Is It Possible to Drive to Alaska? What You Need to Know

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Planning the perfect road trip from the lower 48 to the last frontier
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A trip to Alaska is a dream come true for many adventurous travelers. Most people choose to fly there, and others prefer to embark on an Alaskan cruise for more ocean-friendly excursions, like whale watching. However, there is a third way to explore all of Alaska’s beautiful bounty: driving there! Alaska’s stunning landscapes, animal life, and charming scenic stops make for the ultimate road trip—just make sure you have all your ducks in a row. If you’ve ever been curious about driving to Alaska and what a road trip there would look like, stick around to find out.

Driving to Alaska: Quick Overview

You can drive to Alaska through Canada. There are two main highways you can take: the Alaskan Highway and the Cassiar Highway. Since you have to travel through Canada, you'll need a passport for your road trip.

Section 1 of 5:

Can you drive to Alaska?

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  1. There are two highways that lead to Alaska—the Alaskan Highway and the Cassiar Highway. Both cut through Canada, so you'll need a passport to make the trip, however.
    • You’ll have to drive through Canada no matter what. There are about 119 border crossings from the United States into Canada, although crossing into Canada north of Seattle, WA is the most popular option for those coming from the west coast of the U.S.
    • Once in Vancouver, you'll be able to take a number of highways that all lead to the Alaskan Highway. [1]
    • Travelers coming from the east can choose to enter Canada a variety of ways, with 17 border crossings in New York alone. However, most adventure-seekers choose to road trip from the east coast of the United States across the country, and enter into Canada at the Seattle border.
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Section 2 of 5:

Planning a Road Trip to Alaska

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  1. Driving to Alaska outside of this window may not be as fruitful since many businesses and services will close during the colder months. [2]
    • Even when traveling during the warmer season, make sure to pack a variety of clothes since the temperature can peak at 70+ degrees Fahrenheit during the day and dip into the 30s at night.
  2. 2
    Bring your passport to drive through Canada. Make sure you bring all your required documentation for you and everyone aboard the vehicle. That’s right– even for your furry friends! You'll need a health certificate for each pet along with their updated vaccine record. [3]
  3. 3
    Plan for a 5-10 day road trip. Most travelers will devote 5-10 days to the 1000+ mile trek across the Alaskan wilderness, which is a good chunk of time to take in the stunning raw nature, bustling wildlife, and charming local culture. Planning out your itinerary in detail is key, as services along the road once you finally get on it may be sparse. There are a few options as far as itineraries.
    • For example, if you want to explore Alaska’s pristine coastal towns, you can begin your five-day trip in Anchorage, drive through Steward, and finally end up in Homer. Along the way, there will be tons of fishing, hiking, and sightseeing. [4]
    • If you’d rather experience the south central area of our nation’s largest state, then perhaps a 7-day itinerary would be best. You can begin in Anchorage, pass through Seward and Homer, and then book a bear viewing trip in Kenai or Soldotna. You can end back in Anchorage with a visit to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center for a meet-and-greet with grizzly bears, wood bison, and majestic bald eagles. [5]
  4. 4
    Take either the Alaskan Highway or the Cassiar Highway. Both of these roads are paved and well-maintained, getting you safely through the Yukon and north to Alaska. [6]
    • The Alaskan Highway is the most popular route. Also known as the Alcan Highway, this highway can be accessed via the Sea-to-Sky Highway that begins in British Columbia, past Vancouver. The Alcan Highway spans 1,387 miles from Dawson Creek, British Columbia, to Delta Junction, Alaska. This way is the more frequented one, as it offers more services and sightseeing along the way.
      • Travelers can also take Highway 5 in Vancouver, drive through Kamloops up to Alberta, and then take a blend of different highways to cross through British Columbia, ultimately reaching the Alaskan Highway. [7]
    • Cassiar Highway is the road less traveled—literally. Also known as Highway 37, this path stretches from the Kitwanga Junction along the Yellowhead Highway to Junction 37 for about 450 miles, until it meets the Alaskan Highway.
      • Visitors can take Highway 5 in Vancouver all the way to Yellowhead Highway, through British Columbia, and up toward the westward region of Watson Lake in the Yukon. This route will have less traffic, but there will also be less services available, so travelers should be prepared to stop whenever they can and/or opt to pack their own meals.
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Section 3 of 5:

What To Expect from Your Alaskan Journey

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  1. No matter which month you go in, the temperatures will fluctuate. January is the coldest month, with an average temperature that fluctuates between 5 and 30 degrees Fahrenheit. The hottest month is July, with an average temperature of 67 degrees. Still, in the evenings it can dip down considerably. To make sure you’re comfortable at all times, pack plenty of layers , so you’ll be able to add or remove as you see fit! [8]
  2. 2
    Businesses will be sparsely spread out. There will be services available to you on both the Alaskan Highway and the Cassiar Highway, but you’ll find them about every 25-50 miles. With such distance between pitstops, make sure you stop every chance you need to and plan to pack a few meals, just in case. Bringing an additional container of gasoline wouldn’t hurt either!
  3. 3
    There will be tons of nature and wildlife to see. Driving to and through Alaska allows for some of the best animal and nature sightings on the continent. From moose to sheep to whales– oh my!– the options will vary depending on where you go. You could encounter a grizzly bear or a bison driving through the Yukon, while driving through Victoria could bring you up close-and-personal with a whale or a sea lion. No matter what, this road trip is sure to be one for the books!
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Section 4 of 5:

Additional Tips

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  1. 1
    There won't be a ton of cell service. When driving through Canada and Alaska, you'll probably lose cell connectivity unless you're in a town, and even some small towns in the Yukon won't have much. It's important to remember that most of this road trip will take place in Canada, so be sure to call your service provider and accommodate for that. Cell service could be crucial in a pinch!
  2. 2
    You can take one route there and one route back. Both highways offer a scenic and memorable drive, so, why choose just one? You can take the Alaskan Highway there, stopping for the hot springs and delicious roadside treats. And then, you can take the Cassiar Highway back, stopping to see glaciers and bears, which are more likely to frequent this area. When it comes to experiencing Alaska’s wild and untamed beauty, who says you can’t have it all? [9]
    • Highlights of the Alaskan Highway include:
      • Muncho Lake Park. This gorgeous park is home to mountains, wildlife, and blooming wildflowers. Moose and sheep are frequently sighted in the park, and there’s plenty of trout in the blue-green alpine waters of the lake if fishing is your thing. As an FYI for your future trip: Muncho Lake Park was open from May 1, 2024 to September 15, 2024. Plan accordingly! [10]
      • Liard River Hot Springs. Canada’s second-largest hot spring, the Liard River Hot Springs offers visitors the opportunity to relax and unwind after long travel days. The pools are located in a beautiful, lust forest and are over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The park is open year-round, from 7AM-11PM daily. [11]
    • Highlights of the Cassiar Highway:
      • Bear Glacier Lagoon. An excellent spot for breathtaking beauty and water sports, Bear Glacier Lagoon is a highly recommended pitstop along the Cassiar Highway. A guided kayak trip might be a good idea, even for expert kayakers, as the lagoon presents a number of hazards, like icebergs and glacial lake bursts. [12]
      • Jade City. Despite its name, Jade City is not actually a city but a small artisan community that forges their crafts from jade. Their store offers all things jade, from carvings to jewelry and everything in between. Their motto is, “We mine it, we design it!” And for a price, you can take it home. [13]
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Section 5 of 5:

Frequently Asked Questions

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  1. Step 1 What are the speed limits on the Alaskan Highway and the Cassiar Highway?
    The speed limit on both of these highways is 50-65 miles per hour [14] However, drivers are required to slow down if there's construction or roadside workers on the scene. They are otherwise encouraged to be courteous and slow down to let other pass in favor of a longer, slower, more scenic drive. [15]
  2. 2
    Is driving to Alaska safe? As long as you take all the necessary precautions, there's no reason why this Alaskan road trip wouldn't be safe. Getting a tune-up to make sure you vehicle is running properly, bringing an additional source of gasoline, packing some meals, and packing layers of clothing can all help mitigate any stressors on the open road. Planning your itinerary out in detail is also key, as is going during the milder season, from May-September.
  3. 3
    How long would it take to get to Alaska? This all depends on the route you take. Entering through Vancouver is the most popular route, and it takes about 15 hours to get to the Alaskan border from there. The actual length of this trip is totally up to the traveler, and usually spans anywhere from 5-10 days.
  4. Step 4 Can you drive to Alaska without going through Canada?
    Nope! No matter where you're coming from or what border crossing you choose to take, you'll need to get to either the Alaskan Highway or the Cassiar Highway to reach Alaska, and both of those begin in the Canadian territory of British Columbia. So, pack a warm coat and enjoy the maple syrup, as Canada is the only way through!
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      References

      1. ↑ https://venturewild.net/alaska-wild-crossing-the-canadian-border/
      2. ↑ https://adventuresmithexplorations.com/trips/alaska/best-time-alaska-month-guide-travel-seasons/#may
      3. ↑ https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/menu-eng.html
      4. ↑ https://www.alaska.org/trip-ideas/5-day/anchorage-seward-kenai-fjords-national-park-homer-anchorage
      5. ↑ https://www.alaska.org/trip-ideas/7-day/explore-the-kenai-peninsula
      6. ↑ https://statesymbolsusa.org/symbol/alaska/state-motto/north-future
      7. ↑ https://adventuresofaplusk.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-driving-the-alaska-highway
      8. ↑ https://www.alaskacollection.com/alaska/stories/alaska-weather-what-you-need-to-know/
      9. ↑ https://adventuresofaplusk.com/stewart-cassiar-highway/
      1. ↑ https://bcparks.ca/muncho-lake-park/
      2. ↑ https://bcparks.ca/liard-river-hot-springs-park/#highlights
      3. ↑ https://www.nps.gov/kefj/planyourvisit/bear-glacier-lagoon.htm
      4. ↑ https://jadecity.com/
      5. ↑ https://www.bellsalaska.com/highway/alaska-highway/
      6. ↑ https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/driving-and-cycling/traveller-information/routes-and-driving-conditions/highway-37-stewart-cassiar/driving-tips

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