Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Wasilla, AK to Utqiagvik, 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
25h 1m
Distance
865.8 mi
1,393 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
3-day trip
Fuel Cost
$194
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
24h 39m
★
6 AM
25h 1m
8 AM
25h 47m
10 AM
25h 17m
12 PM
25h 13m
3 PM
25h 20m
5 PM
25h 44m
8 PM
24h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wasilla, AK
Wikimedia Commons
Utqiagvik, AK
Tima Miroshnichenko
Trip Overview
Wasilla to Utqiagvik is 865.8 miles and takes about 25h 1m via Dalton Highway and George Parks Highway, with a fuel budget near $178 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This long-haul drive spans across Alaska, taking you from the Matanuska-Susitna Valley north to the Arctic coast. You'll encounter a mix of well-maintained highways and more remote stretches, covering substantial distances between services. This trip is best suited for those seeking an adventurous, self-sufficient expedition into the Alaskan wilderness.
Trip Pace
Best split across 3 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
7 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
432.9 miles from Wasilla, AK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 9h 34m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dalton Highway | 415.8 mi | 14h 20m |
| George Parks Highway | 299.8 mi | 5h 58m |
| Elliott Highway | 68.1 mi | 1h 38m |
| Spine Road | 36.3 mi | 1h 27m |
| Steese Highway | 9.1 mi | 12m |
| East Parks Highway | 6.5 mi | 9m |
| Oliktok Road | 4.9 mi | 11m |
| West Parks Highway | 4.2 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
Dalton Highway
— 415.8 mi, about 14h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wasilla, AK and Utqiagvik, AK.
1
Start on Main Street
26 ft
·
8 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn left onto AK 3
6.5 mi
·
9 min
·
East Parks Highway
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on AK 3
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
West Parks Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Continue on AK 3
300 mi
·
5 hr 58 min
·
George Parks Highway
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
7
Turn left onto Geist Road
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Geist Road
8
Continue on Johansen Expressway
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Johansen Expressway
Use the left lane.
9
Turn left onto AK 2
9.1 mi
·
12 min
·
Steese Highway
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on AK 2
68 mi
·
1 hr 38 min
·
Elliott Highway
11
Continue on AK 11
416 mi
·
14 hr 20 min
·
Dalton Highway
12
At end of road, turn right onto Colleen Lake Road
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Colleen Lake Road
13
At end of road, turn left onto Spine Road
35 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
Spine Road
14
Continue on Spine Road
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
Spine Road
15
Continue on Spine Road
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Spine Road
16
Keep slight right at fork onto Oliktok Road
4.9 mi
·
11 min
·
Oliktok Road
17
Turn left
0.8 mi
·
1 min
18
Turn left
10 mi
·
25 min
19
Turn right
2.9 mi
·
18 min
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 25-hour duration, plan for at least 3 days to comfortably complete this drive. Start your trip early in the morning to maximize daylight and make good progress. The Dalton Highway accounts for the longest stretch at 415.8 miles, so be sure to top off your fuel before entering it, as services are widely spaced. Budget around $178 for fuel, but consider carrying extra due to the remote nature and potential price variations. Plan your overnight stops strategically, as you'll have 7 designated stops along the way.
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 7 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 432.9 miles from Wasilla, AK, or about 9h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 415.8 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 190 miles or 3h 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 432.9 miles or 9h 34m 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 288.6 miles or 5h 48m
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 22h 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Utqiagvik, 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 3-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 289 miles and 8.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Keep the middle miles efficient
Aim for roughly 289 miles and 8.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 3
Finish the approach into Utqiagvik, AK
Aim for roughly 289 miles and 8.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 190 miles from Wasilla, AK.
This route usually feels better as a 3-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 7 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Dalton Highway for about 415.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
286 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
289 mi · about 8.3h in
A practical overnight split lands near Chickaloon, AK after about 289 miles or 8.3 hours of driving.
Find hotelsNight 2
577 mi · about 16.7h in
A practical overnight split lands near Chickaloon, AK after about 577 miles or 16.7 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 190 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 432.9 miles from Wasilla, AK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Dalton Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 415.8 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 289 miles or 8.3 hours on the road.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Rest Area
0 mi from route
June Creek Rest Area
0 mi from route
South Fork Koyukuk
0 mi from route
Farthest North Spruce Wayside (MP 235)
0 mi from route
East Fork Campground and Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
South Fork Koyukuk
0.1 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 95 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 810.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
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
310.7 mi into trip
|
~6h 14m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
316.7 mi into trip
|
~6h 22m in
|
AK 2 / Steese Highway
Turn left onto AK 2 / Steese Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
4
809.7 mi into trip
|
~22h 34m in
|
Colleen Lake Road
At end of road, turn right onto Colleen Lake Road
Navigation decision point
4
810.6 mi into trip
|
~22h 37m in
|
Spine Road
At end of road, turn left onto Spine Road
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$194.29 one way
$388.59 round trip
$5.70/gal
25.4 MPG avg
303 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.03 | $205.54 | $411.08 |
| premium | $6.22 | $211.95 | $423.90 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $213.93 | $427.86 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$194
Hotel (2n)
$160–$280
Meals
$75–$150
Total
$429–$624
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 302.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $91 in charging · 3 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 259.7 | 3 | $90.91 | $41.56 |
| Efficient EV | 216.5 | 2 | $75.76 | $34.63 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 346.3 | 4 | $121.21 | $55.41 |
Gas CO2
303 kg
EV CO2
101 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
Wasilla, AK
Morning in Wasilla on Saturday
Local time
10:03 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
Utqiagvik, AK
Morning in Utqiagvik on Saturday
Local time
10:03 AM
AKDT
Current temp
26°F
Chance Light Snow
SW 15 to 20 mph
37% 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
29°F
Chickaloon, AK
286 mi in
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
7 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
25h 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?
This route features 865.8 miles where 0% is on highways, meaning you'll be on surface roads for the entire duration. The longest continuous stretch you'll navigate is 415.8 miles along the Dalton Highway. Expect long periods of rural cruising with minimal exits, especially once you're on the Dalton Highway. Given the lack of highway miles, prepare for a consistently remote driving experience.
0% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 415.8 mi on Dalton Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
At 25h 1m, 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 9 significant decision points across 865.8 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 (AK 3 / East Parks Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 310.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 316.7 miles (AK 2 / Steese Highway): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,661 ft
8 ft
Total Climb
4,272 ft
Total Descent
4,604 ft
Highest Point
2,661 ft
~680.3 mi in
Elevation Range
2,653 ft
Notable High Points
2,107 ft at ~185.5 miles
+797 ft prominence
2,661 ft at ~680.3 miles
+878 ft prominence
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 Utqiagvik, AK
Full guide →Utqiaġvik (formerly and still commonly known to non-natives as Barrow) is a city that is 300 miles (480 km) north of the Arctic Circle on the Arctic Ocean in Arctic Alaska. The city holds the distinction of being the northernmost settlement in the United States, and the northernmost settlement on the North American mainland. The residents are primarily of Inupiat (Native Alaskan) descent. Its population in 2019 was a bit more than 4,500 people.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Solo Traveler
25h 1m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Long-haul drive route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 415.8 miles on Dalton 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 289 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 8 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 Utqiagvik, 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 7 meaningful breaks. There are 8 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 310.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 316.7 miles (AK 2 / Steese Highway): Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 25.0 hours each way, a round trip means 50.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Utqiagvik, 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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