How far is Kenai, AK from Big Lake, AK?
The driving distance from Kenai, AK to Big Lake, AK is about 221.2 miles (356 km), with a travel time of about 04h 57m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 79.8 miles (128.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 55m 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 57m.
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.
Light Rain Likely
Chance Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kenai and Big Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kenai and Big Lake.
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1
Start on Frontage Road
142 m · 25 sec · Frontage Road
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2
Turn left onto Broad Street
28 m · 6 sec · Broad Street
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3
Turn right onto Kenai Spur Highway
2847 ft · 1 min · Kenai Spur Highway
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4
Turn right onto Bridge Access Road
3.3 mi · 5 min · Bridge Access Road
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5
Turn left onto Kalifornsky Beach Road
6 mi · 8 min · Kalifornsky Beach Road
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6
Turn left onto Sterling Highway
58.4 mi · 1 hr 26 min · Sterling Highway
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7
At the end of the road, turn left onto Seward Highway
88.5 mi · 1 hr 47 min · Seward Highway
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8
Continue on Ingra Street
1 mi · 2 min · Ingra Street
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9
Turn right onto East 6th Avenue
1924 ft · 57 sec · East 6th Avenue
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10
Continue on East 5th Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · East 5th Avenue
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11
Continue on Glenn Highway
33 mi · 38 min · Glenn Highway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on East Parks Highway
14.5 mi · 20 min · East Parks Highway
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13
Continue on West Parks Highway
3.5 mi · 5 min · West Parks Highway
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14
Turn left onto West Big Lake Road
3.6 mi · 5 min · West Big Lake Road
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15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward South Big Lake Road
60 m · 5 sec · South Big Lake Road
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16
Exit the roundabout onto South Big Lake Road
2.9 mi · 5 min · South Big Lake Road
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17
Continue on West Susitna Parkway
3.6 mi · 7 min · West Susitna Parkway
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18
Turn right onto South Jay Sedor Street
3134 ft · 2 min · South Jay Sedor Street
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19
Turn right onto West Tinkerbell Court
801 ft · 35 sec · West Tinkerbell Court
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20
Continue on South Crocodile Way
105 m · 15 sec · South Crocodile Way
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Crocodile Way
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kenai and Big Lake.
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
At the end of the road, turn left onto Seward Highway
88.5 mi · 01h 47m
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.
Light Rain Likely leaving Kenai and Chance Light Rain near Big Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kenai to Big Lake?
The road trip is about 221.2 miles (356 km) and usually takes 04h 57m 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 110.1 miles from Kenai and 111.1 miles from Big Lake.
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 141.4 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 7:04 AM AKDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.91 one way or $77.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 69.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Light Rain Likely around Kenai and Chance Light Rain near Big Lake.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kenai and Big Lake. Straight-line distance: 79.79 mi (128.41 km).
#1 Kenai
City in Alaska
| Population | 7,890 |
| Coordinates | 60.5544400, -151.2583300 |
| Altitude | 22 |
| Country | United States |
#2 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 |
End: Big Lake (-149.95444, 61.52139)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 356 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.98 | $38.91 | $77.82 |
| Mid-grade | $5.23 | $40.85 | $81.71 |
| Premium | $5.45 | $42.55 | $85.10 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $51.31 | $102.62 |
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