Ketchikan, AK to Utqiagvik, AK is 1843.8 miles and takes about 74h 20m via Dalton Highway and George Parks Highway, with a fuel budget near $415 and enough daylight to finish in a day.
This extensive route spans the length of Alaska, beginning in the coastal town of Ketchikan and heading north through diverse interior landscapes to the Arctic coast. You'll navigate a mix of ferry travel and long highway stretches, covering significant ground across the state. With a recommended 4 days for this trip, it's designed for those seeking a substantial Alaskan adventure. Be prepared for a truly remote experience as you head further north.
Trip Pace
Best split across 4 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
21 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
921.9 miles from Ketchikan, AK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 48h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dalton Highway
415.8 mi
14h 20m
Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
334.5 mi
22h
George Parks Highway
299.8 mi
5h 58m
Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau
276.8 mi
8h
Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
262.6 mi
17h
Elliott Highway
68.1 mi
1h 38m
Seward Highway
47.2 mi
58m
Spine Road
36.3 mi
1h 27m
Longest stretch:
Dalton Highway
— 415.8 mi, about 14h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ketchikan, AK and Utqiagvik, AK.
Toward Wasilla, FairbanksUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on AK 3
4.2 mi·5 min·West Parks Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
23
Continue on AK 3
300 mi·5 hr 58 min·George Parks Highway
Use the straight lane.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
26
Turn left onto Geist Road
1.6 mi·2 min·Geist Road
27
Continue on Johansen Expressway
4.2 mi·5 min·Johansen Expressway
Use the left lane.
28
Turn left onto AK 2
9.1 mi·12 min·Steese Highway
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
29
Continue on AK 2
68 mi·1 hr 38 min·Elliott Highway
30
Continue on AK 11
416 mi·14 hr 20 min·Dalton Highway
31
At end of road, turn right onto Colleen Lake Road
0.9 mi·2 min·Colleen Lake Road
32
At end of road, turn left onto Spine Road
35 mi·1 hr 22 min·Spine Road
33
Continue on Spine Road
0.4 mi·51 sec·Spine Road
34
Continue on Spine Road
1.4 mi·3 min·Spine Road
35
Keep slight right at fork onto Oliktok Road
4.9 mi·11 min·Oliktok Road
36
Turn left
0.8 mi·1 min
37
Turn left
10 mi·25 min
38
Turn right
2.9 mi·18 min
39
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 74h 20m duration, it's best to split this drive over the recommended 4 days to avoid excessively long driving days. Aim to start early in the morning to maximize daylight, especially when covering the 415.8-mile stretch on the Dalton Highway. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as services can be sparse; planning your refueling stops is crucial. Ensure your vehicle is in good condition before departing, as mechanical issues in remote areas can be challenging to resolve.
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 21 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 921.9 miles from Ketchikan, AK, or about 48h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 415.8 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 6h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 921.9 miles or 48h 9m 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 461 miles or 19h 52m
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 71h 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Utqiagvik, AK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
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Open the route before leaving Ketchikan, 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.
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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 Ketchikan, AK
Aim for roughly 461 miles and 18.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Keep the middle miles efficient
Aim for roughly 461 miles and 18.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 3
Keep the middle miles efficient
Aim for roughly 461 miles and 18.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 4
Finish the approach into Utqiagvik, AK
Aim for roughly 461 miles and 18.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 220 miles from Ketchikan, AK.
This route usually feels better as a 4-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 21 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Dalton Highway for about 415.8 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 970 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|AK 7 / Water Street
At end of road, turn right onto AK 7 / Water Street
Navigation decision point
5
2.3 mi into trip|~5m in|Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road
Turn left onto Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road
Navigation decision point
5
279.1 mi into trip|~8h 6m in|Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
Turn sharp left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
541.7 mi into trip|~25h 6m in|Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
Turn sharp left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
8
970 mi into trip|~49h 8m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$408.83 one way
$817.66 round trip
$5.63/gal25.4 MPG avg645 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.95
$432.20
$864.41
premium
$6.10
$442.95
$885.90
diesel
$5.35
$388.36
$776.72
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$409
Hotel (3n)
$240–$420
Meals
$100–$200
Total
$749–$1,029
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 645.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $194 in charging
· 6 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
553.1
6
$193.60
$88.50
Efficient EV
461
5
$161.33
$73.75
EV Truck/SUV
737.5
9
$258.13
$118.00
Gas CO2
645 kg
EV CO2
216 kg (67% less)
This is a long EV road trip requiring 6 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.
Forecast as of Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Ketchikan, AK
Morning
in Ketchikan on Wednesday
Local time
10:59 AM
AKDT
Current temp
70°F
Sunny
NW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued June 1 at 9:33AM AKDT until June 2 at 8:00PM AKDT by NWS Juneau AK
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued June 1 at 8:55AM AKDT until June 1 at 8:00PM AKDT by NWS Anchorage AK
Destination
Utqiagvik, AK
Morning
in Utqiagvik on Wednesday
Local time
10:59 AM
AKDT
Current temp
28°F
Partly Sunny
E 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued June 1 at 9:33AM AKDT until June 2 at 8:00PM AKDT by NWS Juneau AK
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued June 1 at 8:55AM AKDT until June 1 at 8:00PM AKDT by NWS Anchorage AK
60°F
Big Lake, AK
461 mi in
43°F
Chickaloon, AK
1383 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
42 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
74h 20m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip involves 0% highway driving, meaning you'll primarily be on surface roads, including 415.8 miles on the Dalton Highway. The longest continuous stretch without a major change in road type is on the Dalton Highway. You'll experience extended periods of rural cruising, with limited services between major points. Expect to encounter very few exit opportunities for much of the journey.
0% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 415.8 mi on Dalton Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
At 74h 20m, 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 0.1 miles in near AK 7 / Water Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 1843.8 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 0.1 miles (AK 7 / Water Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles (Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road): Navigation decision point; at 279.1 miles (Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,498 ft0 ft
Total Climb
2,180 ft
Total Descent
2,198 ft
Highest Point
1,498 ft
~1580.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,498 ft
Notable High Points
1,431 ft at ~1185.3 miles+618 ft prominence
1,498 ft at ~1580.4 miles+617 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Ketchikan, AK and Utqiagvik, AK, road signs point toward Wasilla and Fairbanks.
Ketchikan is a scenic town of approximately 14,000 people (2014) along the Tongass Narrows, at the foot of Deer Mountain, on Revillagigedo Island in Southeast Alaska. It is the southernmost and fourth largest city in Alaska.
Top landmarks
•Ketchikan Federal Building
•Burkhart-Dibrell House — historic house in Alaska, United States
•Gilmore Building — building in Ketchikan, United States of America
Utqiaġvik (formerly and still commonly known to non-natives as Barrow) is a city that is 300 miles (480 km) north of the Arctic Circle on the Arctic Ocean in Arctic Alaska. The city holds the distinction of being the northernmost settlement in the United States, and the northernmost settlement on the North American mainland. The residents are primarily of Inupiat (Native Alaskan) descent. Its population in 2019 was a bit more than 4,500 people.
The longest stretch is about 415.8 miles on Dalton Highway. 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 461 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 6 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Utqiagvik, 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 21 meaningful breaks. There are 6 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 7 / Water Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles (Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road): Navigation decision point; at 279.1 miles (Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
Not recommended in a single day. At 74.3 hours each way, a round trip means 148.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Utqiagvik, AK before the return drive.
