Origin
Fairbanks, AK
Late night in Fairbanks on Wednesday
Local time
12:12 AM
AKDT
Current temp
35°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fairbanks, AK to Big Lake, AK
Data updated 2 hours ago
Drive Time
6h 29m
Distance
316.7 mi
510 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$69
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 17m
★
6 AM
6h 29m
8 AM
6h 54m
10 AM
6h 38m
12 PM
6h 36m
3 PM
6h 39m
5 PM
6h 53m
8 PM
6h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fairbanks, AK
Wikimedia Commons
Big Lake, AK
Albert Koenig
Trip Overview
This 316.7-mile drive from Fairbanks to Big Lake, Alaska, is easily manageable as a single-day adventure, taking approximately 6 hours and 29 minutes. You'll primarily travel on the George Parks Highway, with portions of West Susitna Parkway and West Big Lake Road closer to your destination. With a fuel cost estimated around $69, this route offers a straightforward journey within the state of Alaska. The overall feel is that of a turn-heavy local drive, suggesting you'll experience varied road conditions and turns as you approach Big Lake. It's a practical option for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
158.4 miles from Fairbanks, AK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 12m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a dynamic driving experience on this route, characterized by its "turn-heavy local drive" profile. While a significant 301.1 miles are spent on the George Parks Highway, the latter part of your journey involves more local road navigation. The highway share is 100%, indicating a well-maintained and continuous road for most of the trip. This means you'll likely encounter a mix of faster highway speeds transitioning into more winding and potentially slower sections as you get closer to Big Lake, requiring your attention to the road.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
George Parks Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 301.1 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 Noble Street.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 29m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 6 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Noble Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Airport Way): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles (AK 3 / George Parks Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Noble Street
Turn right onto Noble Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Airport Way
Turn right onto Airport Way
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
4.1 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
AK 3 / George Parks Highway
Merge onto AK 3 / George Parks Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
305.9 mi into trip
|
~6h 9m in
|
West Big Lake Road
Turn right onto West Big Lake Road
Navigation decision point
4
309.4 mi into trip
|
~6h 14m in
|
South Big Lake Road
Enter roundabout onto South Big Lake Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| George Parks Highway | 301.1 mi | 6h |
| West Susitna Parkway | 3.6 mi | 7m |
| West Big Lake Road | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| Airport Way | 3.3 mi | 5m |
| South Big Lake Road | 3 mi | 4m |
| West Parks Highway | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| South Jay Sedor Street | 0.6 mi | 2m |
| Noble Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
George Parks Highway
— 301.1 mi, about 6h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairbanks, AK and Big Lake, AK.
1
Start on 12th Avenue
436 ft
·
21 sec
·
12th Avenue
2
Turn right onto Noble Street
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Noble Street
3
Turn right onto Airport Way
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Airport Way
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.6 mi
·
1 min
5
Merge onto AK 3
301 mi
·
6 hr
·
George Parks Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on AK 3
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Parks Highway
7
Turn right onto West Big Lake Road
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
West Big Lake Road
8
Enter roundabout onto South Big Lake Road
197 ft
·
5 sec
·
South Big Lake Road
9
Continue on South Big Lake Road
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
South Big Lake Road
10
Continue on West Susitna Parkway
3.6 mi
·
7 min
·
West Susitna Parkway
11
Turn right onto South Jay Sedor Street
0.6 mi
·
2 min
·
South Jay Sedor Street
12
Turn right onto West Tinkerbell Court
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
West Tinkerbell Court
13
Continue on South Crocodile Way
345 ft
·
15 sec
·
South Crocodile Way
14
Arrive at destination
South Crocodile Way
Trip Plan
For this roughly 6.5-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Fairbanks to maximize your daylight hours and allow for any unexpected delays. With only one recommended stop, plan it strategically along the George Parks Highway, perhaps around the halfway point, to break up the 301.1-mile stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $69, and services might be more spaced out in certain areas. The "turn-heavy local drive" nature as you approach Big Lake means you'll need to be particularly mindful of navigation and speed adjustments in the final miles.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 158.4 miles from Fairbanks, AK, or about 3h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 301.1 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 80 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 158.4 miles or 3h 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 13m
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 Fairbanks, 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 Fairbanks, AK
This is one driving day of about 316.7 miles and 6h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Fairbanks, AK.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on George Parks Highway for about 301.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 158.4 mi from Fairbanks, AK · 3h 12m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
158 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 158.4 miles from Fairbanks, 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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$68.64 one way
$137.28 round trip
$5.51/gal
25.4 MPG avg
111 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.79 | $72.18 | $144.36 |
| premium | $5.98 | $74.56 | $149.12 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $69.92 | $139.85 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$69
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$94–$119
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 95 | 1 | $33.25 | $15.20 |
| Efficient EV | 79.2 | 0 | $27.71 | $12.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 126.7 | 1 | $44.34 | $20.27 |
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
12:12 AM
AKDT
Current temp
29°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
27°F
Palmer, AK
158 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.
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
6 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
6h 29m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Fairbanks, AK to Big Lake, AK covers 316.7 miles and takes about 6h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are George Parks Highway, West Susitna Parkway, West Big Lake Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 158.4 miles from Fairbanks, AK. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $68.64 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 29m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 6 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Noble Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Airport Way): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles (AK 3 / George Parks Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Fairbanks, AK to Big Lake, AK does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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