Alaska Highway

[Lvfunnyfarm]

Planning my trip. Anyone traveled it? Time of year? How long did it take you to get to Alaska? Camping/campgrounds plentiful? Gas stations or need to bring gas cans? Safe or sketchy fellow travelers/neighborhoods? Would like to hear about your experience to add to my research!


LvFunnyFarm

 

[Terry Pickens]

I am planning a trip next July up to that area what I have found so far is here https://overlandbound.com/forums/threads/alasaka-bound.3806/ Along the main highway I don't think you'll have to much trouble as RV's do it all the time. When you get off the main highway I plan on carrying extra gas just in case. I'll be watching this for any additional info that is passed on to you. Have a great trip.

 

[Lvfunnyfarm]

I am planning a trip next July up to that area what I have found so far is here https://overlandbound.com/forums/threads/alasaka-bound.3806/ Along the main highway I don't think you'll have to much trouble as RV's do it all the time. When you get off the main highway I plan on carrying extra gas just in case. I'll be watching this for any additional info that is passed on to you. Have a great trip.

Great link! Thanks!


LvFunnyFarm

 

[Andy G]

Driving it 5 times round trip between Kodiak/Anchorage/Juneau to/from both Michigan and Virginia.

Planning my trip. Anyone traveled it? Time of year? How long did it take you to get to Alaska? Camping/campgrounds plentiful? Gas stations or need to bring gas cans? Safe or sketchy fellow travelers/neighborhoods? Would like to hear about your experience to add to my research!


LvFunnyFarm

I've traveled it round trip 6 different times. Twice in the winter. Once by Ural sidecar motorcycle. The other 3 times in various modes of transportation. Length depends on where you're starting from, and how much time you wanna put into it. Quickest I've done was Anchorage to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan in 6 days. Very hard driving and no sight-seeing. Not cool. Plenty of places to stop along the way. I never carried any gas UNLESS I was planning on venturing off the beaten path.

Get a NEW copy of "The Milepost" - that thing is worth it's weight in gold. They update it each year and it's invaluable as a planning tool. Mile by mile descriptions of all the major highways that are very detailed. Includes gas, restaurants, hotels, campgrounds, sightseeing stuff, etc. Double check when the new edition comes out (I wanna say May of each year).

 

[trikebubble]

+1 on ordering The Milepost. I bought the 2017 version as we are heading North in July and I wanted to read through it over the winter. To say it is a detailed piece of work would be an understatement. It is like the Bible of the North, and worth every penny so far as I can see.

 

[Montaska]

Driven up and down a few times in the summer and the last time was mid-october. Usually took 3 full days from Montana to Anchorage. I've always carried a fuel can just in case but I've never needed it. In fact, I think rarely my tank ever got below half since I would fill up in each of the larger cities.

Be sure to plan for poor weather including snow/hail, even in the summer.

Have extra food, water and warmth - if you happen to break down it can take quite a while until somebody is able to get to you, depending on where you are during the trip.

Road is paved the entire way other than where they are working on it.

People on the highway are just normal people, not any more or less sketchy than anywhere else.

It's an easy and relaxing trip.

 

[smlobx]

We're planning an extended trip in 2019 and have begun research on various aspects as well.
One rule of thumb I use when traveling in unknown areas is to never let my tank get below 1/2 ...if I see a gas station and I'm about midlevel I stop and fill up...this paid off big time this fall when traveling in Nova Scotia where I was not able to find any fuel when my tank was half full until I literally had 1 gallon left in my tank when I finally did find one....and I have a 37 gallon tank!

 

[FireMedicPQ1]

Thanks for all the information. A couple of buddies and I are planning a similar trip a few years down the road.

 

[Lvfunnyfarm]

+1 on ordering The Milepost. I bought the 2017 version as we are heading North in July and I wanted to read through it over the winter. To say it is a detailed piece of work would be an understatement. It is like the Bible of the North, and worth every penny so far as I can see.

Ordered Thanks!


LvFunnyFarm

 

[Lvfunnyfarm]

Driving it 5 times round trip between Kodiak/Anchorage/Juneau to/from both Michigan and Virginia.

I've traveled it round trip 6 different times. Twice in the winter. Once by Ural sidecar motorcycle. The other 3 times in various modes of transportation. Length depends on where you're starting from, and how much time you wanna put into it. Quickest I've done was Anchorage to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan in 6 days. Very hard driving and no sight-seeing. Not cool. Plenty of places to stop along the way. I never carried any gas UNLESS I was planning on venturing off the beaten path.

Get a NEW copy of "The Milepost" - that thing is worth it's weight in gold. They update it each year and it's invaluable as a planning tool. Mile by mile descriptions of all the major highways that are very detailed. Includes gas, restaurants, hotels, campgrounds, sightseeing stuff, etc. Double check when the new edition comes out (I wanna say May of each year).

my copy just made it! So much info, thanks again!



LvFunnyFarm

 

[Andy G]

Awesome, glad you got it! Seeing that makes me SUPER jealous...!!! Have fun planning!!!

my copy just made it! So much info, thanks again!



LvFunnyFarm

 

[Scout]

My wife and I are a little past the beginning stages of planning a trip to Anchorage, from sw NY, sometime in 2019..Our nephew is in the AF there and we've flown up the past 3 summers. The plan is to drive in my '16 Tundra and bring our 2 dogs. I never thought that we need to have legal papers {shots and licenses} for the dogs when crossing the Canadian borders to and from. Took a 5 hr trip to WV a few days ago and realized our 1 dog might have anxiety issues. Can't get comfy and constantly pants..Its the small things we need to take into consideration as well as major possible issues like fuel and such.. Great post. I'm gonna be following along..

 

[Derty Offroad]

Ill definitely need to pick up the MilePost book. Im planning a trip from AZ to Denali that will take place in a few years when my son is a little older and my Jeep is ready for a longer trip. Was looking for a book like the MilePost!

 

[trikebubble]

My wife and I are a little past the beginning stages of planning a trip to Anchorage, from sw NY, sometime in 2019..Our nephew is in the AF there and we've flown up the past 3 summers. The plan is to drive in my '16 Tundra and bring our 2 dogs. I never thought that we need to have legal papers {shots and licenses} for the dogs when crossing the Canadian borders to and from. Took a 5 hr trip to WV a few days ago and realized our 1 dog might have anxiety issues. Can't get comfy and constantly pants..Its the small things we need to take into consideration as well as major possible issues like fuel and such.. Great post. I'm gonna be following along..

We find that keeping our one dog (an anxious Catahoula) in a small restricted space, or even cage when crossing a border or travelling seems to help maintain his calm. We've also had friends who have had good success with the Thunder jackets on anxious dogs.

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[Lvfunnyfarm]

We find that keeping our one dog (an anxious Catahoula) in a small restricted space, or even cage when crossing a border or travelling seems to help maintain his calm. We've also had friends who have had good success with the Thunder jackets on anxious dogs.

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

What’s a thunder jacket?


LvFunnyFarm

 

[trikebubble]

What’s a thunder jacket?


LvFunnyFarm

Google Thunder shirt, or dog Thunder shirt/jacket. They are snug dog shirts that help dogs deal with anxiety.

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[alaskan.lad]

Make a point to stop by Laird hot springs in Alberta.

Come on north!

 

[Lvfunnyfarm]

Make a point to stop by Laird hot springs in Alberta.

Come on north!

I’ll look it up! Thanks!


LvFunnyFarm

 

[ExploreMoreX4]

Drove from Anchorage to Rochester NY in 2016 in September/October. We only stayed in campsites the whole trip. Brought 2 5 gallon fuel cans with me and didn’t touch them. Since it was off season a few of the campgrounds we passed were closed, but that was more on the US side. Total we took 17 days, but several of those were from staying extra nights in Yellowstone, Mt Rushmore, and the Grand Tetons. I know it was already mentioned, but Laird hot springs was definitely worth stopping at.


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[CampWithChin]

I'm another potential planning my AK journey in 2019. I have watch too many youtube video to know not to miss a good spot. I'm from the east coast and this trip would be 12k miles minimal.

Make a point to stop by Laird hot springs in Alberta.

Come on north!

A warm soothing mineral bath will freshen your body and prep it for the long driving journey. I love hot springs.