Origin
Fairbanks, AK
Evening in Fairbanks on Saturday
Local time
6:50 PM
AKDT
Current temp
35°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fairbanks, AK to Big Lake, AK
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
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
Unknown
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 .
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 70 miles or 1h 26m 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 70 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.
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 70 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.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before George Parks Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 301.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 65 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 309.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
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
Evening in Big Lake on Saturday
Local time
6:50 PM
AKDT
Current temp
27°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
8 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.
What kind of drive is this?
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.
Only 1% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 301.1 mi on George Parks Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
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.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total 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.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 29m. Total distance: 316.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 29m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (1%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 301.1 miles on George Parks Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Big Lake, AK before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
Mostly yes along the main roads, but rural stretches through AK can have sparse or no coverage. Before you leave, download offline Google Maps or Apple Maps for the route, and consider downloading music or podcasts instead of streaming. If you depend on data for navigation, keep a paper backup of the turn-by-turn directions.
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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 13.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Big Lake, AK before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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