How far is Sitka, AK from Bethel, AK?

The estimated driving distance from Sitka, AK to Bethel, AK is about 1144.4 miles (1841.7 km), with a travel time of about 20h 03m by car.

  • This page is using an estimated road distance while the full route geometry is refreshed.
  • The straight-line flight distance is about 969.8 miles (1560.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 40h 07m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM AKDT.
Road route is being refreshed. This page currently uses an estimated driving distance until a routing provider returns the full road geometry.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
1144.37 mi
20h 03m · estimated
Flight
969.8 mi
1560.75 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Sitka.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
969.8 mi
Kilometers
1560.75 km
Flight Time
01h 57m

Driving Distance

Estimated road route
1144.37 mi
Estimated
Kilometers
1841.69 km
Drive Time
20h 03m

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 20h 03m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bethel
Sat, May 2, 2:40 AM AKDT
Return by in Sitka
Sat, May 2, 10:44 PM AKDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sitka
2026-05-01T06:37
Arrive Bethel
Sat, May 2, 2:40 AM AKDT
Route Timing
20h 03m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 7:30 AM AKDT
Treat this as a longer travel day
Arrive between
2:04 AM to 3:34 AM AKDT

Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.

Leave by
7:52 PM AKDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 08h 00m at the destination.
Back in Sitka
8:00 PM AKDT
Overnight-style route

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Seward
AK

City in Alaska, USA

From Sitka
484.9 mi
10h 01m
To Bethel
659.5 mi
10h 01m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
42°F
Friday

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain And Snow

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NE
Destination
42°F
Friday

Light Rain Likely

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph E

Driving Route Map

Road route is being refreshed. This page currently uses an estimated driving distance.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sitka and Bethel.

Turn-by-turn directions will appear after the road route is refreshed. The current distance is an estimate.

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
20h 03m
Overnight route
Same-Day Return
40h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+174.6 mi
969.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Seward
10h 01m from Sitka
Leave By
7:52 PM AKDT
Overnight-style route
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain And Snow leaving Sitka and Light Rain Likely near Bethel.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Sitka to Bethel?

The road trip is about 1144.4 miles (1841.7 km) and usually takes 20h 03m 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?

Seward is a useful midpoint, sitting about 484.9 miles from Sitka and 659.5 miles from Bethel.

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

The direct path is about 969.8 miles (1560.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 174.6 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 $199.92 one way or $399.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 358.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain And Snow around Sitka and Light Rain Likely near Bethel.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sitka and Bethel. Straight-line distance: 969.8 mi (1560.75 km).

Sitka

#1 Sitka

City-borough in Alaska, USA

Population8,493
Coordinates57.0531500, -135.3308800
Altitude8
CountryUnited States
Bethel

#2 Bethel

City in Alaska, USA

Population6,658
Coordinates60.7922200, -161.7558300
Altitude1
CountryUnited States
Start: Sitka (-135.33088, 57.05315)
End: Bethel (-161.75583, 60.79222)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 1842 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)38h 07m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)28h 36m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)22h 53m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)19h 04m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)16h 20m
80 mph (129 km/h)14h 16m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
40.38 gal
152.86 L · about $199.92
Round trip
$399.84
80.76 gal · 305.72 L
Estimated CO2
358.9 kg one way
Round trip: 717.7 kg / 1582 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $199.92 $399.84
Mid-grade $5.34 $215.55 $431.10
Premium $5.57 $224.76 $449.51
Diesel $6.37 $257.06 $514.12

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 01, 2026

There is no time difference between Sitka and Bethel. The current time is 06:37:08.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.