How far is Prudhoe Bay, AK from Palmer, AK?
The driving distance from Prudhoe Bay, AK to Palmer, AK is about 826.8 miles (1330.6 km), with a travel time of about 17h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 598.4 miles (963.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 34h 36m 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 17h 18m.
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.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Cloudy then Areas Of Blowing Snow
Chance Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Prudhoe Bay and Palmer.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Prudhoe Bay and Palmer.
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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
9 mi · 12 min · Steese Highway
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9
Turn right onto Johansen Expressway
4.2 mi · 5 min · Johansen Expressway
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10
Continue on Geist Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · Geist Road
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11
Take the exit right
1854 ft · 45 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto George Parks Highway
299.9 mi · 5 hr 59 min · George Parks Highway
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13
Continue on West Parks Highway
11.8 mi · 18 min · West Parks Highway
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14
Turn left onto East Palmer-Wasilla Highway
9.6 mi · 15 min · East Palmer-Wasilla Highway
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15
Continue on East Palmer Wasilla Highway
1867 ft · 49 sec · East Palmer Wasilla Highway
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16
Continue on West Evergreen Avenue
1423 ft · 51 sec · West Evergreen Avenue
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17
Turn right onto South Colony Way
4 m · 1 sec · South Colony Way
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Colony Way
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Prudhoe Bay and Palmer.
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 Chance Light Rain near Palmer.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Prudhoe Bay to Palmer?
The road trip is about 826.8 miles (1330.6 km) and usually takes 17h 18m 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?
Ester is a useful midpoint, sitting about 411.8 miles from Prudhoe Bay and 415 miles from Palmer.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 598.4 miles (963.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 228.4 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 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 $145.37 one way or $290.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 259.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Cloudy then Areas Of Blowing Snow around Prudhoe Bay and Chance Light Rain near Palmer.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Prudhoe Bay and Palmer. Straight-line distance: 598.45 mi (963.11 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 Palmer
City in Alaska, USA
| Population | 7,766 |
| Coordinates | 61.5994100, -149.1145600 |
| Altitude | 72 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Colony Way (-149.114582, 61.599443)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 1331 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 27h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 20h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 16h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 13h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 11h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 10h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.98 | $145.37 | $290.75 |
| Mid-grade | $5.23 | $152.64 | $305.28 |
| Premium | $5.45 | $158.97 | $317.95 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $191.71 | $383.43 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026