Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Wasilla, AK to Akutan, AK
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 24, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
58h 13m
Distance
1250.2 mi
2,012 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
4-day trip
Fuel Cost
$281
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
57h 22m
★
6 AM
58h 14m
8 AM
59h 59m
10 AM
58h 51m
12 PM
58h 40m
3 PM
58h 56m
5 PM
59h 54m
8 PM
57h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wasilla, AK
Wikimedia Commons
Akutan, AK
Tima Miroshnichenko
Trip Overview
Wasilla, AK to Akutan, AK is 1,250.2 miles and takes about 58 hours 13 minutes via Alaska Marine Highway, with a fuel budget near $262 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This long-haul route spans across Alaska, primarily utilizing ferry services rather than traditional highways. It's a significant undertaking, best suited for those who enjoy extended travel and have ample time. The trip involves multiple ferry segments, so be prepared for a unique travel experience compared to a typical road trip. Consider this route if you're looking for an adventurous and immersive way to see Alaska's coastal regions.
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
625.1 miles from Wasilla, AK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 17h 8m 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 False Pass to Akutan | 217.1 mi | 12h 26m |
| 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 |
| Alaska Marine Highway Cold Bay to False Pass | 64.1 mi | 4h 15m |
| Seward Highway | 47.1 mi | 57m |
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 Wasilla, AK and Akutan, AK.
1
Start on Main Street
15 ft
·
7 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn left onto AK 3
7.9 mi
·
10 min
·
East Parks Highway
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on AK 1
33 mi
·
38 min
·
Glenn Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Continue on AK 1
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
East 5th Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
Turn left onto AK 1
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Gambell Street
6
Continue on AK 1
47 mi
·
57 min
·
Seward Highway
7
Turn left onto FFH 35
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Portage Glacier Road
8
Continue on Portage Glacier Highway
4.7 mi
·
10 min
·
Portage Glacier Highway
9
Continue on West Camp Road
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
West Camp Road
10
Turn right
169 ft
·
8 sec
11
Turn left
248 ft
·
4 sec
12
Turn straight onto Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Chenega Bay
79 mi
·
4 hr 30 min
·
Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Chenega Bay
13
Turn sharp left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Chenega Bay-Kodiak
225 mi
·
5 hr 30 min
·
Alaska Marine Highway - Chenega Bay-Kodiak
14
Turn sharp right onto Alaska Marine Highway - Kodiak to Chignik
288 mi
·
6 hr 30 min
·
Alaska Marine Highway - Kodiak to Chignik
15
Turn sharp left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Chignik to Sand Point
142 mi
·
9 hr 15 min
·
Alaska Marine Highway - Chignik to Sand Point
16
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
17
Continue on Alaska Marine Highway Terminak King Cove
74 ft
·
10 sec
·
Alaska Marine Highway Terminak King Cove
18
Continue on Alaska Marine Highway Terminak King Cove
70 ft
·
5 sec
·
Alaska Marine Highway Terminak King Cove
19
Continue on Alaska Marine Highway - King Cove to Cold Bay
25 mi
·
6 hr 45 min
·
Alaska Marine Highway - King Cove to Cold Bay
20
Turn sharp left onto Alaska Marine Highway Cold Bay to False Pass
64 mi
·
4 hr 15 min
·
Alaska Marine Highway Cold Bay to False Pass
21
Turn sharp left onto Alaska Marine Highway False Pass to Akutan
217 mi
·
12 hr 26 min
·
Alaska Marine Highway False Pass to Akutan
22
Continue
309 ft
·
27 sec
23
Turn left onto Ballyhoo Road
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Ballyhoo Road
24
At end of road, turn right onto Airport Beach Road
2.9 mi
·
7 min
·
Airport Beach Road
25
Continue on 5th Street
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
5th Street
26
At end of road, turn right onto East Broadway Avenue
0.1 mi
·
30 sec
·
East Broadway Avenue
27
Turn left onto King Street
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
King Street
28
At end of road, turn right
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
29
Continue on Summer Bay Road
4.0 mi
·
11 min
·
Summer Bay Road
30
Continue on Humpy Cove Road
1.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Humpy Cove Road
31
Continue on Morris Cove Road
1.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Morris Cove Road
32
Arrive at destination
Morris Cove Road
Trip Plan
With a total duration of 58 hours and 13 minutes, this trip is best split over at least 4 days to avoid excessive fatigue. Plan your ferry schedules meticulously, as they are the backbone of this route and operate on specific timetables. Fuel costs are estimated at $262, but ensure you have sufficient funds for potential ferry surcharges or unexpected needs. Given the longest stretch is 288.4 miles, be sure to pack accordingly for these extended periods on the water, as services may be limited between stops. Check the operational status of all Alaska Marine Highway segments before you depart.
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 625.1 miles from Wasilla, AK, or about 17h 8m 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 220 miles or 7h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 625.1 miles or 17h 8m 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 312.6 miles or 9h 55m
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 54h 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Akutan, AK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Wasilla, 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 Wasilla, AK
Aim for roughly 313 miles and 14.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Keep the middle miles efficient
Aim for roughly 313 miles and 14.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 3
Keep the middle miles efficient
Aim for roughly 313 miles and 14.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 4
Finish the approach into Akutan, AK
Aim for roughly 313 miles and 14.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 220 miles from Wasilla, 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 - Kodiak to Chignik for about 288.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Early stop town
Coffee and fuel
313 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.
Late stop town
Final reset
938 mi into the route
Best for: Food, fuel, and one last short break
This is a smart final reset before the arrival run into Akutan, AK.
Overnight Options
Night 1
313 mi · about 14.6h in
A practical overnight split lands near Eagle River, AK after about 313 miles or 14.6 hours of driving.
Find hotelsNight 2
625 mi · about 29.1h in
A practical overnight split lands near Eagle River, AK after about 625 miles or 29.1 hours of driving.
Find hotelsNight 3
938 mi · about 43.7h in
A practical overnight split lands near Sand Point, AK after about 938 miles or 43.7 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 625.1 miles from Wasilla, 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 313 miles or 14.6 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
Switch Back 2
0.6 mi from route
Switch Back 1
0.9 mi from route
The "Y"
1 mi from route
Switch Back 3
1 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 837.2 — 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
|
AK 3 / East Parks Highway
Turn left onto AK 3 / East Parks Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
181.1 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
406.5 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
694.8 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
837.2 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
$280.56 one way
$561.11 round trip
$5.70/gal
25.4 MPG avg
437 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.03 | $296.80 | $593.60 |
| premium | $6.22 | $306.05 | $612.11 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $308.91 | $617.82 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$281
Hotel (3n)
$240–$420
Meals
$100–$200
Total
$621–$901
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 437.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $131 in charging · 4 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 375.1 | 4 | $131.27 | $60.01 |
| Efficient EV | 312.6 | 3 | $109.39 | $50.01 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 500.1 | 6 | $175.03 | $80.01 |
Gas CO2
437 kg
EV CO2
146 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.
Origin
Wasilla, AK
Late night in Wasilla on Saturday
Local time
12:52 AM
AKDT
Current temp
19°F
Clear
NE 0 to 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Blizzard Warning
Blizzard Warning issued October 22 at 9:39PM AKDT until October 23 at 7:00PM AKDT by NWS Fairbanks AK
Winter Storm Warning
Winter Storm Warning issued October 22 at 9:39PM AKDT until October 25 at 4:00PM AKDT by NWS Fairbanks AK
Destination
Akutan, AK
Late night in Akutan on Saturday
Local time
12:52 AM
AKDT
Current temp
42°F
Light Rain
SE 35 to 45 mph
80% chance
Live forecast
Blizzard Warning
Blizzard Warning issued October 22 at 9:39PM AKDT until October 23 at 7:00PM AKDT by NWS Fairbanks AK
Winter Storm Warning
Winter Storm Warning issued October 22 at 9:39PM AKDT until October 25 at 4:00PM 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
23 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
58h 13m 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, relying entirely on ferry travel. The longest continuous segment you'll experience on water is 288.4 miles, along the Alaska Marine Highway - Kodiak to Chignik. You'll notice the vast distances covered between ferry departures and arrivals, with extended periods spent on the water. The overall experience is one of navigating between remote coastal communities via maritime transport.
0% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
32 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 58h 13m, 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 AK 3 / East Parks Highway.
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 17 significant decision points across 1250.2 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 (AK 3 / East Parks Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 181.1 miles (Alaska Marine Highway - Chenega Bay-Kodiak): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 406.5 miles (Alaska Marine Highway - Kodiak to Chignik): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
341 ft
0 ft
Total Climb
13 ft
Total Descent
341 ft
Highest Point
341 ft
Elevation Range
341 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Wasilla, AK
Full guide →Founded 1917
Wasilla is a city of 9,000 people (2020) in Alaska. Wasilla is the last city of significant size on the Parks Highway northward; therefore, it is a frequent stopping point if traveling by car to Denali National Park, Fairbanks or other points north. It is most famous as the home town of Alaska Governor and 2008 Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin, who served as mayor of the city for six years.
Top landmarks
- • Wasilla Depot — railway station in Wasilla, the United States of America
- • Wasilla Elementary School — school building in Wasilla, United States of America
Arriving in Akutan, AK
Full guide →Founded 1878
Top landmarks
- • St. Alexander Nevsky Chapel — church
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Solo Traveler
58h 13m 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 313 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 6 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 Akutan, 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. There are 6 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 (AK 3 / East Parks Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 181.1 miles (Alaska Marine Highway - Chenega Bay-Kodiak): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 406.5 miles (Alaska Marine Highway - Kodiak to Chignik): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
Not recommended in a single day. At 58.2 hours each way, a round trip means 116.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Akutan, 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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