How far is Seward, AK from Kenai, AK?

The driving distance from Seward, AK to Kenai, AK is about 104.5 miles (168.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 07m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 69.4 miles (111.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 15m 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
104.45 mi
02h 07m
Flight
69.43 mi
111.73 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Seward.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
69.43 mi
Kilometers
111.73 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
104.45 mi
Kilometers
168.09 km
Drive Time
02h 07m

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 02h 07m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Kenai
Thu, Apr 23, 12:05 AM AKDT
Return by in Seward
Thu, Apr 23, 2:12 AM AKDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Seward
2026-04-22T21:57
Arrive Kenai
Thu, Apr 23, 12:05 AM AKDT
Route Timing
02h 07m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM AKDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:08 AM to 12:08 PM AKDT

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

Leave by
2:14 PM AKDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Seward
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
Bear Creek
AK

Town in Marion County, Alabama, USA

From Seward
52.1 mi
01h 03m
To Kenai
52.4 mi
01h 03m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
38°F
Wednesday

Rain And Snow

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
5 to 20 mph SE
Destination
42°F
Wednesday

Light Rain

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph NE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Seward and Kenai.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Seward and Kenai.

  1. 1

    Start on 2nd Avenue

    52 m · 10 sec · 2nd Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Jefferson Street

    92 m · 19 sec · Jefferson Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto 3rd Avenue

    1 km · 57 sec · 3rd Avenue

  4. 4

    Continue on Seward Highway

    35.4 mi · 52 min · Seward Highway

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Sterling Highway

    58.4 mi · 1 hr 26 min · Sterling Highway

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Kalifornsky Beach Road

    6 mi · 8 min · Kalifornsky Beach Road

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Bridge Access Road

    3.3 mi · 5 min · Bridge Access Road

  8. 8

    Turn left onto Kenai Spur Highway

    2847 ft · 1 min · Kenai Spur Highway

  9. 9

    Turn left onto Broad Street

    28 m · 6 sec · Broad Street

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Frontage Road

    142 m · 20 sec · Frontage Road

  11. 11

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Frontage Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Seward and Kenai.

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
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Sterling Highway
58.4 mi · 56%
Seward Highway
35.4 mi · 34%
Kalifornsky Beach Road
5.98 mi · 6%
Bridge Access Road
3.27 mi · 3%
3rd Avenue
0.64 mi · 1%
Kenai Spur Highway
0.54 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Sterling Highway

Turn left onto Sterling Highway

58.4 mi · 01h 26m

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
02h 07m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+35.1 mi
69.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Bear Creek
01h 03m from Seward
Leave By
2:14 PM AKDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Rain And Snow leaving Seward and Light Rain near Kenai.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Seward to Kenai?

The road trip is about 104.5 miles (168.1 km) and usually takes 02h 07m 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?

Bear Creek is a useful midpoint, sitting about 52.1 miles from Seward and 52.4 miles from Kenai.

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

The direct path is about 69.4 miles (111.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.1 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 2:14 PM AKDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.27 one way or $36.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 32.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain And Snow around Seward and Light Rain near Kenai.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Seward and Kenai. Straight-line distance: 69.43 mi (111.73 km).

Seward

#1 Seward

City in Alaska, USA

Population2,927
Coordinates60.1042600, -149.4435000
Altitude28
CountryUnited States
Kenai

#2 Kenai

City in Alaska

Population7,890
Coordinates60.5544400, -151.2583300
Altitude22
CountryUnited States
Start: 2nd Avenue (-149.443726, 60.104259)
End: Frontage Road (-151.258293, 60.554244)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 168 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 28m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 36m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 05m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 44m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 29m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 18m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.69 gal
13.95 L · about $18.27
Round trip
$36.54
7.38 gal · 27.9 L
Estimated CO2
32.8 kg one way
Round trip: 65.6 kg / 145 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $18.27 $36.54
Mid-grade $5.34 $19.70 $39.39
Premium $5.57 $20.54 $41.08
Diesel $6.37 $23.49 $46.98

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Seward and Kenai. The current time is 21:57:36.

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.