and North Pole.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kenai and North Pole.
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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
301.4 mi · 6 hr 1 min · George Parks Highway
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15
Continue on Robert Mitchell Expressway
4.3 mi · 6 min · Robert Mitchell Expressway
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16
Keep slight right
1503 ft · 41 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto Richardson Highway
5.4 mi · 7 min · Richardson Highway
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18
Continue on New Richardson Highway
1.1 mi · 1 min · New Richardson Highway
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19
Continue on Richardson Highway
4.7 mi · 6 min · Richardson Highway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward Badger Road, Santa Claus Lane
1599 ft · 39 sec
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21
Turn straight onto North Santa Claus Lane
145 m · 10 sec · North Santa Claus Lane
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22
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Santa Claus Lane
36 m · 3 sec · North Santa Claus Lane
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23
Exit the roundabout onto North Santa Claus Lane
1845 ft · 42 sec · North Santa Claus Lane
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24
Turn left onto 4th Avenue
106 m · 17 sec · 4th Avenue
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25
Turn right onto Snowman Lane
45 m · 12 sec · Snowman Lane
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26
Turn left onto Fourth Avenue
60 m · 9 sec · Fourth Avenue
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Fourth Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kenai and North Pole.
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
301 mi · 06h 01m
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 Light Snow leaving Kenai and Chance Light Snow near North Pole.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kenai to North Pole?
The road trip is about 529.1 miles (851.5 km) and usually takes 11h 01m 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 263.8 miles from Kenai and 265.3 miles from North Pole.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 315.2 miles (507.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 213.9 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 $92.44 one way or $184.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 165.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Light Snow around Kenai and Chance Light Snow near North Pole.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kenai and North Pole. Straight-line distance: 315.25 mi (507.34 km).
#1 Kenai
City in Alaska
| Population | 7,890 |
| Coordinates | 60.5544400, -151.2583300 |
| Altitude | 22 |
| Country | United States |
#2 North Pole
City in Alaska, USA
| Population | 2,108 |
| Coordinates | 64.7511100, -147.3494400 |
| Altitude | 147 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Pole (-147.34944, 64.75111)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 852 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 17h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 13h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 10h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 08h 49m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 07h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 06h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $92.44 | $184.87 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $99.66 | $199.32 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $103.92 | $207.83 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $118.85 | $237.71 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.