How far is Kenai, AK from Seward, AK?

The driving distance from Kenai, AK to Seward, AK is about 104.5 miles (168.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 34m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 69.4 miles (111.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 08m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM AKDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
104.48 mi
02h 34m
Flight
69.43 mi
111.73 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Kenai.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
69.43 mi
Kilometers
111.73 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
104.48 mi
Kilometers
168.14 km
Drive Time
02h 34m

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 02h 34m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Seward
Thu, Apr 23, 2:35 AM AKDT
Return by in Kenai
Thu, Apr 23, 5:10 AM AKDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Kenai
2026-04-23T00:01
Arrive Seward
Thu, Apr 23, 2:35 AM AKDT
Route Timing
02h 34m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM AKDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:34 AM to 12:34 PM AKDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:22 PM AKDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Kenai
9:30 PM AKDT
Morning start is best

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
Bear Creek
AK

Town in Marion County, Alabama, USA

From Kenai
52.1 mi
01h 17m
To Seward
52.4 mi
01h 17m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
46°F
Thursday

Light Rain

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph NE
Destination
41°F
Thursday

Rain

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
10 mph E

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kenai and Seward.

  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

    Turn right onto Seward Highway

    35.4 mi · 51 min · Seward Highway

  8. 8

    Continue on 3rd Avenue

    1 km · 59 sec · 3rd Avenue

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Jefferson Street

    92 m · 19 sec · Jefferson Street

  10. 10

    Turn left onto 2nd Avenue

    52 m · 7 sec · 2nd Avenue

  11. 11

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 2nd Avenue

Car Route Details

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

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
11 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Sterling Highway
58.4 mi · 56%
Seward Highway
35.4 mi · 34%
Kalifornsky Beach Road
5.98 mi · 6%
Bridge Access Road
3.27 mi · 3%
3rd Avenue
0.64 mi · 1%
Kenai Spur Highway
0.54 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Sterling Highway

Turn left onto Sterling Highway

58.4 mi · 01h 26m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 34m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+35.1 mi
69.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Bear Creek
01h 17m from Kenai
Leave By
1:22 PM AKDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Light Rain leaving Kenai and Rain near Seward.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Kenai to Seward?

The road trip is about 104.5 miles (168.1 km) and usually takes 02h 34m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Bear Creek is a useful midpoint, sitting about 52.1 miles from Kenai and 52.4 miles from Seward.

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

The direct path is about 69.4 miles (111.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM AKDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:22 PM AKDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.27 one way or $36.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 32.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Light Rain around Kenai and Rain near Seward.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Kenai and Seward. Straight-line distance: 69.43 mi (111.73 km).

Kenai

#1 Kenai

City in Alaska

Population7,890
Coordinates60.5544400, -151.2583300
Altitude22
CountryUnited States
Seward

#2 Seward

City in Alaska, USA

Population2,927
Coordinates60.1042600, -149.4435000
Altitude28
CountryUnited States
Start: Kenai (-151.25833, 60.55444)
End: Seward (-149.4435, 60.10426)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 168 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 28m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 36m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 05m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 44m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 29m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 18m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.69 gal
13.96 L · about $18.27
Round trip
$36.54
7.38 gal · 27.92 L
Estimated CO2
32.8 kg one way
Round trip: 65.6 kg / 145 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $18.27 $36.54
Mid-grade $5.34 $19.70 $39.39
Premium $5.57 $20.54 $41.08
Diesel $6.37 $23.49 $46.98

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Kenai and Seward. The current time is 00:01:12.

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.