How far is Palmer, AK from Ketchikan, AK?
The driving distance from Palmer, AK to Ketchikan, AK is about 1632.3 miles (2626.9 km), with a travel time of about 35h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 761.2 miles (1225.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 70h 55m 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 35h 27m.
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, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain And Snow then Rain And Snow Likely
Chance Rain And Snow
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Palmer and Ketchikan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palmer and Ketchikan.
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1
Start on South Colony Way
4 m · 1 sec · South Colony Way
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2
Continue on South Alaska Street
2640 ft · 1 min · South Alaska Street
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3
Turn left onto West Arctic Avenue
670 ft · 21 sec · West Arctic Avenue
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4
Turn right onto Glenn Highway
139.2 mi · 2 hr 53 min · Glenn Highway
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5
At the end of the road, turn left onto Richardson Highway
14 mi · 16 min · Richardson Highway
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6
Turn right onto Tok Cutoff
122.4 mi · 2 hr 33 min · Tok Cutoff
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7
Turn right onto Alaska Highway
291 mi · 6 hr 30 min · Alaska Highway
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8
Continue on Alaska Highway
354.7 mi · 7 hr 34 min · Alaska Highway
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9
Turn right onto Cassiar Highway
352.2 mi · 8 hr 18 min · Cassiar Highway
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10
Continue on Cassiar Highway
97.4 mi · 2 hr 11 min · Cassiar Highway
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11
At the end of the road, turn right onto Yellowhead Highway
56.3 mi · 1 hr 11 min · Yellowhead Highway
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12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Yellowhead Highway
47 m · 2 sec · Yellowhead Highway
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13
Exit the roundabout onto Yellowhead Highway
1.6 km · 1 min · Yellowhead Highway
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14
Continue on Keith Avenue
2959 ft · 38 sec · Keith Avenue
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15
Turn right onto Yellowhead Highway
940 ft · 17 sec · Yellowhead Highway
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16
At the end of the road, turn left onto Yellowhead Highway
89.2 mi · 1 hr 42 min · Yellowhead Highway
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17
Continue on McBride Street
2941 ft · 1 min · McBride Street
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18
Continue on 2nd Avenue West
1.1 km · 53 sec · 2nd Avenue West
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19
Continue on Park Avenue
1 mi · 1 min · Park Avenue
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20
Continue on Yellowhead Highway
843 ft · 11 sec · Yellowhead Highway
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21
Keep slight left to continue on Yellowhead Highway
1063 ft · 17 sec · Yellowhead Highway
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22
Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway
152 m · 34 sec · Alaska Marine Highway
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23
Continue on 9
133 m · 32 sec · 9
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24
Turn right onto Alaska Marine Highway
70 m · 16 sec · Alaska Marine Highway
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25
Continue on Alaska Marine Highway - Prince Rupert ↔ Ketchikan
111.7 mi · 6 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Prince Rupert ↔ Ketchikan
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26
Continue on Main Berth Ramp
60 m · 34 sec · Main Berth Ramp
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27
Continue on Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road
629 ft · 19 sec · Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road
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28
At the end of the road, turn right onto Tongass Avenue
1.7 mi · 3 min · Tongass Avenue
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29
Turn right onto Water Street
1928 ft · 39 sec · Water Street
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30
Turn right onto Front Street
122 m · 12 sec · Front Street
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31
Turn right
3 m · 1 sec
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Palmer and Ketchikan.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Alaska Highway
Continue on Alaska Highway
355 mi · 07h 34m
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 Rain And Snow near Ketchikan.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Palmer to Ketchikan?
The road trip is about 1632.3 miles (2626.9 km) and usually takes 35h 27m 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?
Skagway is a useful midpoint, sitting about 815.4 miles from Palmer and 816.8 miles from Ketchikan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 761.2 miles (1225.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 871.1 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 $285.18 one way or $570.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 511.9 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 near Ketchikan.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Palmer and Ketchikan. Straight-line distance: 761.21 mi (1225.05 km).
#1 Palmer
City in Alaska, USA
| Population | 7,766 |
| Coordinates | 61.5994100, -149.1145600 |
| Altitude | 72 |
| 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: 2627 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 54h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 40h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 32h 38m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 27h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 23h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 20h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $285.18 | $570.36 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $307.47 | $614.94 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $320.60 | $641.20 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $366.68 | $733.36 |
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.