How far is Kenai, AK from Willow, AK?

The driving distance from Kenai, AK to Willow, AK is about 228.1 miles (367.1 km), with a travel time of about 05h 03m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 91.9 miles (147.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 07m 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
228.1 mi
05h 03m
Flight
91.91 mi
147.92 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
91.91 mi
Kilometers
147.92 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
228.1 mi
Kilometers
367.09 km
Drive Time
05h 03m

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 05h 03m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Willow
Sat, May 2, 7:53 AM AKDT
Return by in Kenai
Sat, May 2, 12:57 PM AKDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Kenai
2026-05-02T02:49
Arrive Willow
Sat, May 2, 7:53 AM AKDT
Route Timing
05h 03m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM AKDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:04 AM to 1:04 PM AKDT

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

Leave by
6:52 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
113.7 mi
02h 31m
To Willow
114.4 mi
02h 31m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
48°F
Saturday

Light Rain Likely

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
5 mph S
Destination
50°F
Saturday

Light Rain

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    33 mi · 38 min · Glenn Highway

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on East Parks Highway

    14.5 mi · 20 min · East Parks Highway

  13. 13

    Continue on West Parks Highway

    4.2 mi · 6 min · West Parks Highway

  14. 14

    Continue on George Parks Highway

    16.5 mi · 23 min · George Parks Highway

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Willow Station Road

    1080 ft · 49 sec · Willow Station Road

  16. 16

    Turn right onto West Tuxedo Avenue

    13 m · 4 sec · West Tuxedo Avenue

  17. 17

    Continue on West Tuxedo Avenue

    657 ft · 34 sec · West Tuxedo Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Petticoat Street

    1101 ft · 48 sec · Petticoat Street

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Petticoat Street

Car Route Details

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

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
19 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Seward Highway
88.5 mi · 39%
Sterling Highway
58.4 mi · 26%
Glenn Highway
33 mi · 14%
George Parks Highway
16.5 mi · 7%
East Parks Highway
14.5 mi · 6%
Kalifornsky Beach Road
5.98 mi · 3%
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
05h 03m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+136.2 mi
91.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Girdwood
02h 31m from Kenai
Leave By
6:52 AM AKDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Light Rain Likely leaving Kenai and Light Rain near Willow.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 228.1 miles (367.1 km) and usually takes 05h 03m 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 113.7 miles from Kenai and 114.4 miles from Willow.

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

The direct path is about 91.9 miles (147.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 136.2 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 6:52 AM AKDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.86 one way or $79.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 71.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Kenai and Willow. Straight-line distance: 91.91 mi (147.92 km).

Kenai

#1 Kenai

City in Alaska

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

#2 Willow

Census-designated place in Alaska, USA

Population2,102
Coordinates61.7472200, -150.0375000
Altitude64
CountryUnited States
Start: Kenai (-151.25833, 60.55444)
End: Willow (-150.0375, 61.74722)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 367 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 36m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 42m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 33m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 48m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 15m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 50m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.05 gal
30.47 L · about $39.86
Round trip
$79.71
16.1 gal · 60.94 L
Estimated CO2
71.5 kg one way
Round trip: 143.1 kg / 315 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $39.86 $79.71
Mid-grade $5.34 $42.97 $85.94
Premium $5.57 $44.81 $89.61
Diesel $6.37 $51.25 $102.49

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 · May 02, 2026

There is no time difference between Kenai and Willow. The current time is 02:49:32.

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.