How far is Sterling, AK from Ketchikan, AK?
The driving distance from Sterling, AK to Ketchikan, AK is about 1251.7 miles (2014.4 km), with a travel time of about 34h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 783.7 miles (1261.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 68h 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 34h 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.
City in Alaska, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Cloudy
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sterling and Ketchikan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sterling and Ketchikan.
-
1
Start on Great Land Street
24 m · 6 sec · Great Land Street
-
2
Turn right onto Sterling Highway
46 mi · 1 hr 8 min · Sterling Highway
-
3
At the end of the road, turn left onto Seward Highway
41.4 mi · 49 min · Seward Highway
-
4
Turn right onto Portage Glacier Road
5 mi · 7 min · Portage Glacier Road
-
5
Continue on Portage Glacier Highway
4.7 mi · 11 min · Portage Glacier Highway
-
6
Continue on West Camp Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · West Camp Road
-
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
Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau
276.8 mi · 8 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau
-
12
Continue on Main Berth Ramp
60 m · 34 sec · Main Berth Ramp
-
13
Continue on Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road
629 ft · 19 sec · Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road
-
14
At the end of the road, turn right onto Tongass Avenue
1.7 mi · 3 min · Tongass Avenue
-
15
Turn right onto Water Street
1928 ft · 39 sec · Water Street
-
16
Turn right onto Front Street
122 m · 12 sec · Front Street
-
17
Turn right
3 m · 1 sec
-
18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sterling and Ketchikan.
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 Cloudy near Ketchikan.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sterling to Ketchikan?
The road trip is about 1251.7 miles (2014.4 km) and usually takes 34h 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?
Haines is a useful midpoint, sitting about 486 miles from Sterling and 765.7 miles from Ketchikan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 783.7 miles (1261.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 468 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 $218.69 one way or $437.37 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 392.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Sterling and Mostly Cloudy near Ketchikan.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sterling and Ketchikan. Straight-line distance: 783.75 mi (1261.33 km).
#1 Sterling
Sterling is a place in Alaska, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 60.5372200, -150.7647200 |
| Altitude | 67 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Ketchikan
City in Alaska, USA
| Population | 8,187 |
| Coordinates | 55.3418000, -131.6475700 |
| Altitude | 8 |
| Country | United States |
End: Front Street (-131.647548, 55.341795)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 2014 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 41h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 31h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 25h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 20h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 17h 52m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 15h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $218.69 | $437.37 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $235.78 | $471.56 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $245.85 | $491.70 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $281.19 | $562.37 |
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.