Can You Drive to Alaska Without Going Through Canada

How to Drive to Alaska: Everything y'all need to Know

Posted On Feb 22, 2021

If yous're ready for the ballsy road trip adventure of a lifetime, and so a bulldoze to Alaska on the Alaska Highway just might exist for you! I've driven the Alaska Highway half-dozen times and this commodity will tell you everything you need to know to decide if this road trip is right for yous and everything you demand to know to plan your trip. I've also included a few of my favorite stops and side trips along the fashion!

This is a long commodity with lots of information. If you're looking for something specific, use these links to find what you lot're looking for rapidly:

• Is driving to Alaska worth it?
• When is the best time to drive to Alaska?
• What parts of Alaska can you bulldoze to?
• How much does information technology price to bulldoze to Alaska?
• Tin can y'all drive to Alaska without going to Canada?
• How long does information technology take to drive to Alaska?
• What'south the best route to take?
• What are road weather like?
• Is there cell phone service on the drive to Alaska?
• Where can you slumber along the way (including camping)?
• Wild animals you might encounter
• The all-time stops and things to practice on your road trip to Alaska
• Preparing your vehicle
• What to pack for your road trip to Alaska

Autumn 2022 annotation: Canada has opened its edge to fully vaccinated travelers from most other countries. A negative test and using the ArriveCAN app is likewise required. Read all the details hither.

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase I may receive a small-scale commission at no additional cost to you lot. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

Is Driving to Alaska Worth it?

The Alaska Highway near Muncho Lake British Columbia. Photo Credit: Northern BC Tourism/Andrew Strain

Driving to Alaska MIGHT be worth information technology, or it might not. It is certainly a beautiful scenic drive and epic road trip adventure! It is besides a long drive that takes a lot of time.

A few questions to ask yourself to help you decide if driving to Alaska is worth information technology or not for you:

• Do I love road trips? Like Really beloved them. If and then, then y'all'll probably honey this Canada and Alaska road trip take chances!
• Do I love Canada? Or do I want to discover out if I honey Canada? Most of the drive will exist through Canada!
• Do I need my car while I'g in Alaska? This might be the situation if y'all are moving to Alaska, moving there for seasonal work, or if fourth dimension is non an issue on your trip only money is. Driving your car to Alaska may be cheaper than renting a car when you go far, especially for a longer trip. Car rental is expensive in Alaska. If you have the time, you may be able to save money if you travel in your ain automobile.
• Am I adaptable and exercise I have a sense of take chances? This is a road trip where things won't e'er go as expected. You might need to modify your program near where you're staying or how many days you are on the road.
• Practise I have at least a month for my trip? I but recommend driving to Alaska if you lot have at to the lowest degree a calendar month for your trip. Possibly 2-iii weeks if you lot can share the trip with someone else and accept each of you drive ane way. For a shorter trip, wing and rent a car!
• Am I considering the drive to Alaska function of the trip? If y'all think of the drive as part of your trip, information technology'south wonderful! If you are just going fast to attempt to become there, it'southward a long, hard slog.

When is the All-time time to Drive to Alaska?

September forth the Alaska Highway near Haines Junction, Yukon. Photo Credit: Government of Yukon/Derek Crowe

The short answer is, whenever yous have time! The highway is open all year, though there can be significant delays in winter and not everything is open up. Yous also demand to exist very self sufficient and prepared for extreme cold in winter. I'll assume for this article you're planning to bulldoze during the summer (June-Baronial) or the shoulder season (mid April through May or September).

Yous can run across snowfall and ice as late as mid May and equally early on every bit early on September, so proceed this in listen if you're driving during those months.

Almost everything along the highway is open up from mid May through early on September.

Construction happens all summertime and shoulder season, then you can't really avoid that unless yous're driving in the winter. Bugs volition exist about intense in June and July, though you may come across them earlier in the summer as well, and peradventure later depending on how dry out and cold the late summer is.

If you lot want to see the Northern Lights on your trip, and then plan your drive to Alaska for late Baronial or September, when it'southward night plenty to see them!

In most of Alaska, the Yukon and Northern BC, it doesn't become dark at night in May, June, July or early on August. The further south you go, the more darkness there is.

What parts of Alaska can you Drive to?

Yous can drive to the parts of Alaska that are on the road system, including Anchorage, Fairbanks and Denali National Park. In Alaska, there are many communities that are not on the road system at all and can only be reached by plane or boat.

Alaska's state capitol of Juneau is the just state capitol in the United States that y'all cannot drive to. Yous can bring a automobile to Juneau, only you would need to drive to Skagway or Haines and take the ferry to Juneau. The Alaska Marine Highway System (the Alaska state ferry) serves many towns in the Within Passage of southeast Alaska besides every bit Southwest and Southcentral Alaska.

Y'all can bring a vehicle on the ferry with a reservation. You can also take the ferry from Bellingham in Washington State as far every bit Haines or Skagway to encounter up with the road organization.

How much does it cost to Drive to Alaska?

The cost of driving to Alaska can vary quite a bit based on:

1. The type of vehicle y'all are driving and information technology's gas mileage
2. Whether you camp or stay in roadhouses or hotels forth the way (or a mixture of the two)
3. The substitution rate between the Canadian and U.s. Dollar

Look to pay more for gas in Canada than in the US and fifty-fifty more for gas in remote areas. You lot"ll be paying at least xx% more for gas. If you're in a remote role of British Columbia equally much equally fifty% more. In Canada, gas is sold by the liter (instead of gallons) and you'll exist paying in Canadian dollars. Between these two, information technology can be difficult for an American to figure out how much they're really spending. The most important thing is to upkeep enough for gas that you don't get tempted to bulldoze on to find cheaper gas. This might result in yous running out of gas, which is no fun!

When you upkeep for your trip, the most important office volition be how much time yous're spending in Alaska and where you are staying. This mail has all my recommendations for saving money on a trip to Alaska, including how to budget.

Yous tin can salve money by camping along the way if you're a camper. I like to camp but I have usually separate my nights betwixt camping and hotels. Setting upward camp in a new location each mean solar day takes a lot of time. If you're taking your fourth dimension camping each night will be no trouble. The sleeping department below has more data on camping, roadhouses and hotels.

Can you Drive to Alaska without going through Canada?

No.

You volition definitely be driving through Canada if you drive to Alaska. In fact, nigh of your drive will be in Canada. Your drive includes British Columbia and the Yukon as well equally Alberta if you are coming from further east. Information technology is your responsibility to research the most upwardly to date rules regarding entry to Canada and Canadian road rules. A few of the important things to know include:

• Yous will need a passport. If you are a Us Citizen and resident of Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York or Vermont yous can get and use an enhanced commuter's license to cantankerous the land border between the Us and Canada in a motorcar. Yous can also use a NEXUS pass if you lot take one.
• There are some items you cannot send beyond the edge, or are restricted. It is your responsibleness to research this and declare any items that require it (such as booze and fresh produce, among others).
• If you are traveling with a pet, you will need a current health certificate including proof of an upwardly to date rabies vaccine.
• If you are traveling with a kid, but both parents are non present, accept a alphabetic character from the other parent stating information technology is ok to cross the border with a child
• United states of america Citizens with Driving Nether the Influence convictions and some other convictions may exist denied entry into Canada.
• Prices in Canada will be in Canadian Dollars. Many places will accept American money, merely y'all will get modify in Canadian Dollars. The best fashion to handle this is to stop at a Canadian ATM and go some Canadian cash. You tin as well utilize your debit or credit card (check with your bank about foreign transaction fees that may be charged).
• Gas in Canada is sold past the liter, not the gallon
• Speed and speed limits are in kilometers per 60 minutes, not miles per hour
• Distances are listed in kilometers, not miles.
• There is a one 60 minutes time alter between Alaska and Canada.
• Check with your insurance company to make sure y'all are covered while driving in Canada.

How Long Does it Take to Bulldoze to Alaska?

I recommend spending a week to drive to Alaska from Seattle. Fifty-fifty longer if you lot want to spend some time at any places forth the style or if you lot're coming from further away in the The states. This trip is long, over 2200 miles from Seattle! If you're not going to make the journey part of your trip, I highly recommend flying at that place instead and renting a car. For comparison, this is about the same distance as driving from Seattle to Indianapolis or Edmonton to Ottawa.

The drive to Alaska is not fun if you're only trying to get at that place as fast as possible! There are a few things that make this road trip slower than most and more fun if y'all're taking your fourth dimension, including

• Structure – you lot will run into places with delays sometimes of an hour or more in construction zones
• Two lane road – The Alaska Highway is in good condition, however it's a two lane road and there can exist a lot of RVs on information technology in the summer which tend to exist driving a flake slower. Passing lanes and safe passing areas are around, just some sections don't accept as many
• Wild animals – you'll want to stop and spend a few minutes when you lot come across wildlife, just y'all as well need to sentinel your speed and follow the speed limit which will assistance you avoid a collision with wildlife which is extremely dangerous for both you and them (especially with moose).
• Frost heaves – one of the reasons there'southward lots of construction forth the Alaska Highway is considering the harsh winters are hard on the roads. In Northern BC, the Yukon and Alaska you can hit sudden frost heaves, which are like speed bumps merely less anticipated. Hitting them also fast can impairment your vehicle.
• Stopping at some of the interesting and beautiful places forth the way (see more on this below)

What is the Best route to take to Drive to Alaska?

There are three primary access routes when you drive to Alaska. They all converge in the southern part of Canada'south Yukon Territory, near the town of Watson Lake. Between Watson Lake and Tok, Alaska, there is really simply one way to go. This department will talk about the different admission routes and and then the different places you can go once you lot striking the Alaska border. The things to practise section later in this article discusses highlights and what non to miss on each section of the drive to Alaska.

Make sure that you get your copy of the electric current year'due south Milepost to requite you all the details about every single route in Alaska, the Yukon and well-nigh in British Columbia. Don't count on having a telephone signal!

If you are driving both ways, consider going one way on the Cassiar and the other through the Canadian Rockies.

Cassiar Highway

This road is the shortest distance to drive to Alaska from Seattle and Portland (about 100 miles shorter than the west admission route described beneath). It is likely to take longer yet, since the Cassiar Highway is slow and very remote.

This route is best for those who want to get away from information technology all. It's also excellent for seeing wild animals. Make sure yous are comfortable driving in very remote areas without services.

To accept this road to bulldoze to Alaska, start in Seattle and follow the Trans Canada Highway (Highway one) east around Vancouver. Follow the Trans Canada Highway equally far as Cache Creek. At Cache Creek, go on due north on Highway 97 towards Prince George. In Prince George, have the Yellowhead Highway (Highway 16) west towards Prince Rupert. The Cassiar Highway takes off to the correct (northward) as Highway 37 between Smithers and Terrace. Take the Cassiar Highway through Northern BC's beautiful wilderness until you come across upwardly with the Alaska Highway but later on crossing the edge into the Yukon Territory, merely due west of Watson Lake.

Total driving distance from Seattle to the BC/Yukon border on the Cassiar Highway Route is merely over 1300 miles.

Due west Access Route and Alaska Highway

This is the all-time route for anyone coming from the W Declension of the The states who prefers to avert the more than remote Cassiar Highway in favor of the yet-remote-but-less-so road.

This route is the same as above as far as the town of Prince George in Northern British Columbia. Continue beyond Prince George on Highway 97. If you lot don't care about the sign that tells you you are at the start of the Alaska Highway, take the cut off and save 25 miles. Otherwise, continue into the town of Dawson Creek, the official start of the Alaska Highway. You're withal on BC Highway 97, but at present y'all're officially on the Alaska Highway!

Total driving altitude from Seattle to where the Cassiar meets the Alaska Highway on this road is merely under 1400 miles.

East Access Route and Alaska Highway through the Canadian Rockies or Calgary

If y'all're coming from the Rocky Mount Westward, the Midwest, the South or the East Declension, then the best route for you is to come through the Canadian Rockies or Calgary, Alberta.

Yous have a few options hither. The fastest way is to have the shortest route to Calgary, then the Red Deer Pike northward of the Canadian Rockies National Parks to meet up with the start of the Alaska Highway in Dawson Creek, British Columbia.

Many people like to include a trip to Glacier National Park and the Canadian National Parks of Banff and Jasper on to their drive to Alaska. It's a little more than out of the way if yous're coming from the West Coast, but it's almost on the way for those coming from the rest of the US. You can visit those parks (along with the less visited but my personal favorite, Canada's Kootenay National Park) and then head n from Jasper to Grand Prairie to come across upwards with the start of the Alaska Highway in Dawson Creek.

Total driving distance from Missoula, MT to where the Cassiar meets the Alaska Highway on this route is well-nigh 1500 miles. The distance going through the parks is nearly the aforementioned, just information technology takes longer.

Alaska Highway through the Canada's Yukon Territory to Tok, Alaska

This office of the drive to Alaska is very straightforward because you're on the Alaska Highway and there'southward actually simply one way to go (unless you lot take some side trips like upwards to Dawson City, which is awesome but y'all might non have fourth dimension for!).

You'll drive through the southern part of the Yukon Territory, including Whitehorse. If you're heading to Southeast Alaska, y'all'll turn off sooner (see below) than if you're headed to Anchorage or Fairbanks. For Anchorage or Fairbanks, keep heading upwards the Alaska Highway, passing by Kluane National Park and entering Alaska at Beaver Creek.

Total Driving distance from Watson Lake, Yukon to Tok, Alaska is about 650 miles.

Whitehorse to Southeast Alaska (Skagway and Haines)

If you lot're heading to Skagway, you'll head s on the Klondike Highway in Whitehorse. If you're going to Haines, you lot'll head s on the Haines Highway from Haines Junction. Both Skagway and Haines are wonderful places to visit and you tin can also catch the ferry to take your car to other parts of Southeast Alaska that are not accessible by route. Learn more virtually riding the Alaska ferry here.

Tok to Anchorage or Fairbanks

Once you lot make it in Tok, you'll become a different management to go to Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula than Fairbanks and Denali National Park. By the mode, you can make a loop driving the Parks Highway between Anchorage and Fairbanks.

For Anchorage, you'll caput south and due west from Tok towards Glennallen and the Glenn Highway, taking you lot to Anchorage in virtually 320 miles.

For Fairbanks, you lot'll head north and due west through Delta Junction for nigh 200 miles. If you lot're heading to Denali National Park, head to Fairbanks and then south on the Parks Highway for another 120 miles.

Bank check out my Alaska itineraries for contained travelers for ideas on how to build your road trip one time you are in Alaska!

What are Road Conditions Like on the Alaska Highway?

Overall the road conditions along the drive to Alaska are pretty proficient! The Alaska Highway is all paved and even some of the secondary roads are besides. There are occasionally pocket-size sections of gravel where a washout repair has happened recently, which could be up to a couple hundred yards. Some roads are gravel and in general are very well maintained.

In structure zones there may be many miles of gravel where the route is beingness repaired or upgraded. Ordinarily in these sections one management of cars will go at a time backside a pilot automobile. In that location can be a long wait at times for the pilot car.

Construction zones in the due north typically involve long stretches of gravel, often with a airplane pilot auto

In addition to structure, lookout out for wildlife (specially moose) and watch your speed to avoid a collision. Frost heaves and potholes pop upwardly at times and are normally marked with temporary orange signs in Canada.

If yous're in the addiction of going a trivial bit further for cheaper fuel, break that habit before you drive to Alaska! Fuel is more than expensive and gas stations and not every bit frequent as they are in other areas. Fuel volition be cheaper in bigger towns, so always fuel up in towns when you pass even if you don't need to stop. Don't count on being able to cheque your phone for the next fuel stop, use the Milepost for this instead.

Is at that place Jail cell Phone service along the Alaska Highway?

For the nearly function, you will be driving out of cell coverage when y'all are non in a town. Some small towns too exercise not have cell phone service. This is true in British Columbia (especially the farther north you go), the Yukon and Alaska.

Some other important note is that the bulk of your bulldoze will be in Canada, so contact your cell phone provider to find out how much it will toll to use your telephone there, including data charges. This is important as it tin can exist very expensive! I have T-Mobile, which does not charge for roaming in Canada or Mexico (fantastic perk!). You may also be able to go a temporary international plan through your provider, simply make certain to make a plan for this in advance! As well bank check with your provider near specific locations where cell phone service is available.

If you're Canadian, y'all'll need to check the same for travel in Alaska and if your provider has cell coverage and how much it costs.

Where tin can I Slumber or Army camp on the Bulldoze to Alaska?

While information technology is VERY of import to have reservations for lodging once you go far in Alaska bundled well earlier your trip, it's fine to call ahead for reservations along the highway a day or 2 in advance. Oftentimes yous tin can notice a place even without a reservation, but it's nice to know you for sure accept a identify to land at the end of the day if you're staying in a hotel, motel or roadhouse.

Do not count on having the internet to look up your options on yelp. Y'all need The Milepost to be your guide and let you know what lodging or camping is bachelor on your road!

If y'all adopt vacation rentals or chain hotels, these are available in the bigger towns along the Alaska Highway, such every bit Prince George and Whitehorse. If you're looking to stay in vacation rentals or chain hotels in bigger towns then a reservation is important. This is a good way to get if y'all want to accept wifi and cell phone service and be in towns at dark (don't presume your vacation rental has wifi or jail cell phone service if it'southward outside of boondocks).

My perferred manner to drive to Alaska is to exercise a combination of camping ground and roadhouses. I love camping and information technology's the least expensive lodging along the Alaska Highway but moving camp every nighttime for several days in a row is a drag. Roadhouses are a really fun, affordable and unique way to spend your nights forth the drive. More on this below.

Roadhouses along the Alaska Highway

Roadhouses are my favorite way to spend the dark if I'k not camping along the drive to Alaska. Route houses in Alaska, the Yukon Territory and Northern British Columbia are by and large small, family run establishments. Sometimes there are in or most a boondocks, other times they are out on their own far from the nearest town. They oftentimes exercise not have wifi or jail cell phone service and are usually in stunning locations. They always take temper and unremarkably terrific food. Typically there will exist a restaurant and some rooms. Occasionally at that place are also cabins or camping on site. Some are more like rustic lodges and others more like motels.

A couple of my all fourth dimension favorites include the quirky Toad River Lodge and the perfectly located Liard Hot Springs Social club. Although I oasis't stayed there personally, I know people rave near the Northern Rockies Lodge at Muncho Lake. The Northern Rockies Lodge is the most love lodge along the Alaska Highway.

Camping along the Alaska Highway

Camping ground is an affordable way to travel the Alaska Highway and gives yous a lot of flexibility in where you stop for the night. If you're planning on camping, read my guide to camping in Alaska which is skillful communication for the drive to Alaska too!

Programme on stopping early for the dark to make certain y'all get a spot, peculiarly farther s in British Columbia and Alberta. There are a diverseness of camping ground options ranging from British Columbia Provincial Parks to Yukon Territory Parks to Alaska Country Parks and recreation areas. In improver, at that place are many private campgrounds and RV parks that welcome tents likewise. Some private campgrounds and RV parks offer showers and laundry.

A few of my favorite campgrounds include Muncho Lake Provincial Park, Liard River Provincial Park and Kathleen Lake Campground (note this is about half an hour off the highway in Kluane National Park near Haines Junction – but it's worth it!).

What Wildlife will I see along the Alaska Highway?

The Alaska Highway is a wonderful identify to see wildlife, particularly moose and bears. Keep your eyes out and scout your speed, particularly effectually moose!

For moose viewing, go along your optics out along the sides of the road, specially 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.

If you're interested in conduct viewing, I recommend taking the Cassiar Highway. The Cassiar Highway is the place where I have seen the most bears on the drive to Alaska. Even if you take a different road, you have a good run a risk of seeing a bear. Bears inhabit all of British Columbia, the Yukon Territory and Alaska. It is important that you follow all recommended conduct safety procedures, especially when camping or hiking. Follow all postal service signs and warnings related to wildlife. The most important thing is to never, ever exit food out when y'all are not actively eating it. Keep it locked in your vehicle.

There are likewise dissimilar kinds of wild sheep that you may run into, likewise as many birds and other mammals such equally foxes and maybe even a lynx.

Wild Sheep are one of the wildlife species you lot are probable to see along the Alaska Highway. Photo Credit: Northern BC Tourism/Andrew Strain

The Best Things to do on the Alaska Highway

There are and 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 take literally every unmarried thing you might desire to terminate for. There are lots of opportunities while you're driving to see wildlife and incredible scenery too. These are a few of my favorite stops and side trips on the drive to Alaska:

Body of water to Sky Highway (W Admission Route side trip)

• Where information technology is: The Body of water to Sky Highway is the drive from Vancouver BC to Whistler BC (a side trip from the West Access Road to the Alaska Highway)
• Why it's awesome: This is one of the virtually beautiful stretches of road I've ever driven on! Drive up narrow Howe Sound to the charming town of Squamish, stopping at waterfalls and the gondola along the way.

Hells Gate Tram/Fraser River Canyon (West Access Route)

The Hell'southward Gate Tram in the Fraser Canyon. Photo Credit: Destination BC/Albert Normandin

• Where it is: On the Trans Canada Highway northward of Hope, British Columbia
• Why it's awesome: Canada seems to be full of trams and gondolas and I've never met one I didn't like! Even if you don't end, this section of the drive through the narrow Fraser Canyon is cute. The tram is a wonderful way to go out of the car and view the scenery from above

British Columbia Wineries (West Access Route)

• Where it is: There are lots of wineries throughout the primal function of British Columbia, which has a like climate to Washington's wine country. Pull off the road whenever you see one!
• Why it'southward awesome: British Columbia has some wonderful wines and I honey to end when I'm gear up for a break and try some. Wineries in BC never fail to have a fun outdoor tasting area and sometimes food as well. Most towns in British Columbia also have wonderful farmer's markets. Try to bulldoze through this surface area on a Saturday so you tin can catch some delicious local produce to enjoy for a picnic with your wine!

Icefields Parkway (East Access Route, Canadian Rockies)

Along the Icefields Parkway

• Where information technology is: The Icefields Parkway is a spectacular scenic bulldoze between Banff and Jasper National Parks in Canada
• Why information technology's awesome: Incredible scenery including massive mountains and glaciers y'all can see from your car! In that location are also lots of hiking opportunities along this corridor.

Miette Hot Springs (East Access Route)

• Where it is: Miette Hot Springs is in Jasper National Park
• Why it's awesome: A bit more than mellow (though nevertheless super busy!) than Banff's Hot springs, what's not to love about a hot springs soak? If y'all're a hot springs lover, consider adding a trip on BC'south hot springs road (west of Banff). Visit in the morning for less crowds.

Stewart, BC, Hyder, AK and Bear Glacier (side trip from the Cassiar Highway)

Photograph Credit: Destination BC/6ix Sigma

• Where it is: Stuart and Hyder are across a very narrow fjord from each other
• Why it's awesome: This side trip will have half a day (an hour each fashion plus exploring) but it's well worth it to see this super unique place! Stewart and Hyder are both tiny and correct next to each other. These unique pocket-size towns straddling the edge are situated in a deep and narrow fjord of the within passage. The Behave Glacier is a mandatory stop along the way.

Bear Glacier on the route to Stewart

Toad River Lodge

• Where it is: Toad River is between Fort Nelson and Muncho Lake on the Alaska Highway.
• Why information technology's awesome: The Toad River Gild is 1 of my favorite roadhouses along the Alaska Highway. It'south quirky, friendly and has great roadhouse food. The bar is total of hats, the kind of quirky bar decor you often encounter in the far n!

Muncho Lake

Gorgeous Muncho Lake. Photo Credit: Destination BC/Andrew Strain

• Where it is: Between Toad River and Liard Hot Springs on the Alaska Highway
• Why it's awesome: Muncho Lake is beautiful with lots of recreation opportunities. Great place to terminate for lunch or army camp for the night.

Liard River Hot Springs

Liard River Hot Springs is a mandatory stop on the drive to Alaska. Photograph Credit: Destination BC/Andrew Strain

• Where it is: Between Muncho Lake and Watson Lake along the Alaska Highway in Northern BC
• Why it's crawly: This gorgeous and developed hot springs is a must cease on the drive to Alaska! It'southward located inside Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park and has camping ground as well as a road firm nearby. I highly recommend staying the night here which gives you the most soaking opportunities. In improver to the hot springs, in that location is enough of opportunity to see an interesting mix of institute life that is able to survive in this otherwise harsh climate because of the hot water. This is a good identify to encounter moose!

Watson Lake Sign Post Woods

Me in the middle of the sign post forest

• Where information technology is: In the boondocks of Watson Lake, Yukon, on the Alaska Highway only later you cross the border from British Columbia into the Yukon.
• Why it's crawly: This is the kind of quirky, interesting sight y'all will only encounter along the Alaska Highway! This is a massive collection of signposts that is colorful and highly photogenic, and fun to run around in.

Atlin (Side trip from the Alaska Highway near Whitehorse)

• Where it is: Atlin is located in Northern British Columbia, well-nigh lx miles south of the Alaska Highway between Teslin and Whitehorse
• Why it's crawly: If you're going to make the side trip to Atlin (about 2.v hours round trip), I highly recommend staying at to the lowest degree ane dark. Atlin is one of my absolute favorite places because of it'due south stunning dazzler and it's remote setting far off the browbeaten rails. It's besides an first-class place for fishing!

Skagway (Side trip from Whitehorse)

Scenery is incredible and rapidly changing on the South Klondike Highway betwixt Skagway and Whitehorse

• Where it is: 100 miles south of Whitehorse on the Due south Klondike Highway
• Why it's awesome: I spent iii summer in Skagway so I can't help but recommend this side trip to Skagway! An incredible scenic drive through multiple climate zones in a very short time, yous'll state at the head of the Within Passage and bustling town during the Klondike Gilt Rush. Skagway has fun history and many wonderful hikes that exit right from town. Skagway is served by the Alaska Marine Highway and it is possible to take a ferry from here to Bellingham, WA.

Miles Canyon

Miles Canyon Suspension Bridge. Photo Credit: Government of Yukon

• Where it is: about Whitehorse
• Why it'south awesome: Miles Canyon is cute coulee created millions of years ago by lava flow. More than recently, it's been the site of a Kickoff Nations Fishing Camp also every bit a site of harrowing travel by gold blitz prospectors in bootleg boats. You can drive in that location or do a 9 mile loop trail from downtown Whitehorse along the Yukon River.

Yukon Beringia Eye

• Where it is: Whitehorse
• Why information technology's awesome: The Yukon Beringia Center is a neat place to learn almost the natural and human history of the subcontinent of Beringia (what is now parts of Russia, Alaska and the Yukon). Here you can learn well-nigh the animals of the ice age besides equally the landscape and people who start came to N America through Beringia, besides as modern Commencement Nations.

Kluane National Park and Reserve

Aerial view of Kluane National Park. Photo Credit: Authorities of Yukon/Rich Wheater

• Where information technology is: Kluane National Park borders the Alaska Highway forth Lake Kluane is the Yukon, between Whitehorse and the Alaskan border.
• Why information technology'southward awesome: This spectacular Canadian National Park is vast and doesn't take a ton of visitors due to it's remote location. The mountain and lake landscapes are just incredible. This is home to Mt Logan, Canada's highest acme as well as Canada'south largest ice field. You tin can't help merely get a taste of Kluane driving the highway, but information technology'south fully worth it to spend some time here. In that location is a campground near the Alaska Highway and another at Kathleen Lake (a very worthwhile side trip). In that location are plenty of hiking and wildlife viewing opportunities in Kluane National Park as well.

How to Prepare Your Vehicle to Drive to Alaska

Any reliable road worthy vehicle will be totally fine to bulldoze to Alaska. Its overall reliability is much more than important than any specific capabilities (similar four wheel drive or all wheel drive). This is a long road trip with long distances between services and more construction than a typical road trip, but the route itself does not require anything in particular from your vehicle. I have driven the Alaska Highway in a Honda Accord, a Chevy Astro minivan, a Toyota 4 Runner and a Ford F-250. All of them were merely fine.

There are a few things yous can do to help you lot and your vehicle be ready:

• Take that this trip will be hard on your vehicle – you are likely to get windshield dings and pigment chips so it might not be platonic for a brand new vehicle!
• Make sure you take first-class tires. If there's any dubiousness, become new tires earlier your trip. This volition profoundly reduce the odds of getting a apartment.
• If possible, carry a full size spare tire. Make sure you have a spare tire and the equipment to change it (refer to your car'south transmission)
• Become an oil change before you leave
• Mentally set up to fuel upwardly whenever yous have the opportunity, regardless of cost. If y'all call up this may be hard for you, consider bringing a gas can. A gas can is not necessary, unless you effort to push on likewise many times for cheaper fuel!
• Make certain your car insurance will cover yous while in Canada
• Deport extra food, h2o and warm article of clothing and blankets in case of a breakdown. This will help y'all stay condom and comfortable if you need to wait for help. This is also helpful if you lot find yourself waiting a long time for road construction delays.

What if my machine breaks down?

Beginning of all, don't panic! Breakdowns happen and people will help you lot. I've had several breakdowns on the Alaska Highway and have e'er been able to go help safely.

If you're in a identify with cell service, you can telephone call for AAA Roadside assistance (which also exists in Canada). They will aid you get help and to a shop that can gear up your vehicle.

If you're not in an area with prison cell phone service, put your hood upwardly and someone volition finish and meet what you need. You may be able to get a ride to the nearest town, or y'all may be able to stay with the vehicle and someone will transport help.

I know this sounds scary, but this is a place where strangers will help you. Mechanics even in very modest towns will practice everything they can to help yous go dorsum on the road. Fifty-fifty though information technology's stressful, I've ever been able to become dorsum on the road in a few hours or by the side by side day, fifty-fifty when I was past myself.

What do I demand to Bring to Route Trip to Alaska?

The about important affair you need to bring on your trip is the latest edition of the Milepost. This comprehensive guide is critical and includes all the admission roads and all the roads in Alaska, the Yukon and most of British Columbia and Alberta. Get the latest edition because it'south updated every year, and things alter! You can't rely on your telephone to wait up information on this road trip. Trust me, you demand this!

I recommend checking out my consummate road trip packing list and my packing list for Alaska. A few things to call out specifically:

• Personal items including an prescriptions and over the counter medications – you'll exist in remote areas and then make sure you lot take what you demand
• Plenty of food and water – in a remote surface area it'south important to carry food and water with y'all since you won't be able to end only anywhere. A cooler is as well helpful to give you the option of having fresh food! Stop at the beginning large town one time you enter Canada to stock upward (you can't bring fresh produce beyond the border)
• Spare tire and tire changing equipment – the Alaska Highway is no longer the tire destroying route it once was, just there's even so a decent take chances you'll need to modify a tire and the distances to finding someone who tin aid may be long. I've changed a tire at some point on most of the trips I've made on the Alaska Highway! I besides recommend a newspaper copy of your vehicle'southward manual if information technology'southward non already in your glove box.
• Analog Entertainment – make sure to download those audio books, podcasts and playlists since yous'll exist in long stretches of road with no cell phone signal. I also dearest to bring my Kindle for reading at night. Art supplies and games are fun additions as well.
• Wearable for all kinds of weather condition – be gear up for chop-chop changing weather, hot days, wet and chilly days and downright common cold (especially in May and September). My Alaska packing list has lots of suggestions!
• An awning and army camp chairs for stops – this is completely not necessary only besides completely amazing! The canopy can protect you lot from rain and dominicus (you lot can even become a bug tent to strap on it) and the chairs are super handy. This is the canopy we have for our car (pictured below) and I recommend these chairs (not the ones in the photo) because they are super compact as well equally comfy. The awning sets up in less than 5 minutes! Read more about information technology here.

Our car with our amazing canopy!

How-do-you-do! I'm Jennie. I'm a fourth generation Seattleite who lived in Alaska for 7 years. I've been a tour guide in both Alaska and Washington and I love to share the places I love with visitors, newcomers and my boyfriend locals. I'thou so glad to take you lot along on the journey to experience your all-time depression key take chances in Washington, Alaska and Western Canada!

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Source: https://www.ordinary-adventures.com/2021/02/how-to-drive-to-alaska/

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