How far is Unalaska, AK from Ketchikan, AK?

The driving distance from Unalaska, AK to Ketchikan, AK is about 2017.4 miles (3246.7 km), with a travel time of about 102h 43m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 1385 miles (2229 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 205h 27m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM AKDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
2017.41 mi
102h 43m
Flight
1385.03 mi
2228.99 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Unalaska.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
1385.03 mi
Kilometers
2228.99 km
Flight Time
02h 47m

Driving Distance

Road route
2017.41 mi
Kilometers
3246.71 km
Drive Time
102h 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 102h 43m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ketchikan
Tue, May 19, 7:01 PM AKDT
Return by in Unalaska
Sun, May 24, 1:44 AM AKDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Unalaska
2026-05-15T12:17
Arrive Ketchikan
Tue, May 19, 7:01 PM AKDT
Route Timing
102h 43m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 7:30 AM AKDT
Treat this as a longer travel day
Arrive between
12:44 PM to 2:14 PM AKDT

Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.

Leave by
10:32 PM AKDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 08h 00m at the destination.
Back in Unalaska
8:00 PM AKDT
Overnight-style route

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
Seward
AK

City in Alaska, USA

From Unalaska
1005.9 mi
51h 21m
To Ketchikan
1011.5 mi
51h 21m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
37°F
Overnight

Heavy Rain

Starts
Fri, May 15 1:00 AM AKDT
Wind
20 to 30 mph SE
Destination
50°F
Friday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, May 15 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Unalaska and Ketchikan.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Unalaska and Ketchikan.

  1. 1

    Start on West Broadway Avenue

    731 ft · 34 sec · West Broadway Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto 5th Street

    555 ft · 16 sec · 5th Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Airport Beach Road

    2.9 mi · 7 min · Airport Beach Road

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Ballyhoo Road

    1.5 km · 2 min · Ballyhoo Road

  5. 5

    Turn right

    94 m · 23 sec

  6. 6

    Continue on Alaska Marine Highway Akutan to Unalaska

    217.1 mi · 12 hr 27 min · Alaska Marine Highway Akutan to Unalaska

  7. 7

    Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway Cold Bay to False Pass

    64.1 mi · 4 hr 15 min · Alaska Marine Highway Cold Bay to False Pass

  8. 8

    Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - King Cove to Cold Bay

    25.2 mi · 6 hr 45 min · Alaska Marine Highway - King Cove to Cold Bay

  9. 9

    Continue on Alaska Marine Highway Terminak King Cove

    21 m · 7 sec · Alaska Marine Highway Terminak King Cove

  10. 10

    Continue on Alaska Marine Highway Terminak King Cove

    23 m · 6 sec · Alaska Marine Highway Terminak King Cove

  11. 11

    Continue on Alaska Marine Highway - Sand Point to King Cove

    95.5 mi · 6 hr 15 min · Alaska Marine Highway - Sand Point to King Cove

  12. 12

    Turn sharp left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Chignik to Sand Point

    142.3 mi · 9 hr 15 min · Alaska Marine Highway - Chignik to Sand Point

  13. 13

    Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Kodiak to Chignik

    288.4 mi · 6 hr 30 min · Alaska Marine Highway - Kodiak to Chignik

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Chenega Bay-Kodiak

    225.4 mi · 5 hr 30 min · Alaska Marine Highway - Chenega Bay-Kodiak

  15. 15

    Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Chenega Bay

    79.1 mi · 4 hr 30 min · Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Chenega Bay

  16. 16

    Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat

    334.5 mi · 22 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat

  17. 17

    Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat

    262.6 mi · 17 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat

  18. 18

    Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau

    276.8 mi · 8 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau

  19. 19

    Continue on Main Berth Ramp

    60 m · 34 sec · Main Berth Ramp

  20. 20

    Continue on Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road

    629 ft · 19 sec · Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road

  21. 21

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Tongass Avenue

    1.7 mi · 3 min · Tongass Avenue

  22. 22

    Turn right onto Water Street

    1928 ft · 39 sec · Water Street

  23. 23

    Turn right onto Front Street

    122 m · 12 sec · Front Street

  24. 24

    Turn right

    3 m · 1 sec

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Unalaska and Ketchikan.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
25 steps
16 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
1.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
334 mi · 17%
Alaska Marine Highway - Kodiak to Chignik
288 mi · 14%
Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau
277 mi · 14%
Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
263 mi · 13%
Alaska Marine Highway - Chenega Bay-Kodiak
225 mi · 11%
Alaska Marine Highway Akutan to Unalaska
217 mi · 11%
Longest Stretch

Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat

Turn sharp right 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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
102h 43m
Overnight route
Same-Day Return
205h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+632.4 mi
1385 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Seward
51h 21m from Unalaska
Leave By
10:32 PM AKDT
Overnight-style route
Weather Watch

Heavy Rain leaving Unalaska and Chance Rain Showers near Ketchikan.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Unalaska to Ketchikan?

The road trip is about 2017.4 miles (3246.7 km) and usually takes 102h 43m 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?

Seward is a useful midpoint, sitting about 1005.9 miles from Unalaska and 1011.5 miles from Ketchikan.

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

The direct path is about 1385 miles (2229 km), while the road route adds roughly 632.4 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 $352.46 one way or $704.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 632.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Heavy Rain around Unalaska and Chance Rain Showers near Ketchikan.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Unalaska and Ketchikan. Straight-line distance: 1385.03 mi (2228.99 km).

Unalaska

#1 Unalaska

City in Alaska, United States

Population4,473
Coordinates53.8741300, -166.5340800
Altitude4
CountryUnited States
Ketchikan

#2 Ketchikan

City in Alaska, USA

Population8,187
Coordinates55.3418000, -131.6475700
Altitude8
CountryUnited States
Start: Unalaska (-166.53408, 53.87413)
End: Ketchikan (-131.64757, 55.3418)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 3247 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)67h 13m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)50h 26m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)40h 20m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)33h 37m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)28h 49m
80 mph (129 km/h)25h 10m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
71.19 gal
269.48 L · about $352.46
Round trip
$704.92
142.38 gal · 538.96 L
Estimated CO2
632.7 kg one way
Round trip: 1265.3 kg / 2790 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $352.46 $704.92
Mid-grade $5.34 $380.01 $760.02
Premium $5.57 $396.24 $792.49
Diesel $6.37 $453.20 $906.39

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 · May 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Unalaska and Ketchikan. The current time is 12:17:28.

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.