How far is Kotzebue, AK from Sitka, AK?

The estimated driving distance from Kotzebue, AK to Sitka, AK is about 1299.4 miles (2091.2 km), with a travel time of about 22h 46m by car.

  • This page is using an estimated road distance while the full route geometry is refreshed.
  • The straight-line flight distance is about 1101.2 miles (1772.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 45h 33m 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
1299.4 mi
22h 46m · estimated
Flight
1101.19 mi
1772.19 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
1101.19 mi
Kilometers
1772.19 km
Flight Time
02h 12m

Driving Distance

Estimated road route
1299.4 mi
Estimated
Kilometers
2091.18 km
Drive Time
22h 46m

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 22h 46m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sitka
Thu, Apr 23, 8:39 PM AKDT
Return by in Kotzebue
Fri, Apr 24, 7:26 PM AKDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Kotzebue
2026-04-22T21:53
Arrive Sitka
Thu, Apr 23, 8:39 PM AKDT
Route Timing
22h 46m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 7:30 AM AKDT
Treat this as a longer travel day
Arrive between
4:47 AM to 6:17 AM AKDT

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

Leave by
2:26 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
Lazy Mountain
AK

Census designated place

From Kotzebue
550.6 mi
11h 23m
To Sitka
748.8 mi
11h 23m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
Kotzebue Weather
AK
Live fallback forecast
38°F
Wednesday
Using Bethel as the closest live forecast in the Alaska weather hub.

Light Rain

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph SE
Destination
38°F
Wednesday

Slight Chance Light Snow

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
5 mph W

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 Sitka.

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
22h 46m
Overnight route
Same-Day Return
45h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+198.2 mi
1101.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lazy Mountain
11h 23m from Kotzebue
Leave By
2:26 PM AKDT
Overnight-style route
Weather Watch

Light Rain leaving Kotzebue and Slight Chance Light Snow near Sitka.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 1299.4 miles (2091.2 km) and usually takes 22h 46m 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?

Lazy Mountain is a useful midpoint, sitting about 550.6 miles from Kotzebue and 748.8 miles from Sitka.

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

The direct path is about 1101.2 miles (1772.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 198.2 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 $227.00 one way or $454.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 407.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Light Rain around Kotzebue and Slight Chance Light Snow near Sitka.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Kotzebue and Sitka. Straight-line distance: 1101.19 mi (1772.19 km).

Kotzebue

#1 Kotzebue

City in Alaska, USA

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

#2 Sitka

City-borough in Alaska, USA

Population8,493
Coordinates57.0531500, -135.3308800
Altitude8
CountryUnited States
Start: Kotzebue (-162.59809, 66.89846)
End: Sitka (-135.33088, 57.05315)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 2091 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)43h 17m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)32h 29m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)25h 59m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)21h 39m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)18h 33m
80 mph (129 km/h)16h 12m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
45.85 gal
173.57 L · about $227.00
Round trip
$454.01
91.7 gal · 347.14 L
Estimated CO2
407.5 kg one way
Round trip: 814.9 kg / 1797 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $227.00 $454.01
Mid-grade $5.34 $244.75 $489.49
Premium $5.57 $255.20 $510.40
Diesel $6.37 $291.88 $583.76

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

There is no time difference between Kotzebue and Sitka. The current time is 21:53:02.

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.