Origin
North Pole, AK
Afternoon in North Pole on Sunday
Local time
3:26 PM
AKDT
Current temp
19°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from North Pole, AK to Fairbanks, AK
Drive Time
17m
Distance
13.6 mi
22 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 16m
★
6 AM
0h 18m
8 AM
0h 21m
10 AM
0h 19m
12 PM
0h 19m
3 PM
0h 19m
5 PM
0h 21m
8 PM
0h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
North Pole, AK
John De Leon
Fairbanks, AK
John De Leon
Trip Overview
If you are traveling between North Pole and Fairbanks, Alaska, you are looking at a quick 13.6-mile commute. This trip typically takes about 17 minutes, making it a straightforward drive that easily fits into a single day without needing an overnight stay. You will navigate primarily via Snowman Lane, 4th Avenue, and South Santa Claus Lane rather than major interstate systems. With fuel costs estimated at around $3, it is an extremely budget-friendly transit between these two Alaskan communities. Since the entire route stays within the same region, you can expect a familiar, localized driving experience throughout the journey.
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
6.8 miles from North Pole, AK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 8m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive as you transition from North Pole into the heart of Fairbanks. Because this route utilizes local streets rather than highways, your highway share for the trip is 0%. You won't encounter long, monotonous stretches of open road here; instead, the drive requires your full attention as you maneuver through town streets. The infrastructure is designed for local connectivity, offering a stark contrast to the vast, high-speed stretches found elsewhere in the state. Stay alert for frequent changes in direction as you navigate the turn-heavy path toward your destination.
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.
Snowman Lane is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from North Pole, AK to Fairbanks, AK is easy. At 17m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from North Pole, AK to Fairbanks, AK is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Snowman Lane | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 4th Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Santa Claus Lane | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Santa Claus Lane | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Badger Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Richardson Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Airport Way | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Noble Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Snowman Lane
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Pole, AK and Fairbanks, AK.
1
Start on Fourth Avenue
197 ft
·
11 sec
·
Fourth Avenue
2
Turn right onto Snowman Lane
148 ft
·
12 sec
·
Snowman Lane
3
Turn left onto 4th Avenue
348 ft
·
17 sec
·
4th Avenue
4
Turn right onto South Santa Claus Lane
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
South Santa Claus Lane
5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Santa Claus Lane
121 ft
·
2 sec
·
North Santa Claus Lane
6
Exit the roundabout onto North Santa Claus Lane
466 ft
·
9 sec
·
North Santa Claus Lane
7
Turn slight left onto Badger Road
443 ft
·
13 sec
·
Badger Road
8
Continue on Badger Road
85 ft
·
2 sec
·
Badger Road
9
Take the ramp slight right
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
10
Merge slight left onto Richardson Highway
12 mi
·
16 min
·
Richardson Highway
11
Turn left onto Airport Way
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Airport Way
12
Turn right onto Noble Street
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
Noble Street
13
Turn left onto 12th Avenue
436 ft
·
19 sec
·
12th Avenue
14
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Because this is a short 17-minute hop, you have maximum flexibility to plan your departure time around your own schedule. You don't need to worry about pacing stops or long-distance endurance, as the drive is finished almost as soon as it begins. Since there are no scheduled stops required for a trip of this length, you can focus on navigating the local intersections efficiently. A helpful tip for this route is to keep your eyes on the specific turn sequences along Snowman Lane and South Santa Claus Lane, as the local road layout is the primary challenge. Budget your $3 for fuel before you head out, and you will be set for a smooth, stress-free arrival in Fairbanks.
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 6.8 miles from North Pole, AK, or about 8m into the drive.
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 13.6 miles or 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 6.8 miles or 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fairbanks, AK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving North Pole, 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 North Pole, AK
This is one driving day of about 13.6 miles and 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from North Pole, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 6.8 mi from North Pole, AK · 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
7 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 13.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 6.8 miles from North Pole, AK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Fairbanks, AK
The final approach into Fairbanks, 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 Fairbanks, 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
$2.96 one way
$5.92 round trip
$5.53/gal
25.4 MPG avg
5 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.82 | $3.11 | $6.23 |
| premium | $6.02 | $3.22 | $6.45 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $3.02 | $6.04 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4.1 | 0 | $1.43 | $0.65 |
| Efficient EV | 3.4 | 0 | $1.19 | $0.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 5.4 | 0 | $1.90 | $0.87 |
Gas CO2
5 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (60% 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
Fairbanks, AK
Afternoon in Fairbanks on Sunday
Local time
3:26 PM
AKDT
Current temp
24°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
5 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
17m 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 North Pole, AK to Fairbanks, AK covers 13.6 miles and takes about 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Snowman Lane, 4th Avenue, South Santa Claus Lane. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 6.8 miles from North Pole, AK. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.96 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.
The drive from North Pole, AK to Fairbanks, AK is easy. At 17m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from North Pole, AK to Fairbanks, AK is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from North Pole, AK to Fairbanks, AK does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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