How far is Sitka, AK from Kenai, AK?
The driving distance from Sitka, AK to Kenai, AK is about 1157.8 miles (1863.3 km), with a travel time of about 52h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 617.3 miles (993.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 104h 38m 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 52h 19m.
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.
Slight Chance Light Snow
Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sitka and Kenai.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sitka and Kenai.
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1
Start on Baranof Street
67 m · 15 sec · Baranof Street
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2
Turn left onto Sawmill Creek Road
744 ft · 15 sec · Sawmill Creek Road
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Halibut Point Road
18 m · 1 sec · Halibut Point Road
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4
Exit the roundabout onto Halibut Point Road
6.6 mi · 12 min · Halibut Point Road
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5
Turn left
662 ft · 48 sec
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6
Turn straight onto Alaska Marine Highway - Sitka-Juneau
153.9 mi · 9 hr 30 min · Alaska Marine Highway - Sitka-Juneau
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7
Turn sharp left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
262.6 mi · 17 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
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8
Turn sharp left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
334.5 mi · 22 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
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9
Continue straight
114 m · 7 sec
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10
At the end of the road, turn right onto West Camp Road
53 m · 9 sec · West Camp Road
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11
Continue on West Camp Road
1.4 mi · 2 min · West Camp Road
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12
Continue on Portage Glacier Highway
4.7 mi · 11 min · Portage Glacier Highway
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13
Continue on Portage Glacier Road
5 mi · 7 min · Portage Glacier Road
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14
At the end of the road, turn left onto Seward Highway
40.7 mi · 48 min · Seward Highway
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15
Take the exit slight right
58.4 mi · 1 hr 26 min
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16
Turn right onto Kalifornsky Beach Road
6 mi · 8 min · Kalifornsky Beach Road
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17
Turn right onto Bridge Access Road
3.3 mi · 5 min · Bridge Access Road
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18
Turn left onto Kenai Spur Highway
2847 ft · 1 min · Kenai Spur Highway
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19
Turn left onto Broad Street
28 m · 6 sec · Broad Street
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20
Turn right onto Frontage Road
142 m · 20 sec · Frontage Road
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Frontage Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sitka and Kenai.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
Turn sharp left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
334 mi · 22h 00m
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.
Slight Chance Light Snow leaving Sitka 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 Sitka to Kenai?
The road trip is about 1157.8 miles (1863.3 km) and usually takes 52h 19m 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?
Haines is a useful midpoint, sitting about 437.8 miles from Sitka and 720 miles from Kenai.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 617.3 miles (993.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 540.5 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 $202.25 one way or $404.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 363 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Light Snow around Sitka and Light Rain near Kenai.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sitka and Kenai. Straight-line distance: 617.24 mi (993.35 km).
#1 Sitka
City-borough in Alaska, USA
| Population | 8,493 |
| Coordinates | 57.0531500, -135.3308800 |
| Altitude | 8 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Kenai
City in Alaska
| Population | 7,890 |
| Coordinates | 60.5544400, -151.2583300 |
| Altitude | 22 |
| Country | United States |
End: Frontage Road (-151.258293, 60.554244)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 1863 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 38h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 28h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 23h 09m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 19h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 16h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 14h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $202.25 | $404.50 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $218.06 | $436.11 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $227.37 | $454.74 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $260.05 | $520.10 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.