How far is Sterling, AK from Juneau, AK?
Fastest route
The distance from Sterling, Alaska to Juneau, Alaska is approximately 983 miles (1,581 kilometers). The estimated travel time is 21 hours and 53 minutes. The route includes checkpoints due to COVID-19, tolls, and a ferry crossing.
Directions
- 🛣️ Head southeast on AK-1 N toward AK-1.
- 🔄 Use the right 2 lanes to turn right onto E 6th Ave and continue onto AK-1 N/E 5th Ave.
- 🚗 Follow AK-1 N and take the AK-1 E exit toward Palmer/Glennallen.
- 🛣️ Continue straight to stay on AK-1 N and turn right onto AK-1 N/Glenn Highway-Tok Cutoff.
- 🇨🇦 Enter Canada (Yukon) and continue onto Alaska Hwy/Yukon 1 E.
- ➡️ Turn right onto Haines Rd/YT-3 S and continue on Haines Rd, entering British Columbia and then the United States of America (Alaska).
- 🚢 Take the Juneau - Haines ferry to Juneau via Glacier Hwy and Egan Dr.
Tips & Suggestions
- 💰 Be prepared for tolls along the route.
- 🚢 Keep in mind that the journey includes a ferry crossing.
- 🌍 Remember that the route crosses through Canada, so ensure you have the necessary documentation for international travel.
- 🛣️ Follow AK-1 N, AK-2 S, Alaska Hwy/Yukon 1 E, and Haines Rd for the most direct path.
- 📅 Allocate sufficient time for the estimated travel duration of 21 hours and 53 minutes.
- 📍 Once in Juneau, follow Glacier Hwy and Egan Dr to reach Glacier Ave.
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 26h 13m.
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.
Partly Cloudy
Mostly Clear
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sterling and Juneau.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sterling and Juneau.
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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
41.4 mi · 49 min · Seward Highway
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4
Turn right onto Portage Glacier Road
5 mi · 7 min · Portage Glacier Road
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5
Continue on Portage Glacier Highway
4.7 mi · 11 min · Portage Glacier Highway
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6
Continue on West Camp Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · West Camp Road
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7
Turn right
52 m · 8 sec
-
8
Turn left
76 m · 4 sec
-
9
Turn straight onto Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
334.5 mi · 22 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
-
10
Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
262.6 mi · 17 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
-
11
Continue straight
117 m · 7 sec
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12
At the end of the road, turn right onto Glacier Highway
1.6 mi · 2 min · Glacier Highway
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13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward DeHart's Traffic Circle
19 m · 1 sec · Glacier Highway
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14
Exit the rotary onto Glacier Highway
2.3 mi · 3 min · Glacier Highway
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15
Turn straight onto Egan Drive
8.1 mi · 11 min · Egan Drive
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16
Turn left onto Highland Drive
102 m · 7 sec · Highland Drive
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17
Turn right onto Glacier Avenue
2343 ft · 52 sec · Glacier Avenue
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18
Turn left onto West 9th Street
110 m · 12 sec · West 9th Street
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19
Turn right
10 m · 2 sec
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sterling and Juneau.
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 straight 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.
Partly Cloudy leaving Sterling and Mostly Clear near Juneau.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sterling to Juneau?
The road trip is about 985.4 miles (1585.8 km) and usually takes 26h 13m 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?
Cordova is a useful midpoint, sitting about 353.1 miles from Sterling and 632.2 miles from Juneau.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 593.2 miles (954.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 392.2 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 $172.15 one way or $344.29 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 309 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Sterling and Mostly Clear near Juneau.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sterling and Juneau. Straight-line distance: 593.2 mi (954.67 km).
#1 Sterling
Sterling is a place in Alaska, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 60.5372200, -150.7647200 |
| Altitude | 67 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Juneau
City in and state capital of Alaska, United States
| Population | 31,974 |
| Coordinates | 58.3019400, -134.4197200 |
| Altitude | 17 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-134.41976, 58.301918)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 1586 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 32h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 24h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 19h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 16h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 14h 04m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 12h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $172.15 | $344.29 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $185.60 | $371.20 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $193.53 | $387.06 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $221.35 | $442.69 |
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.