Origin
Kodiak, AK
Late night in Kodiak on Tuesday
Local time
12:11 AM
AKDT
Current temp
37°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kodiak, AK to Ketchikan, AK
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
57h 6m
Distance
1180.8 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
4 AM
56h 15m
★
6 AM
57h 6m
8 AM
58h 49m
10 AM
57h 42m
12 PM
57h 32m
3 PM
57h 47m
5 PM
58h 44m
8 PM
56h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kodiak, AK
Wikimedia Commons
Ketchikan, AK
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Kodiak to Ketchikan is 1180.8 miles and takes about 57 hours 6 minutes via Alaska Marine Highway, with a fuel budget near $256 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This extensive trip spans across Alaska, connecting two distinct regions within the state. It's a significant undertaking, best suited for those who enjoy extended travel and the unique experience of navigating Alaska's coastal waterways. Plan for multiple days to truly appreciate the scale of this route.
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 Kodiak, AK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 28h 49m 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 | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Water Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road | 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 Kodiak, AK and Ketchikan, 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
225 mi
·
5 hr 30 min
·
Alaska Marine Highway - Chenega Bay-Kodiak
6
Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Chenega Bay
79 mi
·
4 hr 30 min
·
Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Chenega Bay
7
Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
334 mi
·
22 hr
·
Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
8
Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
263 mi
·
17 hr
·
Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
9
Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau
277 mi
·
8 hr
·
Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau
10
Continue on Main Berth Ramp
197 ft
·
33 sec
·
Main Berth Ramp
11
Continue on Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road
12
At end of road, turn right onto AK 7
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Tongass Avenue
13
Turn right onto AK 7
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
Water Street
14
Turn right onto AK 7
400 ft
·
12 sec
·
Front Street
15
Turn right
8 ft
·
0 sec
16
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a total duration of over 57 hours, this trip is best split over at least 4 recommended days. Given the extensive ferry travel, it's wise to book your passages well in advance, especially during peak seasons. The fuel cost estimate of $256 is based on the overall mileage, but ferry fares will be a significant additional expense to factor into your budget. Keep an eye on ferry schedules for potential delays or changes, as weather can impact marine travel in Alaska.
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 Kodiak, AK, or about 28h 49m 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 5h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 590.4 miles or 28h 49m 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 28m
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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ketchikan, 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 4-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 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 Ketchikan, 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 Kodiak, 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
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.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
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 Metlakatla, AKOvernight Options
Night 1
Overnight stop window
295 mi · about 14.3h in
A practical overnight split lands around 295 miles or 14.3 hours into the drive.
Find hotelsNight 2
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 hotelsNight 3
886 mi · about 42.8h in
A practical overnight split lands near Metlakatla, AK after about 886 miles or 42.8 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 220 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Halfway reset
Meal breakThe midpoint is around 590.4 miles from Kodiak, AK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 334.5 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 639.1 — 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
|
Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
639.1 mi into trip
|
~32h 1m in
|
Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$255.92 one way
$511.83 round trip
$5.51/gal
25.4 MPG avg
413 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.79 | $269.12 | $538.24 |
| premium | $5.98 | $278.00 | $556.00 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $260.71 | $521.41 |
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: 413.1 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 | 354.2 | 4 | $123.98 | $56.68 |
| Efficient EV | 295.2 | 3 | $103.32 | $47.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 472.3 | 5 | $165.31 | $75.57 |
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.
Destination
Ketchikan, AK
Late night in Ketchikan on Tuesday
Local time
12:11 AM
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
5 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
57h 6m 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 involves 0% highway driving, with the entire 1180.8 miles taking place on the Alaska Marine Highway. The longest continuous stretch you'll experience is 334.5 miles along the Whittier-Yakutat ferry route. Expect to spend the vast majority of your time on ferries, navigating between islands and along the coast. The duration of 57 hours 6 minutes indicates significant time spent at sea.
0% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
16 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 6m, 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 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 10 significant decision points across 1180.8 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: 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.
About the Cities
Starting in Kodiak, AK
Full guide →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.
Arriving in Ketchikan, AK
Full guide →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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Solo Traveler
57h 6m 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 Ketchikan, 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.
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 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 Ketchikan, 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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