Drive to Alaska

[nakneker]

I did it in 1977 at the age of 20. Left Oregon in June to go up, and finally headed south from Fairbanks coming home in September. Trip of a lifetime. Drove over 10,000 miles on the trip, an lived in my 1973 F150, short wheelbase pick-up with a cab-high canopy. My only companion was my bird dog Sue, and whoever I met along the way, which were many fine folks.

It was one of the best and most memorable experiences of my life, and I thank God above that I did it. My best times started after I reached the Yukon Territory, and that's when I really started feeling the sense of the wild north country. The Alcan Highway was almost completely un-paved at that time, and in June was HORRIBLE. It was a given that your vehicle was never gonna be the same again.

From what I see and hear, things are very different now, and many places are more accessible and of course populated. I had the opportunity to stay there, and my life would have been very different if I had -- but it wasn't to be.

I could still go on for hours and bore anyone with the things that I did, the people I met, and the times that we had. It was the perfect trip for a kid who liked to rough it. Maybe you guys are a couple of kids like that, even though you're pushin seventy. jd

I've always encouraged anyone to go to Alaska when the topic comes up. I've never met a anyone who regretted it!

 

[drover]

I have driven it three times, 1998, 2003, 2007 - I am planning to do it again in a couple of years.

Suggestions - Get a copy of The Milepost, you can order it on-line and quite often larger book stores will have it in stock.
It points out a lot of historical facts of interest on the highway, list businesses, and is generally a good informative read. The only thing I have noticed is that since it is printed a year in advance that some of the businesses advertised may no longer be in business.

The Alcan is better than most of our two-lane roads in Idaho, you will hit stretches with construction, just the way it is in country that has lots of freezing an thawing - it is hard on paved surfaces.

If you plan on taking firearms it is relatively simple, go to the Canadian Firearms Center website and all the info is there.

If you like an "adult beverage" in the evening then I suggest you take some with you because prices in BC and Yukon are extremely high compared to what we pay here for alcoholic beverages. The amount allowed is fairly generous.

Give yourself enough time to stop and see everything that interests you, especially since this is probably a once in a lifetime trip for you. They are lots of small museums, points of interest, and amazing scenery, so allow time to take it in.

Final and most important suggestion - be sure that you and your traveling partner are very compatible. It is a long trip and being cooped up in a vehicle someone for that long can play havoc if you are not compatible, I have seen some friendships tested when traveling that many miles together.

edited to add - Fuel prices. You will be pleasantly surprised when you see fuel (gasoline) advertised at 94.9 cents, or whatever it happens to be at that time, but that is per Liter - not gallon. But you won't be so happy when you figure out that is nearer $3.50 per gallon. The good news is that if you are driving a diesel rig that diesel is generally less per gallon than gasoline, unless that has changed in the last few years.

Credit card / cash - I use a credit card whenever possible, that way you will get the current exchange rate. Take some Canadian cash though because there will be instances when credit cards may not be taken.

Return trip - if possible, on your return trip take the Cassiar highway. It is a little rougher, more remote, fewer services, generally more wildlife, it will somewhat give you a feel for what the Alcan used to be like.

drover

 

[jds holler]

Suggestions - Get a copy of The Milepost, you can order it on-line and quite often larger book stores will have it in stock.

I would concur with "The Milepost". It gives ya a mile by mile list of things that ya want to watch for and maybe check out. Probably even more important now than it was in the day when we might have been driving 30 mph instead of 50.

Another suggestion would be to take the book, "Klondike", with you and read it while you are there. It was a great pleasure for me, and really brought a sense of realism to the historical places that I visited.

One of the greatest (and stupidest) things that I did - in the Yukon- was letting a guy talk me into sticking my little aluminum boat in the Yukon river and floating a stretch. What was about an inch on the map, turned out to be about a hundred miles of winding riverbends that took us till two in the morning to reach a place where we could take out. God watches over fools, and miraculously his girlfriend was waiting with my rig, and ready to kill us when we arrived. jd

 

[nmkid]

As mentioned before...Get the milepost!! If you go to Anchorage...Look for Gwennies(?spelling) restaurant. Go for breakfast and order the reindeer sausage omlette .

 

[jpx2rk]

I'm envious you're talking & planning a trip like this. I've thought about it, and said I would like to do it, see AK, etc., but that's as far as I've gone with it so far. Go for it and ENJOY !

 

[philip brousseau]

also on the way out of the u.s. ask customs about returning with your firearms. you may have a problem if not declared .

 

[Prose]

I went from San Antonio to Fairbanks back in 2008. Amazing journey. Lots of non-resident hunts in Alaska are still by lottery, so visit the website early to ensure you register in time. Something is always open somewhere, but you need to be guided as a non-resident in many areas which can run over $10K a person if you're looking for trophies (fly-in, full service).

Guideposts is great, I just sold mine the other day. You may say "but I have a smartphone?!" Well you ain't gonna wanna use that in Canada Eh as that rogers guy is gonna get you. Leave the phone off.

If you can get an Alaska Resident to sponsor your hunt, you can go unguided, so I'd be hitting up that search function looking for someone that wants to sponsor you.

 

[Willie]

I took that trip in 1949. No, I'm not a hundred years old. My Mom and Dad did the driving, so I don't remember all the hardships they endured on the old road. I was one year old, so I assume I slept most of the way from Anchorage to Texas.

My Dad fell in love with Alaska when stationed on Kodiak, during WW2. He later went back to Anchorage and worked for the Alaskan Railroad. They lived in Willow, near Anchorage, until I came along.
The story was that my Dad and a friend found enough gold to quit their jobs, so I was born Alaskan and raised Texan. Got that
"Which is the biggest state" deal covered.

I have thought many, many times how I would like to make that drive with my sons, but it never worked out. I did have a coastal brownie hunt scheduled back in 1982, but the outfitter lost his boat in a storm and had to cancel my trip. Life got busy and I never made another attempt.

I admire the OP and his buddy for making plans to drive that road. I'm sure it's far better than in '49.

 

[drover]

also on the way out of the u.s. ask customs about returning with your firearms. you may have a problem if not declared .

Yes, this is a must do. If you taking firearms out of the US you need to have the inspected by US Customs prior to leaving the US, and fill out the appropriate form, otherwise you will have an issue when trying to bring them back into the US.

I think I mentioned it earlier but you will need to do Canadian Customs paperwork in order to take them into Canada also.

drover

 

[JRS]

I hope you are driving something roomy enough to be comfortable.

 

[Eddie Harren]

I hope you are driving something roomy enough to be comfortable.

I'd recommend a "Smart Car".

 

[dbduff]

Another option would be to drive to Bellingham WA and put your vehicle on the ferry and go up through the inside passage. You stop at many of the islands on the way up. Not cheap but spectular. I can highly recomend it.

I'd second the Bellingham or Port Washington car ferry to Skagway. Gorgeous and easy way to give a break from the driving you will have done just to get there. Did it in reverse from NY state with buddy pulling a freight canoe about 10 years ago. You'll never regret the trip!
D

 

[CharlieNC]

I hope you are driving something roomy enough to be comfortable.

Oh yea. My 2008 Tundra has been to south Fla, Newfy, and Rockies a number of times. With 380hp and 4x4 its tough yet comfy. Last year a shell was added onto the bed for additional cargo capacity. I would have no reservations heading cross country in it tomorrow, well after a new set of tires.

A lot of great input! Now we face a major decision about the trip.

 

[Bocephus]

Much to the dismay of many naysayers I made the trip by pickup a few years back. Photoed 11 grizzlies, 9 blacks in the Yukon in two days. Could have spent the entire summer in Yellowstone and/or Glacier without that kind of success. Getting through customs(firearms of any kind will put you under the microscope, handguns will put you in the pokey!) ain't an interview, it is an interrogation.
Afterwards, if you are respectful of their local laws and ordinances, expect zero hassle. If you are friendly, most of the folks respond in kind.

Here are a few suggestions:
-Forget fresh fruit or veggies when crossing the border. It ain't happening...either way.
-Buy your bear spray AFTER you cross the border.
-Expect EVERYTHING to cost 30-100% more than the states.
-The roads are generally good, but topping rises and blasting through curves can get you in tough stuff fast, due to frost heave(I broke a rear leaf spring).
-Provincial campgrounds are fairly frequent and were fine by me
-Expect to meet lots of Europeans. A lot on BMW bikes.
-Bring good cameras, lots of cards, and ample first aid equipment. It can be a long way to anywhere.
-Assume your cell phone will NOT work in Canada unless you have an international plan. After you get to Alaska, it should be a go. Take a laptop and/or tablet. All McD's(scarce after you leave Alberta) had free WiFi. Most independently owned restuarants also had service...after you made a purchase.

Bottom line: If you establish the mindset that your purpose is the "trip" and not the "destination" you will be amazed every day.

Best,
Alan

 

[BP1]

Me my son and his grandfather are leaving from San Antonio the first part of Next month and spending 7 days in anchorage,plan on doing some fishing and site seeing while we're there and it's only SUPPOSED to take 9hrs to get there,yeah we're flying one stop in Seattle to refuel.I have heard it's really beautiful there just take some off with us.