How far is Palmer, AK from Prudhoe Bay, AK?
The driving distance from Palmer, AK to Prudhoe Bay, AK is about 826.5 miles (1330.1 km), with a travel time of about 23h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 598.4 miles (963.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 46h 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 23h 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.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Light Rain
Cloudy then Areas Of Blowing Snow
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Palmer and Prudhoe Bay.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palmer and Prudhoe Bay.
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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
Continue on East Palmer Wasilla Highway
2364 ft · 1 min · East Palmer Wasilla Highway
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4
Turn straight onto East Palmer-Wasilla Highway
9.5 mi · 15 min · East Palmer-Wasilla Highway
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5
Turn right onto East Parks Highway
7.6 mi · 12 min · East Parks Highway
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6
Continue on West Parks Highway
4.2 mi · 6 min · West Parks Highway
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7
Continue on George Parks Highway
299.8 mi · 5 hr 59 min · George Parks Highway
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8
Take the exit slight right
990 ft · 24 sec
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9
Keep slight left
1078 ft · 28 sec
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10
Turn left onto Geist Road
1.6 mi · 2 min · Geist Road
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11
Continue on Johansen Expressway
4.2 mi · 5 min · Johansen Expressway
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12
Turn left onto Steese Highway
9.1 mi · 13 min · Steese Highway
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13
Continue on Elliott Highway
68.1 mi · 1 hr 39 min · Elliott Highway
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14
Continue on Dalton Highway
415.8 mi · 14 hr 21 min · Dalton Highway
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15
At the end of the road, turn right onto Colleen Lake Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Colleen Lake Road
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16
At the end of the road, turn right onto Spine Road
3 mi · 7 min · Spine Road
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17
Keep slight right
1.4 mi · 3 min
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18
Continue straight
936 ft · 26 sec
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Palmer and Prudhoe Bay.
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 Light Rain leaving Palmer and Cloudy then Areas Of Blowing Snow near Prudhoe Bay.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Palmer to Prudhoe Bay?
The road trip is about 826.5 miles (1330.1 km) and usually takes 23h 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?
Ester is a useful midpoint, sitting about 404.5 miles from Palmer and 422 miles from Prudhoe Bay.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 598.4 miles (963.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 228.1 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 $145.28 one way or $290.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 259.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around Palmer and Cloudy then Areas Of Blowing Snow near Prudhoe Bay.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Palmer and Prudhoe Bay. Straight-line distance: 598.45 mi (963.11 km).
#1 Palmer
City in Alaska, USA
| Population | 7,766 |
| Coordinates | 61.5994100, -149.1145600 |
| Altitude | 72 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Prudhoe Bay
This remote Alaskan outpost, situated at an elevation of 46 feet in the North Slope Borough, is a key industrial center on the Arctic coast.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 70.2552800, -148.3372200 |
| Altitude | 14 |
| Country | United States |
End: Prudhoe Bay (-148.33722, 70.25528)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 1330 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 27h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 20h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 16h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 13h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 11h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 10h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.98 | $145.28 | $290.55 |
| Mid-grade | $5.23 | $152.54 | $305.07 |
| Premium | $5.45 | $158.86 | $317.73 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $191.58 | $383.16 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026