How far is Ketchikan, AK from Palmer, AK?
The driving distance from Ketchikan, AK to Palmer, AK is about 1632.3 miles (2627 km), with a travel time of about 35h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 761.2 miles (1225.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 71h 11m 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 35h 35m.
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 Cloudy
Scattered Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ketchikan and Palmer.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ketchikan and Palmer.
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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 right to continue on Glenn Highway
7.2 mi · 10 min · Glenn Highway
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22
Turn right onto West Evergreen Avenue
1367 ft · 49 sec · West Evergreen Avenue
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23
Turn right onto South Colony Way
4 m · 1 sec · South Colony Way
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Colony Way
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ketchikan and Palmer.
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 Cloudy leaving Ketchikan and Scattered Rain Showers near Palmer.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ketchikan to Palmer?
The road trip is about 1632.3 miles (2627 km) and usually takes 35h 35m 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?
Haines is a useful midpoint, sitting about 487.3 miles from Ketchikan and 1145 miles from Palmer.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 761.2 miles (1225.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 871.1 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 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 $285.18 one way or $570.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 511.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Ketchikan and Scattered Rain Showers near Palmer.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ketchikan and Palmer. Straight-line distance: 761.21 mi (1225.05 km).
#1 Ketchikan
City in Alaska, USA
| Population | 8,187 |
| Coordinates | 55.3418000, -131.6475700 |
| Altitude | 8 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Palmer
City in Alaska, USA
| Population | 7,766 |
| Coordinates | 61.5994100, -149.1145600 |
| Altitude | 72 |
| Country | United States |
End: West Evergreen Avenue (-149.114582, 61.599443)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 2627 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 54h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 40h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 32h 38m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 27h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 23h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 20h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $285.18 | $570.36 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $307.47 | $614.94 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $320.60 | $641.20 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $366.68 | $733.36 |
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 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.