How far is Ketchikan, AK from Girdwood, AK?
The driving distance from Ketchikan, AK to Girdwood, AK is about 898.8 miles (1446.5 km), with a travel time of about 47h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 743.5 miles (1196.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 95h 22m 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 47h 41m.
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
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ketchikan and Girdwood.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ketchikan and Girdwood.
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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
11.2 mi · 14 min · Seward Highway
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17
Turn right onto Main Street
154 m · 24 sec · Main Street
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18
Turn right onto Gold Street
99 m · 20 sec · Gold Street
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19
Turn left onto Dawson Street
132 m · 19 sec · Dawson Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Dawson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ketchikan and Girdwood.
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.
Rain Showers leaving Ketchikan and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Girdwood.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ketchikan to Girdwood?
The road trip is about 898.8 miles (1446.5 km) and usually takes 47h 41m 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?
Pelican is a useful midpoint, sitting about 448.1 miles from Ketchikan and 450.7 miles from Girdwood.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 743.5 miles (1196.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 155.3 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 $157.05 one way or $314.09 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 281.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Ketchikan and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Girdwood.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ketchikan and Girdwood. Straight-line distance: 743.5 mi (1196.54 km).
#1 Ketchikan
City in Alaska, USA
| Population | 8,187 |
| Coordinates | 55.3418000, -131.6475700 |
| Altitude | 8 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Girdwood
City in United States of America
| Population | 2,250 |
| Coordinates | 60.9425000, -149.1663900 |
| Altitude | 11 |
| Country | United States |
End: Girdwood (-149.16639, 60.9425)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 1447 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 29h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 22h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 17h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 14h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 12h 50m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 11h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $157.05 | $314.09 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $169.32 | $338.64 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $176.55 | $353.11 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $201.93 | $403.86 |
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 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.