Advice for trip to tuktoyatuk

[oscar1970]

Hello travelers,
I was wondering if two weeks would be enough to go to tuktoyatuk and back from central Illinois? Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks. Maybe a little bit more information. It's a 7600 mile round trip and I intend to camp the whole way. It's going to be a solo trip as my family isn't interested in going. I'm just not sure if I'm being over confident on miles per day. I am a professional truck driver but still not sure I'm figuring correctly.

 

[The Deputy]

It could be done, no doubt. But, it would be a full plate of driving each day. According to my log, leaving from Michigan, it was seven days to Whitehorse (now, l was driving a 1990 Defender, so a modern vehicle could probably shave a day off, maybe two)...and then you're probably 6/7hours from Dawson City. So, depending where you're at in Central IL...l'm thinking you're going to be in the same round about time frame. The Dempters is 13 hours to Tuk, so...you're probably not doing that straight through, especially depending on when you leave and length of day or if you're good with driving at night on one of the most desolate roads in NA.

So, best case scenario...it's five days to DC, day and a half to Tuk. Repeat the other direction. I believe this would be a very mentally and phyiscally challenging endeavor. You have no room for error or incident.

Edit #1: Depending on when you go, road construction can be a bugger. I believe on the Dalton, just to the Arctic circle...there were two or three traffic stops that lasted well over twenty/forty minutes each. Heck, one was so long...just about knew the flag girls entire life story....or worse yet...any longer...and up there common law marriage might apply.

Edit #2: Wildlife is a huge concern also. In my travels to Alaska, number of animals l saw killed along the road...three moose, five bison and several smaller mammals. So, if l saw that many...how many made it farther into the bush? Real concern, while traveling...and if a person is trying to "make good time"...that only enhances the chances of an accident. And, you're going there to see wildlife...so driving safely, for your sake and theirs is paramount.

Edit #3: Breakdowns. Got waved down, along the Alcan by a couple looking for a Satelite phone (no cell coverage for about 300 miles of that stretch between Watson Lake and Ft. Nelson) that had been waiting three days for parts to be delivered from Fort Nelson's Auto-Parts Store. And not to knock Canada in the least, it is what it is, and the issues are driven primarily by geographical location (vastness), demand and population. But their supply-chain for parts is not nearly as extensive or readily available as in the states. Just another issue that can develop along the way. The more modern or common your vehicle is could help speed up repairs, certainly. Don't, ever, be in a hurry (or plan on making it home for that matter...lol) if you're driving a 1990 LR Defender. ;)

 

[Alanymarce]

We would take 74 days to do this, which I mention simply to share that it depends on your travel style.

If going efficiently (and safely) you could reach Dawson City from Mason City in five days (as The Deputy says), however this leaves no room for any issues, so I'd guess six days. Hence 12 days there and back. If you include all of the three weekends you then have 4 days to get to Tuktoyaktuk and back to DC. Possible? Yes. Sensible? I don't think so - a day's shut down of one of the ferries, a road closed for a day, or any other inconvenience and you'll be tempted to push through to the Ocean and then try to cover more daily mileage on the way back than is reasonable. I realise that you probably drive more than 10 hours a day professionally, however the north is not as predictable and the risk level is higher.

 

[oscar1970]

Thanks for the responses,I was kinda guessing that was case, I may have to plan a little more cushion. I have more vacation time. I was planning on the first part of june.