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

The driving distance from Valdez, AK to Meadow Lakes, AK is about 271.8 miles (437.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 47m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 112.9 miles (181.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 35m 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
271.81 mi
04h 47m
Flight
112.93 mi
181.74 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Valdez.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
112.93 mi
Kilometers
181.74 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
271.81 mi
Kilometers
437.43 km
Drive Time
04h 47m

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 47m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Meadow Lakes
Sun, Apr 19, 8:20 AM AKDT
Return by in Valdez
Sun, Apr 19, 1:08 PM AKDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Valdez
2026-04-19T03:32
Arrive Meadow Lakes
Sun, Apr 19, 8:20 AM AKDT
Route Timing
04h 47m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM AKDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:48 AM to 12:48 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
7:24 AM AKDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Valdez
9:00 PM AKDT
Early departure recommended

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
Lazy Mountain
AK

Census designated place

From Valdez
135.8 mi
02h 23m
To Meadow Lakes
136 mi
02h 23m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
37°F
Sunday

Rain And Snow Likely then Rain And Snow

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
5 mph S
Destination
45°F
Sunday

Chance Light Snow

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
5 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    5 m · 7 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left onto East Pioneer Drive

    661 ft · 23 sec · East Pioneer Drive

  3. 3

    Turn left onto East Egan Avenue

    2134 ft · 36 sec · East Egan Avenue

  4. 4

    Continue on Richardson Highway

    117.1 mi · 2 hr 21 min · Richardson Highway

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Glenn Highway

    137.7 mi · 2 hr 51 min · Glenn Highway

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Palmer-Fishhook Road

    2.4 mi · 3 min · Palmer-Fishhook Road

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Trunk Road

    2.2 mi · 3 min · Trunk Road

  8. 8

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward East Bogard Road

    5 m · 1 sec · East Bogard Road

  9. 9

    Exit the roundabout onto East Bogard Road

    3.1 mi · 5 min · East Bogard Road

  10. 10

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East Seldon Road

    15 m · 3 sec · East Seldon Road

  11. 11

    Exit the roundabout onto East Seldon Road

    4 mi · 6 min · East Seldon Road

  12. 12

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward West Seldon Road

    25 m · 1 sec · West Seldon Road

  13. 13

    Exit the roundabout onto West Seldon Road

    3.7 mi · 5 min · West Seldon Road

  14. 14

    Continue on Windy Bottem Road

    829 ft · 17 sec · Windy Bottem Road

  15. 15

    Continue on Beverly Lake Road

    1.5 km · 2 min · Beverly Lake Road

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Wyoming Drive

    1416 ft · 1 min · Wyoming Drive

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Starr Road

    1420 ft · 1 min · Starr Road

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Hess Lake Road

    922 ft · 47 sec · Hess Lake Road

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
19 steps
14 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
0 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Glenn Highway
138 mi · 51%
Richardson Highway
117 mi · 43%
East Seldon Road
3.98 mi · 1%
West Seldon Road
3.67 mi · 1%
East Bogard Road
3.06 mi · 1%
Palmer-Fishhook Road
2.44 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Glenn Highway

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.

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 47m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+158.9 mi
112.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lazy Mountain
02h 23m from Valdez
Leave By
7:24 AM AKDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 271.8 miles (437.4 km) and usually takes 04h 47m 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 Valdez and 136 miles from Meadow Lakes.

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 158.9 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 7:24 AM AKDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $47.48 one way or $94.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 85.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Valdez and Meadow Lakes. Straight-line distance: 112.93 mi (181.74 km).

Valdez

#1 Valdez

City in Alaska, USA

Population3,843
Coordinates61.1308300, -146.3483300
Altitude30
CountryUnited States
Meadow Lakes

#2 Meadow Lakes

Census designated place in Alaska, United States

Population7,570
Coordinates61.6247200, -149.6011100
Altitude116
CountryUnited States
Start: East Pioneer Drive (-146.348315, 61.130873)
End: Hess Lake Road (-149.598156, 61.621245)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 437 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 03m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 47m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 31m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 52m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 23m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.59 gal
36.31 L · about $47.48
Round trip
$94.96
19.18 gal · 72.62 L
Estimated CO2
85.2 kg one way
Round trip: 170.5 kg / 376 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $47.48 $94.96
Mid-grade $5.34 $51.19 $102.38
Premium $5.57 $53.38 $106.76
Diesel $6.37 $61.05 $122.10

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 Valdez and Meadow Lakes. The current time is 03:32:56.

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.