How far is Palmer, AK from Utqiagvik, AK?
The driving distance from Palmer, AK to Utqiagvik, AK is about 877.1 miles (1411.6 km), with a travel time of about 25h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 701 miles (1128.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 50h 40m 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 25h 20m.
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.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain And Snow then Rain And Snow Likely
Chance Light Snow
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Palmer and Utqiagvik.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palmer and Utqiagvik.
-
1
Start on South Colony Way
4 m · 9 sec · South Colony Way
-
2
Turn left onto West Evergreen Avenue
1366 ft · 42 sec · West Evergreen Avenue
-
3
Continue on East Palmer Wasilla Highway
2364 ft · 1 min · East Palmer Wasilla Highway
-
4
Turn straight onto East Palmer-Wasilla Highway
9.5 mi · 15 min · East Palmer-Wasilla Highway
-
5
Turn right onto East Parks Highway
7.6 mi · 12 min · East Parks Highway
-
6
Continue on West Parks Highway
4.2 mi · 6 min · West Parks Highway
-
7
Continue on George Parks Highway
299.8 mi · 5 hr 59 min · George Parks Highway
-
8
Take the exit slight right
990 ft · 24 sec
-
9
Keep slight left
1078 ft · 28 sec
-
10
Turn left onto Geist Road
1.6 mi · 2 min · Geist Road
-
11
Continue on Johansen Expressway
4.2 mi · 5 min · Johansen Expressway
-
12
Turn left onto Steese Highway
9.1 mi · 13 min · Steese Highway
-
13
Continue on Elliott Highway
68.1 mi · 1 hr 39 min · Elliott Highway
-
14
Continue on Dalton Highway
415.8 mi · 14 hr 21 min · Dalton Highway
-
15
At the end of the road, turn right onto Colleen Lake Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Colleen Lake Road
-
16
At the end of the road, turn left onto Spine Road
34.5 mi · 1 hr 23 min · Spine Road
-
17
Continue on Spine Road
1860 ft · 51 sec · Spine Road
-
18
Continue on Spine Road
1.4 mi · 3 min · Spine Road
-
19
Keep slight right to continue on Oliktok Road
4.9 mi · 12 min · Oliktok Road
-
20
Turn left
1.2 km · 2 min
-
21
Turn left
10.4 mi · 25 min
-
22
Turn right
2.9 mi · 18 min
-
23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Palmer and Utqiagvik.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Dalton Highway
Continue on Dalton Highway
416 mi · 14h 21m
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 Rain And Snow then Rain And Snow Likely leaving Palmer and Chance Light Snow near Utqiagvik.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Palmer to Utqiagvik?
The road trip is about 877.1 miles (1411.6 km) and usually takes 25h 20m 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?
Ester is a useful midpoint, sitting about 437.1 miles from Palmer and 440 miles from Utqiagvik.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 701 miles (1128.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 176.1 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 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 $153.23 one way or $306.47 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 275.1 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 Light Snow near Utqiagvik.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Palmer and Utqiagvik. Straight-line distance: 701 mi (1128.15 km).
#1 Palmer
City in Alaska, USA
| Population | 7,766 |
| Coordinates | 61.5994100, -149.1145600 |
| Altitude | 72 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Utqiagvik
Most northerly city in Alaska, USA
| Population | 4,390 |
| Coordinates | 71.2905800, -156.7887200 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| Country | United States |
End: Utqiagvik (-156.78872, 71.29058)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 1412 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 29h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 21h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 17h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 14h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 12h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 10h 56m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $153.23 | $306.47 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $165.21 | $330.42 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $172.27 | $344.54 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $197.03 | $394.06 |
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.