This Is What Driving To Alaska Is Like
Everyone who asks me about driving to Alaska starts with the same question: how long does it take. That's the wrong question. I've done this drive twice, once with my dad and once with my girlfriend, and the number of days was never the part that stuck with me. What matters is what the drive is actually like once you're in it, because that's what decides whether you love this trip or just grind through it.
Driving along the Matanuska river headed for Anchorage. Photo by Dalton Johnson
PROS:
Scenic Beauty: The drive offers breathtaking views of mountains, forests, lakes, and wildlife, providing an immersive experience of North America's natural beauty.
Flexibility: Driving allows you to set your own pace, make spontaneous stops, and explore off-the-beaten-path destinations that may not be accessible by air or train.
Cost Savings: Depending on your vehicle and travel style, driving can be more cost-effective than flying, especially if you're traveling with a group or carrying camping gear.
Adventure: The journey itself is an adventure, filled with opportunities for hiking, wildlife spotting, camping, and discovering hidden gems along the way.
Cultural Experience: Driving through different regions and communities offers insights into local cultures, traditions, and cuisines, enhancing your overall travel experience.
CONS:
Long Travel Time: The distance and sometimes challenging road conditions can make the journey time-consuming, especially if you prefer a leisurely pace or encounter delays.
Weather Challenges: Northern climates can bring unpredictable weather, including snowstorms, icy roads, and fog, which may require flexibility in your travel plans.
Remote Areas: Some stretches of the route are remote with limited services, requiring careful planning for fuel, supplies, accommodations, and emergency situations.
Border Crossings: International border crossings involve customs checks, which can add time to your journey, especially during peak travel seasons.
Vehicle Wear and Tear: Long-distance driving can put strain on your vehicle, requiring regular maintenance, fuel stops, and potential repairs along the way.
Fatigue: Extended periods of driving can lead to driver fatigue, affecting safety and enjoyment, necessitating breaks and adequate rest during the journey.
A bear sighting on the to Alaska during the spring. Photo by Dalton Johnson
What Driving To Alaska Is Actually Like
I've done this drive twice, in the same converted van, on the Cassiar Highway instead of the Alcan. The first time was with my dad, in early spring, and it took us about two weeks. The second was with my girlfriend, Kristin, on the way back down, over roughly ten days.
The spring trip with my dad was cold. We were living out of the van, and every night the temperature dropped hard. We hit snow more than once, and the roads stayed cold and slick for days at a stretch. Which reminded me of living van life in winter. None of that mattered much once the wildlife started showing up. Bears, moose, eagles, black bears, brown bears, more animals in a week than most people see in a lifetime.
We broke the drive into smaller days on purpose, instead of trying to knock the miles out as fast as possible. That's the real lesson from doing this trip twice: the goal isn't speed, it's the ability to slow down and actually make stops. We took detours to see glaciers my dad had never seen before, and watching his face light up the first time he saw one is the kind of thing you don't get if you're rushing to hit 500 miles a day. Two weeks straight with my dad, in my late twenties, is time I don't get very often anymore. You leave the house, you move out, and suddenly a stretch like that with a parent becomes rare. This trip is one of my fondest memories with him because of it.
Coming back down with Kristin, we took the Cassiar again, but this time we stopped at hot springs along the way and spent a few days revisiting the same glacier. We watched salmon runs and lost count of the bears, including a handful of cubs. Ten days on the road together, just the two of us, ended up being one of the things that cemented our relationship. Same road, two completely different trips, because we let ourselves take our time on both.
That's the thing nobody tells you about driving to Alaska. The mileage and the days on a map are just numbers. What actually makes the trip is slowing down enough to let it happen around you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to drive to Alaska or fly?
Depends what you're after. If you just need to get there, fly. If you want the glaciers, the wildlife, and the small towns along the way, drive. That's the whole trip, not just the destination.
Should I take the Alcan Highway or the Cassiar Highway?
I've taken the Cassiar both directions and I'd do it again. It's more remote than the Alcan, fewer services, but that's exactly why we saw so much wildlife and had the road mostly to ourselves. Just plan your fuel stops more carefully than you think you need to.
Here are my favorite stops along the drive.
Do I need a passport to drive to Alaska?
Yes. You're crossing into Canada and back into the US, so bring a valid passport (or passport card) for both border crossings.
How much does it cost to drive to Alaska?
It depends on how you travel. We were in a converted van both times, so our costs were mostly fuel, food, and campsites. Budget for roughly 2,200+ miles each way, and know that the slower you go, the more days you're paying for, even if each day costs less.
Is wildlife a real safety concern on this drive?
Yes. We saw black bears, brown bears, moose, eagles, salmon runs, and bear cubs on both trips. Keep your distance, don't feed anything, and be extra careful around cubs. Mom is always close by.
What's the best time of year to make the drive?
I did the drive up in early spring and it was cold the entire way, snow more than once, cold nights every night. If you want more stable roads, go late spring through early fall. If you go early like I did, pack like it's still winter.
Can you do this trip in a van or camper?
Yes, that's how I've done it both times. Just expect cold nights, especially outside peak summer, and know that services thin out fast once you're on the Cassiar.
One of the many lakes roadside while road tripping to Alaska. Photo by Dalton Johnson
Driving to Alaska isn't really about the miles. I've done it twice, once with my dad and once with Kristin, and neither trip is memorable because of how many days it took. They're memorable because we slowed down enough to actually be there, stopping for glaciers, hot springs, and every bear that crossed the road. Give yourself at least 7 to 10 days if you can. However you do it, drive fast or take your time, just don't rush past the reason you wanted to do this trip in the first place.
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