The major difference between the Alaska Highway and interstates in the Lower 48 is that services, including gas, lodging and restaurants, are farther apart and in some places requires a little forethought. Travelers are advised to check road reports ahead of time. For more information on specific driving routes and highway information, visit www. Escape to the transformative natural beauty of Alaska.
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Driving the Alaska Highway in Winter The best driving conditions, most hours of daylight, and most visitor services can be found on the Alaska Highway from May through September. More Details. View All. Statewide More Details. A big, beautiful state. Of mind. Start your adventure today. Get Inspired. See photos, videos, trip ideas, suggestions from Alaskans and more. For many Americans, one of the hardest aspects of driving to Alaska is not having everyday things right at their fingertips.
With an Alaskan road trip, travelers need to strategically plan out their day a bit more than in the lower Internet access and cell phone coverage are limited.
For most people, it may take a few days before they adjust to this pace. The route from Banff to Jasper is known as the Icefields Parkway and is considered to be one of the most impressive drives in the world. Driving can be challenging here. Just try to keep your eyes on the road and drive slowly. For example, we had a huge bear jump over the guardrail and run right in front of our vehicle as it darted across the highway! The route ends in Delta Junction, Alaska. However, the adventure will be far from over once you arrive.
Soak it all in. The trip is not as remote and dangerous as you probably would first think but it is still important to take the proper precautions. You should know these 16 things before driving to Alaska:. This drive is incredibly popular for independent travelers seeking outstanding scenery, unique cultural attractions, adventurous tours, and unforgettable experiences.
There are numerous things to see and do in the towns of Whitehorse and Haines Junction. Besides those two towns, there are seven highlights to visit, from south to north, along the Alaska Highway, including:. Some fun excursions include a 2. Pretty much any vehicle is capable of making the trip to Alaska— even a motorcycle!
In construction zones there may be many miles of gravel where the road is being repaired or upgraded. Usually in these sections one direction of cars will go at a time behind a pilot car. There can be a long wait at times for the pilot car. In addition to construction, watch out for wildlife especially moose and watch your speed to avoid a collision.
Frost heaves and potholes pop up at times and are usually marked with temporary orange signs in Canada. Fuel is more expensive and gas stations and not as frequent as they are in other areas. For the most part, you will be driving out of cell coverage when you are not in a town.
Some small towns also do not have cell phone service. This is true in British Columbia especially the further north you go , the Yukon and Alaska. Another important note is that the majority of your drive will be in Canada, so contact your cell phone provider to find out how much it will cost to use your phone there, including data charges.
This is important as it can be very expensive! I have T-Mobile, which does not charge for roaming in Canada or Mexico fantastic perk! You may also be able to get a temporary international plan through your provider, but make sure to make a plan for this in advance!
Also check with your provider about specific locations where cell phone service is available. Do not count on having the internet to look up your options on yelp. You need The Milepost to be your guide and let you know what lodging or camping is available on your route!
If you prefer vacation rentals or chain hotels, these are available in the bigger towns along the Alaska Highway, such as Prince George and Whitehorse. My perferred way to drive to Alaska is to do a combination of camping and roadhouses. Roadhouses are a really fun, affordable and unique way to spend your nights along the drive.
More on this below. Road houses in Alaska, the Yukon Territory and Northern British Columbia are generally small, family run establishments. Sometimes there are in or near a town, other times they are out on their own far from the nearest town. They often do not have wifi or cell phone service and are usually in stunning locations.
They always have atmosphere and usually terrific food. Typically there will be a restaurant and some rooms. Occasionally there are also cabins or camping on site. Some are more like rustic lodges and others more like motels.
Camping is an affordable way to travel the Alaska Highway and gives you a lot of flexibility in where you stop for the night. Plan on stopping early for the night to make sure you get a spot, especially further south in British Columbia and Alberta. In addition, there are many private campgrounds and RV parks that welcome tents as well. Some private campgrounds and RV parks offer showers and laundry. The Alaska Highway is a wonderful place to see wildlife, particularly moose and bears.
Keep your eyes out and watch your speed, especially around moose! For moose viewing, keep your eyes out along the sides of the road, especially when there are marshy or brushy areas or lakes near the road. Northern British Columbia, the Yukon territory and Alaska are all places where you may see moose. The Cassiar Highway is the place where I have seen the most bears on the drive to Alaska.
Even if you take a different route, you have a good chance of seeing a bear. It is important that you follow all recommended bear safety procedures , especially when camping or hiking. Follow all post signs and warnings related to wildlife. The most important thing is to never, ever leave food out when you are not actively eating it. Keep it locked in your vehicle. There are also different kinds of wild sheep that you may see, as well as many birds and other mammals such as foxes and maybe even a lynx.
There are so many fun and quirky things to do along the Alaska Highway! Way too many to list in this article. This is one reason why taking your time makes it a lot more fun. Make sure to have the Milepost with you as it will have literally every single thing you might want to stop for. These are a few of my favorite stops and side trips on the drive to Alaska:.
Any reliable road worthy vehicle will be totally fine to drive to Alaska. Its overall reliability is much more important than any specific capabilities like 4 wheel drive or all wheel drive.
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