How far is Sitka, AK from Sterling, AK?
The driving distance from Sitka, AK to Sterling, AK is about 855.8 miles (1377.3 km), with a travel time of about 50h 59m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 600.8 miles (966.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 101h 58m 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 50h 59m.
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.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Snow Showers
Slight Chance Rain And Snow
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sitka and Sterling.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sitka and Sterling.
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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
46 mi · 1 hr 8 min
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16
Turn left onto Great Land Street
34 m · 5 sec · Great Land Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Great Land Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sitka and Sterling.
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 Sunny then Slight Chance Snow Showers leaving Sitka and Slight Chance Rain And Snow near Sterling.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sitka to Sterling?
The road trip is about 855.8 miles (1377.3 km) and usually takes 50h 59m 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 426.6 miles from Sitka and 429.1 miles from Sterling.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 600.8 miles (966.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 255 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 $149.52 one way or $299.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 268.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Snow Showers around Sitka and Slight Chance Rain And Snow near Sterling.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sitka and Sterling. Straight-line distance: 600.82 mi (966.92 km).
#1 Sitka
City-borough in Alaska, USA
| Population | 8,493 |
| Coordinates | 57.0531500, -135.3308800 |
| Altitude | 8 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Sterling
Sterling is a place in Alaska, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 60.5372200, -150.7647200 |
| Altitude | 67 |
| Country | United States |
End: Sterling (-150.76472, 60.53722)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 1377 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 28h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 21h 23m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 17h 06m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 14h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 12h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 10h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $149.52 | $299.04 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $161.21 | $322.42 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $168.09 | $336.19 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $192.25 | $384.51 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.