Comrades of the road! I need to be in Anchorage on May 3, and I have just about convinced myself that a Buick is the way to go, since the road is paved, yes and under repair frequently.
My question: Is the below realistic? I will pick up an adult companion in Omaha who will also drive.
Alaska road calculations
From – to miles days road dates
Omaha – Billings 854 1 day interstate April 22
Billings – Border 339 interstate 23
Border - Calgary 200 1 day interstate 23
Calgary – Dawson Creek 1093 3 day 24-25-26
Dawson Creek – Dawson 900 2 day 27- 28
Dawson – Border 62 29
Border – Anchorage 396 1 day 29
Safety days 30, May 1, May 2
Report 9:00 AM ANK May 3
8 day total OMA-ANK
3 days safety OMA -ANK
Oma-Border 1193 miles
Total Can 2255
Total AK 396
Total Oma – Anchorage 3844 miles
My thanks in advance.
I think it is doable. I have driven up twice in the Honda Civic, including last May and like to take 2 weeks, but I'm a dawdler taking day hikes and camping the whole way. Also, you do not have to go through Dawson and could easily shave a day or two there if deemed necessary when once you get to Whitehorse.
April will still be chilly and lakes will likely be frozen - they were last year into late May. Have Fun!!
re: Dawson City, YT, to Tok, AK --- Are the Top of the World (Canadian) and Taylor (American) highways open that early in the year? I'm unsure. Regardless, it is out of your way to go north to Dawson. Instead continue direct from Whitehorse to the Alaska border, Tok, and then onto Anchorage.
Yes, it looks like at least the Taylor Highway is closed until May 15th. (Select East Central Alaska from
this.)
Even in good weather, the Taylor Highway is a gravel road with twists, turns, and no guard rails. Instead, stay on the Alaska Highway from Whitehorse to the US border.
Thank you, I have revised to remove Dawson in favor of the Whitehorse-Tok more direct route. The whole Omaha to Anchorage package comes to +/- 4000 miles, of which 2400 is in Canada.
The more I look at this the more possible it seems. I have a 2002 Buick, which with two passengers can reasonably expect to do ok on the roads with steady but prudent driving. Late April is before the start of the major travel season, but is in the road repair and pothole season. The overnight accommodation places should be less crowded, with the exception of Laird Hot Springs. The front seats do recline, so an occasional night in the car will not be a hardship.
I expect to be in Alaska from May 3 to mid Sept, and a personal vehicle will make the stay even more pleasant. I was in Ancharoage for several days a couple of years ago and I remember the place as being spread out.
I have seen recommendations for a "headlight lens protector" which sounds like a a kind of flexible plastic contact lens which fits over the original equipment lens and is attached with transparent cement after the product is heated with a hair dryer. An uncle made the trip 4-5 times in a pickup and insisted that the things were necessary to protect the headlights aganist chips from rocks thrown up by passing vehlces.
A question: I have seen reference to some type of vehicle insurace card required by Canada. I don't remember this from past short trips to Vancouver and Niagra Falls. Is this something beyond normal proof of coverage?
Yea - if you read all that stuff you'll end up with chicken wire covering your windshield and two spare and mounted tires strapped to the roof. LOL! Tell your Uncle the road is completely paved now except a very few short construction areas, just slow down in those areas and get over when a speeding truck comes by. Could something happen? Sure, but I have had more windshield/headlight trouble on freeways in L.A. than in Alaska or the Alaska Highway. Call your insurance agent - they will profess to have never heard of the Canadian Card - but if you persist - they will provide you with it - no charge - it will take a month or two though. No one in Canada will ask for it, in my experience and life will go on whether you have it or not. .
Who does the repairs on your Buick? I think that could become the dominant question. The ALCAN is not the same as driving many other routes you may have visited, and many repair shops are going to be many, many, miles from where you break down. The road surface is very good, but that could become totally irrelevant if the car won't run.
I have three answers for you:
Milepost magazine
Milespost.com
Milepost magazine and Milepost.com
Honestly, unless you know and use this resource, driving to Alaska is going to be much different.
Dutch Uncle, when I was younger and stupider I drove from Fairbanks, AK to Dayton, OH in 4 and 1/2 days in a '72 Plymouth Duster that began the trip with 110,000 miles on the odometer. That was BEFORE the Alcan was paved. If your car holds up, your trip should be a piece of cake.
If you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there. - Lewis Carroll
LizandAlan- Yes, I have seen recommnedations for an extra tire, but that seems excessive. I have and have used a tubeless tire repair kit and I have a ire pump. Those and the donut tire should get me to the next place where I can buyva tire. I could also take a rimless tire and have a shop mount it if needed. The battery is still original from 2002 and due for repalcement due to age. I lived in southern Africa for several years, and I don't want to slip into the full Kalahari expedition mode, I have Milepost and it comforts me.
My insurance company says that they will send the Canadian card to show that the vehilcle is covered. I suspect that it is related to the language question and incorporates French.
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