Anchor Point to Wasilla is 248.7 miles and takes about 5h 28m via Sterling Highway, Seward Highway, and Glenn Highway, with a fuel budget near $54 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you through the Alaska region, moving from one point to another within the state. Expect a route characterized by numerous turns, suggesting a more involved local driving experience rather than a straight highway cruise. With a recommended single day for travel, this trip is well-suited for a straightforward journey where you can focus on the road ahead.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
124.4 miles from Anchor Point, AK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Sterling Highway
116.7 mi
2h 47m
Seward Highway
88.5 mi
1h 47m
Glenn Highway
33 mi
38m
East Parks Highway
8 mi
10m
Ingra Street
1 mi
2m
East 5th Avenue
1 mi
1m
East 6th Avenue
0.4 mi
<1m
Bates Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Sterling Highway
— 116.7 mi, about 2h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Anchor Point, AK and Wasilla, AK.
1
Start on Bates Avenue
280 ft·13 sec·Bates Avenue
2
At end of road, turn right onto AK 1
117 mi·2 hr 47 min·Sterling Highway
3
At end of road, turn left onto AK 1
89 mi·1 hr 47 min·Seward Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Continue on AK 1
1.0 mi·2 min·Ingra Street
5
Turn right onto AK 1
0.4 mi·56 sec·East 6th Avenue
6
Continue on AK 1
1.0 mi·1 min·East 5th Avenue
7
Continue on AK 1
33 mi·38 min·Glenn Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto AK 3
8.0 mi·10 min·East Parks Highway
Toward Wasilla, FairbanksUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Turn left onto Main Street
26 ft·0 sec·Main Street
Use the left lane.
10
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 28m estimated duration and 248.7 miles, this trip is comfortably achievable in a single day, making it ideal for a morning departure to maximize daylight. Plan for your one recommended stop to break up the longest stretch of 116.7 miles on the Sterling Highway, ensuring you stay refreshed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move away from larger centers, and factor in the estimated $54 fuel cost. The 'turn-heavy' nature of this drive means paying close attention to GPS or road signs is crucial to avoid missed turns.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 124.4 miles from Anchor Point, AK, or about 2h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 116.7 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 55 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.4 miles or 2h 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wasilla, AK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Anchor Point, AK so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Anchor Point, AK
This is one driving day of about 248.7 miles and 5h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Anchor Point, AK.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Sterling Highway for about 116.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 5
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 248.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|AK 1 / Sterling Highway
At end of road, turn right onto AK 1 / Sterling Highway
Navigation decision point
5
116.8 mi into trip|~2h 47m in|AK 1 / Seward Highway
At end of road, turn left onto AK 1 / Seward Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
206.3 mi into trip|~4h 36m in|AK 1 / East 6th Avenue
Turn right onto AK 1 / East 6th Avenue
Navigation decision point
8
240.7 mi into trip|~5h 18m in|AK 3 / East Parks Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto AK 3 / East Parks Highway toward Wasilla, Fairbanks
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Wasilla, Fairbanks
6
248.7 mi into trip|~5h 28m in|Main Street
Turn left onto Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.90 one way
$107.80 round trip
$5.51/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.79
$56.68
$113.36
premium
$5.98
$58.55
$117.10
diesel
$5.61
$54.91
$109.82
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.6
0
$26.11
$11.94
Efficient EV
62.2
0
$21.76
$9.95
EV Truck/SUV
99.5
1
$34.82
$15.92
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Anchor Point, AK
Late night
in Anchor Point on Tuesday
Local time
2:56 AM
AKDT
Current temp
31°F
Slight Chance Light Snow
0 mph23% chanceLive forecast
Winter Weather Advisory
Winter Weather Advisory issued April 16 at 2:39PM AKDT until April 18 at 4:00PM AKDT by NWS Fairbanks AK
Destination
Wasilla, AK
Late night
in Wasilla on Tuesday
Local time
2:56 AM
AKDT
Current temp
34°F
Chance Light Snow
NE 5 mph48% chanceLive forecast
Winter Weather Advisory
Winter Weather Advisory issued April 16 at 2:39PM AKDT until April 18 at 4:00PM AKDT by NWS Fairbanks AK
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
3 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 28m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is described as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' indicating frequent changes in direction and possibly navigating through towns or more intricate road systems. With a highway share of 0%, you won't encounter long stretches of high-speed interstate driving. The longest uninterrupted segment you'll experience is 116.7 miles on the Sterling Highway, offering a substantial period of consistent travel before the turns become more prevalent. Be prepared for a dynamic driving experience that demands attention to navigation and road conditions.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
10 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 116.7 mi on Sterling Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near AK 1 / Sterling Highway.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 28m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (AK 1 / Sterling Highway): Navigation decision point; at 116.8 miles (AK 1 / Seward Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 206.3 miles (AK 1 / East 6th Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Anchor Point is an unincorporated community on the Kenai Peninsula in Southcentral Alaska. It is the westernmost point in the North American highway system.
Wasilla is a city of 9,000 people (2020) in Alaska. Wasilla is the last city of significant size on the Parks Highway northward; therefore, it is a frequent stopping point if traveling by car to Denali National Park, Fairbanks or other points north. It is most famous as the home town of Alaska Governor and 2008 Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin, who served as mayor of the city for six years.
The longest stretch is about 116.7 miles on Sterling Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
Mostly yes along the main roads, but rural stretches through AK can have sparse or no coverage. Before you leave, download offline Google Maps or Apple Maps for the route, and consider downloading music or podcasts instead of streaming. If you depend on data for navigation, keep a paper backup of the turn-by-turn directions.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (AK 1 / Sterling Highway): Navigation decision point; at 116.8 miles (AK 1 / Seward Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 206.3 miles (AK 1 / East 6th Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Wasilla, AK before the return drive.
