Driving in Alaska is hands-down the best way to experience this wonderful wilderness state.
Imagine winding through snow-capped mountainous scenery and exploring off-road glacier marvels at your own pace.
Driving gives you that freedom.
A road trip offers the chance to spot amazing wildlife, connect with nature and discover stunning landscapes along the way. No matter which road you choose, you are guaranteed an incredible trip.
So before getting behind the wheel and exploring Alaska’s wide open roads, here are some top tips for a worry-free adventure.
DRIVING IN ALASKA: FREEDOM AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
HOW TO GET TO ALASKA BY CAR
While most international visitors fly to Anchorage or Fairbanks and start their journey from there, there are some other popular ways to get to Alaska.
- Driving to Alaska through Canada – incorporating a trip through the Canadian Rockies and British Columbia.
- Driving to Alaska from Seattle – via Dawson Creek, Muncho Lake, Watson Lake (Yukon), and Haines junction.
- Bringing your own vehicle on the Alaska Marine Highway System
Driving in Alaska and exploring at your own pace, gives you the freedom to create your own epic Alaska road trip.
QUICK ALASKA BY ROAD QUESTIONS
Is It Safe to Drive Around Alaska?
Besides normal road hazards it is safe to drive in Alaska.
Is It Difficult to Drive in Alaska?
Major highways are well maintained and easy to navigate. With low grades and few sharp bends, driving is easy. RVs have ample pullouts to turn around and most roads are passible year-round.
Where Can You Drive in Alaska?
You can drive on all main highways and secondary roads.
Is It Safe To Drive at Night in Alaska?
If driving in the dark, be aware of animals wandering into, or crossing the road.
What Is It Like Driving In Winter?
Be prepared for icy or snowy conditions. Studded tires can be used from mid-September to the beginning of May. Drive carefully allowing plenty of space between yourself and the vehicle in front.
ALASKA DRIVING RULES
- Driving is on the right hand side of the road
- Most roads are two-lane and you must keep headlights on at all times
- You must pull over if you have 5 or more vehicles trailing you
- The maximum speed limit is 65 mph, however be prepared for average speeds when calculating distances.
- Glenn Highway – expect 45 mph on the Matanuska Glacier section
- Parks Highway – expect 60-65 mph on Route 3 from Anchorage to Fairbanks
- Richardson Highway – expect 50-60 mph in sections, and 45 mph in Thompson Pass section
- Sterling Highway – expect 50-60 mph on Route 1 from Tern Lake to Homer, and 45 mph near Cooper Landing
ROAD CONDITIONS ON ALASK’S ROADS
Driving Alaska roads is easy whether you are in a car, minivan, camper or full-size RV. The majority of highways are paved with good surfaces and well maintained.
DRIVING ON GRAVEL ROADS
There are a few gravel roads with limited services to be aware of when planning your route. Several car and RV rental companies do not permit their vehicles to be driven on non-paved roads.
Check with your rental company as you will be responsible for any damage incurred, and the insurance will be voided. Some companies however do specialize in vehicle to drive gravel roads. The following roads are not paved:
- McCarthy Road
- Dalton Highway
- Nabesna Road
- Steece Highway
- Elliott Highway
- Denali Highway (not to be confused with Highway 3)
FILLING UP AT GAS STATIONS
For peace of mind, always keep your fuel topped up and fill up whenever possible, especially when driving through more remote areas.
- The more off-the-beaten-path, the more expensive gas prices are likely to be.
- You will find more competitively priced fuel in more populated areas.
- Supermarkets such as Fred Meyer usually have relatively low priced fuel.
CELL PHONE COVERAGE
Wi-Fi and cell coverage is available in cities and all major roads in Alaska. Cell phone service can be limited in rural areas.
Available carriers include AT&T, GCI, Verizon and T-Mobile.
ALASKA MILEAGE CHART
Anchorage is at the forefront of many popular itineraries. The scenery is definitely part of the journey. Below are distances to main places most visitors want to visit.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO DRIVE IN ALASKA?
If you are planning a road trip to Alaska, you have to factor the cost of fuel into your budget. This will depend on several factors, including:
- Gas price and miles per gallon
- Your route
- Number of miles covered
A simple way to help budget the cost of your trip, is to:
- Plot out your trip section be section, or day by day. Use google maps to plot your course, adding in extra mileage for taking detours.
- Using your vehicle’s gas mileage, work out the fuel cost.
We worked out our fuel cost would be around £625, however we failed to take into account the speed we would travel at (in a 25Ft RV), differing fuel prices in remote areas and detours we took.
Consequently our final fuel bill was £1,000.
WHAT ARE THE POPULAR DRIVING ROUTES?
Driving in Alaska is not intimidating in the least. With miles and miles of stunning scenery, you’ll want to make the most of stops along the way.
The good news is that many of the most popular attractions are accessible by highway. Plus when driving yourself, you can head off the beaten track to find remote trails and more remote attractions.
The following are some of the popular driving routes for an independent road trip.
1. Anchorage to Seward Drive (128 miles, 2.5-3 hours) has numerous scenic stops en-route.
The Seward Highway leads you past mountain vistas and shimmering lakes. Glaciers and waterfalls lead to the gateway for exploring Kenai Fjords National Park.
2. Anchorage to Homer Drive (221 miles, 5-6 hours)
Head along the Seward and Sterling Highways past the ocean, glaciers, mountains and wildlife, to end-of-the-road Homer.
3. Anchorage to Fairbanks Drive (360 miles, 7-8 hours)
Head along Parks Highway, taking a detour to Talkeetna before reaching Denali National Park, and North America’s highest mountain, Mt. Denali. From here continue north, to the former Gold Rush town of Fairbanks.
4. Fairbanks to Valdez Drive (365 miles, 8 hours)
The Richardson Highway leads you past mountains, rivers, roadhouses, gold-rich history towns and glaciers. From Valdez you can explore the stunning Prince William Sound.
TIPS FOR DRIVING IN ALASKA
- Don’t just stay on the main highways. Explore secondary roads, take side trips to quirky towns like Hope and Talkeetna.
- Be vigilant for wildlife. Watch out for animals such as moose, caribou and bears crossing the road.
- Bring snacks, drinks and entertainment for longer journeys.
- Check the latest road conditions before setting off.
- Allow plenty of time for your journey. During summer months, roadworks and contruction works take place, slowing you down
- Many fuel pumps are “card payment” only. If paying by cash, you have to confirm the cashier beforehand as to the amount you are going to spend.
- Carry a map and mile-by-mile guide of all roadways, such as the Milepost Book.
The highways in Alaska are a joy to travel along. Driving in Alaska is a great way of exploring major attractions and all the delights that nature bestows on this incredible state. If you have any questions, as always please comment below.
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