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Log In Open list of regions. Winter Driving Info Winter weather too often catches people unprepared. They issue winter weather warnings, watches and advisories. Please see www. Know the current driving conditions. Plan long trips carefully. Don't let your gas fall below a half tank. You can't count gas stations being open in the winter.
Let someone know where you'll be going and when you expect to arrive or return. Tell them to call authorities for help if you don't get back or check in within an hour of your estimate. Carry a cell phone or other communications radio. Know, however, that cell phone coverage along much of Alaska's highway system is spotty and you may not be able to reach someone on the cell.
If you are within cell range and run into life-threatening trouble, use it. Travel during the daylight and travel with another person. If you must go out during a winter storm, use public transportation. Dress warmly. Wear layers of loose-fitting, layered, light weight clothing. This section will talk about the different access routes and then the different places you can go once you hit the Alaska border. The things to do section later in this article discusses highlights and what not to miss on each section of the drive to Alaska.
If you are driving both ways, consider going one way on the Cassiar and the other through the Canadian Rockies. This route is the shortest distance to drive to Alaska from Seattle and Portland about miles shorter than the west access route described below. It is likely to take longer however, since the Cassiar Highway is slow and very remote.
This route is best for those who want to get away from it all. Make sure you are comfortable driving in very remote areas. This is the best route for anyone coming from the West Coast of the US who prefers to avoid the more remote Cassiar Highway in favor of the still-remote-but-less-so road.
Continue beyond Prince George on Highway Otherwise, continue into the town of Dawson Creek, the official start of the Alaska Highway. Total driving distance from Seattle to where the Cassiar meets the Alaska Highway on this route is just under miles. You have a few options here. Total driving distance from Missoula, MT to where the Cassiar meets the Alaska Highway on this route is about miles.
The distance going through the parks is about the same, but it takes longer. Both Skagway and Haines are wonderful places to visit and you can also catch the ferry to take your car to other parts of Southeast Alaska that are not accessible by road.
Learn more about riding the Alaska ferry here. By the way, you can make a loop driving the Parks Highway between Anchorage and Fairbanks. Check out my Alaska itineraries for independent travelers for ideas on how to build your road trip once you are in Alaska! Overall the road conditions along the drive to Alaska are pretty good!
The Alaska Highway is all paved and even some of the secondary roads are too. There are occasionally small 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 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.
That means carrying an Arctic sleeping bag or lots of extra heavy clothes, and some food and water. Everywhere you stop, ask about conditions ahead, both road and weather. Plan accordingly - don't leave a warm coffee shop and head into conditions you may not be able to handle. Snow conditions can vary dramatically in a very short distance. A good road may turn into a sheet of ice with no visible signs except to the highly experienced.
You should usually be driving well under the speed limit. Whenever you stop, clear the snow and ice from all your windows, and from your tail lights - they are often neglected. Bringing a hot coffee back into your car can ice up all your windows instantly!
If the temperature is below about minus 15 C. Driving when it's snowing can be hypnotizing - be aware of the effects, and stop for a break occasionally if needed. When meeting another vehicle, be aware of the possible "snow dust" that can drop your visibility to zero for a lengthy distance.
I always ensure that nobody is behind me so I can slow or even stop when that happens - if luck isn't with you, the conditions seen in the photo at the bottom can go on for hours and hundreds of miles.
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