How far is Ketchikan, AK from Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK?
The driving distance from Ketchikan, AK to Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK is about 1336.5 miles (2150.9 km), with a travel time of about 57h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 825.8 miles (1329 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 115h 27m 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 57h 43m.
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.
Chance Rain And Snow
Light Snow Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ketchikan and Fairbanks North Star Borough.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ketchikan and Fairbanks North Star Borough.
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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
299.8 mi · 5 hr 59 min · George Parks Highway
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24
Take the exit slight right
990 ft · 24 sec
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25
Keep slight left
1078 ft · 28 sec
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26
Turn left onto Geist Road
1.6 mi · 2 min · Geist Road
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27
Continue on Johansen Expressway
4.2 mi · 5 min · Johansen Expressway
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28
Turn left onto Steese Highway
2.6 mi · 4 min · Steese Highway
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29
Take the exit slight right toward Chena Hot Springs Road
1390 ft · 38 sec
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30
Keep slight left to continue on Chena Hot Springs Road
121 m · 11 sec
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31
Keep slight right to continue on Chena Hot Springs Road
31.1 mi · 43 min · Chena Hot Springs Road
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32
Turn right
1328 ft · 2 min
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33
Continue on Nugget Cabin Winter Trail
7.5 mi · 1 hr 13 min · Nugget Cabin Winter Trail
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34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Nugget Cabin Winter Trail
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ketchikan and Fairbanks North Star Borough.
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.
Chance Rain And Snow leaving Ketchikan and Light Snow Likely near Fairbanks North Star Borough.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ketchikan to Fairbanks North Star Borough?
The road trip is about 1336.5 miles (2150.9 km) and usually takes 57h 43m 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 666.4 miles from Ketchikan and 670.1 miles from Fairbanks North Star Borough.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 825.8 miles (1329 km), while the road route adds roughly 510.7 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 $233.49 one way or $466.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 419.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain And Snow around Ketchikan and Light Snow Likely near Fairbanks North Star Borough.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ketchikan and Fairbanks North Star Borough. Straight-line distance: 825.83 mi (1329.04 km).
#1 Ketchikan
City in Alaska, USA
| Population | 8,187 |
| Coordinates | 55.3418000, -131.6475700 |
| Altitude | 8 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Fairbanks North Star Borough
Borough in Alaska, United States
| Population | 95,651 |
| Coordinates | 64.8333300, -146.4166700 |
| Altitude | 409 |
| Country | United States |
End: Fairbanks North Star Borough (-146.41667, 64.83333)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 2151 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 44h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 33h 24m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 26h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 22h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 19h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 16h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $233.49 | $466.98 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $251.74 | $503.48 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $262.49 | $524.99 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $300.22 | $600.44 |
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.