How far is Palmer, AK from Soldotna, AK?

The driving distance from Palmer, AK to Soldotna, AK is about 188 miles (302.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 04m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 100.6 miles (161.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 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
187.96 mi
04h 04m
Flight
100.62 mi
161.94 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
100.62 mi
Kilometers
161.94 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
187.96 mi
Kilometers
302.49 km
Drive Time
04h 04m

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 04h 04m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Soldotna
Sun, Apr 19, 4:03 PM AKDT
Return by in Palmer
Sun, Apr 19, 8:07 PM AKDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Palmer
2026-04-19T11:59
Arrive Soldotna
Sun, Apr 19, 4:03 PM AKDT
Route Timing
04h 04m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM AKDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:04 AM to 12:04 PM AKDT

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

Leave by
8:52 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
93.7 mi
02h 02m
To Soldotna
94.3 mi
02h 02m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
43°F
Sunday

Chance Rain And Snow then Rain And Snow Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph E
Destination
44°F
Sunday

Chance Rain And Snow then Rain And Snow Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    87.9 mi · 1 hr 46 min · Seward Highway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right

    57 mi · 1 hr 23 min

  10. 10

    Turn right

    86 m · 21 sec

  11. 11

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
11 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
5.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Seward Highway
145 mi · 77%
Glenn Highway
40.1 mi · 21%
East 5th Avenue
1.48 mi · 1%
Gambell Street
1.11 mi · 1%
West Evergreen Avenue
0.26 mi
East Parks Highway
0.1 mi
Longest Stretch

Seward Highway

Continue on Seward Highway

87.9 mi · 01h 46m

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
04h 04m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+87.4 mi
100.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Girdwood
02h 02m from Palmer
Leave By
8:52 AM AKDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Rain And Snow then Rain And Snow Likely leaving Palmer and Chance Rain And Snow then Rain And Snow Likely near Soldotna.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 188 miles (302.5 km) and usually takes 04h 04m 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 93.7 miles from Palmer and 94.3 miles from Soldotna.

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

The direct path is about 100.6 miles (161.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 87.4 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 8:52 AM AKDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.83 one way or $65.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.9 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 then Rain And Snow Likely near Soldotna.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Palmer and Soldotna. Straight-line distance: 100.62 mi (161.94 km).

Palmer

#1 Palmer

City in Alaska, USA

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

#2 Soldotna

City in Alaska, USA

Population4,790
Coordinates60.4877800, -151.0583300
Altitude33
CountryUnited States
Start: Palmer (-149.11456, 61.59941)
End: Soldotna (-151.05833, 60.48778)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 302 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 15m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 41m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 45m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 07m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 41m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 20m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.63 gal
25.11 L · about $32.83
Round trip
$65.65
13.26 gal · 50.22 L
Estimated CO2
58.9 kg one way
Round trip: 117.8 kg / 260 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $32.83 $65.65
Mid-grade $5.34 $35.39 $70.78
Premium $5.57 $36.90 $73.81
Diesel $6.37 $42.21 $84.41

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

There is no time difference between Palmer and Soldotna. The current time is 11:59:02.

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.