Kodiak to Badger is 731 miles and takes about 18 hours 51 minutes via George Parks Highway and Alaska Marine Highway, with a fuel budget near $165 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip spans the state of Alaska, beginning on the coast and moving inland. It's a long-haul drive that requires careful planning due to the significant mileage and ferry components. Consider this route if you're looking for an extensive exploration of Alaska's diverse landscapes, but be prepared for a multi-day commitment.
Trip Pace
Best split across 3 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
365.5 miles from Kodiak, AK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 11h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
George Parks Highway
301.4 mi
6h
Alaska Marine Highway - Chenega Bay-Kodiak
225.4 mi
5h 30m
Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Chenega Bay
79.1 mi
4h 30m
Seward Highway
47.2 mi
58m
Glenn Highway
33 mi
38m
East Parks Highway
14.5 mi
20m
Richardson Highway
5.4 mi
6m
Portage Glacier Road
5 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
George Parks Highway
— 301.4 mi, about 6h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kodiak, AK and Badger, AK.
1
Start on Mill Bay Road
20 ft·6 sec·Mill Bay Road
2
Turn left onto Center Street
0.1 mi·31 sec·Center Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto Marine Way East
89 ft·5 sec·Marine Way East
4
Turn right
186 ft·13 sec
5
Turn left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Chenega Bay-Kodiak
Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Chenega Bay
79 mi·4 hr 30 min·Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Chenega Bay
7
Continue
374 ft·7 sec
8
At end of road, turn right onto West Camp Road
173 ft·9 sec·West Camp Road
9
Continue on West Camp Road
1.4 mi·2 min·West Camp Road
10
Continue on Portage Glacier Highway
4.7 mi·10 min·Portage Glacier Highway
11
Continue on FFH 35
5.0 mi·6 min·Portage Glacier Road
12
Turn right onto AK 1
47 mi·58 min·Seward Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on AK 1
1.0 mi·2 min·Ingra Street
14
Turn right onto AK 1
0.4 mi·56 sec·East 6th Avenue
15
Continue on AK 1
1.0 mi·1 min·East 5th Avenue
16
Continue on AK 1
33 mi·38 min·Glenn Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto AK 3
15 mi·20 min·East Parks Highway
Toward Wasilla, FairbanksUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on AK 3
4.2 mi·5 min·West Parks Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Continue on AK 3
301 mi·6 hr·George Parks Highway
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on AK 3
4.3 mi·5 min·Robert Mitchell Expressway
21
Keep slight right at fork onto AK 3
0.3 mi·41 sec·AK 3
22
Merge onto AK 2
5.4 mi·6 min·Richardson Highway
23
Continue on AK 2
0.8 mi·1 min·New Richardson Highway
24
Turn left onto Rozak Road
0.1 mi·18 sec·Rozak Road
25
Continue on Old Richardson Highway
0.7 mi·1 min·Old Richardson Highway
26
Turn right
0.5 mi·3 min
27
Turn left
0.2 mi·51 sec
28
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 18-hour driving time, it's highly recommended to split this trip over 3 days. Start early each morning to maximize daylight. With 5 recommended stops, you can break up the driving into manageable segments, averaging around 146 miles per day. Factor in the ferry schedules as part of your planning, as these will dictate your departure and arrival times between coastal and inland sections. Ensure your vehicle is in good condition before departing, as services can be sparse on certain stretches of the George Parks Highway.
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 3-day trip.
Plan roughly 5 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 365.5 miles from Kodiak, AK, or about 11h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 301.4 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 161 miles or 3h 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 365.5 miles or 11h 25m 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 243.7 miles or 6h 32m
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 17h 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Badger, AK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Kodiak, 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 3-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Kodiak, AK
Aim for roughly 244 miles and 6.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Keep the middle miles efficient
Aim for roughly 244 miles and 6.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 3
Finish the approach into Badger, AK
Aim for roughly 244 miles and 6.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 161 miles from Kodiak, AK.
This route usually feels better as a 3-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 5 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on George Parks Highway for about 301.4 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 398.5 — 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|Center Street
Turn left onto Center Street
Navigation decision point
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Marine Way East
At end of road, turn left onto Marine Way East
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
5
225.6 mi into trip|~5h 31m in|Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Chenega Bay
Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Chenega Bay
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
304.7 mi into trip|~10h 1m in|West Camp Road
At end of road, turn right onto West Camp Road
Navigation decision point
8
398.5 mi into trip|~12h 3m 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
$142.92 one way
$285.84 round trip
$4.97/gal25.4 MPG avg256 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.28
$151.90
$303.80
premium
$5.46
$156.99
$313.98
diesel
$4.80
$138.03
$276.05
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$143
Hotel (2n)
$160–$280
Meals
$75–$150
Total
$378–$573
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 255.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $77 in charging
· 2 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
219.3
2
$76.76
$35.09
Efficient EV
182.8
2
$63.96
$29.24
EV Truck/SUV
292.4
3
$102.34
$46.78
Gas CO2
256 kg
EV CO2
86 kg (66% less)
Plan for 2 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Kodiak, AK
Late night
in Kodiak on Sunday
Local time
12:16 AM
AKDT
Current temp
51°F
Light Rain Likely
S 15 mph73% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 6:04PM AKDT until July 20 at 10:00PM AKDT by NWS Fairbanks AK
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued July 18 at 6:01PM AKDT until July 20 at 12:00PM AKDT by NWS Fairbanks AK
Destination
Badger, AK
Late night
in Badger on Sunday
Local time
12:16 AM
AKDT
Current temp
48°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy
E 0 to 5 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 6:04PM AKDT until July 20 at 10:00PM AKDT by NWS Fairbanks AK
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued July 18 at 6:01PM AKDT until July 20 at 12:00PM 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
3 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
18h 51m 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 route is primarily highway driving, with 100% of the trip on main roads. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 301.4 miles on the George Parks Highway. Expect extended periods of rural cruising with fewer exits as you move away from coastal areas. The Alaska Marine Highway segments will feel distinct from the inland highway driving.
1% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 301.4 mi on George Parks Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
At 18h 51m, 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 early in the drive near Center 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 13 significant decision points across 731 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: near the start (Center Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Marine Way East): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 225.6 miles (Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Chenega Bay): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,126 ft0 ft
Total Climb
2,126 ft
Total Descent
1,691 ft
Highest Point
2,126 ft
~574.4 mi in
Elevation Range
2,126 ft
Notable High Points
2,126 ft at ~574.4 miles+855 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Kodiak, AK and Badger, AK, road signs point toward Wasilla and Fairbanks.
Wasilla
398.5 mi in|~12h 3m|via AK 3
Fairbanks
398.5 mi in|~12h 3m|via AK 3
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Bean and Bloom Coffeehouse
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Kodiak, AK
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: 07:00-16:00; Tu off
Kaladi Brothers Coffee
Cafe
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Perkup
Cafe
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.4 mi from route
~3 min detour
Hours: Mo-Fr 04:00-19:00; Sa 05:30-19:00; Su 06...
Kodiak Island is in southwestern Alaska, in the Gulf of Alaska, 250 miles south of Anchorage. It is Alaska's largest island and second largest in the US, after the Big Island in Hawaii. The City of Kodiak is situated on the east shore of Kodiak Island.
Top landmarks
•Holy Resurrection Church — historic church in Alaska, United States
Long-haul drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 301.4 miles on George Parks Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 3-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 244 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 5 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 Badger, 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. There are 5 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: near the start (Center Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Marine Way East): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 225.6 miles (Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Chenega Bay): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
Not recommended in a single day. At 18.9 hours each way, a round trip means 37.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Badger, AK before the return drive.
