Origin
Fairbanks, AK
Evening in Fairbanks on Saturday
Local time
5:08 PM
AKDT
Current temp
35°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fairbanks, AK to Wrangell, AK
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
58h 24m
Distance
1206.2 mi
1,941 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
4-day trip
Fuel Cost
$261
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
57h 32m
★
6 AM
58h 25m
8 AM
60h 10m
10 AM
59h 1m
12 PM
58h 51m
3 PM
59h 7m
5 PM
60h 4m
8 PM
57h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fairbanks, AK
Wikimedia Commons
Wrangell, AK
Barnabas Davoti
Trip Overview
This extensive 1206.2-mile journey from Fairbanks to Wrangell, Alaska, is a significant undertaking, estimated to take 58 hours and 24 minutes of driving time. It's not a trip for a single day; the recommended duration is 4 days to allow for proper pacing and rest. You'll primarily be navigating the George Parks Highway and sections of the Alaska Marine Highway, specifically the Whittier-Yakutat and Juneau-Yakutat routes. With a projected fuel cost of around $261 and 16 potential stops, this route offers a substantial Alaskan road trip experience. Plan for this to be a long-haul adventure across the state.
Trip Pace
Best split across 4 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
16 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
603.1 miles from Fairbanks, AK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 20h 47m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat | 334.5 mi | 22h |
| George Parks Highway | 301.1 mi | 6h |
| Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat | 262.6 mi | 17h |
| Alaska Marine Highway - Petersburg-Juneau | 144.3 mi | 7h 45m |
| Seward Highway | 47.1 mi | 57m |
| Alaska Marine Highway - Wrangell-Petersburg | 46.2 mi | 3h |
| Glenn Highway | 33.1 mi | 38m |
| West Parks Highway | 18.7 mi | 26m |
Longest stretch:
Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
— 334.5 mi, about 22h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairbanks, AK and Wrangell, AK.
1
Start on 12th Avenue
436 ft
·
21 sec
·
12th Avenue
2
Turn right onto Noble Street
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Noble Street
3
Turn right onto Airport Way
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Airport Way
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.6 mi
·
1 min
5
Merge onto AK 3
301 mi
·
6 hr
·
George Parks Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on AK 3
19 mi
·
26 min
·
West Parks Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
Continue on AK 1
33 mi
·
38 min
·
Glenn Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on AK 1
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
East 5th Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
9
Turn left onto AK 1
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Gambell Street
10
Continue on AK 1
47 mi
·
57 min
·
Seward Highway
11
Turn left onto FFH 35
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Portage Glacier Road
12
Continue on Portage Glacier Highway
4.7 mi
·
10 min
·
Portage Glacier Highway
13
Continue on West Camp Road
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
West Camp Road
14
Turn right
169 ft
·
8 sec
15
Turn left
248 ft
·
4 sec
16
Turn straight onto Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
334 mi
·
22 hr
·
Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
17
Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
263 mi
·
17 hr
·
Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
18
Continue
175 ft
·
6 sec
19
Turn right
349 ft
·
25 sec
20
Continue on Alaska Marine Highway - Petersburg-Juneau
144 mi
·
7 hr 45 min
·
Alaska Marine Highway - Petersburg-Juneau
21
Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Wrangell-Petersburg
46 mi
·
3 hr
·
Alaska Marine Highway - Wrangell-Petersburg
22
Continue
398 ft
·
10 sec
23
Continue on 2nd Street
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
2nd Street
24
Continue on Church Street
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
·
Church Street
25
Turn left onto Bennett Street
307 ft
·
10 sec
·
Bennett Street
26
Turn right
89 ft
·
6 sec
27
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 58 hours and 24 minutes of estimated driving time, splitting this trip over 4 recommended days is essential for safety and enjoyment. Start your journey early in the day to maximize daylight, especially when transitioning between the George Parks Highway and the Alaska Marine Highway segments. With 16 potential stops, plan your overnight locations in advance, considering ferry schedules if applicable. Budget approximately $261 for fuel, but be aware that the Alaska Marine Highway portions will involve ferry fares, which are separate from fuel costs. The longest stretch of 334.5 miles on the Alaska Marine Highway – Whittier-Yakutat segment means you'll need to be well-provisioned before embarking on that portion.
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 4-day trip.
Plan roughly 16 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 603.1 miles from Fairbanks, AK, or about 20h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 334.5 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 220 miles or 4h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 603.1 miles or 20h 47m 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 301.6 miles or 6h 3m
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 54h 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wrangell, AK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fairbanks, 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 4-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Fairbanks, AK
Aim for roughly 302 miles and 14.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Keep the middle miles efficient
Aim for roughly 302 miles and 14.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 3
Keep the middle miles efficient
Aim for roughly 302 miles and 14.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 4
Finish the approach into Wrangell, AK
Aim for roughly 302 miles and 14.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 220 miles from Fairbanks, AK.
This route usually feels better as a 4-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 16 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat for about 334.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Early stop town
Coffee and fuel
302 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
603 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 Willow, AK
Late stop town
Final reset
905 mi into the route
Best for: Food, fuel, and one last short break
This is a smart final reset before the arrival run into Wrangell, AK.
Overnight Options
Night 1
302 mi · about 14.6h in
A practical overnight split lands near Ester, AK after about 302 miles or 14.6 hours of driving.
Find hotelsNight 2
603 mi · about 29.2h in
A practical overnight split lands near Willow, AK after about 603 miles or 29.2 hours of driving.
Find hotelsNight 3
905 mi · about 43.8h in
A practical overnight split lands near Gateway, AK after about 905 miles or 43.8 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 220 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 603.1 miles from Fairbanks, AK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 334.5 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 302 miles or 14.6 hours on the road.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 1159.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Airport Way
Turn right onto Airport Way
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
4.1 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
AK 3 / George Parks Highway
Merge onto AK 3 / George Parks Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
752.4 mi into trip
|
~30h 36m in
|
Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
1015 mi into trip
|
~47h 36m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
5
1159.3 mi into trip
|
~55h 22m in
|
Alaska Marine Highway - Wrangell-Petersburg
Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Wrangell-Petersburg
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$261.42 one way
$522.84 round trip
$5.51/gal
25.4 MPG avg
422 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.79 | $274.91 | $549.82 |
| premium | $5.98 | $283.98 | $567.96 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $266.31 | $532.63 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$261
Hotel (3n)
$240–$420
Meals
$100–$200
Total
$601–$881
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 422 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $127 in charging · 4 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 361.9 | 4 | $126.65 | $57.90 |
| Efficient EV | 301.6 | 3 | $105.54 | $48.25 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 482.5 | 6 | $168.87 | $77.20 |
Gas CO2
422 kg
EV CO2
141 kg (67% less)
This is a long EV road trip requiring 4 charging stops. Plan your route around charger locations and allow extra time for charging.
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.
Destination
Wrangell, AK
Evening in Wrangell on Saturday
Local time
5:08 PM
AKDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
26°F
Gateway, AK
905 mi in
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
15 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
58h 24m 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 route presents a unique blend of highway and marine travel, with a 0% highway share, indicating a focus on non-traditional road experiences. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a considerable 334.5 miles along the Alaska Marine Highway – Whittier-Yakutat, suggesting significant periods of travel on water. Expect the character of the drive to shift dramatically between the inland George Parks Highway and the coastal marine routes. The Alaska Marine Highway portions will likely involve ferry travel, offering a different kind of journey than a typical road trip.
0% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 334.5 mi on Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
At 58h 24m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Airport Way.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 1206.2 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Airport Way): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles (AK 3 / George Parks Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 752.4 miles (Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
Who Is This Route For?
Solo Traveler
58h 24m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Long-haul drive route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 334.5 miles on Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 4-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 302 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 route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Wrangell, 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 16 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 0.2 miles (Airport Way): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles (AK 3 / George Parks Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 752.4 miles (Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
Not recommended in a single day. At 58.4 hours each way, a round trip means 116.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Wrangell, 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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