Origin
Homer, AK
Night in Homer on Tuesday
Local time
10:48 PM
AKDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Homer, AK to Big Lake, AK
Data updated 1 hour ago
Drive Time
6h 26m
Distance
285 mi
459 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$62
one way
EV Charging
None
0 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 15m
★
6 AM
6h 27m
8 AM
6h 52m
10 AM
6h 36m
12 PM
6h 33m
3 PM
6h 37m
5 PM
6h 50m
8 PM
6h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Homer, AK
Wikimedia Commons
Big Lake, AK
Albert Koenig
Trip Overview
This 285-mile journey from Homer to Big Lake, Alaska, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 6 hours and 26 minutes to complete. You'll primarily navigate the Sterling Highway, Seward Highway, and Glenn Highway, with 100% of the route being on highways. Budget around $62 for fuel for this trip. The drive offers a turn-heavy local feel, suggesting a need for attention and perhaps a slower pace than a typical interstate cruise. Considering the duration and terrain, it's a manageable day trip for most drivers looking to cover ground within the state.
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
142.5 miles from Homer, AK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 23m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a dynamic driving experience on this route, characterized by its 'turn-heavy local drive' profile. While you'll be on highways for the entirety of the 285 miles, the road isn't a monotonous stretch. The longest uninterrupted segment you'll encounter is 131.9 miles along the Sterling Highway. This suggests a mix of conditions and turns that require your engagement, rather than a straight, high-speed cruise. The highway share is 100%, but the profile indicates it's not a simple point-to-point highway; be prepared for a more involved drive.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Sterling Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 131.9 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 Greatland Street.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 26m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 8 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Greatland Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.1 miles (AK 1 / Homer Bypass Road): Navigation decision point; at 132.2 miles (AK 1 / Seward Highway): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Greatland Street
At end of road, turn right onto Greatland Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
AK 1 / Homer Bypass Road
Turn right onto AK 1 / Homer Bypass Road
Navigation decision point
5
132.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 10m in
|
AK 1 / Seward Highway
At end of road, turn left onto AK 1 / Seward Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
221.7 mi into trip
|
~5h in
|
AK 1 / East 6th Avenue
Turn right onto AK 1 / East 6th Avenue
Navigation decision point
8
256.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 41m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Homer, AK and Big Lake, AK, road signs point toward Wasilla and Fairbanks.
Wasilla
256.1 mi in
|
~5h 41m
|
via AK 3
Fairbanks
256.1 mi in
|
~5h 41m
|
via AK 3
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Sterling Highway | 131.9 mi | 3h 9m |
| Seward Highway | 88.5 mi | 1h 47m |
| Glenn Highway | 33 mi | 38m |
| 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 |
Longest stretch:
Sterling Highway
— 131.9 mi, about 3h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Homer, AK and Big Lake, AK.
1
Start on this road
266 ft
·
21 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto Greatland Street
326 ft
·
13 sec
·
Greatland Street
3
Turn right onto AK 1
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Homer Bypass Road
4
Continue on AK 1
132 mi
·
3 hr 9 min
·
Sterling Highway
5
At end of road, turn left onto AK 1
89 mi
·
1 hr 47 min
·
Seward Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on AK 1
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Ingra Street
7
Turn right onto AK 1
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
East 6th Avenue
8
Continue on AK 1
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East 5th Avenue
9
Continue on AK 1
33 mi
·
38 min
·
Glenn Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
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.
11
Continue on AK 3
3.5 mi
·
5 min
·
West Parks Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
12
Turn left onto West Big Lake Road
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
West Big Lake Road
13
Enter roundabout onto South Big Lake Road
197 ft
·
5 sec
·
South Big Lake Road
14
Continue on South Big Lake Road
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
South Big Lake Road
15
Continue on West Susitna Parkway
3.6 mi
·
7 min
·
West Susitna Parkway
16
Turn right onto South Jay Sedor Street
0.6 mi
·
2 min
·
South Jay Sedor Street
17
Turn right onto West Tinkerbell Court
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
West Tinkerbell Court
18
Continue on South Crocodile Way
345 ft
·
15 sec
·
South Crocodile Way
19
Arrive at destination
South Crocodile Way
Trip Plan
For this 6-hour and 26-minute drive, departing Homer in the morning is recommended to make the most of daylight, especially given the 'turn-heavy local drive' nature. With 285 miles to cover, you'll have about one planned stop, and pacing yourself is key. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a likely service stop is over 130 miles on the Sterling Highway. This route is best suited for a single-day effort, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, consider an early start to allow for flexibility and the enjoyment of the drive's character.
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 142.5 miles from Homer, AK, or about 3h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 131.9 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 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 142.5 miles or 3h 23m 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 15m
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 Homer, 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 Homer, AK
This is one driving day of about 285 miles and 6h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Homer, 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 Sterling Highway for about 131.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 142.5 mi from Homer, AK · 3h 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
143 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 142.5 miles from Homer, AK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Sterling Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 131.9 miles.
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
$61.77 one way
$123.54 round trip
$5.51/gal
25.4 MPG avg
100 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.79 | $64.96 | $129.91 |
| premium | $5.98 | $67.10 | $134.20 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $62.92 | $125.85 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$62
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$87–$112
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 85.5 | 1 | $29.92 | $13.68 |
| Efficient EV | 71.3 | 0 | $24.94 | $11.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 114 | 1 | $39.90 | $18.24 |
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
33 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
Night in Big Lake on Tuesday
Local time
10:48 PM
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
13 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 26m 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 Homer, AK to Big Lake, AK covers 285 miles and takes about 6h 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Sterling Highway, Seward Highway, Glenn Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 142.5 miles from Homer, AK. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $61.77 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 26m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 8 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Greatland Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.1 miles (AK 1 / Homer Bypass Road): Navigation decision point; at 132.2 miles (AK 1 / Seward Highway): Lane positioning matters here.
Between Homer, AK and Big Lake, AK, road signs point toward Wasilla and Fairbanks.
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