How far is Sterling, AK from Seward, AK?

The driving distance from Sterling, AK to Seward, AK is about 82 miles (132 km), with a travel time of about 01h 43m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 54.2 miles (87.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 26m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM AKDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
82.05 mi
01h 43m
Flight
54.2 mi
87.23 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Sterling.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
54.2 mi
Kilometers
87.23 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
82.05 mi
Kilometers
132.04 km
Drive Time
01h 43m

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 01h 43m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Seward
Tue, Apr 14, 10:36 PM AKDT
Return by in Sterling
Wed, Apr 15, 12:19 AM AKDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sterling
2026-04-14T20:52
Arrive Seward
Tue, Apr 14, 10:36 PM AKDT
Route Timing
01h 43m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM AKDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:43 AM to 11:43 AM AKDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:04 PM AKDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Sterling
9:30 PM AKDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Bear Creek
AK

Town in Marion County, Alabama, USA

From Sterling
40.9 mi
00h 51m
To Seward
41.1 mi
00h 51m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
24°F
Tuesday Night

Partly Cloudy

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 10:00 AM AKDT
Wind
0 mph
Destination
41°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Sterling and Seward.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sterling and Seward.

  1. 1

    Start on Great Land Street

    24 m · 6 sec · Great Land Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Sterling Highway

    46 mi · 1 hr 8 min · Sterling Highway

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Seward Highway

    35.4 mi · 51 min · Seward Highway

  4. 4

    Continue on 3rd Avenue

    1 km · 59 sec · 3rd Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Jefferson Street

    92 m · 19 sec · Jefferson Street

  6. 6

    Turn left onto 2nd Avenue

    52 m · 7 sec · 2nd Avenue

  7. 7

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 2nd Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Sterling and Seward.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
7 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Sterling Highway
46 mi · 56%
Seward Highway
35.4 mi · 43%
3rd Avenue
0.64 mi · 1%
Jefferson Street
0.06 mi
2nd Avenue
0.03 mi
Great Land Street
0.01 mi
Longest Stretch

Sterling Highway

Turn right onto Sterling Highway

46 mi · 01h 08m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 43m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+27.8 mi
54.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Bear Creek
00h 51m from Sterling
Leave By
3:04 PM AKDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Cloudy leaving Sterling and Mostly Sunny near Seward.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Sterling to Seward?

The road trip is about 82 miles (132 km) and usually takes 01h 43m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Bear Creek is a useful midpoint, sitting about 40.9 miles from Sterling and 41.1 miles from Seward.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 54.2 miles (87.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM AKDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:04 PM AKDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.36 one way or $28.72 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Sterling and Mostly Sunny near Seward.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sterling and Seward. Straight-line distance: 54.2 mi (87.23 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Sterling

Sterling is a place in Alaska, United States.

Population0
Coordinates60.5372200, -150.7647200
Altitude67
CountryUnited States
Seward

#2 Seward

City in Alaska, USA

Population2,927
Coordinates60.1042600, -149.4435000
Altitude28
CountryUnited States
Start: Great Land Street (-150.76507, 60.53722)
End: 2nd Avenue (-149.443726, 60.104259)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 132 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 44m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 03m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 38m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 22m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 10m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 01m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.9 gal
10.96 L · about $14.36
Round trip
$28.72
5.8 gal · 21.92 L
Estimated CO2
25.8 kg one way
Round trip: 51.5 kg / 114 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $14.36 $28.72
Mid-grade $5.34 $15.48 $30.96
Premium $5.57 $16.14 $32.28
Diesel $6.37 $18.46 $36.92

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

There is no time difference between Sterling and Seward. The current time is 20:52:35.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.