How far is Metlakatla, AK from Palmer, AK?
The driving distance from Metlakatla, AK to Palmer, AK is about 1093.9 miles (1760.4 km), with a travel time of about 31h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 773.2 miles (1244.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 63h 49m 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 31h 54m.
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.
Slight Chance Light Rain then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Chance Light Snow
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Metlakatla and Palmer.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Metlakatla and Palmer.
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1
Start on 4th Avenue
53 m · 8 sec · 4th Avenue
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2
Continue on Tait Street
1653 ft · 1 min · Tait Street
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3
Continue on Walden Point Road
1.1 mi · 4 min · Walden Point Road
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4
Turn left onto Ferry Terminal Roas
140 m · 34 sec · Ferry Terminal Roas
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5
Continue on Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Metlakatla
19.3 mi · 45 min · Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Metlakatla
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6
Continue on Berth 3 Apron
102 m · 37 sec · Berth 3 Apron
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7
Turn left
608 ft · 42 sec
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8
Turn left onto Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road
143 m · 41 sec · Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road
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9
Turn straight onto Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau
276.8 mi · 8 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau
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10
Turn sharp left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
262.6 mi · 17 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
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11
Turn sharp left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
334.5 mi · 22 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
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12
Continue straight
114 m · 7 sec
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13
At the end of the road, turn right onto West Camp Road
53 m · 9 sec · West Camp Road
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14
Continue on West Camp Road
1.4 mi · 2 min · West Camp Road
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15
Continue on Portage Glacier Highway
4.7 mi · 11 min · Portage Glacier Highway
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16
Continue on Portage Glacier Road
5 mi · 7 min · Portage Glacier Road
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17
Turn right onto Seward Highway
47.2 mi · 59 min · Seward Highway
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18
Continue on Ingra Street
1 mi · 2 min · Ingra Street
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19
Turn right onto East 6th Avenue
1924 ft · 57 sec · East 6th Avenue
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20
Continue on East 5th Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · East 5th Avenue
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21
Continue on Glenn Highway
33 mi · 38 min · Glenn Highway
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22
Keep slight right to continue on Glenn Highway
7.2 mi · 10 min · Glenn Highway
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23
Turn right onto West Evergreen Avenue
1367 ft · 49 sec · West Evergreen Avenue
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24
Turn right onto South Colony Way
4 m · 1 sec · South Colony Way
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Colony Way
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Metlakatla 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.
Slight Chance Light Rain then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Metlakatla and Chance Light Snow near Palmer.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Metlakatla to Palmer?
The road trip is about 1093.9 miles (1760.4 km) and usually takes 31h 54m 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 496.7 miles from Metlakatla and 597.1 miles from Palmer.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 773.2 miles (1244.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 320.7 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 $191.11 one way or $382.22 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 343 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Light Rain then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Metlakatla and Chance Light Snow near Palmer.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Metlakatla and Palmer. Straight-line distance: 773.2 mi (1244.34 km).
#1 Metlakatla
Census-designated place in Alaska, United States
| Population | 1,419 |
| Coordinates | 55.1284800, -131.5751900 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| 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: 1760 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 36h 26m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 27h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 21h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 18h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 15h 37m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 13h 38m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $191.11 | $382.22 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $206.05 | $412.09 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $214.85 | $429.70 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $245.73 | $491.46 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.