Origin
Soldotna, AK
Afternoon in Soldotna on Sunday
Local time
12:24 PM
AKDT
Current temp
21°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Soldotna, 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
11h 1m
Distance
232.6 mi
374 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$50
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
10h 52m
★
6 AM
11h 2m
8 AM
11h 22m
10 AM
11h 9m
12 PM
11h 7m
3 PM
11h 10m
5 PM
11h 21m
8 PM
10h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Soldotna, AK
Wikimedia Commons
Kodiak, AK
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 232.6-mile journey from Soldotna to Kodiak, Alaska, will take approximately 11 hours to complete. Given the duration and the route's character, it's best to plan for at least two days. You'll navigate primarily on the Sterling Highway and Homer Bypass Road before reaching Lake Street. While the fuel cost is estimated at $51, the real consideration here is the time commitment for this Alaskan adventure. With three recommended stops, you can break up the drive, but this isn't a trip to rush. It's a substantial drive within the state of Alaska, offering a true sense of the region.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
3 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
116.3 miles from Soldotna, AK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 6m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Marine Highway - Homer - Kodiak Ferry | 151.3 mi | 9h |
| Sterling Highway | 74.8 mi | 1h 46m |
| Homer Spit Road | 4.3 mi | 8m |
| Homer Bypass Road | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Ocean Drive | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Lake Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Coast Guard Access | 0.2 mi | 1m |
| Center Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Alaska Marine Highway - Homer - Kodiak Ferry
— 151.3 mi, about 9h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Soldotna, AK and Kodiak, AK.
1
Start on this road
282 ft
·
26 sec
·
this road
2
Turn sharp right onto AK 1
75 mi
·
1 hr 46 min
·
Sterling Highway
3
Continue on AK 1
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Homer Bypass Road
4
Continue on AK 1
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
Lake Street
5
Continue on AK 1
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Ocean Drive
6
Continue on AK 1
4.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Homer Spit Road
7
Turn left onto Coast Guard Access
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Coast Guard Access
8
Turn left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Homer - Kodiak Ferry
151 mi
·
9 hr
·
Alaska Marine Highway - Homer - Kodiak Ferry
9
Continue
186 ft
·
17 sec
10
Turn left onto Marine Way East
89 ft
·
6 sec
·
Marine Way East
11
Turn right onto Center Street
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
Center Street
12
Turn right onto Mill Bay Road
20 ft
·
0 sec
·
Mill Bay Road
13
Arrive at destination
Mill Bay Road
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 11-hour drive, consider splitting it over two days, especially since it's recommended for a 2-day trip. Leaving early in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight hours. With three stops planned, you have opportunities to rest and refuel. Pay close attention to local road conditions as you navigate the Sterling Highway and Homer Bypass Road. Given the 'turn-heavy' nature, be prepared for frequent adjustments; a good rule of thumb is to ensure your fuel tank is at least half full before departing Soldotna, as services might be less frequent on certain stretches.
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 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 116.3 miles from Soldotna, AK, or about 4h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 151.3 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 51 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 116.3 miles or 4h 6m 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 116.3 miles or 4h 6m
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 8h 32m
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 Soldotna, 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 Soldotna, AK
Aim for roughly 116 miles and 5.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Kodiak, AK
Aim for roughly 116 miles and 5.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Soldotna, AK.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 3 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Alaska Marine Highway - Homer - Kodiak Ferry for about 151.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
116 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 Anchor Point, AKOvernight Options
Night 1
116 mi · about 5.5h in
A practical overnight split lands near Anchor Point, AK after about 116 miles or 5.5 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 116.3 miles from Soldotna, AK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Alaska Marine Highway - Homer - Kodiak Ferry if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 151.3 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 116 miles or 5.5 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 65 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 232.6 — 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 1 / Sterling Highway
Turn sharp right onto AK 1 / Sterling Highway
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
4
81.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 1m in
|
Alaska Marine Highway - Homer - Kodiak Ferry
Turn left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Homer - Kodiak Ferry
Navigation decision point
4
232.5 mi into trip
|
~11h 1m in
|
Marine Way East
Turn left onto Marine Way East
Navigation decision point
5
232.5 mi into trip
|
~11h 1m in
|
Center Street
Turn right onto Center Street
Navigation decision point
5
232.6 mi into trip
|
~11h 1m in
|
Mill Bay Road
Turn right onto Mill Bay Road
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$50.41 one way
$100.82 round trip
$5.51/gal
25.4 MPG avg
81 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.79 | $53.01 | $106.03 |
| premium | $5.98 | $54.76 | $109.52 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $51.36 | $102.71 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$180–$290
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 69.8 | 0 | $24.42 | $11.16 |
| Efficient EV | 58.2 | 0 | $20.35 | $9.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 93 | 1 | $32.56 | $14.89 |
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 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.
Destination
Kodiak, AK
Afternoon in Kodiak on Sunday
Local time
12:24 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
22 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
11h 1m 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?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with a 0% highway share. This means you'll be on more winding, potentially slower roads for the entire 232.6 miles. There isn't a single 'longest stretch' of uninterrupted driving to note, indicating frequent intersections or changes in road type. The profile suggests a route that requires constant attention and adaptation, rather than a straightforward cruise. You'll likely experience a more intimate connection with the landscape as you navigate these local roads.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 151.3 mi on Alaska Marine Highway - Homer - Kodiak Ferry.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 6 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near AK 1 / Sterling Highway.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 232.6 miles you will encounter 6 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (AK 1 / Sterling Highway): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 81.2 miles (Alaska Marine Highway - Homer - Kodiak Ferry): Navigation decision point; at 232.5 miles (Marine Way East): Navigation decision point.
Who Is This Route For?
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 3 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
11h 1m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 151.3 miles on Alaska Marine Highway - Homer - Kodiak Ferry. 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 116 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 3 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 1 / Sterling Highway): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 81.2 miles (Alaska Marine Highway - Homer - Kodiak Ferry): Navigation decision point; at 232.5 miles (Marine Way East): Navigation decision point.
Not recommended in a single day. At 11.0 hours each way, a round trip means 22.1 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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