How far is Palmer, AK from Unalaska, AK?
The driving distance from Palmer, AK to Unalaska, AK is about 1242.7 miles (2000 km), with a travel time of about 57h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 830.7 miles (1336.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 115h 43m 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 57h 51m.
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 Lake and Peninsula Borough, Alaska, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Heavy Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Palmer and Unalaska.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palmer and Unalaska.
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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-Chenega Bay
79.1 mi · 4 hr 30 min · Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Chenega Bay
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15
Turn sharp left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Chenega Bay-Kodiak
225.4 mi · 5 hr 30 min · Alaska Marine Highway - Chenega Bay-Kodiak
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16
Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Kodiak to Chignik
288.4 mi · 6 hr 30 min · Alaska Marine Highway - Kodiak to Chignik
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17
Turn sharp left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Chignik to Sand Point
142.3 mi · 9 hr 15 min · Alaska Marine Highway - Chignik to Sand Point
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18
Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Sand Point to King Cove
95.5 mi · 6 hr 15 min · Alaska Marine Highway - Sand Point to King Cove
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19
Continue on Alaska Marine Highway Terminak King Cove
23 m · 11 sec · Alaska Marine Highway Terminak King Cove
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20
Continue on Alaska Marine Highway Terminak King Cove
21 m · 5 sec · Alaska Marine Highway Terminak King Cove
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21
Continue on Alaska Marine Highway - King Cove to Cold Bay
25.2 mi · 6 hr 45 min · Alaska Marine Highway - King Cove to Cold Bay
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22
Turn sharp left onto Alaska Marine Highway Cold Bay to False Pass
64.1 mi · 4 hr 15 min · Alaska Marine Highway Cold Bay to False Pass
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23
Turn sharp left onto Alaska Marine Highway False Pass to Akutan
217.1 mi · 12 hr 27 min · Alaska Marine Highway False Pass to Akutan
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24
Continue straight
94 m · 27 sec
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25
Turn left onto Ballyhoo Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Ballyhoo Road
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26
At the end of the road, turn right onto Airport Beach Road
2.9 mi · 7 min · Airport Beach Road
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27
Continue on 5th Street
555 ft · 22 sec · 5th Street
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28
At the end of the road, turn left onto West Broadway Avenue
731 ft · 31 sec · West Broadway Avenue
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Broadway Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Palmer and Unalaska.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Alaska Marine Highway - Kodiak to Chignik
Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Kodiak to Chignik
288 mi · 06h 30m
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 Showers leaving Palmer and Heavy Rain near Unalaska.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Palmer to Unalaska?
The road trip is about 1242.7 miles (2000 km) and usually takes 57h 51m 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?
Chignik is a useful midpoint, sitting about 619.7 miles from Palmer and 623.1 miles from Unalaska.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 830.7 miles (1336.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 412 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 $217.10 one way or $434.20 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 389.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Palmer and Heavy Rain near Unalaska.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Palmer and Unalaska. Straight-line distance: 830.72 mi (1336.91 km).
#1 Palmer
City in Alaska, USA
| Population | 7,766 |
| Coordinates | 61.5994100, -149.1145600 |
| Altitude | 72 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Unalaska
City in Alaska, United States
| Population | 4,473 |
| Coordinates | 53.8741300, -166.5340800 |
| Altitude | 4 |
| Country | United States |
End: Unalaska (-166.53408, 53.87413)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 2000 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 41h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 31h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 24h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 20h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 17h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 15h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $217.10 | $434.20 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $234.07 | $468.14 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $244.07 | $488.14 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $279.15 | $558.30 |
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 · May 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.