How far is Palmer, AK from Metlakatla, AK?
The driving distance from Palmer, AK to Metlakatla, AK is about 996.4 miles (1603.6 km), with a travel time of about 50h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 773.2 miles (1244.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 100h 13m 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 50h 06m.
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 Hoonah-Angoon Census Area, Alaska, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Light Snow
Slight Chance Light Rain then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Palmer and Metlakatla.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palmer and Metlakatla.
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1
Start on South Colony Way
4 m · 9 sec · South Colony Way
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2
Turn left onto West Evergreen Avenue
1366 ft · 42 sec · West Evergreen Avenue
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3
Turn left onto Glenn Highway
7 mi · 10 min · Glenn Highway
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4
Merge slight left onto East Parks Highway
157 m · 6 sec · East Parks Highway
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5
Continue on Glenn Highway
33.1 mi · 38 min · Glenn Highway
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6
Continue on East 5th Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · East 5th Avenue
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7
Turn left onto Gambell Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · Gambell Street
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8
Continue on Seward Highway
47.1 mi · 58 min · Seward Highway
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9
Turn left onto Portage Glacier Road
5 mi · 7 min · Portage Glacier Road
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10
Continue on Portage Glacier Highway
4.7 mi · 11 min · Portage Glacier Highway
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11
Continue on West Camp Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · West Camp Road
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12
Turn right
52 m · 8 sec
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13
Turn left
76 m · 4 sec
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14
Turn straight onto Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
334.5 mi · 22 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
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15
Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
262.6 mi · 17 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
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16
Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau
276.8 mi · 8 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau
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17
Continue on Main Berth Ramp
60 m · 34 sec · Main Berth Ramp
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18
Continue on Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road
629 ft · 19 sec · Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road
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19
At the end of the road, turn right onto Tongass Avenue
69 m · 7 sec · Tongass Avenue
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20
Turn right
39 m · 9 sec
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21
Turn left
55 m · 6 sec
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22
At the end of the road, turn right
102 m · 34 sec
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23
Turn straight onto Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Metlakatla
19.3 mi · 45 min · Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Metlakatla
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24
Continue on Ferry Terminal Roas
140 m · 37 sec · Ferry Terminal Roas
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25
Turn right onto Walden Point Road
1.1 mi · 4 min · Walden Point Road
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26
Continue on Tait Street
1653 ft · 1 min · Tait Street
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27
Turn left onto 4th Avenue
53 m · 8 sec · 4th Avenue
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 4th Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Palmer and Metlakatla.
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 Palmer and Slight Chance Light Rain then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Metlakatla.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Palmer to Metlakatla?
The road trip is about 996.4 miles (1603.6 km) and usually takes 50h 06m 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?
Gustavus is a useful midpoint, sitting about 496.8 miles from Palmer and 499.6 miles from Metlakatla.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 773.2 miles (1244.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 223.2 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 $174.08 one way or $348.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 312.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Snow around Palmer and Slight Chance Light Rain then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Metlakatla.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Palmer and Metlakatla. Straight-line distance: 773.2 mi (1244.34 km).
#1 Palmer
City in Alaska, USA
| Population | 7,766 |
| Coordinates | 61.5994100, -149.1145600 |
| Altitude | 72 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Metlakatla
Census-designated place in Alaska, United States
| Population | 1,419 |
| Coordinates | 55.1284800, -131.5751900 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| Country | United States |
End: Metlakatla (-131.57519, 55.12848)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 1604 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 33h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 24h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 19h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 16h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 14h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 12h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $174.08 | $348.15 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $187.68 | $375.37 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $195.70 | $391.40 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $223.83 | $447.66 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.