How far is Meadow Lakes, AK from Valdez, AK?
The driving distance from Meadow Lakes, AK to Valdez, AK is about 272.5 miles (438.5 km), with a travel time of about 05h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 112.9 miles (181.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 22m 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 05h 41m.
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.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Light Snow
Rain And Snow Likely then Rain And Snow
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Meadow Lakes and Valdez.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Meadow Lakes and Valdez.
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1
Start on the route
69 m · 17 sec
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2
Continue on Hess Lake Road
697 ft · 36 sec · Hess Lake Road
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3
Turn left onto Starr Road
1420 ft · 1 min · Starr Road
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4
Turn right onto Wyoming Drive
1416 ft · 1 min · Wyoming Drive
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5
Turn left onto Beverly Lake Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Beverly Lake Road
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6
Continue on Windy Bottem Road
829 ft · 17 sec · Windy Bottem Road
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7
Turn straight onto West Seldon Road
3.7 mi · 5 min · West Seldon Road
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8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East Seldon Road
27 m · 2 sec · East Seldon Road
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9
Exit the roundabout onto East Seldon Road
4 mi · 6 min · East Seldon Road
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10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East Bogard Road
21 m · 4 sec · East Bogard Road
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11
Exit the roundabout onto East Bogard Road
3.1 mi · 5 min · East Bogard Road
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12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Trunk Road
74 m · 4 sec · Trunk Road
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13
Exit the roundabout onto Trunk Road
2.2 mi · 3 min · Trunk Road
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14
Turn right onto Palmer-Fishhook Road
2.4 mi · 3 min · Palmer-Fishhook Road
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15
At the end of the road, turn left onto Glenn Highway
137.7 mi · 2 hr 51 min · Glenn Highway
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16
At the end of the road, turn right onto Richardson Highway
117.1 mi · 2 hr 21 min · Richardson Highway
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17
Continue on East Egan Avenue
2134 ft · 38 sec · East Egan Avenue
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18
Turn right onto East Pioneer Drive
661 ft · 20 sec · East Pioneer Drive
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19
Turn right
5 m · 1 sec
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Meadow Lakes and Valdez.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Glenn Highway
At the end of the road, turn left onto Glenn Highway
138 mi · 02h 51m
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 Snow leaving Meadow Lakes and Rain And Snow Likely then Rain And Snow near Valdez.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Meadow Lakes to Valdez?
The road trip is about 272.5 miles (438.5 km) and usually takes 05h 41m 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?
Lazy Mountain is a useful midpoint, sitting about 135.8 miles from Meadow Lakes and 136.6 miles from Valdez.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 112.9 miles (181.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 159.6 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 5:38 AM AKDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $47.58 one way or $95.16 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 85.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Snow around Meadow Lakes and Rain And Snow Likely then Rain And Snow near Valdez.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Meadow Lakes and Valdez. Straight-line distance: 112.93 mi (181.74 km).
#1 Meadow Lakes
Census designated place in Alaska, United States
| Population | 7,570 |
| Coordinates | 61.6247200, -149.6011100 |
| Altitude | 116 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Valdez
City in Alaska, USA
| Population | 3,843 |
| Coordinates | 61.1308300, -146.3483300 |
| Altitude | 30 |
| Country | United States |
End: Valdez (-146.34833, 61.13083)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 438 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 53m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 23m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $47.58 | $95.16 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $51.30 | $102.60 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $53.49 | $106.98 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $61.18 | $122.35 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.