Connecting Anchorage and Fairbanks, this 359.8-mile journey typically takes about 7 hours and 19 minutes of driving time. You will spend the vast majority of your time traveling along the George Parks Highway, supplemented by segments of the Glenn Highway and East Parks Highway. While it is physically possible to complete this trip in a single day, be prepared for a long stint behind the wheel. Budgeting approximately $78 for fuel is a smart way to prepare for the costs of this Alaskan trek. Whether you choose to power through in one go or break it up, understanding the scale of this route is essential for a smooth trip between these two major Alaskan regions.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
179.9 miles from Anchorage, AK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
George Parks Highway
301.4 mi
6h
Glenn Highway
33 mi
38m
East Parks Highway
14.5 mi
20m
West Parks Highway
4.2 mi
5m
Airport Way
3.5 mi
6m
West 4th Avenue
1.3 mi
3m
East 3rd Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
East 5th Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
George Parks Highway
— 301.4 mi, about 6h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Anchorage, AK and Fairbanks, AK.
1
Start on this road
85 ft·8 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto West 4th Avenue
1.3 mi·3 min·West 4th Avenue
3
Continue on Post Road
0.1 mi·21 sec·Post Road
4
Turn right onto East 3rd Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·East 3rd Avenue
5
Continue on Commercial Drive
0.2 mi·23 sec·Commercial Drive
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Turn right onto Reeve Boulevard
0.1 mi·21 sec·Reeve Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Turn left onto AK 1
0.3 mi·48 sec·East 5th Avenue
8
Continue on AK 1
33 mi·38 min·Glenn Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto AK 3
15 mi·20 min·East Parks Highway
Toward Wasilla, FairbanksUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on AK 3
4.2 mi·5 min·West Parks Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
11
Continue on AK 3
301 mi·6 hr·George Parks Highway
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward East Airport WayUse the right lane.
13
Continue on Airport Way
3.5 mi·6 min·Airport Way
Use the left lane.
14
Turn left onto Cushman Street
0.1 mi·27 sec·Cushman Street
15
Turn right onto 12th Avenue
363 ft·15 sec·12th Avenue
16
Arrive at destination
12th Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 359.8-mile drive, plan for at least two intentional stops to stretch your legs and break up the 7-hour and 19-minute duration. Departing early in the morning is your best strategy to ensure you aren't rushing through the longest 301.4-mile segment of the George Parks Highway after dark. Keep a close eye on your gas gauge throughout the trip, as the $78 fuel estimate is a baseline that can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency and local prices. Since this is a turn-heavy route, prioritize steady pacing over speed to stay comfortable behind the wheel. Use the flexibility of a one-day trip to your advantage, but don't hesitate to pull over if you need a break during the extended highway stretches.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 179.9 miles from Anchorage, AK, or about 3h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 301.4 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 79 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 179.9 miles or 3h 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fairbanks, AK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Anchorage, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Anchorage, AK
This is one driving day of about 359.8 miles and 7h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 miles from Anchorage, AK.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on George Parks Highway for about 301.4 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 7
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 359.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|West 4th Avenue
Turn right onto West 4th Avenue
Navigation decision point
7
2.2 mi into trip|~5m in|Reeve Boulevard
Turn right onto Reeve Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
35.7 mi into trip|~44m 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
355.9 mi into trip|~7h 11m in
Take the exit toward East Airport Way
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward East Airport Way
5
359.8 mi into trip|~7h 19m in|12th Avenue
Turn right onto 12th Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$77.98 one way
$155.96 round trip
$5.51/gal25.4 MPG avg126 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.79
$82.00
$164.01
premium
$5.98
$84.71
$169.42
diesel
$5.61
$79.44
$158.88
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$78
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$103–$128
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 125.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
107.9
1
$37.78
$17.27
Efficient EV
90
1
$31.48
$14.39
EV Truck/SUV
143.9
1
$50.37
$23.03
Gas CO2
126 kg
EV CO2
42 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 13, 2026
Origin
Anchorage, AK
Night
in Anchorage on Saturday
Local time
10:04 PM
AKDT
Current temp
32°F
Rain And Snow
SW 5 mph80% chanceLive forecast
Winter Weather Advisory
Winter Weather Advisory issued April 12 at 3:04PM AKDT until April 13 at 7:00AM AKDT by NWS Fairbanks AK
Winter Weather Advisory
Winter Weather Advisory issued April 12 at 11:53AM AKDT until April 14 at 4:00AM AKDT by NWS Fairbanks AK
Destination
Fairbanks, AK
Night
in Fairbanks on Saturday
Local time
10:04 PM
AKDT
Current temp
35°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
7h 19m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy, local driving experience rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. The route features a significant 301.4-mile stretch along the George Parks Highway, which serves as the backbone of your journey. As you transition between the Glenn Highway and the Parks Highway, the road's character shifts, requiring your full attention as you navigate the turns. This isn't a high-speed freeway sprint; it is a driving experience that demands engagement and patience. Because the highway share is minimal, you should anticipate a more rustic and intimate feel as you traverse the Alaskan landscape.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 301.4 mi on George Parks Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
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 early in the drive near West 4th Avenue.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 19m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 7 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West 4th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles (Reeve Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 35.7 miles (AK 3 / East Parks Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,230 ft102 ft
Total Climb
1,128 ft
Total Descent
0 ft
Highest Point
1,230 ft
~154.2 mi in
Elevation Range
1,128 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Anchorage, AK to Fairbanks, AK, road signs begin pointing toward Wasilla along the way.
Anchorage is the largest city in Alaska, in the Southcentral region. Anchorage is a cosmopolitan port city with a population of 291 247 (2020). It is a consolidated city-borough referred to as a municipality. The urbanized city is defined by Muldoon Road to the east, Rabbit Creek Road to the south, and Cook Inlet to the north and west. Several small suburbs are within the Municipality of Anchorage while physically outside what most Anchorageites would call the "Anchorage" proper area. These include Eagle River and Chugiak to the north and Girdwood to the south.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 19m. Total distance: 359.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 19m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 301.4 miles on George Parks 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.
It helps. This is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Fairbanks, AK before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 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: near the start (West 4th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles (Reeve Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 35.7 miles (AK 3 / East Parks Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.3 hours each way, a round trip means 14.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Fairbanks, AK before the return drive.
