Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Palmer, AK to King Cove, AK
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
34h 16m
Distance
933.1 mi
1,502 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
4-day trip
Fuel Cost
$212
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
33h 46m
★
6 AM
34h 16m
8 AM
35h 18m
10 AM
34h 38m
12 PM
34h 32m
3 PM
34h 41m
5 PM
35h 15m
8 PM
33h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Palmer, AK
Wikimedia Commons
King Cove, AK
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Palmer to King Cove is 933.1 miles and takes about 34h 16m via Alaska Marine Highway, with a fuel budget near $196 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This extensive trip takes you across the vast Alaskan region, primarily utilizing ferry services. Expect a significant portion of your travel time to be on the water, connecting different communities. With 9 recommended stops and a long recommended stay of 4 days, this route is ideal for those seeking an immersive experience in Alaska's coastal communities. The 933.1-mile distance and 34h 16m duration suggest a trip that requires careful planning and a good amount of time.
Trip Pace
Best split across 4 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
9 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
466.6 miles from Palmer, AK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 13h 35m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Marine Highway - Kodiak to Chignik | 288.4 mi | 6h 30m |
| Alaska Marine Highway - Chenega Bay-Kodiak | 225.4 mi | 5h 30m |
| Alaska Marine Highway - Chignik to Sand Point | 142.3 mi | 9h 15m |
| Alaska Marine Highway - Sand Point to King Cove | 95.5 mi | 6h 15m |
| Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Chenega Bay | 79.1 mi | 4h 30m |
| Seward Highway | 47.1 mi | 57m |
| Glenn Highway | 40.1 mi | 48m |
| Portage Glacier Road | 5 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
Alaska Marine Highway - Kodiak to Chignik
— 288.4 mi, about 6h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palmer, AK and King Cove, AK.
1
Start on South Colony Way
12 ft
·
8 sec
·
South Colony Way
2
Turn left onto West Evergreen Avenue
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
West Evergreen Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Turn left onto AK 1
7.0 mi
·
10 min
·
Glenn Highway
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto AK 3
516 ft
·
6 sec
·
East Parks Highway
5
Continue on AK 1
33 mi
·
38 min
·
Glenn Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on AK 1
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
East 5th Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
Turn left onto AK 1
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Gambell Street
8
Continue on AK 1
47 mi
·
57 min
·
Seward Highway
9
Turn left onto FFH 35
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Portage Glacier Road
10
Continue on Portage Glacier Highway
4.7 mi
·
10 min
·
Portage Glacier Highway
11
Continue on West Camp Road
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
West Camp Road
12
Turn right
169 ft
·
8 sec
13
Turn left
248 ft
·
4 sec
14
Turn straight onto Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Chenega Bay
79 mi
·
4 hr 30 min
·
Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Chenega Bay
15
Turn sharp left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Chenega Bay-Kodiak
225 mi
·
5 hr 30 min
·
Alaska Marine Highway - Chenega Bay-Kodiak
16
Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Kodiak to Chignik
288 mi
·
6 hr 30 min
·
Alaska Marine Highway - Kodiak to Chignik
17
Turn sharp left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Chignik to Sand Point
142 mi
·
9 hr 15 min
·
Alaska Marine Highway - Chignik to Sand Point
18
Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Sand Point to King Cove
96 mi
·
6 hr 15 min
·
Alaska Marine Highway - Sand Point to King Cove
19
Continue on Alaska Marine Highway Terminak King Cove
99 ft
·
7 sec
·
Alaska Marine Highway Terminak King Cove
20
Turn right onto Harbor Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Harbor Road
21
Continue on Ram's Creek Road
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
·
Ram's Creek Road
22
Turn right
312 ft
·
22 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 34h 16m duration and 933.1 miles, splitting this trip over 4 recommended days is a sensible approach. Focus on departing in the morning to maximize daylight for any land-based transitions between ferry segments. The primary mode of transport is the Alaska Marine Highway, so booking ferry passage in advance is crucial. Keep an eye on fuel costs, estimated at $196, and ensure you have adequate funds for stops along the way. The longest stretch is 288.4 miles, so plan your onboard provisions accordingly.
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 9 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 466.6 miles from Palmer, AK, or about 13h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 288.4 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 205 miles or 7h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 466.6 miles or 13h 35m 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 233.3 miles or 8h
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 30h 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near King Cove, AK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Palmer, 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 Palmer, AK
Aim for roughly 233 miles and 8.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Keep the middle miles efficient
Aim for roughly 233 miles and 8.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 3
Keep the middle miles efficient
Aim for roughly 233 miles and 8.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 4
Finish the approach into King Cove, AK
Aim for roughly 233 miles and 8.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 205 miles from Palmer, AK.
This route usually feels better as a 4-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 9 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Alaska Marine Highway - Kodiak to Chignik for about 288.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
308 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.
Overnight Options
Night 1
233 mi · about 8.6h in
A practical overnight split lands near Eagle River, AK after about 233 miles or 8.6 hours of driving.
Find hotelsNight 2
467 mi · about 17.1h in
A practical overnight split lands near Anchorage, AK after about 467 miles or 17.1 hours of driving.
Find hotelsNight 3
700 mi · about 25.7h in
A practical overnight split lands near Eagle River, AK after about 700 miles or 25.7 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 205 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 466.6 miles from Palmer, AK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Alaska Marine Highway - Kodiak to Chignik if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 288.4 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 233 miles or 8.6 hours on the road.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Rest Area
0.5 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 836.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West Evergreen Avenue
Turn left onto West Evergreen Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
180.5 mi into trip
|
~6h 43m in
|
Alaska Marine Highway - Chenega Bay-Kodiak
Turn sharp left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Chenega Bay-Kodiak
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
406 mi into trip
|
~12h 13m in
|
Alaska Marine Highway - Kodiak to Chignik
Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Kodiak to Chignik
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
694.3 mi into trip
|
~18h 43m in
|
Alaska Marine Highway - Chignik to Sand Point
Turn sharp left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Chignik to Sand Point
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
836.6 mi into trip
|
~27h 58m in
|
Alaska Marine Highway - Sand Point to King Cove
Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Sand Point to King Cove
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$212.30 one way
$424.60 round trip
$5.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
327 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.10 | $224.02 | $448.03 |
| premium | $6.29 | $231.11 | $462.22 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $226.99 | $453.99 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$212
Hotel (3n)
$240–$420
Meals
$100–$200
Total
$552–$832
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 326.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $98 in charging · 3 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 279.9 | 3 | $97.98 | $44.79 |
| Efficient EV | 233.3 | 2 | $81.65 | $37.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 373.2 | 4 | $130.63 | $59.72 |
Gas CO2
326 kg
EV CO2
109 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.
Origin
Palmer, AK
Morning in Palmer on Saturday
Local time
8:33 AM
AKDT
Current temp
33°F
Mostly Cloudy
E 5 mph
14% chance
Live forecast
Destination
King Cove, AK
Morning in King Cove on Saturday
Local time
8:33 AM
AKDT
Current temp
39°F
Slight Chance Light Rain
NW 10 to 15 mph
21% 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
6 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
34h 16m 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 almost entirely on the Alaska Marine Highway, with 0% on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch you'll experience is 288.4 miles along the Alaska Marine Highway - Kodiak to Chignik. You'll primarily be navigating ferry routes, so expect periods of cruising on the water. The sheer length of the longest stretch indicates extended time between major ports or stops.
0% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 288.4 mi on Alaska Marine Highway - Kodiak to Chignik.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
At 34h 16m, 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 West Evergreen Avenue.
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 12 significant decision points across 933.1 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 (West Evergreen Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 180.5 miles (Alaska Marine Highway - Chenega Bay-Kodiak): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 406 miles (Alaska Marine Highway - Kodiak to Chignik): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
244 ft
0 ft
Total Climb
14 ft
Total Descent
244 ft
Highest Point
244 ft
Elevation Range
244 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Palmer, AK
Full guide →Founded 1951
Palmer is a city of 7,500 people (2019) 42 miles (68 km) northeast of Anchorage on the Glenn Highway in Southcentral Alaska.
Top landmarks
- • Palmer Depot — railway station in Palmer, the United States of America
Arriving in King Cove, AK
Full guide →Founded 1949
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Solo Traveler
34h 16m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Long-haul drive route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 288.4 miles on Alaska Marine Highway - Kodiak to Chignik. 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 233 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 2 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 King Cove, 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 9 meaningful breaks. There are 2 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 (West Evergreen Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 180.5 miles (Alaska Marine Highway - Chenega Bay-Kodiak): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 406 miles (Alaska Marine Highway - Kodiak to Chignik): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
Not recommended in a single day. At 34.3 hours each way, a round trip means 68.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at King Cove, 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, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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