How far is Prudhoe Bay, AK from Fairbanks, AK?
The driving distance from Prudhoe Bay, AK to Fairbanks, AK is about 499.6 miles (804.1 km), with a travel time of about 11h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 374.7 miles (603 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 23h 42m 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 11h 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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Cloudy then Areas Of Blowing Snow
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain And Snow
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Prudhoe Bay and Fairbanks.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Prudhoe Bay and Fairbanks.
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1
Start on the route
1.3 mi · 3 min
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2
Continue straight
1044 ft · 29 sec
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3
Turn slight left
53 m · 5 sec
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4
Turn straight onto Spine Road
3 mi · 7 min · Spine Road
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5
Turn left onto Colleen Lake Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Colleen Lake Road
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6
Turn left onto Dalton Highway
415.8 mi · 14 hr 21 min · Dalton Highway
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7
Continue on Elliott Highway
68.1 mi · 1 hr 39 min · Elliott Highway
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8
Continue on Steese Highway
10.8 mi · 15 min · Steese Highway
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9
Turn right onto 10th Avenue
1413 ft · 46 sec · 10th Avenue
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10
Turn left onto Noble Street
130 m · 14 sec · Noble Street
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11
Turn right onto 12th Avenue
133 m · 19 sec · 12th Avenue
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12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 12th Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Prudhoe Bay and Fairbanks.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Dalton Highway
Turn left onto 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.
Cloudy then Areas Of Blowing Snow leaving Prudhoe Bay and Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain And Snow near Fairbanks.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Prudhoe Bay to Fairbanks?
The road trip is about 499.6 miles (804.1 km) and usually takes 11h 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?
Bettles is a useful midpoint, sitting about 249.4 miles from Prudhoe Bay and 250.2 miles from Fairbanks.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 374.7 miles (603 km), while the road route adds roughly 124.9 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 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 $87.83 one way or $175.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 156.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Cloudy then Areas Of Blowing Snow around Prudhoe Bay and Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain And Snow near Fairbanks.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Prudhoe Bay and Fairbanks. Straight-line distance: 374.67 mi (602.97 km).
#1 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 |
#2 Fairbanks
City in Alaska, USA
| Population | 30,696 |
| Coordinates | 64.8377800, -147.7163900 |
| Altitude | 136 |
| Country | United States |
End: 12th Avenue (-147.71648, 64.838038)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 804 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 16h 38m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 12h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 09h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 08h 19m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 07h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 06h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.98 | $87.83 | $175.67 |
| Mid-grade | $5.23 | $92.22 | $184.45 |
| Premium | $5.45 | $96.05 | $192.10 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $115.83 | $231.66 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
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