How far is Ketchikan, AK from Seward, AK?
The driving distance from Ketchikan, AK to Seward, AK is about 965 miles (1553 km), with a travel time of about 49h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 731.3 miles (1176.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 98h 16m 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 49h 08m.
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 Hoonah-Angoon Census Area, Alaska, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ketchikan and Seward.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ketchikan and Seward.
-
1
Start on the route
760 ft · 34 sec
-
2
At the end of the road, turn right onto Water Street
66 m · 12 sec · Water Street
-
3
Continue on Water Street
1875 ft · 37 sec · Water Street
-
4
Turn left onto Tongass Avenue
1.6 mi · 3 min · Tongass Avenue
-
5
Turn left
39 m · 5 sec
-
6
Turn right
131 m · 37 sec
-
7
Turn left onto Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road
143 m · 41 sec · Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road
-
8
Turn straight onto Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau
276.8 mi · 8 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau
-
9
Turn sharp left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
262.6 mi · 17 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
-
10
Turn sharp left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
334.5 mi · 22 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
-
11
Continue straight
114 m · 7 sec
-
12
At the end of the road, turn right onto West Camp Road
53 m · 9 sec · West Camp Road
-
13
Continue on West Camp Road
1.4 mi · 2 min · West Camp Road
-
14
Continue on Portage Glacier Highway
4.7 mi · 11 min · Portage Glacier Highway
-
15
Continue on Portage Glacier Road
5 mi · 7 min · Portage Glacier Road
-
16
At the end of the road, turn left onto Seward Highway
76.8 mi · 1 hr 40 min · Seward Highway
-
17
Continue on 3rd Avenue
1 km · 59 sec · 3rd Avenue
-
18
Turn right onto Jefferson Street
92 m · 19 sec · Jefferson Street
-
19
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue
52 m · 7 sec · 2nd Avenue
-
20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 2nd Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ketchikan and Seward.
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 Rain near Seward.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ketchikan to Seward?
The road trip is about 965 miles (1553 km) and usually takes 49h 08m 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?
Gustavus is a useful midpoint, sitting about 481.2 miles from Ketchikan and 483.8 miles from Seward.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 731.3 miles (1176.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 233.7 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 $168.58 one way or $337.16 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 302.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Ketchikan and Rain near Seward.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ketchikan and Seward. Straight-line distance: 731.32 mi (1176.94 km).
#1 Ketchikan
City in Alaska, USA
| Population | 8,187 |
| Coordinates | 55.3418000, -131.6475700 |
| Altitude | 8 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Seward
City in Alaska, USA
| Population | 2,927 |
| Coordinates | 60.1042600, -149.4435000 |
| Altitude | 28 |
| Country | United States |
End: Seward (-149.4435, 60.10426)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 1553 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 32h 09m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 24h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 19h 17m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 16h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 13h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 12h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $168.58 | $337.16 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $181.76 | $363.52 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $189.52 | $379.04 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $216.76 | $433.52 |
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.