Trip from Ketchikan, 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

49h 54m

Distance

998.9 mi

1,608 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

4-day trip

Fuel Cost

$216

one way

EV Charging

Fair

4 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 135 min

4 AM

49h 9m ★

6 AM

49h 54m

8 AM

51h 24m

10 AM

50h 26m

12 PM

50h 17m

3 PM

50h 30m

5 PM

51h 19m

8 PM

49h 27m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Ketchikan, AK

Wikimedia Commons

Big Lake, AK

Albert Koenig

Trip Overview

This extensive 998.9-mile journey from Ketchikan to Big Lake, Alaska, will take approximately 49 hours and 54 minutes to complete. It's a multi-day adventure, best split over 4 recommended days, and is definitely not a day trip. The route primarily utilizes the Alaska Marine Highway system, with key segments including the Whittier-Yakutat, Ketchikan-Juneau, and Juneau-Yakutat ferry routes. With an estimated fuel cost of $216 and 14 planned stops, this trip offers a unique way to experience the Alaskan landscape. Given that both your origin and destination are within Alaska, you'll be traversing the diverse terrain of the Last Frontier.

Trip Pace

Best split across 4 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

14 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

499.5 miles from Ketchikan, AK

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 22h 21m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat	334.5 mi	22h
Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau	276.8 mi	8h
Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat	262.6 mi	17h
Seward Highway	47.2 mi	58m
Glenn Highway	33 mi	38m
East Parks Highway	14.5 mi	20m
Portage Glacier Road	5 mi	6m
Portage Glacier Highway	4.7 mi	10m

Longest stretch: Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat — 334.5 mi, about 22h

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ketchikan, AK and Big Lake, AK.

Start on this road

0.1 mi · 34 sec · this road

At end of road, turn right onto AK 7

218 ft · 11 sec · Water Street

Continue on Water Street

0.4 mi · 37 sec · Water Street

Turn left onto AK 7

1.6 mi · 3 min · Tongass Avenue

Turn left

128 ft · 5 sec

Turn right

428 ft · 37 sec

Turn left onto Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road

468 ft · 40 sec · Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road

Turn straight onto Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau

277 mi · 8 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Ketchikan ↔ Juneau

Turn sharp left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat

263 mi · 17 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat

Turn sharp left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat

334 mi · 22 hr · Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat

Continue

374 ft · 7 sec

At end of road, turn right onto West Camp Road

173 ft · 9 sec · West Camp Road

Continue on West Camp Road

1.4 mi · 2 min · West Camp Road

Continue on Portage Glacier Highway

4.7 mi · 10 min · Portage Glacier Highway

Continue on FFH 35

5.0 mi · 6 min · Portage Glacier Road

Turn right onto AK 1

47 mi · 58 min · Seward Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on AK 1

1.0 mi · 2 min · Ingra Street

Turn right onto AK 1

0.4 mi · 56 sec · East 6th Avenue

Continue on AK 1

1.0 mi · 1 min · East 5th Avenue

Continue on AK 1

33 mi · 38 min · Glenn Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

Continue on AK 3

3.5 mi · 5 min · West Parks Highway

Use the left / straight lanes.

Turn left onto West Big Lake Road

3.6 mi · 5 min · West Big Lake Road

Enter roundabout onto South Big Lake Road

197 ft · 5 sec · South Big Lake Road

Continue on South Big Lake Road

2.9 mi · 4 min · South Big Lake Road

Continue on West Susitna Parkway

3.6 mi · 7 min · West Susitna Parkway

Turn right onto South Jay Sedor Street

0.6 mi · 2 min · South Jay Sedor Street

Turn right onto West Tinkerbell Court

0.2 mi · 35 sec · West Tinkerbell Court

Continue on South Crocodile Way

345 ft · 15 sec · South Crocodile Way

Arrive at destination

South Crocodile Way

Trip Plan

Planning for this 49-hour, 54-minute drive is crucial; consider departing on a weekday to potentially find more availability on the ferry routes. With 14 stops planned over 4 recommended days, you'll have ample opportunity to rest and break up the nearly 1000 miles. Keep a close eye on ferry schedules and booking requirements, as this is not a typical road trip where you can simply pull over. The longest stretch of 334.5 miles on the Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat means planning your fuel and rest stops carefully around ferry departures and arrivals is essential.

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.

This drive is better paced as a 4-day trip.

Plan roughly 14 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 499.5 miles from Ketchikan, AK, or about 22h 21m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 334.5 miles.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 220 miles or 6h 23m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 499.5 miles or 22h 21m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Overnight split

Day 1 wrap after about 249.7 miles or 7h 14m

Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 48h 32m

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 Ketchikan, 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.

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Treat this as a 4-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Ketchikan, AK

Aim for roughly 250 miles and 12.5 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Keep the middle miles efficient

Aim for roughly 250 miles and 12.5 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 3

Keep the middle miles efficient

Aim for roughly 250 miles and 12.5 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 4

Finish the approach into Big Lake, AK

Aim for roughly 250 miles and 12.5 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 220 miles from Ketchikan, AK.

This route usually feels better as a 4-day drive than as one long push.

Plan about 14 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat for about 334.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

consolidated city-borough, and largest city in Alaska, United States of America

First major stop

Coffee and fuel

Anchorage, AK

330 mi into the route

Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch

This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.

Second major stop

Overnight candidate

Gateway, AK

659 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Gateway, AK

Overnight Options

Night 1

Eagle River, AK

250 mi · about 12.5h in

A practical overnight split lands near Eagle River, AK after about 250 miles or 12.5 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Night 2

Eagle River, AK

499 mi · about 25h in

A practical overnight split lands near Eagle River, AK after about 499 miles or 25 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Night 3

Wasilla, AK

749 mi · about 37.4h in

A practical overnight split lands near Wasilla, AK after about 749 miles or 37.4 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Petersburg, AK

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 220 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Halfway reset

Meal break

The midpoint is around 499.5 miles from Ketchikan, AK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 334.5 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 250 miles or 12.5 hours on the road.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

South Restaurant + Coffeehouse

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Anchorage, Alaska

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 927.6

Hours: 9 am–10 pm

+19077709200

Visit website

Manhattan Restaurant & Lounge

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Anchorage, Alaska

1.3 mi

O'Malley's On the Green

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Anchorage, Alaska

2 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Habits Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Anchorage, Alaska

Near the end, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 927.6

Hours: 5:30 am–6 pm

+12064601173

Visit website

Bumble Beans

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Anchorage, Alaska

1.2 mi

SteamDot Coffee O'Malley Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Anchorage, Alaska

1.5 mi

New China Restaurant

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $20 to $30

Ketchikan, Alaska

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+19072472828

South Restaurant + Coffeehouse

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 927.6

Anchorage, Alaska

Hours: 9 am–10 pm

+19077709200

Visit website

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 927.6

Anchorage, Alaska

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

Visit website

SteamDot Coffee O'Malley Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 927.6

Anchorage, Alaska

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+19073444422

Visit website

BB's Coffee Shop Old Seward

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 927.6

Anchorage, Alaska

Hours: 5:30 am–6 pm

+19079036120

Starbucks Coffee Company

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Ketchikan, Alaska

Hours: 6 am–12 pm

+19072281900

Visit website

Rae Rae's Coffee Shop

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 927.6

Anchorage, Alaska

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Café Loco Espresso Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 927.6

Anchorage, Alaska

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 927.6

Anchorage, Alaska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Fly Trampoline Park South Anchorage

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 927.6

Anchorage, Alaska

Hours: 12–8 pm

+19073345867

Visit website

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 927.6

Anchorage, Alaska

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+19077703663

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 970 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | AK 7 / Water Street

At end of road, turn right onto AK 7 / Water Street

Navigation decision point

2.3 mi into trip | ~5m in | Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road

Turn left onto Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road

Navigation decision point

279.1 mi into trip | ~8h 6m in | Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat

Turn sharp left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

541.7 mi into trip | ~25h 6m in | Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat

Turn sharp left onto Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

970 mi into trip | ~49h 8m 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$216.49 one way

$432.99 round trip

$5.51/gal 25.4 MPG avg 350 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.79	$227.66	$455.33
premium	$5.98	$235.17	$470.35
diesel	$5.61	$220.54	$441.09

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$216

Hotel (3n)

$240–$420

Meals

$100–$200

Total

$556–$836

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 349.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $105 in charging · 3 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	299.7	3	$104.88	$47.95
Efficient EV	249.7	2	$87.40	$39.96
EV Truck/SUV	399.6	4	$139.85	$63.93

Gas CO2

349 kg

EV CO2

117 kg (66% less)

Plan for 3 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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.

Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026

Origin

Ketchikan, AK

Evening in Ketchikan on Saturday

Local time

5:13 PM

AKDT

Current temp

46°F

Chance Rain Showers

NW 10 mph 28% chance Live forecast

Winter Weather Advisory

Winter Weather Advisory issued April 14 at 11:43AM AKDT until April 16 at 4:00PM AKDT by NWS Fairbanks AK

Destination

Big Lake, AK

Evening in Big Lake on Saturday

Local time

5:13 PM

AKDT

Current temp

50°F

Sunny

NW 5 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Winter Weather Advisory

Winter Weather Advisory issued April 14 at 11:43AM AKDT until April 16 at 4:00PM AKDT by NWS Fairbanks AK

26°F

Gateway, AK

659 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.

For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.

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

4 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

49h 54m on the road

This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is characterized by its significant reliance on marine highways, with a 0% highway share, meaning you'll be on ferries for the majority of your travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 334.5 miles on the Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat. As you transition between ferry segments, expect a profile that is best described as a long-distance drive, demanding patience and a willingness to embrace the journey itself rather than focusing on high-speed travel. The changing ferry routes will offer varied perspectives on Alaska's coastal beauty.

0% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.

30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 334.5 mi on Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

At 49h 54m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near AK 7 / Water Street.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 998.9 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (AK 7 / Water Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles (Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Road): Navigation decision point; at 279.1 miles (Alaska Marine Highway - Juneau-Yakutat): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.

Who Is This Route For?

Solo Traveler

49h 54m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Scenic Drive

Long-haul drive route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 334.5 miles on Alaska Marine Highway - Whittier-Yakutat. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — a 4-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 250 miles on day one.

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 route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. 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 14 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.

Not recommended in a single day. At 49.9 hours each way, a round trip means 99.8 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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Explore more options from Ketchikan, AK or browse trips ending in Big Lake, AK.

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Trip from Ketchikan, AK to Big Lake, AK

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Overnight Options

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

South Restaurant + Coffeehouse

Habits Coffee Co.

New China Restaurant

South Restaurant + Coffeehouse

Manhattan Restaurant & Lounge

O'Malley's On the Green

Suite 100 Restaurant Bar & Lounge

Korean Garden

Gallo's Mexican Restaurant

Siam Cuisine

Habits Coffee Co.

Bumble Beans

SteamDot Coffee O'Malley Cafe

BB's Coffee Shop Old Seward

Starbucks Coffee Company

Rae Rae's Coffee Shop

Café Loco Espresso Bar

Liberty Latte

EV Connect Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Fly Trampoline Park South Anchorage

H2Oasis Indoor Waterpark

Castle On O'Malley

Long Branch Saloon

Bikini Babes AK

Alaska Photo Treks

The Dome

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Ketchikan, AK

Big Lake, AK

Same local time

4 degrees warmer at arrival

49h 54m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Should I split this drive into multiple days?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Will I have cell service along this route?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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