# Kenai Peninsula to Homer on the Sterling Highway

> 4-day road trip of about 390 km (242 mi) with 8 stops, from Anchorage to Homer. About 4 h 20 min of driving in total.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/b17-kenai-homer/

**At a glance:** 4-day road trip of about 390 km (242 mi) with 8 stops, from Anchorage to Homer. About 4 h 20 min of driving in total. From Anchorage past Portage Lake and the turquoise Kenai River to salmon falls, a Russian Orthodox chapel and the end of the road at Homer Spit.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 390 km (242 mi) |
| Driving | 4 h 20 min |
| Suggested days | 4 |
| Stops | 8 |
| Route | Anchorage → Homer |
| States | AK |
| Updated | May 26, 2026 |

## Route description

Leave Anchorage south on the Seward Highway along Turnagain Arm. After Girdwood, turn off at Portage to the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center on Portage Lake, about an hour from Anchorage. The glacier has retreated out of sight, but summer boat tours reach its face. The Whittier tunnel road starts here, but this route continues south over Turnagain Pass.

At Tern Lake junction, turn west onto the Sterling Highway to Cooper Landing, on the turquoise Kenai River. From the Russian River campground, a trail of about 2.3 miles each way leads to Russian River Falls, where sockeye salmon leap from late June to August. Brown bears fish here too; carry bear spray and make noise on the trail.

The Sterling Highway continues west through the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge to Soldotna, a fishing town with supermarkets and fuel. It then turns south along Cook Inlet. At Ninilchik, a small road climbs to the white Holy Transfiguration church from 1901, with views across the inlet to the Redoubt and Iliamna volcanoes on clear days.

Homer is about 220 miles from Anchorage, roughly five hours without stops. The Homer Spit runs 4.5 miles into Kachemak Bay, with a harbour, beaches and campsites facing the glaciers across the bay. Summer is short and busy, so book campgrounds ahead. The highway is paved, but watch for moose, frost heaves and long construction zones.

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Anchorage** (AK)
2. **Begich, Boggs Visitor Center** (Portage, AK): A visitor center on Portage Lake, where icebergs once drifted from Portage Glacier. The glacier has retreated out of sight, but summer boat tours reach its face; the center is open in summer.
3. **Cooper Landing** (AK)
4. **Russian River Falls** (Cooper Landing, AK): A cascade where sockeye salmon leap upstream from late June to August, watched from a viewing platform. The trail is about 2.3 miles each way from the Russian River campground; brown bears fish here too.
5. **Soldotna** (AK)
6. **Ninilchik Holy Transfiguration Church** (Ninilchik, AK): A white Russian Orthodox church from 1901 on a bluff above Cook Inlet, with views of the Redoubt and Iliamna volcanoes on clear days. It is a short drive off the Sterling Highway; respect the cemetery.
7. **Homer Spit** (Homer, AK): A 4.5-mile gravel spit running into Kachemak Bay, lined with a harbour, beaches and campsites. Views take in the glaciers across the bay; the end of the Sterling Highway is at the tip.
8. **Homer** (AK)

## FAQs

**How long is Kenai Peninsula to Homer on the Sterling Highway?**
4-day road trip of about 390 km (242 mi) with 8 stops, from Anchorage to Homer. About 4 h 20 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Kenai Peninsula to Homer on the Sterling Highway?**
We suggest 4 days: about 4 h 20 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Kenai Peninsula to Homer on the Sterling Highway start and end?**
It starts in Anchorage and ends in Homer.

**Which states does Kenai Peninsula to Homer on the Sterling Highway pass through?**
Alaska.