How far is Sterling, AK from Sitka, AK?
The driving distance from Sterling, AK to Sitka, AK is about 1136.1 miles (1828.4 km), with a travel time of about 51h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 600.8 miles (966.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 102h 41m 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 51h 20m.
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.
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 Sitka.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sterling and Sitka.
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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
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8
Turn left
76 m · 4 sec
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9
Turn straight onto Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
334.5 mi · 22 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
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10
Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
262.6 mi · 17 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
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11
Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Sitka-Juneau
153.9 mi · 9 hr 30 min · Alaska Marine Highway - Sitka-Juneau
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12
Continue straight
662 ft · 50 sec
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13
At the end of the road, turn right onto Halibut Point Road
6.6 mi · 12 min · Halibut Point Road
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Sawmill Creek Road
36 m · 2 sec · Sawmill Creek Road
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15
Exit the roundabout onto Sawmill Creek Road
752 ft · 17 sec · Sawmill Creek Road
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16
Turn right onto Baranof Street
67 m · 10 sec · Baranof Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Baranof Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sterling and Sitka.
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 Sitka.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sterling to Sitka?
The road trip is about 1136.1 miles (1828.4 km) and usually takes 51h 20m 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 427 miles from Sterling and 709 miles from Sitka.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 600.8 miles (966.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 535.3 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 $198.49 one way or $396.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 356.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Sterling and Mostly Clear near Sitka.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sterling and Sitka. Straight-line distance: 600.82 mi (966.92 km).
#1 Sterling
Sterling is a place in Alaska, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 60.5372200, -150.7647200 |
| Altitude | 67 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Sitka
City-borough in Alaska, USA
| Population | 8,493 |
| Coordinates | 57.0531500, -135.3308800 |
| Altitude | 8 |
| Country | United States |
End: Baranof Street (-135.330703, 57.053171)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 1828 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 37h 51m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 28h 24m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 22h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 18h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 16h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 14h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $198.49 | $396.97 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $214.00 | $428.00 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $223.14 | $446.28 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $255.21 | $510.43 |
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.