Trip from Ketchikan, AK to Kodiak, AK

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

Drive Time

57h 7m

Distance

1180.9 mi

1,900 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

4-day trip

Fuel Cost

$256

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 154 min

4 AM

56h 16m ★

6 AM

57h 7m

8 AM

58h 50m

10 AM

57h 43m

12 PM

57h 33m

3 PM

57h 48m

5 PM

58h 45m

8 PM

56h 36m

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

Kodiak, AK

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Ketchikan to Kodiak is 1180.9 miles and takes about 57 hours 7 minutes via Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat, Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau, Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat, with a fuel budget near $256 and multiple overnight stays required. This extensive journey traverses the unique coastal landscapes of Alaska, connecting two significant Alaskan communities. With a recommended duration of 4 days, this trip is designed for those who appreciate a slow, immersive travel experience, prioritizing the journey itself over reaching the destination quickly. Expect a travel profile best described as a long-distance drive, where the primary mode of transport involves ferry services.

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

590.4 miles from Ketchikan, AK

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 28h 18m 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
Alaska Marine Highway - Chenega Bay-Kodiak	225.4 mi	5h 30m
Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Chenega Bay	79.1 mi	4h 30m
Tongass Avenue	1.6 mi	3m
Water Street	0.4 mi	<1m
Center Street	0.1 mi	<1m

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 Kodiak, 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

Turn sharp left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Chenega Bay

79 mi · 4 hr 30 min · Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Chenega Bay

Turn sharp left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Chenega Bay-Kodiak

225 mi · 5 hr 30 min · Alaska Marine Highway - Chenega Bay-Kodiak

Continue

186 ft · 17 sec

Turn left onto Marine Way East

89 ft · 6 sec · Marine Way East

Turn right onto Center Street

0.1 mi · 28 sec · Center Street

Turn right onto Mill Bay Road

20 ft · 0 sec · Mill Bay Road

Arrive at destination

Mill Bay Road

Trip Plan

Given the 57-hour 7-minute duration and 1180.9-mile distance, splitting this trip over the recommended 4 days is essential for a comfortable experience. Plan your ferry departures carefully, as schedules are crucial for this journey. Keep an eye on your fuel budget, estimated at $256, although ferry travel might alter traditional fuel consumption patterns. Ensure you are prepared for the extended time at sea and at various stops, with 16 planned stops offering opportunities for rest and resupply.

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 590.4 miles from Ketchikan, AK, or about 28h 18m 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 590.4 miles or 28h 18m 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 295.2 miles or 9h 8m

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 55h 38m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kodiak, 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 295 miles and 14.3 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Keep the middle miles efficient

Aim for roughly 295 miles and 14.3 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 3

Keep the middle miles efficient

Aim for roughly 295 miles and 14.3 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 4

Finish the approach into Kodiak, AK

Aim for roughly 295 miles and 14.3 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 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.

First major stop

Coffee and fuel

Metlakatla, AK

390 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.

Popular next leg

Metlakatla, AK to Kodiak, AK

1199.6 mi · 57h 54m

consolidated city-borough and state capital of Alaska, United States

Second major stop

Overnight candidate

Juneau, AK

779 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 Juneau, AK

Overnight Options

Night 1

Metlakatla, AK

295 mi · about 14.3h in

A practical overnight split lands near Metlakatla, AK after about 295 miles or 14.3 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Night 2

Petersburg, AK

590 mi · about 28.6h in

A practical overnight split lands near Petersburg, AK after about 590 miles or 28.6 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Night 3

Overnight stop window

886 mi · about 42.8h in

A practical overnight split lands around 886 miles or 42.8 hours into the drive.

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 590.4 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 295 miles or 14.3 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

Henry's Great Alaskan Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Kodiak, Alaska

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $20 to $30 mile 1180.9

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+19074868844

Visit website

Tony's Bar

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Kodiak, Alaska

0.1 mi

Kodiak Hana Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Kodiak, Alaska

0.3 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Harborside Coffee & Goods

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kodiak, Alaska

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 1180.9

Hours: 6 am–5 pm

+19074865862

Visit website

The Islander Bookshop

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kodiak, Alaska

0.1 mi

Bearfoot Bakery

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kodiak, Alaska

0.1 mi

Henry's Great Alaskan Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $20 to $30 mile 1180.9

Kodiak, Alaska

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+19074868844

Visit website

Tony's Bar

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route Moderately mile 1180.9

Kodiak, Alaska

Hours: 2 pm–2 am

+19074869489

Visit website

Kodiak Hana Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 1180.9

Kodiak, Alaska

Hours: 11:30 am–2 pm

+19074811088

Visit website

ANKO

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 1180.9

Kodiak, Alaska

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+19075120511

Visit website

Aquamarine RESTAURANT

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $20 to $30 mile 1180.9

Kodiak, Alaska

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+19074862999

Visit website

Nuniaq

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 1180.9

Kodiak, Alaska

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+19074811660

Visit website

Caboose Bar B Que

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 1180.9

Kodiak, Alaska

Hours: 11:30 am–7 pm

+19079425571

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

Harborside Coffee & Goods

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 1180.9

Kodiak, Alaska

Hours: 6 am–5 pm

+19074865862

Visit website

The Islander Bookshop

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 1180.9

Kodiak, Alaska

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

+19079427560

Visit website

Bearfoot Bakery

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 1180.9

Kodiak, Alaska

Hours: 7 am–5:30 pm

+19075126836

Visit website

Bean and Bloom Coffeehouse

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 1180.9

Kodiak, Alaska

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+19075125442

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 1180.9

Kodiak, Alaska

Visit website

The Mecca Lounge

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 1180.9

Kodiak, Alaska

Hours: Closed

+19074863364

Visit website

Island Seafoods

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 1180.9

Kodiak, Alaska

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+18883558575

Visit website

Galley Gourmet

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 1180.9

Kodiak, Alaska

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 876.2 — 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

876.2 mi into trip | ~47h 6m in | Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Chenega Bay

Turn sharp left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Chenega Bay

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$255.94 one way

$511.88 round trip

$5.51/gal 25.4 MPG avg 413 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.79	$269.14	$538.29
premium	$5.98	$278.02	$556.05
diesel	$5.61	$260.73	$521.46

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$256

Hotel (3n)

$240–$420

Meals

$100–$200

Total

$596–$876

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 413.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $124 in charging · 4 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	354.3	4	$123.99	$56.68
Efficient EV	295.2	3	$103.33	$47.24
EV Truck/SUV	472.4	5	$165.33	$75.58

Gas CO2

413 kg

EV CO2

138 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.

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

Kodiak, AK

Evening in Kodiak on Saturday

Local time

5:10 PM

AKDT

Current temp

43°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

6 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

57h 7m 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 is characterized by its significant reliance on the Alaska Marine Highway system, meaning you'll spend a considerable amount of time on ferries rather than traditional paved roads. With a 0% highway share, this is a truly unique driving experience. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 334.5 miles on the Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat segment. The character of this drive is shaped by the ferry system, offering a blend of the open water and the coastal access points it connects.

0% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.

17 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 57h 7m, 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 1180.9 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

57h 7m 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 295 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 Kodiak, 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.

Not recommended in a single day. At 57.1 hours each way, a round trip means 114.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Kodiak, 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 Kodiak, AK.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AK road trips.

Trip from Ketchikan, AK to Kodiak, 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

Henry's Great Alaskan Restaurant

Harborside Coffee & Goods

Henry's Great Alaskan Restaurant

Tony's Bar

Kodiak Hana Restaurant

ANKO

Aquamarine RESTAURANT

Nuniaq

Caboose Bar B Que

New China Restaurant

Harborside Coffee & Goods

The Islander Bookshop

Bearfoot Bakery

Bean and Bloom Coffeehouse

Near Island Coffee

Harborside Wheel Watch

Harborside Fly-by Coffee

Starbucks Coffee Company

Alutiiq Museum

Double Shovel Cider Kodiak

Village Bar

B & B Bar

Kodiak Marketplace

The Mecca Lounge

Island Seafoods

Galley Gourmet

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Ketchikan, AK

Kodiak, AK

Same local time

6 degrees cooler at arrival

57h 7m 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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