How far is Palmer, AK from Willow, AK?

The driving distance from Palmer, AK to Willow, AK is about 39.1 miles (63 km), with a travel time of about 00h 59m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 31.9 miles (51.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 59m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM AKDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
39.14 mi
00h 59m
Flight
31.93 mi
51.39 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Palmer.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
31.93 mi
Kilometers
51.39 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
39.14 mi
Kilometers
62.99 km
Drive Time
00h 59m

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 00h 59m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Willow
Sat, May 2, 4:06 AM AKDT
Return by in Palmer
Sat, May 2, 5:06 AM AKDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Palmer
2026-05-02T03:06
Arrive Willow
Sat, May 2, 4:06 AM AKDT
Route Timing
00h 59m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM AKDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:00 AM to 11:00 AM AKDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:30 PM AKDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Palmer
9:30 PM AKDT
Morning start is best

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
Meadow Lakes
AK

Census designated place in Alaska, United States

From Palmer
19.5 mi
00h 29m
To Willow
19.6 mi
00h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
48°F
Saturday

Light Rain Likely

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph S
Destination
50°F
Saturday

Light Rain

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    Continue on East Palmer Wasilla Highway

    2364 ft · 1 min · East Palmer Wasilla Highway

  4. 4

    Turn straight onto East Palmer-Wasilla Highway

    9.5 mi · 15 min · East Palmer-Wasilla Highway

  5. 5

    Turn right onto East Parks Highway

    7.6 mi · 12 min · East Parks Highway

  6. 6

    Continue on West Parks Highway

    4.2 mi · 6 min · West Parks Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on George Parks Highway

    16.5 mi · 23 min · George Parks Highway

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Willow Station Road

    1080 ft · 49 sec · Willow Station Road

  9. 9

    Turn right onto West Tuxedo Avenue

    13 m · 4 sec · West Tuxedo Avenue

  10. 10

    Continue on West Tuxedo Avenue

    657 ft · 34 sec · West Tuxedo Avenue

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Petticoat Street

    1101 ft · 48 sec · Petticoat Street

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Petticoat Street

Car Route Details

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

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
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
30.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
George Parks Highway
16.5 mi · 42%
East Palmer-Wasilla Highway
9.51 mi · 24%
East Parks Highway
7.61 mi · 19%
West Parks Highway
4.24 mi · 11%
East Palmer Wasilla Highway
0.45 mi · 1%
West Evergreen Avenue
0.26 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

George Parks Highway

Continue on George Parks Highway

16.5 mi · 00h 23m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
00h 59m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7.2 mi
31.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Meadow Lakes
00h 29m from Palmer
Leave By
4:30 PM AKDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Light Rain Likely leaving Palmer and Light Rain near Willow.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 39.1 miles (63 km) and usually takes 00h 59m in normal driving conditions.

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

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Meadow Lakes is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19.5 miles from Palmer and 19.6 miles from Willow.

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

The direct path is about 31.9 miles (51.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.2 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM AKDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:30 PM AKDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.83 one way or $13.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Light Rain Likely around Palmer and Light Rain near Willow.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Palmer and Willow. Straight-line distance: 31.93 mi (51.39 km).

Palmer

#1 Palmer

City in Alaska, USA

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

#2 Willow

Census-designated place in Alaska, USA

Population2,102
Coordinates61.7472200, -150.0375000
Altitude64
CountryUnited States
Start: Palmer (-149.11456, 61.59941)
End: Willow (-150.0375, 61.74722)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 63 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 18m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 58m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 46m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 39m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 33m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 29m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.38 gal
5.23 L · about $6.83
Round trip
$13.66
2.76 gal · 10.46 L
Estimated CO2
12.3 kg one way
Round trip: 24.5 kg / 54 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $6.83 $13.66
Mid-grade $5.34 $7.37 $14.73
Premium $5.57 $7.68 $15.36
Diesel $6.37 $8.79 $17.57

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 02, 2026

There is no time difference between Palmer and Willow. The current time is 03:06:49.

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.