How far is Palmer, AK from Anchorage, AK?

The driving distance from Palmer, AK to Anchorage, AK is about 42.9 miles (69.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 47m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 37 miles (59.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 34m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM AKDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
42.96 mi
00h 47m
Flight
37 mi
59.55 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Palmer.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
37 mi
Kilometers
59.55 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
42.96 mi
Kilometers
69.13 km
Drive Time
00h 47m

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 47m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Anchorage
Sun, Apr 19, 4:35 AM AKDT
Return by in Palmer
Sun, Apr 19, 5:22 AM AKDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Palmer
2026-04-19T03:48
Arrive Anchorage
Sun, Apr 19, 4:35 AM AKDT
Route Timing
00h 47m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM AKDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:47 AM to 10:47 AM AKDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:56 PM AKDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Palmer
9:30 PM AKDT
Morning start is best

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
Eagle River
AK

Community in Alaska, USA

From Palmer
21.4 mi
00h 23m
To Anchorage
21.5 mi
00h 23m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
43°F
Sunday

Chance Rain And Snow then Rain And Snow Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph E
Destination
43°F
Sunday

Chance Rain And Snow then Rain And Snow

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
5 mph SE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Palmer and Anchorage.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Palmer and Anchorage.

  1. 1

    Start on South Colony Way

    4 m · 9 sec · South Colony Way

  2. 2

    Turn left onto West Evergreen Avenue

    1366 ft · 42 sec · West Evergreen Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Glenn Highway

    7 mi · 10 min · Glenn Highway

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto East Parks Highway

    157 m · 6 sec · East Parks Highway

  5. 5

    Continue on Glenn Highway

    33.1 mi · 38 min · Glenn Highway

  6. 6

    Continue on East 5th Avenue

    2.4 mi · 6 min · East 5th Avenue

  7. 7

    Turn right onto I Street

    109 m · 18 sec · I Street

  8. 8

    Turn left onto West 4th Avenue

    37 m · 10 sec · West 4th Avenue

  9. 9

    Turn left

    26 m · 6 sec

  10. 10

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Palmer and Anchorage.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
10 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
1 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
23.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Glenn Highway
40.1 mi · 93%
East 5th Avenue
2.44 mi · 6%
West Evergreen Avenue
0.26 mi · 1%
East Parks Highway
0.1 mi
I Street
0.07 mi
West 4th Avenue
0.02 mi
Longest Stretch

Glenn Highway

Continue on Glenn Highway

33.1 mi · 00h 38m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
00h 47m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+5.9 mi
37 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Eagle River
00h 23m from Palmer
Leave By
4:56 PM AKDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain And Snow then Rain And Snow Likely leaving Palmer and Chance Rain And Snow then Rain And Snow near Anchorage.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Palmer to Anchorage?

The road trip is about 42.9 miles (69.1 km) and usually takes 00h 47m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Eagle River is a useful midpoint, sitting about 21.4 miles from Palmer and 21.5 miles from Anchorage.

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

The direct path is about 37 miles (59.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM AKDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:56 PM AKDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.53 one way or $15.05 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain And Snow then Rain And Snow Likely around Palmer and Chance Rain And Snow then Rain And Snow near Anchorage.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Palmer and Anchorage. Straight-line distance: 37 mi (59.55 km).

Palmer

#1 Palmer

City in Alaska, USA

Population7,766
Coordinates61.5994100, -149.1145600
Altitude72
CountryUnited States
Anchorage

#2 Anchorage

The most populous city in Alaska and the center of the Anchorage metropolitan area.

Population294,356
Coordinates61.2180600, -149.9002800
Altitude31
CountryUnited States
Start: West Evergreen Avenue (-149.114582, 61.599443)
End: (-149.900352, 61.218324)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 69 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 25m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 04m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 51m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 42m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 36m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 32m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.52 gal
5.74 L · about $7.53
Round trip
$15.05
3.04 gal · 11.48 L
Estimated CO2
13.5 kg one way
Round trip: 27 kg / 60 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $7.53 $15.05
Mid-grade $5.34 $8.11 $16.23
Premium $5.57 $8.46 $16.92
Diesel $6.37 $9.68 $19.35

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

There is no time difference between Palmer and Anchorage. The current time is 03:48:20.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

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