Is it possible to drive to anchorage alaska

Driving to Alaska is high on the list of many adventurers. The trip is legendary for its beauty. Once a bumpy dirt road, the Alaska Highway is now a modern, well-maintained highway. Particularly in summer, visitor amenities including gas, food, and motels are abundant along the entire 1,mile Alaska Highway.

Driving to Alaska in a car or RV offers the opportunity to linger along the way. Cultural attractions, adventure tours, incredible scenery, and unforgettable experiences make this option popular with independent travelers. Driving to Alaska takes you through beautiful and remote landscapes in British Columbia and the Yukon Territory before crossing the border into Interior Alaska.

Most visitors cross the border into Canada north of Seattle, WA, though there are other routes further east through Calgary and the Canadian Rockies for those who are starting from the eastern United States. There are two route options for getting from Seattle to the Alaska Highway. It is less remote and has more amenities along the way, and allows you to experience the entire Alaska Highway from Mile 0.

If you have a little more time and are looking for a more remote experience, the Cassiar Highway offers less traffic and better wildlife viewing opportunities. In many sections, the Cassiar Highway is a two lane road and speed limits are slower. Both options will take you through beautiful scenery in British Columbia before joining up near Watson Lake in the Yukon Territory.

While you can make the drive in as little as 3 days, we recommend planning for a week of driving so you can take your time and fully experience the stunning scenery, campgrounds, lodges, and wildlife along the way.

Ferry travelers can also connect to over 30 port communities along the Alaska Marine Highway route in Alaska's Inside Passage , Southcentral , and Southwest regions. Visit cbp. The question of whether you can drive to Alaska from the rest of the United States comes up a lot with many people asking if you have to get a ferry or if there are passable roads through remote parts of Canada.

You can drive to Alaska from anywhere in the United States except Hawaii. There is only one major road that you can take to drive to Alaska and that is the Alaska Highway. Regardless of where you start in the United States or Canada, you will eventually join the Alaska Highway. I even double checked to see if there was a theoretical way of avoiding the Alaska Highway and the answer is no. Even if you take the longer and slower route north via the Robert Campbell and Klondike Highways, you will still have to use the Alaska Highway to get to Watson Lake.

Although the original road was difficult to drive and was 1, miles 2, km long, it has improved continually over time and today it is fully paved all the way and has been shortened to just 1, miles 2, km. There are 4 different routes to Alaska depending on where in the United States you are starting your journey from.

The vast majority of the United States will take the route that enters Canada at the Portal or Fortuna border crossings in North Dakota. The only difference is for those who live in Maine where the best way to drive to Alaska is by following the Trans-Canada Highway but we're talking about 4, miles of driving one way. Check if you really want to do that vs. The journey length will depend a lot on where in the United States you are starting from.

The part of the journey through Canada will take at least 33 hours on the road. Even if you're driving long stints, it will take you at least 4 days to do the journey unless you're swapping drivers and are happy to sit in the car all day.

The drive from the border with Alaska to Anchorage is another 8 hours so add another day onto your plan if that's where you are headed. Make sure you bring maps or have them downloaded on your device before you drive - the majority of the way through northern Alberta, British Columbia and Yukon will have no cell coverage except when you reach some bigger settlements.

To give you a quick estimate of how long the journey will take from some major US Cities, check the table below - it assumes you are going from the U.

City to Anchorage and we're assuming up to 8 hours of driving per day before accounting for stops:. Camping is an affordable way to travel the Alaska Highway and gives you a lot of flexibility in where you stop for the night. Plan on stopping early for the night to make sure you get a spot, especially further south in British Columbia and Alberta.

In addition, there are many private campgrounds and RV parks that welcome tents as well. Some private campgrounds and RV parks offer showers and laundry. The Alaska Highway is a wonderful place to see wildlife, particularly moose and bears. Keep your eyes out and watch your speed, especially around moose! For moose viewing, keep your eyes out along the sides of the road, especially 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. The Cassiar Highway is the place where I have seen the most bears on the drive to Alaska. Even if you take a different route, you have a good chance of seeing a bear. It is important that you follow all recommended bear safety procedures , especially when camping or hiking. Follow all post signs and warnings related to wildlife. The most important thing is to never, ever leave food out when you are not actively eating it.

Keep it locked in your vehicle. There are also different kinds of wild sheep that you may see, as well as many birds and other mammals such as foxes and maybe even a lynx. There are 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 have literally every single thing you might want to stop for.

These are a few of my favorite stops and side trips on the drive to Alaska:. Any reliable road worthy vehicle will be totally fine to drive to Alaska. Its overall reliability is much more important than any specific capabilities like 4 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 road itself does not require anything in particular from your vehicle. All of them were just fine. Breakdowns happen and people will help you. They will help you get help and to a shop that can fix your vehicle. You may be able to get a ride to the nearest town, or you may be able to stay with the vehicle and someone will send help.

I know this sounds scary, but this is a place where strangers will help you. Mechanics even in very small towns will do everything they can to help you get back on the road. The most important thing you need to bring on your trip is the latest edition of the Milepost.

This comprehensive guide is critical and includes all the access roads and all the roads in Alaska, the Yukon and most of British Columbia and Alberta. Trust me, you need this! I recommend checking out my complete road trip packing list and my packing list for Alaska.

A few things to call out specifically:. When is the best time to drive to Alaska? What parts of Alaska can you drive to? How much does it cost to drive to Alaska? Can you drive to Alaska without going to Canada? How long does it take to drive to Alaska? What are road conditions like? Is there cell phone service on the drive to Alaska? Where can you sleep along the way including camping? Wildlife you might see The best stops and things to do on your road trip to Alaska Preparing your vehicle What to pack for your road trip to Alaska Fall note: Canada has opened its border to fully vaccinated travelers from most other countries.

Construction zones in the north typically involve long stretches of gravel, often with a pilot car. Bear Glacier on the road to Stewart. Me in the middle of the sign post forest. Miles Canyon Suspension Bridge. Photo Credit: Government of Yukon. Aerial view of Kluane National Park.