How far is Sterling, AK from Fairbanks, AK?
The driving distance from Sterling, AK to Fairbanks, AK is about 493.4 miles (794 km), with a travel time of about 08h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 312.4 miles (502.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 16h 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 08h 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.
Place in Alaska
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Cloudy
Chance Rain And Snow
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sterling and Fairbanks.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sterling and Fairbanks.
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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
301.4 mi · 6 hr 1 min · George Parks Highway
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11
Take the exit straight toward East Airport Way
1630 ft · 40 sec
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12
Continue on Airport Way
3.5 mi · 6 min · Airport Way
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13
Turn left onto Cushman Street
635 ft · 27 sec · Cushman Street
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14
Turn right onto 12th Avenue
111 m · 16 sec · 12th Avenue
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 12th Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sterling and Fairbanks.
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
301 mi · 06h 01m
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.
Partly Cloudy leaving Sterling and Chance Rain And Snow near Fairbanks.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sterling to Fairbanks?
The road trip is about 493.4 miles (794 km) and usually takes 08h 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?
Talkeetna is a useful midpoint, sitting about 246.4 miles from Sterling and 247 miles from Fairbanks.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 312.4 miles (502.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 181 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 $86.20 one way or $172.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 154.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Sterling and Chance Rain And Snow near Fairbanks.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sterling and Fairbanks. Straight-line distance: 312.37 mi (502.71 km).
#1 Sterling
Sterling is a place in Alaska, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 60.5372200, -150.7647200 |
| Altitude | 67 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Fairbanks
City in Alaska, USA
| Population | 30,696 |
| Coordinates | 64.8377800, -147.7163900 |
| Altitude | 136 |
| Country | United States |
End: 12th Avenue (-147.71648, 64.838038)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 794 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 16h 26m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 12h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 09h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 08h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 07h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 06h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $86.20 | $172.39 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $92.93 | $185.87 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $96.90 | $193.81 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $110.83 | $221.66 |
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.