How far is Shishmaref, AK from Council, AK?
The driving distance from Shishmaref, AK to Council, AK is about 179.4 miles (288.7 km), with a travel time of about 10h 57m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 116.3 miles (187.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 21h 55m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM AKST.
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 10h 57m.
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.
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Shishmaref and Council.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shishmaref and Council.
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1
Start on the route
2.2 mi · 21 min
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2
Turn straight onto Nome-Taylor Highway
106.3 mi · 6 hr 48 min · Nome-Taylor Highway
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto Nome-Council Road
70.8 mi · 3 hr 47 min · Nome-Council Road
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4
Turn right onto Camp Bendeleben Road
725 ft · 39 sec · Camp Bendeleben Road
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5
Turn sharp left
72 m · 10 sec
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6
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Shishmaref and Council.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Nome-Taylor Highway
Turn straight onto Nome-Taylor Highway
106 mi · 06h 48m
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.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Shishmaref and Cloudy near Council.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Shishmaref to Council?
The road trip is about 179.4 miles (288.7 km) and usually takes 10h 57m 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?
Nome is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.4 miles from Shishmaref and 90 miles from Council.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 116.3 miles (187.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 63.1 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 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM AKST. 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 $29.39 one way or $58.78 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Shishmaref and Cloudy near Council.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Shishmaref and Council. Straight-line distance: 116.3 mi (187.17 km).
#1 Shishmaref
City and village in the Nome Census Area, Alaska, United States
| Population | 606 |
| Coordinates | 66.2562100, -166.0722900 |
| Altitude | 4 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Council
This small community is situated on the east bank of the Niukluk River, 7 miles upstream from Norton Bay.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 64.8950000, -163.6763900 |
| Altitude | 39 |
| Country | United States |
End: Council (-163.67639, 64.895)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 289 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.64 | $29.39 | $58.78 |
| Mid-grade | $4.79 | $30.31 | $60.62 |
| Premium | $5.07 | $32.12 | $64.24 |
| Diesel | $6.39 | $40.42 | $80.85 |
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 · Nov 08, 2026