How far is North Pole, AK from Ketchikan, AK?
The driving distance from North Pole, AK to Ketchikan, AK is about 1545.5 miles (2487.3 km), with a travel time of about 33h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 841.5 miles (1354.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 66h 35m 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 33h 17m.
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 Alaska, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Light Snow
Light Rain Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between North Pole and Ketchikan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Pole and Ketchikan.
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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
11 mi · 14 min · Richardson Highway
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11
Take the exit slight right
325 mi · 6 hr 34 min
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12
Continue on Glenn Highway
33.1 mi · 38 min · Glenn Highway
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13
Continue on East 5th Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · East 5th Avenue
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14
Turn left onto Gambell Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · Gambell Street
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15
Continue on Seward Highway
47.1 mi · 58 min · Seward Highway
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16
Turn left onto Portage Glacier Road
5 mi · 7 min · Portage Glacier Road
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17
Continue on Portage Glacier Highway
4.7 mi · 11 min · Portage Glacier Highway
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18
Continue on West Camp Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · West Camp Road
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19
Turn right
52 m · 8 sec
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20
Turn left
76 m · 4 sec
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21
Turn straight onto Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
334.5 mi · 22 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
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22
Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
262.6 mi · 17 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
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23
Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau
276.8 mi · 8 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau
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24
Continue on Main Berth Ramp
60 m · 34 sec · Main Berth Ramp
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25
Continue on Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road
629 ft · 19 sec · Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road
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26
At the end of the road, turn right onto Tongass Avenue
1.7 mi · 3 min · Tongass Avenue
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27
Turn right onto Water Street
1928 ft · 39 sec · Water Street
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28
Turn right onto Front Street
122 m · 12 sec · Front Street
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29
Turn right
3 m · 1 sec
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between North Pole and Ketchikan.
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 straight 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.
Chance Light Snow leaving North Pole and Light Rain Likely near Ketchikan.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from North Pole to Ketchikan?
The road trip is about 1545.5 miles (2487.3 km) and usually takes 33h 17m 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?
Cordova is a useful midpoint, sitting about 651.6 miles from North Pole and 893.8 miles from Ketchikan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 841.5 miles (1354.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 704 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 $270.03 one way or $540.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 484.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Snow around North Pole and Light Rain Likely near Ketchikan.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between North Pole and Ketchikan. Straight-line distance: 841.48 mi (1354.23 km).
#1 North Pole
City in Alaska, USA
| Population | 2,108 |
| Coordinates | 64.7511100, -147.3494400 |
| Altitude | 147 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Ketchikan
City in Alaska, USA
| Population | 8,187 |
| Coordinates | 55.3418000, -131.6475700 |
| Altitude | 8 |
| Country | United States |
End: Front Street (-131.647548, 55.341795)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 2487 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 51h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 38h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 30h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 25h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 22h 04m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 19h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $270.03 | $540.06 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $291.13 | $582.27 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $303.57 | $607.14 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $347.20 | $694.40 |
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.