How far is Ketchikan, AK from Ester, AK?
The driving distance from Ketchikan, AK to Ester, AK is about 1284.6 miles (2067.3 km), with a travel time of about 55h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 860.4 miles (1384.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 110h 57m 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 55h 28m.
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.
City in Alaska, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Chance Rain And Snow then Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ketchikan and Ester.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ketchikan and Ester.
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1
Start on the route
760 ft · 34 sec
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto Water Street
66 m · 12 sec · Water Street
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3
Continue on Water Street
1875 ft · 37 sec · Water Street
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4
Turn left onto Tongass Avenue
1.6 mi · 3 min · Tongass Avenue
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5
Turn left
39 m · 5 sec
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6
Turn right
131 m · 37 sec
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7
Turn left onto Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road
143 m · 41 sec · Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road
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8
Turn straight onto Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau
276.8 mi · 8 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau
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9
Turn sharp left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
262.6 mi · 17 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
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10
Turn sharp left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
334.5 mi · 22 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
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11
Continue straight
114 m · 7 sec
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12
At the end of the road, turn right onto West Camp Road
53 m · 9 sec · West Camp Road
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13
Continue on West Camp Road
1.4 mi · 2 min · West Camp Road
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14
Continue on Portage Glacier Highway
4.7 mi · 11 min · Portage Glacier Highway
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15
Continue on Portage Glacier Road
5 mi · 7 min · Portage Glacier Road
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16
Turn right onto Seward Highway
47.2 mi · 59 min · Seward Highway
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17
Continue on Ingra Street
1 mi · 2 min · Ingra Street
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18
Turn right onto East 6th Avenue
1924 ft · 57 sec · East 6th Avenue
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19
Continue on East 5th Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · East 5th Avenue
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20
Continue on Glenn Highway
33 mi · 38 min · Glenn Highway
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21
Keep slight left to continue on East Parks Highway
14.5 mi · 20 min · East Parks Highway
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22
Continue on West Parks Highway
4.2 mi · 6 min · West Parks Highway
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23
Continue on George Parks Highway
295.2 mi · 5 hr 52 min · George Parks Highway
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24
Turn left onto Old Nenana Highway
1880 ft · 38 sec · Old Nenana Highway
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25
Turn right onto Village Road
744 ft · 34 sec · Village Road
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26
Turn right onto Main Street
635 ft · 30 sec · Main Street
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27
Turn left onto Ester Loop
83 m · 12 sec · Ester Loop
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Ester Loop
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ketchikan and Ester.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
Turn sharp left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
334 mi · 22h 00m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Ketchikan and Chance Rain And Snow then Mostly Cloudy near Ester.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ketchikan to Ester?
The road trip is about 1284.6 miles (2067.3 km) and usually takes 55h 28m 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?
Cordova is a useful midpoint, sitting about 640.4 miles from Ketchikan and 644.1 miles from Ester.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 860.4 miles (1384.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 424.2 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 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 $224.43 one way or $448.86 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 402.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Ketchikan and Chance Rain And Snow then Mostly Cloudy near Ester.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ketchikan and Ester. Straight-line distance: 860.38 mi (1384.65 km).
#1 Ketchikan
City in Alaska, USA
| Population | 8,187 |
| Coordinates | 55.3418000, -131.6475700 |
| Altitude | 8 |
| 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: 2067 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 42h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 32h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 25h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 21h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 18h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 16h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $224.43 | $448.86 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $241.97 | $483.94 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $252.31 | $504.61 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $288.57 | $577.14 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.