How far is Palmer, AK from Seward, AK?

The driving distance from Palmer, AK to Seward, AK is about 167.8 miles (270 km), with a travel time of about 03h 34m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 103.9 miles (167.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 08m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM AKDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
167.75 mi
03h 34m
Flight
103.89 mi
167.2 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Palmer.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
103.89 mi
Kilometers
167.2 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
167.75 mi
Kilometers
269.97 km
Drive Time
03h 34m

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 03h 34m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Seward
Thu, Apr 23, 3:14 AM AKDT
Return by in Palmer
Thu, Apr 23, 6:48 AM AKDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Palmer
2026-04-22T23:39
Arrive Seward
Thu, Apr 23, 3:14 AM AKDT
Route Timing
03h 34m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM AKDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:34 AM to 11:34 AM AKDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:52 AM AKDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Palmer
9:00 PM AKDT
Early departure recommended

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
Girdwood
AK

City in United States of America

From Palmer
83.6 mi
01h 47m
To Seward
84.1 mi
01h 47m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
43°F
Wednesday

Light Rain

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph SE
Destination
38°F
Wednesday

Rain And Snow

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
5 to 20 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    1.5 mi · 3 min · East 5th Avenue

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Gambell Street

    1.1 mi · 3 min · Gambell Street

  8. 8

    Continue on Seward Highway

    124 mi · 2 hr 38 min · Seward Highway

  9. 9

    Continue on 3rd Avenue

    1 km · 59 sec · 3rd Avenue

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Jefferson Street

    92 m · 19 sec · Jefferson Street

  11. 11

    Turn left onto 2nd Avenue

    52 m · 7 sec · 2nd Avenue

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 2nd Avenue

Car Route Details

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

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
12 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
1 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Seward Highway
124 mi · 74%
Glenn Highway
40.1 mi · 24%
East 5th Avenue
1.48 mi · 1%
Gambell Street
1.11 mi · 1%
3rd Avenue
0.64 mi
West Evergreen Avenue
0.26 mi
Longest Stretch

Seward Highway

Continue on Seward Highway

124 mi · 02h 38m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
03h 34m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+63.9 mi
103.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Girdwood
01h 47m from Palmer
Leave By
9:52 AM AKDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Light Rain leaving Palmer and Rain And Snow near Seward.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 167.8 miles (270 km) and usually takes 03h 34m in normal driving conditions.

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

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Girdwood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 83.6 miles from Palmer and 84.1 miles from Seward.

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

The direct path is about 103.9 miles (167.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 63.9 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM AKDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:52 AM AKDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.31 one way or $58.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Light Rain around Palmer and Rain And Snow near Seward.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Palmer and Seward. Straight-line distance: 103.89 mi (167.2 km).

Palmer

#1 Palmer

City in Alaska, USA

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

#2 Seward

City in Alaska, USA

Population2,927
Coordinates60.1042600, -149.4435000
Altitude28
CountryUnited States
Start: Palmer (-149.11456, 61.59941)
End: Seward (-149.4435, 60.10426)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 270 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 35m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 11m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 21m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 47m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 23m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 05m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.92 gal
22.41 L · about $29.31
Round trip
$58.62
11.84 gal · 44.82 L
Estimated CO2
52.6 kg one way
Round trip: 105.2 kg / 232 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $29.31 $58.62
Mid-grade $5.34 $31.60 $63.20
Premium $5.57 $32.95 $65.90
Diesel $6.37 $37.69 $75.37

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Palmer and Seward. The current time is 23:39:56.

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.