The Highway is well maintained but being 1,387 miles long. Copyright 2023 Nomads With A Purpose | Trellis Framework by Mediavine. This was high on my list of places I wanted to camp and hike but it had too much snow in May so we had to skip it. While driving the Alaskan Highway you are mostly in a constant sea of trees, the Cassiar Highway goes over and beside more rolling hills and a few mountain passes. (U.S) Gasoline Fuel Transfer Tank to use for fueling the G-Wagen. We ended up spending this night at another rest area, but if I had known how nice the Teslin RV park was I probably wouldve pushed on to there. Whitehorse is part of the Golden Circle which encompasses Whitehorse, Carcross, Skagway, Haines and Haines Junction. They have regular gas in the winter for snowmobilers, not sure about the rest of the year. Learn how your comment data is processed. The campground here is really pretty and a great place to stop for a night if its later in the season (or you have warmer blankets than we had). Length of Time: 5 to 6 hours without stops. Hopefully our F150 does fine. The mountains and glaciers of the Alaska Range form a majestic backdrop, with miles of rolling tundra punctuated by shallow lakes in between. 1986 Monte Carlo SS Alaska Highway. While some of the towns on the Alaskan Highway are good to stretch your legs for a few hours, Whitehorse is a place you should plan on staying in for a few days. I had to throw this one in for anyone who is like my husband. Copyright 2023 AlaskaTrekker | All Rights Reserved, http://images.drivebc.ca/bchighwaycam/pub/html/www/index-Northern.html. Robyn (right) and oldest daughter, Gabi (left), are the co-founders of nomadswithapurpose.com and the creators behind the growing multi-media adventure and lifestyle brand. From Glennallen, take Alaska Route 4 (AK-4, also called Richardson Highway) south towards Valdez. You can take the ferry from Whittier (near Anchorage along the road to Seward) over to Haines and connect up with the ALCAN via the Haines Highway. Occasionally you may hit a station that is "sold out" due to a caravan stopping, etc. Additionally, some stations may have limited hours of operation, so its important to plan accordingly and make sure you have enough fuel to reach the next station if a station is closed or has limited hours. What type of weather should we expect? We hadnt alloted enough days in our schedule and honestly, I wasnt sure I wanted to drive our Class C on this just in case it did break down but I know I missed out on one epic adventure. . In retrospect, I wouldve stayed an extra night at Strawberry Flats and done a nearby hike that day. He strives to interest others in the historic drive to keep the legendary Route 66 alive. Top tips and advice for EV road trippers in 2022. Mark Watsonis a California-based member of a Los Angeles Motorcycle Club and a keen traveler. Longest stretch between gas stations in Texas Google Canada Customs and it will have a list of what you cant bring. Drove to Anchorage Alaska to visit my sister and go to the Iditarod . There are some short sections though that are under construction and may be dirt road or bumpy for a bit. We had 2, five gallon cans of gas we took with in case we needed them, but made sure to gas up when ever possible. This distance is 2395 km (1488 mi). My wife and I are more concerned. I actually had my sights set on camping that night at Summit Lake campground but we were too early in the season. The streets are very warm so Id say its a 99% chance of being just fine and beautiful with fresh green leaves along the way. Take a backpacking trip and sleep beneath glaciers. About Our Highways, Alaska Kids' Corner, State of Alaska Strawberry Flats is one of the most gorgeous campgrounds Ive ever stayed at. However, the Burwash-Koidern section is still a problem, as the new highway built there in the late 1990s continues to experience frost heave. It is off the NWT Highway 1 that heads to Yellowknife, on NWT Highway 2, but if you are in need of gas and the Enterprise station is close, it is the place to go. You should always fill up in these major towns: Fort St. John, Fort Nelson, Watson Lake, Whitehorse, and Tok. It can freeze overnight starting mid-September up there so icy roads are possible in the mornings. One spare tire ought to be fine. Can You Drive an RV to Alaska? And Should You? - RV LIFE Big Delta State Historical Park and turn off to Rika's . The Dalton Highway has the distinction of (among other things) having the longest stretch of service less road in North America. Could be icy north of Prince George next week. I plan on carrying two (2) firearms, a rifle & a shotgun + send a pistol up to AK (as a retd LEO there are now CCDW Issues to resolve in any U.S. location but Canada is not a handgun-friendly nation. at Beaver Creek, Yukon; north then west from Dawson Creek (an advance group started from Fort Nelson, British Columbia after traveling on winter roads on frozen marshland from railway stations on Also, gas in Alaska is measured in gallons, and in Canada, in liters. In Ontario it's 130 miles between Hearst & Longlac on Hwy. What is the longest distance between exits? - Z Library Developer seeks zoning approval for gas station, fast food business High Country RV: I loved this campground and that is really saying something because I rarely stay in campgrounds. The Alaska Highway is 2,224 Km/1382 miles long and stretches from Dawson Creek, . The Alaska Highway in The Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut Even though there are places you can stop along the way, theres nothing thats that really worth stopping for plus, the hikes and bike rides I planned on doing werent going to be fun because it was raining on and off most days. Thank you! While I drove this by myself with my kids, if Victor had been with us, he wouldve needed to find a gym along the way to get his swoll on (I couldnt say it with a straight face). Detouring from here to the Golden Circle was a really nice change of scenery for us. Planning on making the trip from Anchorage to Haines to catch the ferry in December/early January. But it melted the next day or so. We will soon find out. East Access Route: This is the most direct route from Great Falls, Montana, through Calgary, AB and Edmonton, AB. In some remote areas, it can be up to 150 miles or more between gas stations. The beauty and free camping opportunities at the top of some of these passes tempted me to stop and sit still for a few days to enjoy but I wasnt prepared for it. (w/250 mi. Since Im moving to the lower 48 I dont want to buy studded tires for a one-time use (I have a 4wd truck & good all-season tires). Weve flown to Europe and New Zealand with just a backpack on our backs and road tripped through them but it was hard traveling so lightly. Tip for border crossing: I almost always time the crossings to be later in the evening just in case the wait is long. However. You should find gas every 150 miles or so, but there are several exceptions. According to Guinness World Records, the Pan-American Highway is the world's longest "motorable road". The Alaska Highway, also known as the Alcan Highway, is a remote road that runs through Canada and Alaska, so gasoline can be more expensive than in urban areas. It is an invaluable 768 page book that documents the entire trip including every gas station and motel along the way. This highway runs between US 95 and Denio, NV. I will have the cases taped up and wont open any of the bottles on the way. It's a small fishing town that was established in 1903 during the gold rush and named after President Lincoln's Secretary of State, William H. Seward. (See the end of this blog for details on exact cost of fuel.). Any other tips besides keep extra gas, and winter gear? Another time I didnt like the vibe was when we were parked across the street from Liard Hot Springs. Guide to the Dalton Highway | Livengood to Deadhorse | ALASKA.ORG Northern B.C. The road itself is . But, dont quote ME on that! Leaving Fairbanks Dec19 2017 headed to California , Anyone else? Finally, Alaska is a state with harsh weather conditions, which makes the maintenance of pipelines and drilling more expensive. Im starting to think the smell of our toilet attracted them *facepalm.*. He is an author of bestseller books on Amazon: Route 66 Travel Guide 202 Amazing Places and Alaska Highway 202 Best Stops. 2) Skip the Alcanat least one way. Yes, there are gas stations along the Alaska Highway, but they can be spaced out and some may close during the winter months. We only stayed in campgrounds for a total of 30 nights and some were as little as $9 per night and others were as expensive as $70 a night. Bring a spare tire (or two) and pay close attention to your gasthe longest distance between pumps is from Dease Lake to the Yukon border, a distance of 247 kilometres. Keep in mind that some vehicles (especially older cars) have trouble starting in such cold weather. 5 Important Tips However, Canada uses the metric system, so signs will be in kilometers (km) per hour. TY very much, J. Scott. The roads were not plowed and many of the curves with steep drop offs had no guardrails. We like to boondock as much as possible because not only does it save money, but it allows us to do more adventures during the day and get our driving done later in the evening, which worked really well for us on this trip. The Cassiar Highway offers outstanding scenery and good wildlife viewing, especially of black bears in the spring. Id be driving for hours on end lost in my thoughts, half listening to my 8 year old ramble on again about her birthday thats 4 months away and half singing along to the same songs Ive heard a thousand times on Jiraiyas playlist, while passing a sign that says 1000 km to Whitehorse and think to myself NO FRIGGIN WAY, when all of a sudden a huge black dot interrupts the sea of trees that Im immersed in (which btw is what allows me the luxury to half heartedly listen to my beloved children while pondering the meaning of life instead of focusing on the road). Although we did see about 40 bears in Canada just on the side of the road. The Cassiar Highway junctions with Yellowhead Highway 16 at Milepost PG 298, Skeena River bridge, and travels north to junction with the Alaska Highway at Milepost DC 626.2, 13.3 miles/21.4 km west of Watson Lake, YT. Visit 202 places on the ALCAN with Scan QR and go for easy navigation. If you have posted the videos on YouTube, would you provide the links? Keep plenty of gas. Its another bear. Supposedly saves about 50 miles. Are chains advised? This really is a trip of a lifetime and most everyone who does it once wants to go back and do it again. Sure we saw 17 bears within a five hours time span (on May 17th to top it off), but after sharing this with locals I learned that this is not the norm. Expect a 30%-50% chance that any particular stop will be closed. 450 - Junction 37 Services - 60 miles - Junction with Alaska Highway Stewart BC - station open set hours only - at end of Hwy 37A . Trans Labrador Highway Gas Stops? | Adventure Rider Your email address will not be published. The next day I really didnt have the intention of driving so far, but there really wasnt anything that amazing to stop for except for the 17 bears we saw along the highway. Planning an Rv trip from WI to Alaska starting June 2023. It was heavenly! Thank you. RVs can fill up in Kitwanga, Meziadin Junction, Bell II, Tatogga, Iskut and Dease Lake. The Highway is also known as the Liard Trail and starts two hours from Alaska Highway. We slept in our van. Logged live from sunny San Diego. We are moving from Anchorage to North Carolina next month. Never let gas tank get below half full, and you may need to get a block heater installed and carry an extension cord. You can combine all 5 towns into a great road trip and see the worlds smallest desert, go over the White Pass, which could easily be one of the worlds best mountain passes, and immerse yourself in gold rush history. Gasoline is often more expensive on the Alaska Highway due to a number of factors. While the Alaskan Highway provides so many opportunities to learn about history, its not the driving force in my life right now. Dalton Highway - Wikitravel This was our total cost for all the campgrounds we stayed at over our entire 4 months of travel. Required fields are marked *. The highest price we came across was $5.70 American/gallon. The Milepost is a book with mile-by-mile highway logs for 30 major routes and 60 side trips to and in Alaska. Where the Alaska Highway Starts Dawson Creek, BC is 700 miles north of the US/Canadian border. Any other advice? The Alaskan Highway is a completely paved road and open all year, although you do need to carry chains from October through April. The longest stretch between exits on an Interstate Highway is located between Wendover and Knolls, with 37.4 miles (60.2 km) between those exits. Ride the free shuttle to Logan Pass and enjoy the dramatic views of the mountains and wildlife. We included our two favorite hikes and an epic campground in Hatcher Pass in our blog 25 Epic Things To Do Near Anchorage. At the bare minimum, you should allot 3 days for this area. the Northern Alberta Railways); both east and west from Whitehorse after being ferried in via the White Pass and Yukon Route railway. Liard Hot Springs is a gorgeous and relaxing as all the hype makes it out to be and its extra fantastic when you think about how few other things there are to do along the highway nearby. (See my detailed itinerary at the end of this blog.). In Alaska, the distances and signs are posted in miles and miles per hour. That can give you a heads up to what it looks like. Sure, Liard Hot Springs sounded amazing, but Id never drive thousands of miles to visit it when Idaho is filled with epic hot springs that are way less crowded. The coldest was 30 below zero. THEY WERE SO GOOD!!! Once in Kalispell, Palmer, Anchorage and Squamish. All rest areas must contain the following: Here are a few detours you should consider when planning your Alaska road trip itinerary. Very likely not. The roads were bad totally covered in snow we had several snowstorms . The Cassiar Highway is a much narrower road, especially the section closest to Watson Lake. Road Trip To Alaska: Everything You Need To Know About Driving The I was so torn on whether we should drive our RV, which is in poor conditions to say the least, all the way up the Alaskan Highway or just fly to Alaska and rent an RV to explore Alaska. In the winter, theres a business open around every 100 miles or so. The 450 miles of rugged beauty journeys through northern British Columbia from the Skeena River Bridge on the Yellowhead Highway to just west of Watson Lake on the Alaska Highway. Right before you get to Prince Rupert you can turn onto highway 37, which is the Cassiar Highway. There was a stretch in south Texas along the King ranch that was a long one without gas. Awaiting delivery of the Milepost. How Far Apart Are Fuel Stops On The Nullarbor? Driving from Alaska to California in mid May 2018, will we need chains for our car at any point? Youre joking right? Getting to Yellowknife: Driving | Yellowknife Online So what are some of the longest (100+ miles) stretches of highway between gas stations in Texas ? Season: Open all year The drive sounded extra daunting since our home base is San Diego, which meant over two thousand miles of driving before we even started the Alaskan Highway. I drove the Alcan February 15, 2017 . Fill up at every gas station and have full survivor gear. If you choose to add Glacier National Park to your itinerary, be sure to read our blog Tips for Camping in Glacier National Park and 5 Best Hikes in Glacier National Park. North of Coldfoot, there is a 240-mile (386-km) stretch of road with no gas stations, restaurants, hotels, or any other basic services until the Prudhoe Bay oilfield at Deadhorse. From Fairbanks, hop on the Elliot Highway approximately 70 miles past historic gold mines to Livengood, where you'll pick up the start of the Dalton Highway. Gas stations are not that rare. Im going to post some videos to YouTube about our trip it was amazing and I would do it again . Three Bears and Village gas stations were STILL . Additionally, its worth noting that gas prices in remote areas can be higher than in urban areas. There are also a lot of logging and semi trucks driving the highway in some sections and between the construction areas and since its a two lane highway, the big rigs would often spray up dirt and rocks making your vehicle/RV get very muddy and sometimes sending little rocks flying into the windshield. You need a US passport and traveling from May through August is best to avoid ice on the road. Plan on it taking at least 6.5 hours plus any stops you want to make. Alaska Hwy fuel stopsAlaska Hwy fuel stops - distance, Miles approx, to next fuel stop, north bound. The Alaskan Highway passes through a few major cities but mostly through really small towns. Dease Lake with the Alaska Highway. I hope you now know more about gas stations along the Alaska Highway. The drive is long, but just like another pregnancy or childbirth, you endure it and look back so fondly at it. We had two flat tires . Is it your dream to pile your kids in the car and head out on a road trip to Alaska? Your actual mileage will vary, however, and if you spend enough time on the road you're guaranteed to run into traffic delays or detours. In Yukon and BC I hit 3 bad snow storms. Blogs that appear on this website may contain affiliate links. One of peoples biggest fears when driving the Alaska Highway is running out of gas. Although travelling the 2,000 miles between Seattle, Washington and Fairbanks, Alaska is an amazing experience, there are alternatives. A.) The Alaska Highway (also called the ALCAN Highway) is a long 1,390 mile road stretching from Delta Junction, Alaska at its northwestern end to Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Canada at its southeastern end. We took our time getting going from Muncho Lake since the scenery at Strawberry Flats was so incredible. Without those detours, I couldve easily done it in 3 daysDawson Creek to Muncho Lake, Muncho to Whitehorse, and Whitehorse to Delta Junction. Northern BC Road Trip - Getting to and Along the Alaska Highway They are passionate about adventuring in the outdoors through surfing, climbing, mountain biking, and hiking. Additionally, its important to note that prices for gasoline and diesel can be significantly higher in remote areas. These factors contribute to the high cost of gasoline in Alaska. Plenty of opportunities to get into trouble. If I left any of your questions unanswered, dont hesitate to comment on the blog and let me know! Liard Highway, (Highway 77 in British Columbia and Highway 7 in the Northwest Territories) is an all-weather road linking northern British Columbia and the Northwest Territories. Heading that way now with a 30 ft toy hauler. Seward is located about 120 miles south of Anchorage along the Seward Highway. Stay at the lodge on Lake Mac Donald and enjoy gorgeous sunrises, sunsets, and boating. There are four main routes that you can take to get to the start of the Alaskan Highway: West Access Route: The West Access Route takes you from Seattle through Vancouver BC, Cache Creek, Williams Lake, and Prince George BC. Gas stations along the Alaska Highway can be found at regular intervals, but it is always a good idea to fuel up when available as some stretches between stations can be quite long. The Alaska Highway . Northern terminus is a few miles from the Arctic Ocean. All other sections are substantially shorter. While the town itself isnt something to write home about (though it was nice to be back in a lively civilization again), the area just north of it, Hatcher Pass, is something you shouldnt skip. SW Colorado to Fairbanks, leaving Durango Colorado December 9th if able to stay on plan. Next time I will just fly up but I am so glad I drove it once for five big reasons: Once I was in Alaska, I loved that I had my RV with me and all the things I needed for this adventure. This is very sad but it is a singular case and I dont think it is a fair representation of whether the Alcan is safe or not. It could be a few hours until your next stop, Cell service is non-existent in many places for hours on end, Buy The Milepost (without cell service the book is your only source of info). If you do run into trouble, people along the highway tend to help each other out. What Are ALCAN Road Conditions Like. The Alcan Highway is 1,387 miles long but the exact length varies year to year on road construction detours. Alaska's 414-mile Dalton Highway runs through some of the state's most remote wilderness from Livengood to Prudhoe Bay. When it closed at 9 pm, we drove just a bit further to a rest area to sleep for the night. Many people are confused when I tell them we drove the Alcan highway but its the exact same highway as the Alaska Highway, just a different name. Overview. 1,390 miles one way from Dawson Creek to Delta Junction. How to plan a US road trip in an EV in 2022 - Lonely Planet What is the longest stretch of road without gas station? One mile = 1.6 kilometers. --mark #10 skyhigh70 likes this. We are planning on driving and pulling a trailer from Alaska to Idaho the first week of October. One huge misconception about driving this highly regarded northern highway has graduated from the long gone history from the days of old. click here to read our Canada National Parks Road Trip Itinerary. and most of them do not have a pay-at-the-pump mechanism. You can. I will be traveling with my 14 yr. old grandson & my two (2) English Mastiff. Michael, youre foolish to try that drive in January/February. I was ready for jagged mountains, glaciers, and epic hikes so we headed down to Valdez. The road was winding and snaked through various tunnels and bridges, while taking you alongside the railroad tracks and all their bridges and tunnels. The longest stretch of "no fuel" is about 100 miles, but most of the Alaska Highway and the Cassiar have fuel every 50 miles or less. See all of the above. Range Reserve. That's 39-40 miles, and no sign at all. Are you curious what grand adventures await for you in The Last Frontier? Another night we camped right on the water and saw many sea otters playing right in from of the campground. We're glad you found us! Californian George Carmack and his Tagish Indian friends, Skookum Jim and Dawson Charlie struck gold at Bonanza Creek in the Klondike. It is not mandatory to have studded tires in BC, but here is what it says on the BC.gov.ca website about having proper tires for the winter : It is the responsibility of the operator of a vehicle to understand the conditions on roads they regularly drive and equip their vehicle for those conditions. Where does the Alcan Highway Start and End? The Only Anchorage to Seward Driving Guide [and Itinerary!] You'll Need The same tires in the states cost only $500. Before the Parks Highway was completed in the early 1970s, the Denali Highway was the only . Alaska Highway - Wikitravel Are there height restrictions any where along the Alcan HWY? The trip between the Canadian border to Fairbanks, Alaska, is a stretch of nearly 1,500 miles, and the trip from Seattle, Washington, to Fairbanks is a whopping 2,313 miles. The first part of the Alaskan Highway, after you cross the border into Alaska, is a bit rougher and if you take the Tok Cutoff to go towards Anchorage, the road gets VERY rough and bumpy so youll want to take it slower. Discover the best stops along the Alaska Highway in my travel guide, Alaska Highway Travel Guide 202 Best Stops, which is available on Amazon. Diesel access in route Alaska? | Heartland Owners Forum I wanted to make sure I got a campsite as close to town as possible since I was planning on spending a few days here. Over the course of the 4 month road trip we got an Airbnb for one night four times. You may be wondering,Where Can I get gas on the Alaska Highway?, Are there gas stations along the Alaska Highway?, Where Can I get gas on the ALCAN?, How far between gas stations on the Alaska Highway?. For US travelers: If you want to compare the price of gas from CAD to USD take the price per liter and multiply by 3.78 then multiply that by the current exchange rate of $1 CAD to the USD (at the time that was $0.76 USD). Probably the least scenic way in my opinion. RV.Net Open Roads Forum: Miles between gas stations on Alcan and Last, spend one day in Jasper National Park. If you made it this far, CONGRATS because you are going to have an epic trip up the Alaska highway with all the info you just read. The longest distance in the continental US between gas stations is apparently 179 miles on NV/OR 140 between Winnemucca NV and Lakeview OR. I'm so glad this helped you! The area between Fort Nelson Liard Hot Springs to Watson Lake there was no phone service . Whitehorse in itself is a great destination. We love sharp, jagged peaks, lush forests, and alpine lakes nestled under glaciers so naturally it was time to explore Alaska. How far apart are gas stations on the Alaska Highway?