How far is Big Lake, AK from Kenai, AK?
The driving distance from Big Lake, AK to Kenai, AK is about 220.4 miles (354.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 79.8 miles (128.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 19m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM AKDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 04h 09m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Light Rain
Light Rain Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Big Lake and Kenai.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Big Lake and Kenai.
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1
Start on South Crocodile Way
105 m · 15 sec · South Crocodile Way
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2
Continue on West Tinkerbell Court
860 ft · 38 sec · West Tinkerbell Court
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3
Turn left onto South Jay Sedor Street
3075 ft · 2 min · South Jay Sedor Street
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4
Turn left onto West Susitna Parkway
3.6 mi · 7 min · West Susitna Parkway
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5
Continue on South Big Lake Road
2.9 mi · 5 min · South Big Lake Road
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Big Lake road
5 m · 1 sec · Big Lake road
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7
Exit the roundabout onto Big Lake road
650 ft · 13 sec · Big Lake road
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8
Turn straight onto West Big Lake Road
3.4 mi · 5 min · West Big Lake Road
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9
Turn right onto West Parks Highway
18 mi · 25 min · West Parks Highway
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10
Continue on Glenn Highway
33.1 mi · 38 min · Glenn Highway
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11
Continue on East 5th Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · East 5th Avenue
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12
Turn left onto Gambell Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · Gambell Street
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13
Continue on Seward Highway
87.9 mi · 1 hr 46 min · Seward Highway
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14
Take the exit slight right
58.4 mi · 1 hr 26 min
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15
Turn right onto Kalifornsky Beach Road
6 mi · 8 min · Kalifornsky Beach Road
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16
Turn right onto Bridge Access Road
3.3 mi · 5 min · Bridge Access Road
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17
Turn left onto Kenai Spur Highway
2847 ft · 1 min · Kenai Spur Highway
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18
Turn left onto Broad Street
28 m · 6 sec · Broad Street
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19
Turn right onto Frontage Road
142 m · 20 sec · Frontage Road
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Frontage Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Big Lake and Kenai.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Seward Highway
Continue on Seward Highway
87.9 mi · 01h 46m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Chance Light Rain leaving Big Lake and Light Rain Likely near Kenai.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Big Lake to Kenai?
The road trip is about 220.4 miles (354.7 km) and usually takes 04h 09m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Girdwood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 109.8 miles from Big Lake and 110.6 miles from Kenai.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 79.8 miles (128.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 140.6 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM AKDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:40 AM AKDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.76 one way or $77.52 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 69.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around Big Lake and Light Rain Likely near Kenai.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Big Lake and Kenai. Straight-line distance: 79.79 mi (128.41 km).
#1 Big Lake
This freshwater lake is situated in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough of Alaska, at an elevation of 144 feet.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 61.5213900, -149.9544400 |
| Altitude | 44 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Kenai
City in Alaska
| Population | 7,890 |
| Coordinates | 60.5544400, -151.2583300 |
| Altitude | 22 |
| Country | United States |
End: Frontage Road (-151.258293, 60.554244)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 355 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 44m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.98 | $38.76 | $77.52 |
| Mid-grade | $5.23 | $40.70 | $81.39 |
| Premium | $5.45 | $42.39 | $84.77 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $51.11 | $102.23 |
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