My only advise would be to use common sense, have patience, be kind, and definitely just make the journey. Each season holds something special. Glad we could help a little! Then in late August or early September I will fly back to Idaho Falls and pick up our guns and ammo and transport them by ferry to Alaska. I will be making a teip via ferry in September to transport my weapons and ammo. One flat. I hope that makes sense, if you have questions about it please let us know. We can’t really comment on the resale value of things, but I would guess your son is probably right – but there are lots of factors. We’d take our time of course. I am from san antonio area. If you’re short on time at least drive the road that crosses the park which is also dubbed the going to the sun road. But I see fuel + camping around $3,000 if you want to stay in formal campgrounds. We’d love to spend some more time of the Marine Highway soon. We are planning a 3 month trip this summer. If you are in a hurry you can cover most of the driving highlights of this park in a single day. You can bring declared hunting rifles and shotguns through Canada. The drive to Alaska will have you in Canada for several days. Which is the best route to get to Alaska Thanks. Hi Dick, it really depends on the season. Use a sunrise and sunset planner to help figure out precisely how much (or little) sunlight you’ll be in for during your Alaska adventure. The most dangerous thing driving is the frost heaves in the road when they see them they need to go slow. Currently, the border is supposed to be re-opened around May 21st, 2020. We will not have any space for camping gear. But it wad hard to understand them. Safe Travels and enjoy the ride! On our last trip, we used a credit card the whole way, but had about 100 Canadian Dollars with us just in case. I have some food issues (can’t eat onions), so I usually make my own boil-in-bag food from home cooking for convenience and edibility for travel/camping. They are planning to take their trailer rather than stay at hotels. My wife our son and myself and 3 cats and two German Shepherds and i have a feeling its going to take forever. Major Marine Tours and Harbor 360 Hotel are offering several fall specials this year. Definately can feel it getting colder. Average temperatures hit a pleasant 12-18ºC or 54-64ºF and the further inland you head the higher this reaches, to a maximum of 26ºC or 79ºF around the Fairbanks area. Thanks for the info, let us know if you find any stations without the cardlock issue to help future travelers. Currently, the prices are just under $1 USD per liter, which converted is about $3.50 USD per Gallon. Adam, how long does it take to drive from Tok to Fort Nelson, roughly? We have the Milepost and will order the camping book today. I do not want to have a similar experience Any thoughts. Another important factor to keep in mind is daylight: in certain parts of Alaska during the summer, the sun never sets. I would make sure they have a cell phone that has coverage in both BC and Alaska, but note they most likely won’t have coverage until they make it to “larger” towns along the Alcan Highway. Winter driving to Alaska is not for the faint of heart or the inexperienced. I appreciate any input you can give me! We could use stations designed for passenger cars but cannot purchase DEF by pump at those stations. From here you can get a nice view of the ice. Answer 1 of 11: I recently got the thought to take the family (myself, husband, and 8 year old son) to alaska this year. My first trip will be from Idaho Falls to Anchorage by 26 foot truck. Will definately use your advice and a tremendous thank you. Thanks for your info.. My husband and I are headed back up in June for our 4th trip (3rd driving; 1 cruise). However, you’ll see all kinds of vehicles with multiple gas cans strapped to the back. A hurriedly built thoroughfare that was once best suited to armored military vehicles, the modern Alaska Highway is an asphalt-covered, two-lane boulevard that winds its way through some of Canada’s most impressive scenery. I am leaving for the drive back to the lower 48 on Saturday May 5 looking forward to the drive on my class a motor home I drove up here 3 years ago but that was 5000 miles 4 1/2 days didn’t get to explore much just look out for frost heaves they can be big in the spring. At Alaska Air Forwarding, we’ve spent the last 50 years shipping cargo to the great state of Alaska.Over the years, we have developed strong ties with other cargo companies and businesses in general as we have … did it run well after the trip? In the wake of the COVID Virus, it will make this year’s voyage to Alaska by car even more challenging than normal. We hiked extensively and I want to make this trip while still physically able. I was just up there a few days ago. Safe drive to Alaska. Hope it works out well for you, either way, it will be a great adventure! Glad we could help plan your route driving to Alaska. Gas is more expensive in Canada, but nowhere near $10/gallon. For the Columbia Icefield, you can park at the visitors center and then walk up to see the glacier. Hi, Was wondering would it be even possible for a woman alone with a 150# Anatolian and a cat to drive from Alabama to Anchorage. We made the 3,700+ mile drive to Alaska from Wisconsin and it’s one of our favorite road trips we’ve ever done. Go North to Alaska Folks, you won’t regret it !! All of the adult children are a little concerned that they are taking too much on. The best time to visit Alaska is between mid-June and mid-September. My 75 year old parents are planning a 60 day trip to Alaska from BC. I would strongly suggest driving yourself and then sending for your things. Sounds like you are already on the road, but yes it is doable in 8-9 days. You will have to fly. I’ll head up in April and know the roads can be bad (the ferry is supposed to start up again from Bellingham but not prince rupert by then) however, I’ll have my dogs and car full. I am hoping to drive from Wisconsin to Alaska this spring. This is best done from the end of August to the middle of April, when a combination of clear night skies and decent Aurora activity mean spotting Auororas is relatively easy. Driving a 40 ft Class A with a tow and curious how many and how steep they were? Love your writeup and comments. BE sure to double-check directly with the hotel/motel/campground that they will be open and secondly if they will have all of the amenities open that you need (like bathrooms/showers in campgrounds). This is great! Days were short and the conditions were such that we often couldn’t see st night, so I would suggest just driving during the day. We took 46 days. Hi I’m a 42 female. I will be starting my move to alaska this weekend. The best time to visit Alaska depends on your interests. We don’t have experience bringing pets, but maybe someone else reading here does?? Hope that helps a little bit, there is so much to see, have a great trip! Another great resource for those that will be camping or traveling by RV is the Traveler’s Guide to Alaskan Camping, you can get it on Amazon. My question is, wich is the better time of the year ?? Best Time to Avoid Crowds and High Prices. I’m planning to drive it again either this summer or next, with my dog and possibly one of my brothers caravaning with me. Diesel is maybe another $.50 per gallon or so. I think last time we looked it was just a few bottles of wine or a bottle or two of spirits (never looked at beer specifically). This is what could be the only dangerous thing about driving. For the warmest weather and most activity options, travel in June and July. Have fun planning and a great drive! Hi! Hotels are easy to find. Serial numbers have to do with manufacturing and shipping and have NOTHING to do with customs. Safe Travels! I’ll be towing a small trailer. Happy planning! . Kris we moved to AK at the end of October. I have a 2005 Trailblazer. i’ve never done a trip like this before and am very concerned about damaging it. Safe Travels! Would be great to know someone on the road while traveling. What was your favorite place in Alaska? The people along the way to Alaska are generally pretty helpful people, if you have troubles on the road people do help each other out. I’ve never been to Alaska. Many of the gas stations along the route to Alaska (especially in Canada) are old-school, without card readers meaning the stations have to be open to get gas. Im planning to go next march,april. There are many large motorhomes driving to Alaska. Awesome article! A road trip to Alaska has been our bucket list for a while so we loaded up our DIY Campervan and set off to “The Last Frontier” state. Overall, in the summer of 2017, the roads were far better than we expect while planning an Alaska road trip. The drive to Alaska is totally fine in a car. Dog too big to fly, he is oversized. Great info, thanks! A woman, 2 teenagers, and no cell service! Most towns, even really small towns we were able to get connection for email. Sounds like an amazing trip! But if it’s a quieter, more remote experience you want, try showing up later in the season, when crowds have dwindled and yet enough daylight remains that you can do a self-guided hike in the backcountry. amzn_assoc_asins = "1892154390,0982310188,0528021044,B002X6VXL4"; This article is very helpful. I saw on a blog recently to expect $200 per tank full in Canada. You can ship your car by barge, but it will be VERY expensive. The roads will be relatively main roads until you hit Edmonton, from there it gets a lot more lonely at that time of the year. You still have a good chance to run into winter weather during that time of the year to take it slow as you said. Your best bet is to pick up one of the above suggest books like the Milestone. I’ve heard that parts of the highways might also be gravel, and that it could be hard on a car paint job. I never had any issues at all. As for the route, we really suggest heading into Canada a little further west and making the trip up through Glacier NP, Banff NP (Canada), and Jasper NP (Canada) then connect to the Alcan. If you go through Glacier NP in Montana the ‘Going to the Sun Road’ might not be for you. We slept in our campervan for 30 days straight and had no issues. Thank You! did it get a lot of scuffs or dents and dings? From our understanding of the laws, I would say you would not legally be able to. And parking will be easy with a small trailer. We plan to make the drive from NC to Eielson Ak. If it’s classic Alaskan King salmon you’re after, show up mid-May through July, when the fisheries for that species peaks. Canada is rather strict on the amount of alcohol coming into the country. So decided maybe driving is best. Drive safe and enjoy Alaska! I would advise against it though. I wouldn’t see any issues bring children on this road trip safety wise. The Canadian border rules regarding pets/animals is fairly strict. May through September remains the busiest time of year for tourism in Alaska, but many folks are just as content planning a trip in winter. Happy planning! Do we need to insure it? May overall I think is best for lots of baby bear and moose along the road, less people as kids are still in school and tourism is just getting starting. Leaving Alaska in August to attend college in Texas, how much money would you recommend having saved up for a trip of this caliber. Alaska is busiest from mid-June through mid-August, which is also when you will likely experience the best weather. That should help you calculate fuel cost. The best time to visit Alaska is between the months of May and September. Any suggestions for planning this trip is welcome. See our Alaskan road trip guide and itinerary for everything to see while in Alaska. There are sections with big potholes every year, but the most dangerous in my opinion are the frost heaves which can be harder to spot while driving. I would say the same thing to you as gasoline users, to keep a relatively full tank and keep a spare jerry can in case of emergencies if you can. Even with the challenges of this year, it is totally worth it and an amazing adventure – and a much more interesting way to social distance than sitting at home! We drove from Western KY to Arizona and wintered this January and February….and although I was concerned, I made it fine. After all, fishing here is a multi-billion dollar industry, and seafood remains the state’s top export. We found T-Mobile shared towers with many Canadian carriers and work better than our Verizon line for both calls and data. Thanks for your great article that makes the trip sound so much more enjoyable than just hiring a moving van to relocate. How was the rest of your drive? Best Time To Visit Alaska: Expert Travel Advice | ALASKA.ORG While there are many amazing things to see on the way to Alaska, you don’t want to have to get all the way there just to turn around. The Milepost is very helpful for us. I am so looking forward to the move. However, we aren’t experts on the gun part of the drive to Alaska – there may be work arounds but not that we know of. Any one know any good reasonable camp grounds to stay at when we get there? What are your main attractions to see? From Wisconsin, we made our way to Montana visiting Glacier National Park and then up to Banff & Jasper National Park. I’m driving through Montana then,,, via AB-2 N and Trans-Canada Hwy/AB-1 W 44 h. I’ll be in a camper van, or King Cab F150. We are use to driving to Mazatlan Mexico each year and do the hotels along the way. Thank You, There are numerous state/provincial campgrounds as well as private campgrounds along the way where you can tent camp. We are Hannah & Adam, a Wisconsin couple who left behind the American dream to travel the world and chase our own dreams. It is still very likely to be snowy and icy. Cooked meals on the tailgate of my truck. While only 144 miles (232km) you could drive it in just over 2 hours, there are literally hundreds of stops along the way. Safe travels! The route would take us up through the border at Portal/North Portal. The greatest islands, cities, hotels, cruise lines, airports, and more — as voted by you. Do not miss the Canadian Rockies. It looks like just under 1000 miles and according to google maps it’s about 19 hours or driving. July is a choice time to visit Alaska, with wildlife fully active, all trails accessible, long days and Alaska’s warmest average temperatures. Happy planning and safe travels! But if you can’t, invest in good all weather tires. And then If I have a receipt saying I purchased it in the USA would I have a problem bringing it back over the boarder when I come back through to Minnesota? I’m heading that way probably next summer and would like to know if it’s safe to tent camp on the way. We will be traveling in June -July and I was curious if you had any special stops that you did, that were just WOW! We are planning to leave from minnesota for Alaska in June of 19’. With the shoulder season primarily stretching from April to May and then again in September, those three months offer the best value for travelers on a budget, particularly if you end up on an Alaskan cruise. We recommend picking one of these up well in advance of your trip to help plan. I would like to drive our 40 foot motorhome with a toad to Alaska. Related Article: One of Alaska’s Best Kept Secrets – Hatcher Pass. Summer is also the peak season for Alaska businesses that cater to tourists, so your travel, lodging, sightseeing and adventure options are seemingly unlimited. Hi Julia, In March and April you still have a high chance of snow and ice on the roads along with winter storms. It’s become a real hassle. While it is possible to climb in Alaska all year long, only the hardiest and most experienced mountaineers head out during the winter. I have a week vacation from 4/16/06 to 4/23/06 and two week vacation from 7/16/06 to 7/30/06, which is a better time? Safe Travels! He discovered the natural hot springs on his trip years ago. It’s still possible, but there will be fewer accommodations open, so I would grab a copy of the milepost book https://amzn.to/2LZHJQr to find places along your route that will be open. Dogs will need a Bordetella vaccination and cats will need proof of FVRCP. Last year's was the best month of the summer and in past years I've seen it rain hard everyday. It's also the perfect place to plan everything for your road trip. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; It’s a great drive! Have a great trip up to Alaska! Did you drive to Alaska? The biggest risk if you’re a responsible driver is some rock chips. The limits for personal consumption are pretty low. I’m making an extra trip because I’ve researched and been told handguns are a no go in Canada. It was the trip of a lifetime and I shall never forget it! You should be fine in your truck, it might loud at times as some of the campsites along the Alcan Highway are right off the main road. Having a campervan gives us the freedom to stop and stay as long as we want PLUS we just pay to camp vs a hotel. To answer the question better, we spent a few hundred dollars and the better part of two days adding a spare tire to a vehicle that was not made to carry one and in hindsight, it was not worth it. I am making the move at the end of July middle of august with my family . I remember the vet had to sign several forms and they did review them all at the border. The fall shoulder season is one of the most affordable times to travel in Alaska. Very exciting! We took out some money on the way in and what we didn’t spend driving up to Alaska we spent driving down from Alaska. Safe Travels! I left my hometown of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania by myself with all my belongings in my 1972 Ford F-250 with a camper shell on the bed,(my home), with the destination of Seward Alaska. We knew we were driving to Alaska but wanted to take our time getting there. The Verizon was usable though too. As long as they are good drivers they should be fine. No gun parts. However, if you are using your phone for GPS it will still work. Good Stops: Muncho Lake Provincial Park, Stone Mountain Provincial Park, Destruction Bay, Tetlin Junction, Skagway. We didn’t see any reason for concern as far as safety beyond normal precautions. amzn_assoc_title = "My Amazon Picks"; In many ways, there’s no such thing as a ‘bad time’ to visit Alaska, but when it comes to gorgeous day hikes, and better weather for flying, the safest bet is to visit sometime between May and September. We stay at each port for a couple of days to enjoy what each town has to offer. Safe Travels! I would be taking the shortest route from WI to Anchorage, up through North Dakota. Drove R/T from MD to AK 11 times from 1981 to 2003. Where you will find lots of steep grades is inside of parks, when you’ll likely just drive your towed vehicle. However, Summer time is the most popular time to visit both destinations and there are so many reasons why. There are passing lanes periodically, but the traffic is very thin and passing is generally not an issue. Good luck with the move! I would plan a route that has stuff you are interested to see along the way, rather than the fastest route. If you have any specific questions as you are planning let us know! It takes some time to get used to the layout, but once you do it will have more info than you’ll ever need on all the Alaskan roads and the route to Alaska through Canada. When flying to Alaska you don’t need a passport. Make sure to get a cell phone plan that works well in remote areas – we found Verison and ATT in the US have better coverage in remote areas over T-mobile or others. Thanks for any and all input! Chances are good that you’ll hit snow in October. This translates into a busy time for The Great Land, with a swell of visitors. The cell service along the Alcan highway up to Alaska was really only in the towns and very sparse along the route – the further north the worst it seemed to get. I know conditions could still be snowy so just not sure. Hi Rich N Terri, My husband and I were in Fairbanks in June 2018, and it was HOT there for us, too. You might still be able to find something out of Vancouver or Seattle but you’d have to research that. Thanks so much for any MOVING / RELOCATION advise you can give! We would suggest you spend around two weeks in Alaska (more is better) to see most of the drivable highlights of the state. Planning on doing it, so this article is really helpful.
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