Trip from Ketchikan, AK to Homer, AK

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

Drive Time

51h 25m

Distance

1060.3 mi

1,706 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

4-day trip

Fuel Cost

$230

one way

EV Charging

Good

6 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 139 min

4 AM

50h 39m ★

6 AM

51h 25m

8 AM

52h 58m

10 AM

51h 58m

12 PM

51h 48m

3 PM

52h 2m

5 PM

52h 53m

8 PM

50h 57m

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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Ketchikan, AK

Wikimedia Commons

city in Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska, United States

Homer, AK

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Embarking on the journey from Ketchikan to Homer, Alaska, covers a substantial 1,060.3 miles and requires an estimated 51 hours and 25 minutes of driving time. This extensive route is best planned over approximately four days, as it's not feasible for a single day trip. The primary roads you'll navigate are segments of the Alaska Marine Highway, including the Whittier-Yakutat, Ketchikan-Juneau, and Juneau-Yakutat routes. With an estimated fuel cost of $230, this trip offers a significant exploration of Alaska's diverse landscapes. You'll pass through 14 designated stops along the way, making it a journey that emphasizes immersion in the region.

Trip Pace

Best split across 4 days

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

Break Rhythm

14 planned breaks

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

Midpoint

530.1 miles from Ketchikan, AK

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 24h 21m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat	334.5 mi	22h
Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau	276.8 mi	8h
Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat	262.6 mi	17h
AK 1	132 mi	3h 10m
Seward Highway	40.7 mi	47m
Portage Glacier Road	5 mi	7m
Portage Glacier Highway	4.7 mi	10m
Tongass Avenue	1.6 mi	3m

Longest stretch: Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat — 334.5 mi, about 22h

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ketchikan, AK and Homer, AK.

Start on this road

0.1 mi · 34 sec · this road

At end of road, turn right onto AK 7

218 ft · 11 sec · Water Street

Continue on Water Street

0.4 mi · 37 sec · Water Street

Turn left onto AK 7

1.6 mi · 3 min · Tongass Avenue

Turn left

128 ft · 5 sec

Turn right

428 ft · 37 sec

Turn left onto Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road

468 ft · 40 sec · Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road

Turn straight onto Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau

277 mi · 8 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau

Turn sharp left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat

263 mi · 17 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat

Turn sharp left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat

334 mi · 22 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat

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 · 7 min · Portage Glacier Road

At end of road, turn left onto AK 1

41 mi · 47 min · Seward Highway

Take the exit onto AK 1

132 mi · 3 hr 10 min · AK 1

Turn left onto Greatland Street

326 ft · 16 sec · Greatland Street

Turn left

266 ft · 19 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 51-hour duration, splitting this drive over four days is highly recommended to avoid fatigue and allow for enjoyment of the journey. Plan to depart early in the morning on your first day to maximize daylight hours. With 14 stops available, strategically pace your breaks to coincide with ferry schedules and opportunities for rest. The longest stretch of 334.5 miles on the Alaska Marine Highway – Whittier-Yakutat suggests careful planning for fuel and provisions before embarking on that segment. Keep an eye on ferry schedules, as they are crucial to the progression of this Alaskan adventure.

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 14 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 530.1 miles from Ketchikan, AK, or about 24h 21m 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 6h 23m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 530.1 miles or 24h 21m 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 265.1 miles or 7h 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 49h 58m

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

Before You Leave

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.

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 265 miles and 12.9 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Keep the middle miles efficient

Aim for roughly 265 miles and 12.9 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 3

Keep the middle miles efficient

Aim for roughly 265 miles and 12.9 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 4

Finish the approach into Homer, AK

Aim for roughly 265 miles and 12.9 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 14 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.

First major stop

Coffee and fuel

Bear Creek, AK

350 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.

Second major stop

Overnight candidate

Kenai, AK

700 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 Kenai, AK

Overnight Options

Night 1

Eagle River, AK

265 mi · about 12.9h in

A practical overnight split lands near Eagle River, AK after about 265 miles or 12.9 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Night 2

Bear Creek, AK

530 mi · about 25.7h in

A practical overnight split lands near Bear Creek, AK after about 530 miles or 25.7 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Night 3

Diamond Ridge, AK

795 mi · about 38.6h in

A practical overnight split lands near Diamond Ridge, AK after about 795 miles or 38.6 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Petersburg, AK

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 220 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Halfway reset

Meal break

The midpoint is around 530.1 miles from Ketchikan, 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-Yakutat if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 334.5 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 265 miles or 12.9 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

Fat Olives Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Homer, Alaska

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $20 to $30 mile 1060.3

Hours: 11:30 am–8:30 pm

+19072358488

Visit website

Acapulco Mexican Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Soldotna, Alaska

0 mi

Wild Honey Bistro

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Homer, Alaska

0.2 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Coffee Express

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Soldotna, Alaska

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 984.5

Hours: 6 am–6:30 pm

+19072624275

Allen Sisters Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Soldotna, Alaska

0.7 mi

Kaladi Brothers Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Soldotna, Alaska

1.6 mi

Fat Olives Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $20 to $30 mile 1060.3

Homer, Alaska

Hours: 11:30 am–8:30 pm

+19072358488

Visit website

Acapulco Mexican Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0 mi from route $20 to $30 mile 984.5

Soldotna, Alaska

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+19072605666

Visit website

Wild Honey Bistro

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 1060.3

Homer, Alaska

Hours: 9 am–2 pm

+19074357635

Visit website

The Kannery

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $30 to $40 mile 1060.3

Homer, Alaska

Hours: Closed

+19077563839

Visit website

Pho And Thai Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $20 to $30 mile 1060.3

Homer, Alaska

Hours: 12–8 pm

+19074353991

Visit website

Captain's Coffee Cafe & Bakerium

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 1060.3

Homer, Alaska

Hours: 6:30 am–3 pm

+19072354970

Visit website

New China Restaurant

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $20 to $30

Ketchikan, Alaska

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+19072472828

Mykel's Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $30 to $50 mile 984.5

Soldotna, Alaska

Hours: 8 am–8:30 pm

+19072624305

Visit website

Coffee Express

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 984.5

Soldotna, Alaska

Hours: 6 am–6:30 pm

+19072624275

Allen Sisters Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 984.5

Soldotna, Alaska

Hours: 5 am–7 pm

+19072603020

Coop's Coffee 2

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 1060.3

Homer, Alaska

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+19072991519

Visit website

Kaladi Brothers Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 984.5

Soldotna, Alaska

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+19072625980

Visit website

Starbucks Coffee Company

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Ketchikan, Alaska

Hours: 6 am–12 pm

+19072281900

Visit website

Sea Siren Coffee INC

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center (Islands and Ocean)

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 1060.3

Homer, Alaska

Hours: 12–4 pm

+19073024810

Visit website

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 0.1 and 876.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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

2.3 mi into trip | ~5m in | Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road

Turn left onto Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road

Navigation decision point

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

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

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

At end of road, turn right onto West Camp Road

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$229.80 one way

$459.60 round trip

$5.51/gal 25.4 MPG avg 371 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.79	$241.66	$483.31
premium	$5.98	$249.63	$499.26
diesel	$5.61	$234.10	$468.20

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$230

Hotel (3n)

$240–$420

Meals

$100–$200

Total

$570–$850

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 371 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $111 in charging · 3 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	318.1	3	$111.33	$50.89
Efficient EV	265.1	3	$92.78	$42.41
EV Truck/SUV	424.1	5	$148.44	$67.86

Gas CO2

371 kg

EV CO2

124 kg (67% less)

Plan for 3 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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

Ketchikan, AK

Evening in Ketchikan on Saturday

Local time

5:10 PM

AKDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Homer, AK

Evening in Homer on Saturday

Local time

5:10 PM

AKDT

Current temp

42°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

7 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

51h 25m 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 drive is characterized by its significant reliance on the Alaska Marine Highway system, with only about 12% of the route on traditional highways. You'll experience the longest uninterrupted stretch at 334.5 miles on the Alaska Marine Highway between Whittier and Yakutat, highlighting the ferry-dependent nature of this journey. The road, or rather the waterways, will change considerably as you transition between ferry segments, offering a unique driving experience that blends the open road with maritime travel. Expect a mix of coastal views and the vastness of the Alaskan wilderness as you progress.

12% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.

20 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 51h 25m, 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 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 11 significant decision points across 1060.3 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.

Who Is This Route For?

Solo Traveler

51h 25m 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 265 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 Homer, 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 14 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 51.4 hours each way, a round trip means 102.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Homer, 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 options from Ketchikan, AK or browse trips ending in Homer, AK.

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Trip from Ketchikan, AK to Homer, 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

Fat Olives Restaurant

Coffee Express

Fat Olives Restaurant

Acapulco Mexican Restaurant

Wild Honey Bistro

The Kannery

Pho And Thai Restaurant

Captain's Coffee Cafe & Bakerium

New China Restaurant

Mykel's Restaurant

Coffee Express

Allen Sisters Coffee

Coop's Coffee 2

Kaladi Brothers Coffee

Starbucks Coffee Company

Sea Siren Coffee INC

Star's Coffee

Hooked On the Bean

Tesla Supercharger

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

EV Connect Charging Station

EV Connect Charging Station

Tesla Destination Charger

Blink Charging Station

Brew@602

Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center (Islands and Ocean)

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Ketchikan, AK

Homer, AK

Same local time

7 degrees cooler at arrival

51h 25m 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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