How far is Meadow Lakes, AK from Soldotna, AK?

The driving distance from Meadow Lakes, AK to Soldotna, AK is about 196.5 miles (316.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 19m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 92.5 miles (148.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 38m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM AKDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
196.52 mi
04h 19m
Flight
92.44 mi
148.76 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Meadow Lakes.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
92.44 mi
Kilometers
148.76 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
196.52 mi
Kilometers
316.27 km
Drive Time
04h 19m

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 19m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Soldotna
Sun, Apr 19, 10:31 AM AKDT
Return by in Meadow Lakes
Sun, Apr 19, 2:50 PM AKDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Meadow Lakes
2026-04-19T06:11
Arrive Soldotna
Sun, Apr 19, 10:31 AM AKDT
Route Timing
04h 19m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM AKDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:19 AM to 12:19 PM AKDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:22 AM AKDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Meadow Lakes
9:00 PM AKDT
Early departure recommended

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

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

Mid-route stop
Girdwood
AK

City in United States of America

From Meadow Lakes
98 mi
02h 09m
To Soldotna
98.5 mi
02h 09m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
45°F
Sunday

Chance Light Snow

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
5 mph SE
Destination
44°F
Sunday

Chance Rain And Snow then Rain And Snow Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Meadow Lakes and Soldotna.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Meadow Lakes and Soldotna.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    69 m · 17 sec

  2. 2

    Continue on Hess Lake Road

    697 ft · 36 sec · Hess Lake Road

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Starr Road

    1420 ft · 1 min · Starr Road

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Wyoming Drive

    1416 ft · 1 min · Wyoming Drive

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Beverly Lake Road

    1.5 km · 2 min · Beverly Lake Road

  6. 6

    Continue on Windy Bottem Road

    829 ft · 17 sec · Windy Bottem Road

  7. 7

    Turn straight onto West Seldon Road

    3.7 mi · 5 min · West Seldon Road

  8. 8

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward North Lucille Street

    4 m · 1 sec · North Lucille Street

  9. 9

    Exit the roundabout onto North Lucille Street

    2.2 mi · 4 min · North Lucille Street

  10. 10

    At the end of the road, turn left onto East Parks Highway

    8.2 mi · 11 min · East Parks Highway

  11. 11

    Continue on Glenn Highway

    33.1 mi · 38 min · Glenn Highway

  12. 12

    Continue on East 5th Avenue

    1.5 mi · 3 min · East 5th Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Gambell Street

    1.1 mi · 3 min · Gambell Street

  14. 14

    Continue on Seward Highway

    87.9 mi · 1 hr 46 min · Seward Highway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right

    57 mi · 1 hr 23 min

  16. 16

    Turn right

    86 m · 21 sec

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Meadow Lakes and Soldotna.

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
17 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
0 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Seward Highway
145 mi · 74%
Glenn Highway
33.1 mi · 17%
East Parks Highway
8.23 mi · 4%
West Seldon Road
3.65 mi · 2%
North Lucille Street
2.25 mi · 1%
East 5th Avenue
1.48 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 19m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+104 mi
92.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Girdwood
02h 09m from Meadow Lakes
Leave By
8:22 AM AKDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Light Snow leaving Meadow Lakes and Chance Rain And Snow then Rain And Snow Likely near Soldotna.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Meadow Lakes to Soldotna?

The road trip is about 196.5 miles (316.3 km) and usually takes 04h 19m 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 98 miles from Meadow Lakes and 98.5 miles from Soldotna.

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

The direct path is about 92.5 miles (148.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 104 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 8:22 AM AKDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.31 one way or $68.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Light Snow around Meadow Lakes and Chance Rain And Snow then Rain And Snow Likely near Soldotna.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Meadow Lakes and Soldotna. Straight-line distance: 92.44 mi (148.76 km).

Meadow Lakes

#1 Meadow Lakes

Census designated place in Alaska, United States

Population7,570
Coordinates61.6247200, -149.6011100
Altitude116
CountryUnited States
Soldotna

#2 Soldotna

City in Alaska, USA

Population4,790
Coordinates60.4877800, -151.0583300
Altitude33
CountryUnited States
Start: Meadow Lakes (-149.60111, 61.62472)
End: Soldotna (-151.05833, 60.48778)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 316 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 32m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 54m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 55m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 16m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 48m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 27m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.93 gal
26.25 L · about $34.31
Round trip
$68.62
13.86 gal · 52.5 L
Estimated CO2
61.6 kg one way
Round trip: 123.2 kg / 272 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $34.31 $68.62
Mid-grade $5.34 $36.99 $73.98
Premium $5.57 $38.57 $77.14
Diesel $6.37 $44.12 $88.23

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 · Apr 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Meadow Lakes and Soldotna. The current time is 06:11:53.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

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