Road Trip Across Alaska: How to plan - Routes, Costs, Tips

Wednesday 02 August 2023

Exploring Alaska by car is an incredible adventure; anyone visiting should definitely contemplate a road trip to fully embrace the experience!

Embarking on a road trip around Alaska is a great way to see all the glories this northern state has to offer. And making the most of your time away is all about getting your itinerary just right.

After all, you want to be able to catch sight of those incredible fjords and sweeping arctic landscapes. But you'll still need some time to meander through famous national parks and gold rush towns, with plenty of time for wildlife viewing.

So what is the best way to do a driving tour of Alaska? Glad you asked!

Alaska Road Trip Routes Recommended By Experts

It's easy to imagine not knowing which of the many different routes to choose. That's why we asked one of our Alaska specialists, Jenna Olsen, if she can give us a breakdown of the most popular routes through Alaska, suitable for any intrepid road tripper.

Our recommendations range from 5-day express tours that take you past some of Alaska's best sights, to comprehensive 16-day itineraries that take you across large swaths of the country. And there are many more options in between.

So take a seat and let's hit the road!

Best Itinerary For A Road Trip Through Alaska And The Yukon

Depending on how much time you have available and how much time you want to spend in some places, different itineraries make sense. Basically, though, there are relatively few options, as there are not particularly many roads in either Alaska or the Yukon.

Denali National Park and the Kenai Peninsula are the absolute must-sees on the Alaska to-do list. For this I would advise you to plan a little more time. For example, I usually spend a whole week on the Kenai Peninsula and around three nights in Denali National Park. Some days I am driving quite a lot - on the Richardson Highway to Valdez, on the McCarthy Road to Kennicott/McCarthy, on the Alaska Highway, Top of the World Highway or all the way to Skagway/Haines. It is possible to cover the distance from Kluane National Park via Whitehorse to Dawson City in one day (of course without much "sightseeing" in between).

The Yukon only really makes sense from about two weeks travel time. It is amazing to get a taste of the gold rush. And the Top of the World-Highway alone is worth the "detour". But if you don't have that much time, I don't think you should try to squeeze the Yukon into your itinerary at all costs. Here are my route suggestions for a little less and a little more time.

Suggested Route For 5 - 13 Days In Alaska Without Yukon:

Anchorage > Denali National Park > Fairbanks > Valdez > Seward > Homer
(example itinerary: The Great Alaska Explorer)

Total distance: ~1.500 miles

On this route you will see everything worth seeing that is accessible by road in Alaska and have enough time to stay in one region for a few days.

Optional extensions:

• Chena Hot Springs Resort - for amazing northern lights viewing in fall (mid August-September)
• Detour to the worthwhile Denali HWY to Kennicott / McCarthy in Wrangell St. Elias National Park (not paved!)
• Guided Tour on the Dalton Highway to the Arctic Circle (driving on own is not recommended)

Suggested Route For 14 - 21 Days In Alaska With Yukon:

Anchorage > Denali National Park > Fairbanks > Dawson City > Whitehorse > Skagway > Kluane National Park >Tok > Valdez > Seward > Homer
(example itinerary: Golden Circle Alaska & Yukon)

Total distance: ~2,800 miles

The ultimate "lying 8" is the standard tour for many Alaska/Yukon travelers.

Optional extensions (besides those already mentioned above):
• visit Glacier Bay National Park
• Add a Trip on the Alaska Railroad
• Join a Bear Viewing Trip to Katmai National Park or Lake Clark

Around there are of course some things that you can include in your travel plans - but then not on four wheels, but by plane or boat/ferry, for example:

• Juneau, the capital of Alaska, which can only be reached by ferry or plane
• Join a Bear Viewing Trip to Katmai National Park or Lake Clark
• get a breath of mountain air in theWrangell - St. Elias National Park
• by water cab to Kachemak Bay State Park

The Best Time To Travel In Alaska And The Yukon:

At least if you want to explore Alaska and the Yukon on your own with a rental car, the travel time is very limited. A road trip only really makes sense from mid-May to mid-September. Freely after the motto: "In Alaska there are also four seasons. June, July, August and winter." The Top of the World Highway, for example, is closed from the beginning of October at the latest, and Denali National Park usually closes by mid-September.

Since I don't get much time off in high season, I usually travel in late August/early September. I like that because it's not too cold yet, the mosquitoes are already less, you have a good chance to catch the Alaskan "Indian Summer", it's not so busy anymore and with some luck you can even see auroras!! For a detailed advise when to travel, visit our Best Time to Travel in Alaska.

Driving In Alaska And The Yukon:

You don't need to fear a traffic jam or aggressive traffic light honking on a trip through Alaska and the Yukon. But there are a few other things, which is why it goes without saying that you should keep your eyes open in traffic!

Animals on the road: some road trip reports might have you believe that the roadside is the preferred territory of moose, bears and other animals. And you'd rather not be involved in a car accident with them. Therefore, always drive carefully and watch the roadsides!

Road damage: Although many of the roads are in surprisingly good condition, you should always expect unpredictable road damage because of the permafrost.

Gas station density: Gas stations in Alaska and the Yukon are sometimes more, sometimes less crowded. Just never be too lazy to refuel! I got used to refueling at the latest with half a tank of gas and have been well on my way everywhere. Better once too much than once too little.

Wildfires: Wildfires, sometimes smaller, sometimes larger, occur regularly in Alaska and Canada during the summer. You should definitely keep this in mind and get information just before and during your trip. Besides lack of visibility, road closures or closed sights, hiking trails, etc. can be the result.

How Expensive Is A Trip To Alaska?

An Alaska vacation costs an average of $1790.00 per week without airfare. This price includes accommodation in a 3-star accommodation, inexpensive activities, rental of small car and meals in a standard restaurant. So you should expect a budget of about $250 per person per day.

If you live a little more frugally, you can get by on a smaller budget in Alaska and come down to a cost of 90 euros per day. You can save money by, for example, staying in cheaper 1-2* hotels, using public transportation, doing inexpensive activities, and eating at fast food restaurants or diners.

If you want to indulge in a bit more luxury on your Alaska vacation, you have a lot of choices. With a budget of at least $410 euros per person per day, you can stay in 4-5* hotels, do privately guided and more exclusive activities, rent your own off-road vehicle and eat in selected restaurants.

My Personal Travel Highlights In Alaska And The Yukon:

• Camping in Denali National Park at Wonder Lake Campground
• Drive for hours along the most beautiful highways in Alaska and the Yukon
• Whale watching in Seward on the Kenai Peninsula
• Tracy Arm Glacier Cruise in Juneau (one of the fastest calving glaciers)
• 2-day trekking tour on the Kenai Peninsula to Lost Lake

_{Blog Home}