How far is Sterling, AK from College, AK?
The driving distance from Sterling, AK to College, AK is about 490.7 miles (789.7 km), with a travel time of about 10h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 312.8 miles (503.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 20h 14m 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 10h 07m.
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.
Place in Alaska
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Light Rain Likely
Scattered Snow Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sterling and College.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sterling and College.
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1
Start on Great Land Street
24 m · 6 sec · Great Land Street
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2
Turn right onto Sterling Highway
46 mi · 1 hr 8 min · Sterling Highway
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto Seward Highway
88.5 mi · 1 hr 47 min · Seward Highway
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4
Continue on Ingra Street
1 mi · 2 min · Ingra Street
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5
Turn right onto East 6th Avenue
1924 ft · 57 sec · East 6th Avenue
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6
Continue on East 5th Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · East 5th Avenue
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7
Continue on Glenn Highway
33 mi · 38 min · Glenn Highway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on East Parks Highway
14.5 mi · 20 min · East Parks Highway
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9
Continue on West Parks Highway
4.2 mi · 6 min · West Parks Highway
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10
Continue on George Parks Highway
299.2 mi · 5 hr 58 min · George Parks Highway
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11
Turn left onto Sheep Creek Road
2164 ft · 39 sec · Sheep Creek Road
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12
At the end of the road, turn right onto Sheep Creek Road
2618 ft · 52 sec · Sheep Creek Road
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13
Continue on West Tanana Drive
1.1 km · 1 min · West Tanana Drive
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Tanana Loop
26 m · 2 sec · Tanana Loop
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15
Exit the roundabout onto Tanana Loop
2412 ft · 48 sec · Tanana Loop
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16
Continue on Alumni Drive
2015 ft · 42 sec · Alumni Drive
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17
Continue on College Road
1698 ft · 37 sec · College Road
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · College Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sterling and College.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
George Parks Highway
Continue on George Parks Highway
299 mi · 05h 58m
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.
Light Rain Likely leaving Sterling and Scattered Snow Showers near College.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sterling to College?
The road trip is about 490.7 miles (789.7 km) and usually takes 10h 07m 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?
Talkeetna is a useful midpoint, sitting about 244.6 miles from Sterling and 246.1 miles from College.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 312.8 miles (503.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 177.9 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 $85.70 one way or $171.40 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 153.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Light Rain Likely around Sterling and Scattered Snow Showers near College.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sterling and College. Straight-line distance: 312.79 mi (503.39 km).
#1 Sterling
This Kenai Peninsula community is situated at the central western base of the peninsula, along the Kenai River.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 60.5372200, -150.7647200 |
| Altitude | 67 |
| Country | United States |
#2 College
Census-designated place in Alaska, United States
| Population | 12,964 |
| Coordinates | 64.8569400, -147.8027800 |
| Altitude | 137 |
| Country | United States |
End: College (-147.80278, 64.85694)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 790 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 16h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 12h 16m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 09h 48m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 08h 10m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 07h 00m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 06h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $85.70 | $171.40 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $92.40 | $184.80 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $96.35 | $192.69 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $110.20 | $220.39 |
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.