How far is Big Lake, AK from Anchorage, AK?

The driving distance from Big Lake, AK to Anchorage, AK is about 64.3 miles (103.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 20m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 21.1 miles (33.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 40m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM AKDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
64.3 mi
01h 20m
Flight
21.03 mi
33.85 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Big Lake.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
21.03 mi
Kilometers
33.85 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
64.3 mi
Kilometers
103.48 km
Drive Time
01h 20m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 01h 20m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Anchorage
Thu, Oct 15, 12:03 PM AKDT
Return by in Big Lake
Thu, Oct 15, 1:23 PM AKDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Big Lake
2026-10-15T10:43
Arrive Anchorage
Thu, Oct 15, 12:03 PM AKDT
Route Timing
01h 20m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM AKDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:20 AM to 11:20 AM AKDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:50 PM AKDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Big Lake
9:30 PM AKDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Palmer
AK

City in Alaska, USA

From Big Lake
32.1 mi
00h 40m
To Anchorage
32.2 mi
00h 40m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
44°F
Thursday

Chance Light Rain

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
5 mph N
Destination
36°F
Overnight

Slight Chance Light Rain

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 5:00 AM AKDT
Wind
15 mph N

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Big Lake and Anchorage.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Big Lake and Anchorage.

  1. 1

    Start on South Crocodile Way

    105 m · 15 sec · South Crocodile Way

  2. 2

    Continue on West Tinkerbell Court

    860 ft · 38 sec · West Tinkerbell Court

  3. 3

    Turn left onto South Jay Sedor Street

    3075 ft · 2 min · South Jay Sedor Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto West Susitna Parkway

    3.6 mi · 7 min · West Susitna Parkway

  5. 5

    Continue on South Big Lake Road

    2.9 mi · 5 min · South Big Lake Road

  6. 6

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Big Lake road

    5 m · 1 sec · Big Lake road

  7. 7

    Exit the roundabout onto Big Lake road

    650 ft · 13 sec · Big Lake road

  8. 8

    Turn straight onto West Big Lake Road

    3.4 mi · 5 min · West Big Lake Road

  9. 9

    Turn right onto West Parks Highway

    18 mi · 25 min · West Parks Highway

  10. 10

    Continue on Glenn Highway

    33.1 mi · 38 min · Glenn Highway

  11. 11

    Continue on East 5th Avenue

    2.4 mi · 6 min · East 5th Avenue

  12. 12

    Turn right onto I Street

    109 m · 18 sec · I Street

  13. 13

    Turn left onto West 4th Avenue

    37 m · 10 sec · West 4th Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn left

    26 m · 6 sec

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Big Lake and Anchorage.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
15 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
0 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
23.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Glenn Highway
33.1 mi · 51%
West Parks Highway
18 mi · 28%
West Susitna Parkway
3.55 mi · 6%
West Big Lake Road
3.4 mi · 5%
South Big Lake Road
2.92 mi · 5%
East 5th Avenue
2.44 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Glenn Highway

Continue on Glenn Highway

33.1 mi · 00h 38m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 20m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+43.2 mi
21.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Palmer
00h 40m from Big Lake
Leave By
3:50 PM AKDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Light Rain leaving Big Lake and Slight Chance Light Rain near Anchorage.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Big Lake to Anchorage?

The road trip is about 64.3 miles (103.5 km) and usually takes 01h 20m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Palmer is a useful midpoint, sitting about 32.1 miles from Big Lake and 32.2 miles from Anchorage.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 21.1 miles (33.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.2 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM AKDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:50 PM AKDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.31 one way or $22.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 20.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around Big Lake and Slight Chance Light Rain near Anchorage.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Big Lake and Anchorage. Straight-line distance: 21.03 mi (33.85 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Big Lake

This freshwater lake is situated in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough of Alaska, at an elevation of 144 feet.

Population0
Coordinates61.5213900, -149.9544400
Altitude44
CountryUnited States
Anchorage

#2 Anchorage

The most populous city in Alaska and the center of the Anchorage metropolitan area.

Population294,356
Coordinates61.2180600, -149.9002800
Altitude31
CountryUnited States
Start: (-149.957854, 61.521546)
End: (-149.900352, 61.218324)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 103 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 08m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 36m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 17m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 04m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 55m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 48m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.27 gal
8.59 L · about $11.31
Round trip
$22.62
4.54 gal · 17.18 L
Estimated CO2
20.2 kg one way
Round trip: 40.3 kg / 89 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.98 $11.31 $22.62
Mid-grade $5.23 $11.87 $23.75
Premium $5.45 $12.37 $24.73
Diesel $6.57 $14.91 $29.83

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Alaska · Oct 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Big Lake and Anchorage. The current time is 10:43:03.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.