Alaska Highways

Alaska has six major roadways that lead from Seward to Anchorage to Fairbanks to the Continental U.S. to Valdez to the North Slope.
These are the Highways and where they can lead you:

George Parks Memorial Highway | The Glenn Highway | The Seward Highway, Scenic Byway | The Richardson Highway | The Al-Can Highway (Alaska Highway) | The Dalton Highway

Some General Tips about the roads:

Cell phone coverage is spotty in some areas and non-existent in others, but don't worry, Alaska State Troopers and tow trucks drive up and down the highways regularly.

When making the trip in winter we highly recommend having cold weather gear in your vehicle.  If the road is deemed to hazardous in any season the state will close it and evacuate anyone stuck on the road.

Some items that are useful in winter are:

• Blankets
• Flares
• Winter Coats
• Boots and Gloves
• Something to make a fire
• Shovel of some kind
• Gravel or cat litter (in case you can't get traction)
• Snacks and water
• Toilet paper, wipes, paper towels

In the summer we recommend:

• Blankets
• Snacks and water
• Shovel
• Flares
• Toilet paper, wipes, paper towels

 

If you should encounter wildlife be patient! They will cross the road eventually, use this as an opportunity to take pictures!

George Parks Memorial Highway (323 Miles total)

Also known as the Parks Highway or just simply the 'Parks', this highway runs from Wasilla to Fairbanks through the towns of Denali, Cantwell, Healy, Clear AFB, and various villages.  This is also the Highway you take to get to Talkeetna. When you want to get to Wasilla from Anchorage you take the Glenn Hwy and when you get to the overpasses do not take an exit just stay on the road.  Pay attention the speed limit when in Wasilla, it declines abruptly when you get into the town.

As for stops on the way, the majority of the drive is beautiful, photo opportunities abound.  If you are making the trip in the summer you will literally pass right through Denali, and you may be able to see the mountain from the road. 

Most cars can make it to Cantwell without stopping for gas earlier as long as you fill up in Wasilla.  Gas tends to be a bit more expensive in rural Alaska,  so be prepared.  Stopping for gas also allows you to stretch your legs and use the restroom before taking on the second half of the highway.

The Glenn Highway (328 Miles total)

This highway runs from Anchorage through Eagle River, to Palmer and up through Alaska past Sutton and Glennallen where it crosses with the Richardson Highway. You can continue on the Glenn all the way to Tok where the highway ends in a T with the Al-Can Highway.

The Glenn has two parts, the Old Glenn and the Glenn highway.  the Old Glenn Hwy is exactly as it sounds, it's the older road and is the longer way around two areas.  In most places it is the same as the Glenn but in Eagle River and the Knik River, it splits from the new road and acts as a secondary route.  In Eagle River the two Glenn's run side by side.

In Palmer the Old Glenn takes the back way across the Knik River and takes you through the town of Butte and leads you to the back part of the city of Palmer. To get to Palmer from Anchorage take the Glenn and then exit the highway at the overpasses (your exit is the right lanes).  The signs are pretty self explanatory.

Both routes on the Old Glenn are very scenic and only two lanes. Caution should be taken not to speed as there is plenty of wildlife to see, and the road has many turns.

The Seward Highway (127 Miles total)

The Seward Highway is exactly as it sounds.  It leads from Anchorage to the Kenai Peninsula. It takes you south of Anchorage, around the Turnigan Arm, past Girdwood and Alyeska Resort, around the Cook Inlet and finally into the peninsula. This is also how you get to Whittier. You can stop in Portage at the glacier, or go through the Whittier tunnel which leads to a major port of call in Alaska.

 At Tern Lake you have the choice to follow it to the city of Seward or go west to the cities of Kenai and Soldotna. Both cities are excellent fishing spots. We recommend getting a fishing license and some fishing poles if you go anywhere on the Kenai Peninsula, the fishing is really something to experience.

While on this highway be aware of wildlife as always, and be sure to slow down when passing fishermen and hunters on the side of the road.

The Richardson Highway (368 Miles Total)

This highway leads from Fairbanks to Valdez.  It takes you through North Pole, Eielson AFB, Ft. Greeley USAB, and Delta Junction where you can choose to continue east on the Alaska Highway to Canada and the Continental United States.

When driving this highway it's recommended that you bring a camera.  Please remember that this is roughly the distance from Los Angeles, CA to Phoenix, AZ,  so there are plenty of sights to see.

To take this highway to Anchorage, turn off at Glennallen and get on the Glenn Highway to head south to Palmer and then into Anchorage.

The Al-Can (Alaska) Highway

The Al-Can Highway, also known as the Alaska or the Alaska-Canada Highway, leads from Delta Junction to the Canadian Border and south through Whitehorse and ending in Edmonton, Alberta.  From Edmonton you can travel south to Calgary.

This is an International Highway, meaning you should check international and customs laws in regards to what you can and cannot take across the border.  Also, all people in the vehicle need to have an up-to-date passport on their persons.  Typically it is recommended that you ship weapons ahead of time as Canada has separate gun laws from the U.S.  Hunting and Competition rifles can be brought into Canada, provided you register them and pay the registration fee.

When traveling to Canada with pets, the only restriction is that your pet must be up to date with Rabies vaccination. Dogs & cats entering Canada must have a valid rabies vaccination certificate, signed and dated by a veterinarian issued within the preceding 36 months. The certificate must provide a sufficient description and detail in order to identify the pet. It should also be noted that you can not bring pet food into Canada.

The Dalton Highway (414 Miles total)

This highway is the only one that leads north from Fairbanks to the North Slope of Alaska.  It ends in Deadhorse, in the Prudhoe Bay oil fields.

Along this highway you will pass the Arctic Circle at Mile 115, and you can see the Alaska Pipeline for most of the trip.

Alaska State Troopers and truckers are regular trekkers on this road, so you shouldn't be alone on the road for too long.  This highway leads you from forested areas to mountains to beautiful tundra.

As always, yield to wildlife, as you are bound to see some on this trip!