How far is Sitka, AK from Nikiski, AK?
The driving distance from Sitka, AK to Nikiski, AK is about 891.8 miles (1435.2 km), with a travel time of about 51h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 620.9 miles (999.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 103h 56m 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 51h 58m.
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.
City in Alaska, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sitka and Nikiski.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sitka and Nikiski.
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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
10.6 mi · 16 min · Kenai Spur Highway
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19
Turn right onto Miller Loop Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Miller Loop Road
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20
Continue on Miller Loop Road
1.1 km · 1 min · Miller Loop Road
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21
Turn left onto Island Lake Road
1.3 km · 3 min · Island Lake Road
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22
Turn right onto Bastien Drive
1 mi · 4 min · Bastien Drive
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23
Continue on Rachet Avenue
155 m · 22 sec · Rachet Avenue
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Rachet Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sitka and Nikiski.
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.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Sitka and Light Rain near Nikiski.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sitka to Nikiski?
The road trip is about 891.8 miles (1435.2 km) and usually takes 51h 58m 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 444.6 miles from Sitka and 447.2 miles from Nikiski.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 620.9 miles (999.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 270.9 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 $155.81 one way or $311.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 279.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Sitka and Light Rain near Nikiski.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sitka and Nikiski. Straight-line distance: 620.89 mi (999.22 km).
#1 Sitka
City-borough in Alaska, USA
| Population | 8,493 |
| Coordinates | 57.0531500, -135.3308800 |
| Altitude | 8 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Nikiski
Census-designated place in Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska
| Population | 4,493 |
| Coordinates | 60.6902800, -151.2888900 |
| Altitude | 40 |
| Country | United States |
End: Nikiski (-151.28889, 60.69028)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 1435 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 29h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 22h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 17h 50m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 14h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 12h 44m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 11h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $155.81 | $311.62 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $167.99 | $335.97 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $175.16 | $350.32 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $200.34 | $400.68 |
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.