How far is North Pole, AK from Fairbanks, AK?
The driving distance from North Pole, AK to Fairbanks, AK is about 13.5 miles (21.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 12.4 miles (19.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 35m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM AKDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 17m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Census-designated place in Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Light Snow
Chance Light Snow
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between North Pole and Fairbanks.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Pole and Fairbanks.
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1
Start on Fourth Avenue
60 m · 11 sec · Fourth Avenue
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2
Turn right onto Snowman Lane
45 m · 12 sec · Snowman Lane
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3
Turn left onto 4th Avenue
106 m · 17 sec · 4th Avenue
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4
Turn right onto South Santa Claus Lane
1846 ft · 37 sec · South Santa Claus Lane
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Santa Claus Lane
37 m · 2 sec · North Santa Claus Lane
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6
Exit the roundabout onto North Santa Claus Lane
142 m · 9 sec · North Santa Claus Lane
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7
Turn slight left onto Badger Road
135 m · 13 sec · Badger Road
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8
Continue on Badger Road
26 m · 2 sec · Badger Road
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9
Take the ramp slight right
1145 ft · 28 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Richardson Highway
12.4 mi · 16 min · Richardson Highway
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11
Turn left onto Airport Way
1183 ft · 31 sec · Airport Way
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12
Turn right onto Noble Street
813 ft · 28 sec · Noble Street
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13
Turn left onto 12th Avenue
133 m · 19 sec · 12th Avenue
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 12th Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between North Pole and Fairbanks.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Richardson Highway
Merge slight left onto Richardson Highway
12.4 mi · 00h 16m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Chance Light Snow leaving North Pole and Chance Light Snow near Fairbanks.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from North Pole to Fairbanks?
The road trip is about 13.5 miles (21.8 km) and usually takes 00h 17m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Badger is a useful midpoint, sitting about 6.8 miles from North Pole and 6.7 miles from Fairbanks.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 12.4 miles (19.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 1.1 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM AKDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:54 PM AKDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.38 one way or $4.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 4.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Snow around North Pole and Chance Light Snow near Fairbanks.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between North Pole and Fairbanks. Straight-line distance: 12.35 mi (19.87 km).
#1 North Pole
City in Alaska, USA
| Population | 2,108 |
| Coordinates | 64.7511100, -147.3494400 |
| Altitude | 147 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Fairbanks
City in Alaska, USA
| Population | 30,696 |
| Coordinates | 64.8377800, -147.7163900 |
| Altitude | 136 |
| Country | United States |
End: 12th Avenue (-147.71648, 64.838038)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 22 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $2.38 | $4.75 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $2.56 | $5.12 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $2.67 | $5.34 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $3.06 | $6.11 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.