Juneau to Skagway is 104.8 miles and takes about 9h 33m via Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Haines and Alaska State Ferry Haines-Skagway, with a fuel budget near $22 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route connects two points within Alaska, utilizing a significant portion of the Alaska Marine Highway system. Given the duration, it's best treated as an overnight trip, allowing you to fully experience the ferry journey. Consider this trip if you're looking for a scenic and practical way to travel between these Southeast Alaska communities without extensive driving on surface roads.
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
52.4 miles from Juneau, AK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 41m into the drive
.
Turn sharp right onto Alaska State Ferry Haines-Skagway
15 mi·44 min·Alaska State Ferry Haines-Skagway
12
Continue
458 ft·5 sec
13
Continue on this road
516 ft·6 sec·this road
14
Merge onto AK 98
0.2 mi·18 sec·Broadway
15
Turn left onto AK 98
365 ft·6 sec·1st Avenue
16
Turn right onto AK 98
0.4 mi·32 sec·State Street
17
Turn left
206 ft·15 sec
18
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 9h 33m estimated duration, splitting this trip over two days is highly recommended for a more relaxed experience. Plan to depart Juneau on day one, making use of the 76.4-mile stretch on the Alaska Marine Highway. Your second day will primarily involve the Alaska State Ferry from Haines to Skagway. Keep an eye on ferry schedules, as these are critical to your itinerary. Budgeting around $22 for fuel is a good starting point, though ferry costs will be separate and should be factored in.
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 52.4 miles from Juneau, AK, or about 4h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.4 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 23 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.4 miles or 4h 41m 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 52.4 miles or 4h 41m
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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Skagway, AK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
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Open the route before leaving Juneau, AK so your first major turns are already loaded.
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Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
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Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
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Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
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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 Juneau, AK
Aim for roughly 52 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Skagway, AK
Aim for roughly 52 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Juneau, 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 - Juneau-Haines for about 76.4 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 104.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|West 9th Street
Turn left onto West 9th Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Glacier Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto Glacier Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
11 mi into trip|~14m in|AK 7 / Glacier Highway
Enter roundabout onto AK 7 / Glacier Highway
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
89.1 mi into trip|~8h 47m in|Alaska State Ferry Haines-Skagway
Turn sharp right onto Alaska State Ferry Haines-Skagway
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
104.3 mi into trip|~9h 32m in|AK 98 / 1st Avenue
Turn left onto AK 98 / 1st Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.00 one way
$44.01 round trip
$5.33/gal25.4 MPG avg37 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.61
$23.14
$46.29
premium
$5.80
$23.94
$47.88
diesel
$5.60
$23.10
$46.20
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$152–$262
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
31.4
0
$11.00
$5.03
Efficient EV
26.2
0
$9.17
$4.19
EV Truck/SUV
41.9
0
$14.67
$6.71
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% 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 Aug 31, 2026
Origin
Juneau, AK
Afternoon
in Juneau on Friday
Local time
12:41 PM
AKDT
Current temp
52°F
Rain Showers
E 5 to 10 mph92% chanceLive forecast
Winter Weather Advisory
Winter Weather Advisory issued August 30 at 12:19PM AKDT until September 1 at 4:00AM AKDT by NWS Fairbanks AK
Destination
Skagway, AK
Afternoon
in Skagway on Friday
Local time
12:41 PM
AKDT
Current temp
50°F
Mostly Cloudy then Rain Showers
S 0 to 5 mph81% chanceLive forecast
Winter Weather Advisory
Winter Weather Advisory issued August 30 at 12:19PM AKDT until September 1 at 4:00AM 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.
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
2 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 33m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Headlines screamed "Gold!" The dream of a better life catapulted thousands of people to Alaska and the Yukon Territory. Their journey shaped them, and changed the people they encountered and the north...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 104.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is not a traditional highway drive, with a 0% highway share. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 76.4 miles on the Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Haines. The majority of your travel will be on surface roads, including Egan Drive in Juneau, before transitioning to ferry travel. Expect a mix of urban driving near Juneau and the unique experience of traveling via the Alaska Marine Highway.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 76.4 mi on Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Haines.
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 9th Street.
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 9h 33m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 11 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West 9th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Glacier Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 11 miles (AK 7 / Glacier Highway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Juneau (JOO-noh) is the capital of Alaska, in the state's Southeastern region. Juneau is on the North American mainland and yet cannot be reached by land. Effectively, the rugged mountains surrounding it make Juneau into an island city, reachable only by air or by sea. Juneau experiences a daily influx of thousands of people from visiting cruise ships between May and September.
Top landmarks
•St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church — church building in Juneau, United States of America
•Sentinel Island Light — lighthouse in Alaska, United States
•Alaskan Hotel and Bar — United States historic place
Skagway is a town with a population of less than a thousand in Southeastern Alaska. It is the northern terminus of the Alaska Marine Highway System. It sprang up during the Klondike Gold Rush of 1896-1899, and now subsists almost entirely on tourism. The historical interest and natural beauty of the area make it a worthwhile place to visit.
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
9h 33m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 76.4 miles on Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Haines. 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 52 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 Skagway, 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 9th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Glacier Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 11 miles (AK 7 / Glacier Highway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Yes — Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.6 hours each way, a round trip means 19.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Skagway, AK before the return drive.
