I'm in over my head! Nebraska to Dead Horse Ak.

[Dunnage Garage]

As things are coming together for my June 2025 Nebraska to Dead Horse, I am realizing I MAY ... AM in over my head! If there is anyone out there who can lend some advice on the trip planning, that would be greatly appreciated. Currently I am using Mapquest, iOverlander, and OnX. I have all three programs open and cross check between the them. The first two issues go hand in hand.
1st: fuel - I am not finding towns listed on the maps between here and there. If I zoom in almost as far as possible and switch to satellite view, I can find some city's/towns along the way. But obviously the closer I get to Alaska the fewer the towns. Is there a better program to help find and plan my fuel stops?
2nd: wild camping - I assumed that iOverlander would have thousands of spots listed (at one time it seemed to maybe on the mobile version?) but now there is only 1 or 2 listed between Nebraska and Canada, and none listed in Canada...Again is there a better way, or am I missing something?
3rd: I am starting to question if 30 days is enough time, it looks like If I drive 3.5hrs and 250 miles every day, it would take the full 30 days to go round trip. I was hoping for a week up, and week back and two weeks of time to stop and play throughout the trip. Somedays drive 8-10hrs other days only drive 3-4. - I think Lifestyle Overland recently did the trip in 7 days from Utah to Anchorage.
I am not looking for anyone to plan my trip, but I could use some advice...

 

[K12]

As things are coming together for my June 2025 Nebraska to Dead Horse, I am realizing I MAY ... AM in over my head! If there is anyone out there who can lend some advice on the trip planning, that would be greatly appreciated. Currently I am using Mapquest, iOverlander, and OnX. I have all three programs open and cross check between the them. The first two issues go hand in hand.
1st: fuel - I am not finding towns listed on the maps between here and there. If I zoom in almost as far as possible and switch to satellite view, I can find some city's/towns along the way. But obviously the closer I get to Alaska the fewer the towns. Is there a better program to help find and plan my fuel stops?
2nd: wild camping - I assumed that iOverlander would have thousands of spots listed (at one time it seemed to maybe on the mobile version?) but now there is only 1 or 2 listed between Nebraska and Canada, and none listed in Canada...Again is there a better way, or am I missing something?
3rd: I am starting to question if 30 days is enough time, it looks like If I drive 3.5hrs and 250 miles every day, it would take the full 30 days to go round trip. I was hoping for a week up, and week back and two weeks of time to stop and play throughout the trip. Somedays drive 8-10hrs other days only drive 3-4. - I think Lifestyle Overland recently did the trip in 7 days from Utah to Anchorage.
I am not looking for anyone to plan my trip, but I could use some advice...

What is your plan as far as roads of travel? Mostly dirt? mostly highway? If you are doing 250m on dirt roads it will very likely be more than 3.5 hours a day. Dirt will require a lot more research into fuel. You can search on google maps for gas station one your route qhen you come to a main road/highway. since you are starting in nebraska and moving west, find Bereau of land management or National forrest land as you can generally camp for free there, as long as it is not posted as no camping. They are primative and pack in pack out.

 

[ZombieCat]

As @K12 asked, what is your planned route/style of travel? Will you meander your way to Prudhoe Bay, using secondary and/or unpaved roads? Or is the goal to get there as quickly as possible?
I ran a route query through Google Maps using Omaha as a starting point in June. It’s approximately 3750 miles; if you average 400 miles per day (I can do that towing a small trailer - solo), you can get there in about 10 days. Plot your daily route by mileage and research potential camping locations around that mileage destination. Internet service will be weak to nonexistent for a good portion of your drive. Campendium, HipCamp and The Dyrt are resources you can use for U.S. camping ideas.
Regarding Canada, do your homework! The rules for wild camping vary by province. National and Provincial parks have affordable campgrounds, but some are difficult to book as they are popular. The initial lotteries for Canada’s national park campgrounds are happening NOW.
Once you arrive in Deadhorse, relax, do a polar plunge, etc. Then begin your more leisurely return journey. You now have time to spare.
A bit of advice: If you plan to pay for gas in Canada using a credit card, ensure that your card does NOT assess foreign transaction fees. They can quickly add up to a nasty surprise on your statement. I’d also have a bit of local currency for emergencies and remote location purchases. Have a mapping system that does not rely solely on internet access - use satellite, paper, downloads or some combination thereof. Make physical (digital) notes of towns, fuel and grocery resources for each day of your trip. Being methodical and planning ahead will relieve anxiety and give you confidence. I hope to do a similar trip in the future.

 

[shortbus4x4]

The farther north you go the less roads there will be to choose from. And they are not Interstates like the lower 48 so your speeds will be slower. Also it will be construction season so that will slow you down too. Plan some down time, driving every day for a month will not be fun and there's a good chance you'll find surprises on the way you'll want to spend time at. If you have more time to do it absolutely take it.

 

[shortbus4x4]

Forgot to add, get the Milepost.

 

[Dunnage Garage]

First and foremost,, Thank you for the feedback. My proposed route is Hwy 281 North, up through South Dakota, North Dakota, enter into Saskatchewan on 39, head up through Alberta on 43, BC on 97, then hwy 1 & 2 into Alaska then up. Mostly highway, but getting off the road for camping and filming as much as possible. I am liking the 10 days up, 10 days back, and 10 days for misc (because misc will happen). I didn't think about foreign CC fees so I will look into that, along with Canadian Insurance cards.

 

[ZombieCat]

That’s pretty much the route I found. You’ll likely see some amazing scenery in Alaska, but if you have the time, the Icefields Parkway (Hwy 93 in Alberta) might be worth the detour. I was only able to visit the area south of Saskatchewan Crossing last year due to the fires in Jasper (my campsite reservations were canceled due to the evacuation), but it was breathtaking. Banff was as crowded as Disney World, but fine if you hike a trail away from the phone-wielding influencers. Note that if you want to reach Lake Louise and/or Moraine Lake or use the associated trailheads, you’ll have to buy a shuttle ticket online. I hiked the Plain of Six Glaciers trail from Lake Louise up to the tea house - great views!
I also purchased a Parks Canada Discovery pass; you’d have to evaluate whether that would be cost effective based on your plan. I’m considering a cross-Canada trip next summer, so please let us know how your trip goes.

 

[The Deputy]

First and foremost,, Thank you for the feedback. My proposed route is Hwy 281 North, up through South Dakota, North Dakota, enter into Saskatchewan on 39, head up through Alberta on 43, BC on 97, then hwy 1 & 2 into Alaska then up. Mostly highway, but getting off the road for camping and filming as much as possible. I am liking the 10 days up, 10 days back, and 10 days for misc (because misc will happen). I didn't think about foreign CC fees so I will look into that, along with Canadian Insurance cards.

This was pretty much my route going out, once l got into ND. Came across US2 from Michigan, hooked a right at Rugby ND.

Coming back, the original plan was to hit Jasper...but it was toast by then. So, went a little east of that route, turning south at Saskatoon, then down through Moosejaw and from there into Montana. Took me 11 days to get there, 4000 miles (but stayed in Dawson Creek three days), spent about 17 days in Alaska, 2000 miles goofing around, and 8 days coming home (put in a couple long days though 600/800 miles), 4000 miles = 10,000 miles total.

You shouldn't have isses getting fuel, at the time of the year you're going. Later in the season, saw several gas station that were open in August, closed mid September (between Tok, AK and Dawson Creek, BC). Now, on the Dalton...you should take an extra jerry can(s), depending on what type of mileage you get. But, they have fuel in Coldfoot, it's about mid way to Prudhoe Bay. I only went to the arctic circle, didn't care about see the Arctic Ocean.

Get yourself a credit card with international plan...and use it for everything, and l mean everything possible. It will do the exchange rate for you. Believe the exchange rate was .37 cents on a dollar...so it adds up in savings.

The Mile Post came in handy, also. Used mostly goggle maps and my garmin ln Reach GPS/satelite device. Had paper maps too.

 

[Dunnage Garage]

Thank you, I will talk to the bank about a credit card with an international plan. Also, thank you for the suggestion to look at the Mile Post. I will look into the ice fields as a stop too. Depending on time, I have thought about dropping back into the States in Montana and visiting Glacier, Yellowstone, and The Tetons on the way home. But that will depend on how much time, $$ and patients I still possess at that point. lol

 

[The Deputy]

Have you thought about going up the Dempters hwy. to Tuktoyaktok, instead of doing the Dalton? Did the Dalton to Arctic circle, which was awesome. But, l believe you have to pay to get to Arctic ocean in Prudhoe bay, since the oil company owns the land at the end of the road. They have a new road to Tuk, that is accessible year round now. Just head north on #2 out of Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. Mind you, you will not have cell signal on a good portion of either of these routes, Dalton and Dempster. Believe the Mile Post covers the Dempster route, l'll see if l can find it to verify.

 

[shortbus4x4]

Have you thought about going up the Dempters hwy. to Tuktoyaktok, instead of doing the Dalton? Did the Dalton to Arctic circle, which was awesome. But, l believe you have to pay to get to Arctic ocean in Prudhoe bay, since the oil company owns the land at the end of the road. They have a new road to Tuk, that is accessible year round now. Just head north on #2 out of Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. Mind you, you will not have cell signal on a good portion of either of these routes, Dalton and Dempster. Believe the Mile Post covers the Dempster route, l'll see if l can find it to verify.

The Milepost used to cover the Dempster, probably still does. And no oilfield traffic on it either.