Origin
Eagle River, AK
Late night in Eagle River on Wednesday
Local time
12:09 AM
AKDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Eagle River, AK to Big Lake, AK
Data updated 2 hours ago
Drive Time
1h 10m
Distance
50.2 mi
81 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 5m
★
6 AM
1h 11m
8 AM
1h 22m
10 AM
1h 15m
12 PM
1h 14m
3 PM
1h 15m
5 PM
1h 22m
8 PM
1h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Eagle River, AK
Wikimedia Commons
Big Lake, AK
Albert Koenig
Trip Overview
This 50.2-mile drive from Eagle River to Big Lake in Alaska is a straightforward 1-hour and 10-minute journey, perfectly suited for a single day trip. You'll primarily navigate via the Glenn Highway and East Parks Highway before transitioning to West Big Lake Road. With an estimated fuel cost of $11, this route is budget-friendly for a quick excursion. The overall feel is that of a local drive, with plenty of turns, making it an easy addition to any Alaskan itinerary without requiring an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
25.1 miles from Eagle River, AK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 30m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a "turn-heavy local drive" with about 7% of the route on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 20.8 miles on the Glenn Highway. As you progress, the character shifts from more arterial highway driving to the local roads leading into Big Lake. This means you'll experience a varied driving experience, with quicker highway sections giving way to more winding, community-focused roads as you approach your destination.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Glenn Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 20.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Old Glenn Highway.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 10m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Old Glenn Highway): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 21.3 miles (AK 3 / East Parks Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Old Glenn Highway
At end of road, turn left onto Old Glenn Highway
Navigation decision point
4
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
8
21.3 mi into trip
|
~25m in
|
AK 3 / East Parks Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto AK 3 / East Parks Highway toward Wasilla, Fairbanks
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Wasilla, Fairbanks
4
42.9 mi into trip
|
~55m in
|
South Big Lake Road
Enter roundabout onto South Big Lake Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
49.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m in
|
South Jay Sedor Street
Turn right onto South Jay Sedor Street
Navigation decision point
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Eagle River, AK and Big Lake, AK, road signs point toward Wasilla and Fairbanks.
Wasilla
21.3 mi in
|
~25m
|
via AK 3
Fairbanks
21.3 mi in
|
~25m
|
via AK 3
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Glenn Highway | 20.8 mi | 23m |
| East Parks Highway | 14.5 mi | 20m |
| West Big Lake Road | 3.6 mi | 5m |
| West Susitna Parkway | 3.6 mi | 7m |
| West Parks Highway | 3.5 mi | 5m |
| South Big Lake Road | 3 mi | 4m |
| South Jay Sedor Street | 0.6 mi | 2m |
| West Tinkerbell Court | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Glenn Highway
— 20.8 mi, about 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Eagle River, AK and Big Lake, AK.
1
Start on Monte Road
414 ft
·
19 sec
·
Monte Road
2
At end of road, turn left onto Old Glenn Highway
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Old Glenn Highway
3
Continue on Artillery Rd (DETOUR)
362 ft
·
11 sec
·
Artillery Rd (DETOUR)
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
5
Merge onto AK 1
21 mi
·
23 min
·
Glenn Highway
6
Keep slight left at fork onto AK 3
15 mi
·
20 min
·
East Parks Highway
Toward Wasilla, Fairbanks
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on AK 3
3.5 mi
·
5 min
·
West Parks Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
Turn left onto West Big Lake Road
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
West Big Lake Road
9
Enter roundabout onto South Big Lake Road
197 ft
·
5 sec
·
South Big Lake Road
10
Continue on South Big Lake Road
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
South Big Lake Road
11
Continue on West Susitna Parkway
3.6 mi
·
7 min
·
West Susitna Parkway
12
Turn right onto South Jay Sedor Street
0.6 mi
·
2 min
·
South Jay Sedor Street
13
Turn right onto West Tinkerbell Court
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
West Tinkerbell Court
14
Continue on South Crocodile Way
345 ft
·
15 sec
·
South Crocodile Way
15
Arrive at destination
South Crocodile Way
Trip Plan
Given its short 1-hour duration, this drive offers a lot of flexibility, so leaving when it's most convenient for you is ideal. Pacing stops isn't a major concern for this 50.2-mile trip, but be mindful of the longest stretch of 20.8 miles on the Glenn Highway where you might want to ensure you're comfortable before entering it. The $11 fuel cost suggests you won't need frequent refueling stops, but it's always wise to top off before departing Eagle River. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to the transition onto West Big Lake Road, as this marks the shift to more localized, potentially winding sections.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 25.1 miles from Eagle River, AK, or about 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 20.8 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 50.2 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 25.1 miles or 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Big Lake, AK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Eagle River, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Eagle River, AK
This is one driving day of about 50.2 miles and 1h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Eagle River, AK.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Glenn Highway for about 20.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 25.1 mi from Eagle River, AK · 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
25 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 50.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 25.1 miles from Eagle River, AK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Big Lake, AK
The final approach into Big Lake, AK usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Big Lake, AK.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.88 one way
$21.76 round trip
$5.51/gal
25.4 MPG avg
18 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.79 | $11.44 | $22.88 |
| premium | $5.98 | $11.82 | $23.64 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.08 | $22.17 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.1 | 0 | $5.27 | $2.41 |
| Efficient EV | 12.6 | 0 | $4.39 | $2.01 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 20.1 | 0 | $7.03 | $3.21 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Big Lake, AK
Late night in Big Lake on Wednesday
Local time
12:09 AM
AKDT
Current temp
29°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.
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
12 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 10m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Eagle River, AK to Big Lake, AK covers 50.2 miles and takes about 1h 10m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Glenn Highway, East Parks Highway, West Big Lake Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 25.1 miles from Eagle River, AK. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.88 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a straightforward 1h 10m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Old Glenn Highway): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 21.3 miles (AK 3 / East Parks Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Eagle River, AK and Big Lake, AK, road signs point toward Wasilla and Fairbanks.
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