Trip from Cordova, AK to Palmer, AK

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

Distance

211 mi

340 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$46

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min

4 AM

8h 53m ★

6 AM

9h 1m

8 AM

9h 17m

10 AM

9h 7m

12 PM

9h 5m

3 PM

9h 7m

5 PM

9h 16m

8 PM

8h 56m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Cordova, AK

Wikimedia Commons

Palmer, AK

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Cordova to Palmer is 211 miles and takes about 9 hours via Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Cordova, Seward Highway, and Glenn Highway, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip traverses entirely within Alaska, connecting two distinct regions of the state. It's primarily a turn-heavy local drive, meaning you'll navigate a series of junctions and changes in road type rather than a long, straight highway. Plan for this to be an overnight journey, as the 9-hour duration accounts for the ferry travel and driving time, making it a substantial undertaking for a single day.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

105.5 miles from Cordova, AK

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 6h 31m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Cordova	108.6 mi	6h 44m
Seward Highway	47.2 mi	58m
Glenn Highway	40.2 mi	48m
Portage Glacier Road	5 mi	6m
Portage Glacier Highway	4.7 mi	10m
West Camp Road	1.5 mi	2m
Ingra Street	1 mi	2m
East 5th Avenue	1 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Cordova — 108.6 mi, about 6h 44m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cordova, AK and Palmer, AK.

Start on Adams Avenue

3 ft · 5 sec · Adams Avenue

Turn left onto AK 10

0.5 mi · 43 sec · 1st Street

Continue on AK 10

0.1 mi · 10 sec · Ocean Dock Road

Continue on AK 10

0.2 mi · 14 sec · Orca Inlet Road

Continue on AK 10

0.2 mi · 16 sec · New England Cannery Road

Turn slight right onto Ferry Terminal Access Road

396 ft · 11 sec · Ferry Terminal Access Road

Turn left

519 ft · 39 sec

Turn right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Cordova

109 mi · 6 hr 44 min · Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Cordova

Continue

374 ft · 7 sec

At end of road, turn right onto West Camp Road

173 ft · 9 sec · West Camp Road

Continue on West Camp Road

1.4 mi · 2 min · West Camp Road

Continue on Portage Glacier Highway

4.7 mi · 10 min · Portage Glacier Highway

Continue on FFH 35

5.0 mi · 6 min · Portage Glacier Road

Turn right onto AK 1

47 mi · 58 min · Seward Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on AK 1

1.0 mi · 2 min · Ingra Street

Turn right onto AK 1

0.4 mi · 56 sec · East 6th Avenue

Continue on AK 1

1.0 mi · 1 min · East 5th Avenue

Continue on AK 1

33 mi · 38 min · Glenn Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto AK 1

7.2 mi · 10 min · Glenn Highway

Toward Palmer, Glenallen Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto West Evergreen Avenue

0.3 mi · 49 sec · West Evergreen Avenue

Use the right lane.

Turn right onto South Colony Way

12 ft · 0 sec · South Colony Way

Arrive at destination

South Colony Way

Trip Plan

Given the 9-hour estimated duration, splitting this 211-mile trip over two days is highly recommended for a more relaxed experience. Consider departing early in the morning from Cordova to maximize your daylight for the ferry portion. You'll want to carefully monitor your fuel, especially before departing Cordova, as stations may be spaced out. The longest stretch on the marine highway is significant, so ensure you're comfortable with that segment before setting out. Factor in the 2 stops suggested for breaks and to enjoy the changing Alaskan scenery.

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.

This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.

Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 105.5 miles from Cordova, AK, or about 6h 31m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 108.6 miles.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 46 miles or 2h 49m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 105.5 miles or 6h 31m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Overnight split

Day 1 wrap after about 105.5 miles or 6h 31m

Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 8h 14m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Palmer, AK than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Cordova, 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.

Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Cordova, AK

Aim for roughly 106 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Palmer, AK

Aim for roughly 106 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Cordova, AK.

This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.

Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Cordova for about 108.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

consolidated city-borough, and largest city in Alaska, United States of America

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Anchorage, AK

106 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Anchorage, AK

Overnight Options

Night 1

Anchorage, AK

106 mi · about 4.5h in

A practical overnight split lands near Anchorage, AK after about 106 miles or 4.5 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Valdez, AK

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Girdwood, AK

Meal break

The midpoint is around 105.5 miles from Cordova, AK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Cordova if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 108.6 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 106 miles or 4.5 hours on the road.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Vagabond Blues

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Palmer, Alaska

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 211

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+19077452233

Visit website

Palmer Alehouse

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Palmer, Alaska

0.2 mi

La Fiesta Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Palmer, Alaska

0 mi

Top Coffee Stop

That Feeling Co

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Anchorage, Alaska

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 165.8

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+19077714019

Visit website

Purple Moose Espresso

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Palmer, Alaska

0.2 mi

Alauda Coffeehouse

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Palmer, Alaska

0.1 mi

Vagabond Blues

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 211

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+19077452233

Visit website

Palmer Alehouse

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $20 to $30 mile 211

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+19077462537

Visit website

La Fiesta Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 211

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+19077463335

Visit website

Turkey Red

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $20 to $30 mile 211

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+19077465544

Visit website

Bleeding Heart Brewery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route mile 211

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 2–8 pm

+19077462421

Visit website

The Fern AK

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 211

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+19077453376

Visit website

Garcia's Grill & KM

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 211

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 11 am–5 pm

+19077452676

Visit website

AK Best Philly's

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 211

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+19077458778

Visit website

That Feeling Co

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 165.8

Anchorage, Alaska

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+19077714019

Visit website

Purple Moose Espresso

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 211

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: 5:30 am–7 pm

+19077463949

Visit website

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 165.8

Anchorage, Alaska

Hours: 5 am–6 pm

+19072175158

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route mile 211

Palmer, Alaska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 165.8

Anchorage, Alaska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 165.8

Anchorage, Alaska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ReCharge Alaska Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 165.8

Anchorage, Alaska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+17208331479

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 165.8

Anchorage, Alaska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 165.8

Anchorage, Alaska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18888074522

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 165.8

Anchorage, Alaska

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 211

Palmer, Alaska

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 9

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 211 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | AK 10 / 1st Street

Turn left onto AK 10 / 1st Street

Navigation decision point

109.8 mi into trip | ~6h 47m in | West Camp Road

At end of road, turn right onto West Camp Road

Navigation decision point

203.5 mi into trip | ~8h 49m in | AK 1 / Glenn Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto AK 1 / Glenn Highway toward Palmer, Glenallen

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward Palmer, Glenallen

210.7 mi into trip | ~9h in | West Evergreen Avenue

Turn right onto West Evergreen Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

211 mi into trip | ~9h in | South Colony Way

Turn right onto South Colony Way

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$45.73 one way

$91.46 round trip

$5.51/gal 25.4 MPG avg 74 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.79	$48.09	$96.18
premium	$5.98	$49.68	$99.35
diesel	$5.61	$46.59	$93.17

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$46

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$176–$286

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 73.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	63.3	0	$22.15	$10.13
Efficient EV	52.8	0	$18.46	$8.44
EV Truck/SUV	84.4	1	$29.54	$13.50

Gas CO2

74 kg

EV CO2

25 kg (66% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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 15, 2026

Origin

Cordova, AK

Night in Cordova on Saturday

Local time

10:03 PM

AKDT

Current temp

42°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Palmer, AK

Night in Palmer on Saturday

Local time

10:03 PM

AKDT

Current temp

24°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.

For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.

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

18 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

9h on the road

This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

This is not your typical highway cruise; expect a "turn-heavy local drive" profile for much of this 211-mile journey. With a highway share of 0%, you'll be on roads that require constant attention. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 108.6 miles on the Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Cordova ferry, which sets a unique tone for the beginning of your trip. Following that, the Seward Highway and Glenn Highway will present a series of turns and varying road conditions, demanding focus and careful navigation.

Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.

22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 108.6 mi on Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Cordova.

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 AK 10 / 1st Street.

Driving Effort 4/10

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 9h, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 9 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (AK 10 / 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 109.8 miles (West Camp Road): Navigation decision point; at 203.5 miles (AK 1 / Glenn Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Who Is This Route For?

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

9h drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 108.6 miles on Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Cordova. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 106 miles on day one.

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 Palmer, 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.

Not recommended in a single day. At 9.0 hours each way, a round trip means 18.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Palmer, AK before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore More

Explore more options from Cordova, AK or browse trips ending in Palmer, AK.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AK road trips.

Trip from Cordova, AK to Palmer, AK

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Overnight Options

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Vagabond Blues

That Feeling Co

Vagabond Blues

Palmer Alehouse

La Fiesta Restaurant

Turkey Red

Bleeding Heart Brewery

The Fern AK

Garcia's Grill & KM

AK Best Philly's

That Feeling Co

Purple Moose Espresso

Alauda Coffeehouse

Kaladi Brothers Coffee

The Art Cafe

Brew HaHa

Dead Horse Donuts

Blondie's Coffee Co.

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ReCharge Alaska Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

EV Connect Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Matanuska Brewery and Tap Room, Palmer

Poppy Lane

The Palmer Bar and Grill

Palmer Visitor Information Center

Alaska Photo Treks

Chai Medicinals

Bikini Babes AK

Upscale Stay • Hot Tub • Steps to Dining/Coffee

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Cordova, AK

Palmer, AK

Same local time

18 degrees cooler at arrival

9h on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Should I split this drive into multiple days?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Will I have cell service along this route?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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