Slide background
Slide background
  1. You are here:  
  2. Home
  3. Road Trips
  4. Road Trips A - H
  5. From Fairbanks
  6. SDFA05 Mountains to Coast Road Trip

SDFA05 Mountains to Coast Road Trip

  • end: Juneau
  • map/image selection: Image
  • Map:
  • Code: SDFA05

SDFA05 Mountains to Coast Road Trip

Print

This top-rated one way driving tour from Fairbanks to Juneau takes you further than most itineraries and includes the cultural and scenic attractions of Alaska and the Yukon Territory. Travel on the historic gold-rush trail and visit Haines Junction and Haines, explore the great northern arctic region from Fairbanks, enjoy excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, discover the vast untamed wilderness and majestic mountain scenery of the Yukon Territory. This program may be combined with a visit to famous Glacier Bay, cruiseline departures from Juneau or with any independent Inside Passage ferry cruise onboard the Alaska Marine Highway System to Bellingham or Seattle, in Washington State. Take a look at the detailed day-by-day itinerary to get a feel for the experience, and don’t miss our complete Alaska Insights Guide for helpful background and tips. We’re happy to customize this itinerary to suit your needs.

  • Itinerary

  • Prices & Dates

  • Attractions & Add-ons

  • Accommodation

  • Rental Car

  • Map

  • Tour Info & FAQ

  • Reviews

Fairbanks ( Overnight: Fairbanks )

Arrive in Fairbanks during the day and pick up your rental car. Welcome to the "Golden Heart City". You are invited to explore the local gold rush history, its vibrant traditional native cultures as well as abundant wildlife and fantastic scenery. This morning you may visit the renown Alaska University Museum featuring Alaska's natural history best collection, Alaskaland or take an authentic sternwheeler on a scenic 20-mile roundtrip cruise down the Chena and Tanana Rivers. Guided van tour along the Dalton Highway or flightseeing tour to the Arctic Circle is super popular choice for experiencing the Arctic Circle and Yukon River. Enjoy a bush mail plane flight or a flightseeing trip to Fort Yukon to understand as well as experience how the Gwich'in Athabascan Natives live in "Bush" Alaska.
Outdoor rock lake at Chena Resort

Fairbanks ( Overnight: Fairbanks )

The allure of crossing the Arctic Circle becomes a possibility once you reach Fairbanks. Guided van tours along the Dalton Highway or flight tours to the Arctic Circle and Yukon River is a super popular choice. Join a bushplane flight to Fort Yukon to understand as well as experience how the Gwich'in Athabascan Natives live in "Bush" Alaska. As mentioned earlier Fairbanks becomes a hub for very many activities and the list keeps going on. Visiting Chena Hot Springs Resort can be added to the 'To-Do' List! Chena Hot Springs Resort offers a large indoor heated pool and a natural outdoor rock lake for relaxation. The on-site Aurora Ice Museum is a special attraction and was created from over 1,000 tons of ice and snow, all harvested at the resort.
Boarding Floatplane in Alaska

Fairbanks - Tok  ( Driving Distance: 200 miles | Overnight: Tok )

Travel southeast from Fairbanks along the Richardson Highway (#2), passing through the town of North Pole, known for its Santa Claus House. Continue onward with views of the Alaska Range in the distance. Arrive in Delta Junction, where the Richardson Highway meets the Alaska Highway at the historic “Triangle,” marked by the symbolic Mile 1422 post. Originally established as a telegraph station in 1904, Delta Junction is also the gateway to the Delta Bison Sanctuary, home to a free-roaming herd of more than 500 wood bison. The route offers impressive views toward peaks such as Mount Hayes and Mount Moffit on clear days. Continue east on the Alaska Highway (#1) toward Tok, traveling through remote wilderness and classic Interior Alaska scenery.

Tok - Haines Junction ( Driving Distance: 200 miles / Overnight: Haines Junction )

Your journey continues on the famous Alaska Highway through endless wilderness areas. Drive south along the shores of beautiful Kluane Lake and stopover at Sheep Mountain and look out for dall sheep gracing alongside the mountain slopes. Arrive in Haines Junction - Gateway to Kluane National Park, encompassing the largest non-polar icefield in the world. This afternoon you can go on a short hiking trip with a park ranger. If you yearn for the wild beauty of an unspoiled Canadian landscape, Kluane National Park is for you. Explore mountains, lakes, rivers and forests that have been home to Southern Tutchone people for thousands of years and discover the heart of their traditional culture and way of life. The park is also home to Mount Logan with 19.545 ft - Canada's highest peak.

Haines Junction - Haines  ( Driving Distance: 150 miles| Overnight: Haines )

The Haines Highway, built in 1943, is one of Alaska’s most scenic drives, linking Haines Junction with the coast. The route winds through the front ranges of Kluane National Park and Reserve before climbing to the Chilkat Pass - the highest point on the highway. Crossing into Alaska, the landscape changes dramatically from alpine tundra to lush valleys. Along the way, pass Klukshu, a traditional First Nations fishing site offering excellent photo opportunities, and continue along the Chilkat River with sweeping mountain views. Bears are often seen along the roadside feeding on fresh grass in early summer. Travel tip: Near Klukwan (mile 18–24), the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve protects the world’s largest concentration of bald eagles, often seen along the river flats.

Haines – Alaska Ferry to Juneau ( Driving Distance: 10 miles / Overnight Juneau )

Board the Alaska Ferry to Juneau. Juneau, the capital of Alaska, is situated in the heart of the Tongass National Forest. Nestled at the base of towering mountains overlooking the Gastineau Channel, the community's rich culture and history is displayed throughout the town. Juneau has a vibrant urban feel with great dining, shopping and lodging, while being surrounded by jaw-dropping scenic vistas. Choose hiking miles of scenic trails through temperate rainforest, tidal beaches and up mountains capped by alpine meadows, or take to the air for stunning views of the Juneau Icefield. Helicopters and floatplanes give visitors an exhilarating view and make it possible get a sense of the vast wilderness. Backcountry camping, bird watching, bear viewing and berry picking can all happen in the same trip!
Bears catching salmon on Admiralty Island

Juneau  (Overnight: Juneau )

Juneau offers a wide range of activities that showcase the region’s natural beauty and cultural diversity. Visit Mendenhall Glacier - a half-mile wide ice field - for many the most accessible and breathtaking glacier in Alaska. The Mount Roberts Tramway takes guests up to an observation deck, providing arguably the best picture-taking opportunities. Another option is the full day bear viewing tour to Admiralty Island, home to the largest concentration of brown bear in the world. Admiralty Island, also known as the "Fortress of the Bears" is the location for some of the finest brown bear viewing in Southeast Alaska. Depending on when you go, you’ll see bears foraging for clams or fishing for salmon.
Ice Calving during Tracy Arm Cruise

Juneau ( Overnight: Juneau )

Journey through one of the most dramatic wilderness areas in Alaska — the Tracy Arm–Fords Terror Wilderness Area. This protected region features two spectacular glacial fjords: Tracy Arm and Endicott Arm, each stretching more than 30 miles through towering granite cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and floating ice. Travel in comfort aboard a high-speed expedition vessel as you explore the stunning Endicott Arm Fjord, cruising deep into this glacier-carved landscape toward the majestic Dawes Glacier. Along the way, pass brilliant blue icebergs as your captain navigates as close as conditions safely allow to the glacier’s face. Watch for harbor seals resting on the ice, bald eagles soaring overhead, and mountain goats clinging to the cliffs. Included: Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Glacier Cruise
Ford Terror Cruise from Juneau

Juneau  ( Overnight: Juneau )

Spend the morning relaxing or doing your favourite outdoor activities. Sample the city’s local fare is a big part of any vacation and a visit to Juneau delivers tastes that delight the senses. From Alaska salmon, halibut and crab to sourdough bagels, homemade fudge, and award-winning coffee and beer, Juneau can satisfy even the most discriminating palate. One of the local favourites is Tracy's King Crab Shack in downtown Juneau. Return your rental car at Juneau Airport.

Rates in US $ / per Person
Comfort Hotel Category Single Double Triple Quad Child
May 20 - May 31 $4392 $2440 $1861 $1571 $400
June 1 - August 31 $5089 $2788 $2093 $1745 $400
September 1 - September 15 $4230 $2359 $1806 $1530 $400
First Class Hotel Category Single Double Triple Quad Child
May 20 - May 31 $4847 $2667 $1950 $1602 $400
June 1 - August 31 $5545 $3016 $2182 $1776 $400
September 1 - September 15 $4847 $2667 $1950 $1602 $400

What’s included

8 Nights Comfort OR First-Class Accommodation

Hotel and State Taxes

9 Days Midsize Rental Car (For additional Upgrades and Extras Click Here)

Unlimited Free Mileage

Rental Car Licensing Fees

CFC, State & City Rental Car Sales Taxes

One Way Rental Fee to Juneau

Alaska Ferry Transfer from Haines to Juneau / Passenger

Alaska Ferry Transfer from Haines to Juneau / Car

Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Glacier Cruise

Tour Documentation

Sightseeing Information

Tour Departures

Daily  from  May  20th  –  September  15th

Juneau: Pack Creek Bear Viewing Tour to Admiralty Island

The Pack Creek Bear Sanctuary on Admiralty Island is one of Alaska’s most accessible, and yet most wild, bear viewing areas. After the scenic floatplane flight from Juneau, walk on the same ground as the bears. Human visitation is limited, allowing us to enjoy a wilderness bear viewing experience. Pack Creek is ideal habitat for Alaska’s massive coastal brown bears (grizzlies). Starting in the spring, brown bears come to the meadows to feed and also to pursue mates. This makes it one of the best places to see bears during May and early June. While some Pack Creek bears head into the nearby mountains in mid-June, following fresh green vegetation, some stick around. By the end of June, bears are congregating at the creek, waiting for the first pacific salmon to arrive. From July through early-September, bears can be seen feeding on salmon. This tour is a premium guided and fully-outfitted package. Explore some of the most prime bear country on earth and to observe these amazing animals in the protected Kootznoowoo Wilderness on Admiralty Island. While July and August are the peak of bear activity related to salmon, Pack Creek is an excellent place to see bear activity in May, June and September as well.

More Details & Pricing

Juneau: Juneau Icefield | Glacier Helicopter Tours

This tour includes a 50-minute flight time that enables passengers to view more of the immense Juneau Icefield when weather permits. This tour takes you deep into the Juneau Icefield and lands in one of our permitted areas. A large portion of the 1500 square mile Juneau Icefield may be observed enroute. Weather permitting an alternate route returning to the airport provides additional scenic possibilities. Our pilots provide custom flights. A 15-minute walk supplements the narrated flight over the glacier with our pilot/guide who can answer additional questions or will use your camera to take photos of you and your friends. We provide transportation to and from the ship docks or selected downtown locations as needed. An additional 45 minutes each direction for transportation and outfitting is required

More Details & Pricing

Les, Boylston: Many thanks for the wonderful driving tour and the good service we received from your agency. We loved the drive on Top of the World Highway from Tok to Dawson City! What can I say, an incredible drive, the vistas are absolutely stunning. We will be happy to recommend you to others.