You cannot drive to Juneau, Alaska — there is no road connecting it to the rest of the state or Canada

Juneau is the only U.S. state capital with no highway access. The city sits on the Alaska panhandle surrounded by water, mountains, and the Tongass National Forest. To reach it, you must fly or take a ferry. There is no bridge, no causeway, and no road project planned to change this. If you are driving to Alaska, Juneau is not a destination you can reach by car.

This is not a recent development or a temporary closure. Juneau has been isolated from the road system since it was founded as a gold mining camp in 1880. The geography that made it valuable then — deep-water harbor, protected from storms, surrounded by mineral deposits — is the same geography that keeps it off the highway network today.

Key Takeaways

  • Juneau has no road connection to Alaska's highway system or to any other state or country.
  • The only ways to reach Juneau are by commercial airline (about 1 hour from Anchorage) or Alaska Marine Highway System ferry (14 to 36 hours depending on your starting point).
  • If you are driving to Alaska, you can reach Ketchikan, Sitka, and other Southeast Alaska towns by ferry, but you must drive to a ferry terminal first.
  • The Alaska Marine Highway ferry system accepts vehicles, so you can drive your car onto a ferry and bring it with you to islands that have road access.
  • Driving to a ferry terminal and then ferrying to Juneau typically costs more and takes longer than flying, but gives you the option to explore multiple Southeast Alaska communities.

Why Juneau has no road access

Building a road to Juneau would require either a bridge or causeway spanning multiple miles of open ocean, or a highway cut through the Tongass National Forest and over mountain passes. The cost would be in the billions of dollars. The terrain is steep, wet, and prone to avalanches and landslides. The environmental impact on the national forest and salmon streams would be substantial.

More practically, Juneau's population is about 32,000 people. A road connection would need to serve a relatively small city, and the ferry and airline routes already move people and cargo efficiently. The Alaska Marine Highway System has been the backbone of Southeast Alaska transportation for decades, and there is no political or economic pressure to replace it with a road.

Juneau residents have voted on whether to relocate the state capital to a road-accessible location. The most recent vote was in 2006, and residents chose to keep the capital in Juneau. This decision reflects both the city's identity and the practical reality that moving a state capital is far more expensive than maintaining ferry service.

Getting to Juneau by plane

Flying is the fastest way to reach Juneau. Alaska Airlines operates multiple daily flights from Anchorage to Juneau, with flight time around 1 hour. Flights also run from Seattle, Ketchikan, and other Alaska cities. Round-trip fares typically range from $300 to $600 depending on how far in advance you book and what season you travel.

If you are driving to Alaska, you would drive to Anchorage, park your car (or leave it with a friend), and fly to Juneau. Parking at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport costs $15 to $25 per day in the economy lot. If you plan to spend a week in Juneau, parking alone could cost $100 to $175.

This approach works well if Juneau is your only Southeast Alaska destination. You avoid the time and cost of driving to a ferry terminal, and you can rent a car in Juneau if you need one (though the city is small enough to explore on foot or by bus).

Getting to Juneau by ferry

The Alaska Marine Highway System operates ferries that serve Juneau and other Southeast Alaska communities. The main ferry terminal for reaching Juneau is in Ketchikan, which is about 350 miles south of Juneau by water. The ferry ride takes 14 to 36 hours depending on the specific route and whether the ferry makes stops in other towns like Sitka or Petersburg.

To drive to Ketchikan, you must take the Alaska Marine Highway ferry from Bellingham, Washington. This ferry ride takes 36 to 40 hours and costs $400 to $700 per vehicle plus $150 to $300 per passenger, depending on cabin type. You can drive your car onto the ferry, so your vehicle travels with you.

The total time from the lower 48 states to Juneau by this route is roughly 3 to 4 days of driving and ferry time. The total cost for a vehicle and two passengers is typically $1,500 to $2,500 in fuel, ferry fares, and meals. This is significantly more expensive and time-consuming than flying, but it allows you to bring your vehicle and explore multiple Southeast Alaska communities along the way.

Driving to Southeast Alaska communities you can reach by road

While you cannot drive to Juneau, you can drive to other Southeast Alaska towns and then take a ferry to Juneau if you want to visit. Ketchikan, for example, has about 8,000 residents and sits on the Alaska panhandle. You can drive there via the Alaska Marine Highway ferry from Bellingham. Once in Ketchikan, you can explore the town by car or take a ferry to Juneau for a day trip or longer visit.

Sitka is another option. It is also accessible by ferry from Ketchikan or Bellingham, and it has its own road system. Sitka is smaller than Juneau (about 8,500 residents) but has significant cultural and historical sites, including Sitka National Historical Park.

If your goal is to experience Southeast Alaska by car and ferry, a realistic itinerary might be: drive to Bellingham, Washington; take the ferry to Ketchikan (36 to 40 hours); explore Ketchikan by car; take a ferry to Sitka or Juneau; return to Ketchikan by ferry; and drive back to the lower 48 states. This trip typically takes 2 to 3 weeks and costs $2,000 to $4,000 per person including vehicle transport.

Ferry costs and vehicle transport

The Alaska Marine Highway System charges separately for passengers and vehicles. A standard vehicle (under 20 feet long) costs $400 to $700 for the Bellingham-to-Ketchikan ferry, depending on season. Passengers pay $150 to $300 each for a basic seat or bunk cabin. Larger vehicles, RVs, and vehicles over 20 feet cost more.

Bringing your vehicle makes sense if you plan to spend time exploring multiple communities and need transportation once you arrive. It does not make sense if Juneau is your only destination — the ferry cost and time are not worth it compared to flying and renting a car or using local transit.

Ferry schedules change seasonally. Summer (May through September) has more frequent service. Winter service is reduced. If you are planning a ferry trip to Juneau, check the Alaska Marine Highway System website for current schedules and fares before booking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there any plan to build a road to Juneau?

No active road project exists. A road or bridge would cost several billion dollars and require environmental permits that are unlikely to be granted. The Alaska Marine Highway ferry system and air service are considered sufficient for the city's needs. Juneau residents have voted to keep the capital in its current location rather than relocate to a road-accessible city.

Can I take my RV to Juneau?

You can take an RV on the Alaska Marine Highway ferry, but the cost is significantly higher than for a standard vehicle — typically $800 to $1,200 for the Bellingham-to-Ketchikan route depending on RV length. Once in Juneau, RV parking and hookups are limited. Most visitors who bring RVs to Southeast Alaska explore Ketchikan and other communities with road access rather than ferrying to Juneau.

How long does it take to drive to Juneau from Seattle?

Driving to Juneau from Seattle requires taking a ferry from Bellingham, Washington. The drive to Bellingham is about 3 hours. The ferry to Ketchikan takes 36 to 40 hours. From Ketchikan, the ferry to Juneau takes 14 to 36 hours depending on stops. Total time is roughly 3 to 4 days. Flying from Seattle to Juneau takes about 4 to 5 hours total (including airport time) and costs less.

What is the cheapest way to get to Juneau if I am driving to Alaska?

Flying from Anchorage is typically the cheapest option if Juneau is your only destination. Round-trip airfare is usually $300 to $600. If you want to explore multiple Southeast Alaska communities, taking the ferry from Bellingham may be worth the extra cost and time, since you can bring your vehicle and visit Ketchikan, Sitka, and other towns along the way.

Can I fly my personal aircraft to Juneau?

Yes. Juneau International Airport (JNU) accepts private aircraft. You will need to arrange landing fees and tie-down or hangar space in advance. This is an option for pilots, but it is not practical for most road-trip travelers.