How far is Willow, AK from Anchorage, AK?

The driving distance from Willow, AK to Anchorage, AK is about 71.2 miles (114.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 19m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 36.8 miles (59.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 39m 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
71.22 mi
01h 19m
Flight
36.84 mi
59.29 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Willow.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
36.84 mi
Kilometers
59.29 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
71.22 mi
Kilometers
114.62 km
Drive Time
01h 19m

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 19m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Anchorage
Sat, May 2, 4:11 AM AKDT
Return by in Willow
Sat, May 2, 5:31 AM AKDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Willow
2026-05-02T02:51
Arrive Anchorage
Sat, May 2, 4:11 AM AKDT
Route Timing
01h 19m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM AKDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:20 AM to 11:20 AM AKDT

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

Leave by
3:50 PM AKDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Willow
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
Palmer
AK

City in Alaska, USA

From Willow
35.5 mi
00h 39m
To Anchorage
35.7 mi
00h 39m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
50°F
Saturday

Light Rain

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph SE
Destination
49°F
Saturday

Light Rain Likely

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Willow and Anchorage.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Willow and Anchorage.

  1. 1

    Start on Petticoat Street

    1101 ft · 51 sec · Petticoat Street

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn right onto West Tuxedo Avenue

    657 ft · 29 sec · West Tuxedo Avenue

  3. 3

    Continue on West Tuxedo Avenue

    13 m · 7 sec · West Tuxedo Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Willow Station Road

    1080 ft · 53 sec · Willow Station Road

  5. 5

    Turn left onto George Parks Highway

    16.5 mi · 23 min · George Parks Highway

  6. 6

    Continue on West Parks Highway

    18.7 mi · 26 min · West Parks Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on Glenn Highway

    33.1 mi · 38 min · Glenn Highway

  8. 8

    Continue on East 5th Avenue

    2.4 mi · 6 min · East 5th Avenue

  9. 9

    Turn right onto I Street

    109 m · 18 sec · I Street

  10. 10

    Turn left onto West 4th Avenue

    37 m · 10 sec · West 4th Avenue

  11. 11

    Turn left

    26 m · 6 sec

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Willow and Anchorage.

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
12 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Glenn Highway
33.1 mi · 46%
West Parks Highway
18.7 mi · 26%
George Parks Highway
16.5 mi · 23%
East 5th Avenue
2.44 mi · 3%
Petticoat Street
0.21 mi
Willow Station Road
0.2 mi
Longest Stretch

Glenn Highway

Continue on Glenn Highway

33.1 mi · 00h 38m

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 19m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+34.4 mi
36.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Palmer
00h 39m from Willow
Leave By
3:50 PM AKDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Light Rain leaving Willow and Light Rain Likely near Anchorage.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Willow to Anchorage?

The road trip is about 71.2 miles (114.6 km) and usually takes 01h 19m 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?

Palmer is a useful midpoint, sitting about 35.5 miles from Willow and 35.7 miles from Anchorage.

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

The direct path is about 36.8 miles (59.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM AKDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:50 PM AKDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.43 one way or $24.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Light Rain around Willow and Light Rain Likely near Anchorage.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Willow and Anchorage. Straight-line distance: 36.84 mi (59.29 km).

Willow

#1 Willow

Census-designated place in Alaska, USA

Population2,102
Coordinates61.7472200, -150.0375000
Altitude64
CountryUnited States
Anchorage

#2 Anchorage

The most populous city in Alaska and the center of the Anchorage metropolitan area.

Population294,356
Coordinates61.2180600, -149.9002800
Altitude31
CountryUnited States
Start: Petticoat Street (-150.034809, 61.746806)
End: (-149.900352, 61.218324)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 115 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 22m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 46m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 25m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 11m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 01m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 53m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.51 gal
9.51 L · about $12.43
Round trip
$24.85
5.02 gal · 19.02 L
Estimated CO2
22.3 kg one way
Round trip: 44.6 kg / 98 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $12.43 $24.85
Mid-grade $5.34 $13.40 $26.80
Premium $5.57 $13.97 $27.94
Diesel $6.37 $15.98 $31.96

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 02, 2026

There is no time difference between Willow and Anchorage. The current time is 02:51:56.

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.