How far is Kotzebue, AK from Kenai, AK?

The estimated driving distance from Kotzebue, AK to Kenai, AK is about 657.5 miles (1058.1 km), with a travel time of about 11h 31m by car.

  • This page is using an estimated road distance while the full route geometry is refreshed.
  • The straight-line flight distance is about 557.2 miles (896.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 23h 03m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM AKDT.
Road route is being refreshed. This page currently uses an estimated driving distance until a routing provider returns the full road geometry.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
657.49 mi
11h 31m · estimated
Flight
557.2 mi
896.72 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Kotzebue.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
557.2 mi
Kilometers
896.72 km
Flight Time
01h 07m

Driving Distance

Estimated road route
657.49 mi
Estimated
Kilometers
1058.13 km
Drive Time
11h 31m

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 11h 31m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Kenai
Wed, Apr 29, 4:39 AM AKDT
Return by in Kotzebue
Wed, Apr 29, 4:10 PM AKDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Kotzebue
2026-04-28T17:07
Arrive Kenai
Wed, Apr 29, 4:39 AM AKDT
Route Timing
11h 31m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 7:30 AM AKDT
Treat this as a longer travel day
Arrive between
5:32 PM to 7:02 PM AKDT

Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.

Leave by
12:56 PM AKDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 08h 00m at the destination.
Back in Kotzebue
8:00 PM AKDT
Overnight-style route

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.

Mid-route stop
McGrath
AK

City in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska, United States

From Kotzebue
278.6 mi
05h 45m
To Kenai
378.9 mi
05h 45m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
Kotzebue Weather
AK
Live fallback forecast
40°F
Tuesday
Using Bethel as the closest live forecast in the Alaska weather hub.

Chance Rain And Snow Showers

Starts
Tue, Apr 28 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
15 to 25 mph SE
Destination
46°F
Tuesday

Partly Sunny then Isolated Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, Apr 28 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

Road route is being refreshed. This page currently uses an estimated driving distance.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kotzebue and Kenai.

Turn-by-turn directions will appear after the road route is refreshed. The current distance is an estimate.

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
11h 31m
Overnight route
Same-Day Return
23h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+100.3 mi
557.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
McGrath
05h 45m from Kotzebue
Leave By
12:56 PM AKDT
Overnight-style route
Weather Watch

Chance Rain And Snow Showers leaving Kotzebue and Partly Sunny then Isolated Rain Showers near Kenai.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Kotzebue to Kenai?

The road trip is about 657.5 miles (1058.1 km) and usually takes 11h 31m 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?

McGrath is a useful midpoint, sitting about 278.6 miles from Kotzebue and 378.9 miles from Kenai.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 557.2 miles (896.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 100.3 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 $114.86 one way or $229.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 206.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain And Snow Showers around Kotzebue and Partly Sunny then Isolated Rain Showers near Kenai.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Kotzebue and Kenai. Straight-line distance: 557.2 mi (896.72 km).

Kotzebue

#1 Kotzebue

City in Alaska, USA

Population3,260
Coordinates66.8984600, -162.5980900
Altitude6
CountryUnited States
Kenai

#2 Kenai

City in Alaska

Population7,890
Coordinates60.5544400, -151.2583300
Altitude22
CountryUnited States
Start: Kotzebue (-162.59809, 66.89846)
End: Kenai (-151.25833, 60.55444)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 1058 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)21h 54m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)16h 26m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)13h 08m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)10h 57m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)09h 23m
80 mph (129 km/h)08h 12m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
23.2 gal
87.82 L · about $114.86
Round trip
$229.73
46.4 gal · 175.64 L
Estimated CO2
206.2 kg one way
Round trip: 412.4 kg / 909 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $114.86 $229.73
Mid-grade $5.34 $123.84 $247.68
Premium $5.57 $129.13 $258.26
Diesel $6.37 $147.69 $295.38

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 29, 2026

There is no time difference between Kotzebue and Kenai. The current time is 17:07:25.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.