Origin
Ketchikan, AK
Evening in Ketchikan on Saturday
Local time
6:46 PM
AKDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ketchikan, AK to Sitka, AK
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
17h 48m
Distance
440 mi
708 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$95
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
17h 33m
★
6 AM
17h 49m
8 AM
18h 21m
10 AM
18h 0m
12 PM
17h 57m
3 PM
18h 2m
5 PM
18h 19m
8 PM
17h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ketchikan, AK
Wikimedia Commons
Sitka, AK
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling between Ketchikan and Sitka covers 440 miles across the unique waterways of Alaska. Because this route involves the Alaska Marine Highway, you should plan for a total travel time of roughly 17 hours and 48 minutes. Given the length, this is not a feasible day trip; you will need to set aside at least two days to complete the journey comfortably. Budget approximately $96 for fuel costs as you navigate between these two Alaskan hubs. Expect a transition through regional marine passages, requiring careful coordination with ferry schedules. Approaching this trip as a multi-day adventure ensures you arrive at your destination refreshed rather than rushed.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
5 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
220 miles from Ketchikan, AK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 6h 23m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau | 276.8 mi | 8h |
| Alaska Marine Highway - Sitka-Juneau | 153.9 mi | 9h 29m |
| Halibut Point Road | 6.6 mi | 11m |
| Tongass Avenue | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Water Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Sawmill Creek Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Baranof Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau
— 276.8 mi, about 8h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ketchikan, AK and Sitka, AK.
1
Start on this road
0.1 mi
·
34 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto AK 7
218 ft
·
11 sec
·
Water Street
3
Continue on Water Street
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
Water Street
4
Turn left onto AK 7
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Tongass Avenue
5
Turn left
128 ft
·
5 sec
6
Turn right
428 ft
·
37 sec
7
Turn left onto Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road
468 ft
·
40 sec
·
Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road
8
Turn straight onto Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau
277 mi
·
8 hr
·
Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau
9
Turn sharp left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Sitka-Juneau
154 mi
·
9 hr 29 min
·
Alaska Marine Highway - Sitka-Juneau
10
Continue
0.1 mi
·
50 sec
11
At end of road, turn right onto F-99
6.6 mi
·
11 min
·
Halibut Point Road
12
Enter roundabout onto S-933
117 ft
·
1 sec
·
Sawmill Creek Road
13
Continue on S-933
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Sawmill Creek Road
14
Turn right onto Baranof Street
221 ft
·
9 sec
·
Baranof Street
15
Arrive at destination
Baranof Street
Trip Plan
With five designated stops along the way, pacing is essential to managing the 17-hour transit time. Since you are relying on the Alaska Marine Highway, verify all ferry schedules well in advance to avoid long wait times at transfer points. I recommend splitting your travel over two days to account for the significant distance and the logistics of marine transit. Keep your $96 fuel budget in mind, as local prices can fluctuate significantly between ports. A practical tip for this route is to pack ample supplies for your time on the ferry, as services between the major stretches can be limited compared to standard highway travel.
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 5 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 220 miles from Ketchikan, AK, or about 6h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 276.8 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 97 miles or 2h 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 220 miles or 6h 23m 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 220 miles or 6h 23m
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 14h 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sitka, 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 2-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 220 miles and 8.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Sitka, AK
Aim for roughly 220 miles and 8.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 97 miles from Ketchikan, AK.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 5 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau for about 276.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
220 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 Port Alexander, AKOvernight Options
Night 1
220 mi · about 8.9h in
A practical overnight split lands near Port Alexander, AK after about 220 miles or 8.9 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 97 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 220 miles from Ketchikan, AK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 276.8 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 220 miles or 8.9 hours on the road.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 85 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 439.9 — 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
4
2.2 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Turn left
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 - Sitka-Juneau
Turn sharp left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Sitka-Juneau
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
439.9 mi into trip
|
~17h 48m in
|
Baranof Street
Turn right onto Baranof Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$95.36 one way
$190.72 round trip
$5.51/gal
25.4 MPG avg
154 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.79 | $100.28 | $200.56 |
| premium | $5.98 | $103.59 | $207.18 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $97.15 | $194.29 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$95
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$225–$335
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 153.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $46 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 132 | 1 | $46.20 | $21.12 |
| Efficient EV | 110 | 1 | $38.50 | $17.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 176 | 2 | $61.60 | $28.16 |
Gas CO2
154 kg
EV CO2
51 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Sitka, AK
Evening in Sitka on Saturday
Local time
6:46 PM
AKDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Sunny
NW 5 to 10 mph
0% chance
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
4 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
17h 48m 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.
Sitka National Historical Park
National Historical Park
On an island amid towering spruce and hemlock, Sitka National Historical Park preserves the site of a battle between invading Russian traders and Indigenous Kiks.ádi Tlingit. Totem poles from Tlingit...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 440
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This journey is defined by its turn-heavy local nature rather than high-speed interstate cruising, as the highway share is effectively zero percent. You will spend the bulk of your time on the Alaska Marine Highway, with the longest uninterrupted stretch spanning 276.8 miles between Ketchikan and Juneau. Expect a shift in pace as you transition from the primary marine routes onto Halibut Point Road near your destination. The experience behind the wheel is centered on navigating specific marine transit lanes and local road connections. It is a technical, maritime-focused drive that demands your full attention as you move through the Alaskan landscape.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 276.8 mi on Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. 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 8 significant decision points across 440 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 2.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles (Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
31 ft
0 ft
Total Climb
31 ft
Total Descent
0 ft
Highest Point
31 ft
~440 mi in
Elevation Range
31 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Solo Traveler
17h 48m 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 276.8 miles on Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau. 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 220 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 Sitka, 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 5 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 0.1 miles (AK 7 / Water Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles (Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Sitka National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 17.8 hours each way, a round trip means 35.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Sitka, 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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