Anybody ever drive to Alaska (or the northern reaches of Canada) from the lower 48?

[aktick]

Has anybody ever made the drive up to Alaska or more northern parts of Canada from the lower 48 (WI in this case)?

We're thinking about doing so...would probably just camp and sleep in my SUV most of the time. We can go basically any time between July and mid-September.

Probably wouldn't plan things out a whole lot.

How long should we plan on being gone?

Where else should we consider? Not even really sure where in Alaska we'd go. Is someplace like Yellowknife worth driving to? Google says it would take almost a full day less to get there than Alaska.

Some buddies and I are finally realizing we better do a trip like this now while we are still unmarried and without kids (all in our mid-late 20's).

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[Twitch Boy]

Re: Anybody ever drive to Alaska (or the northern reaches of Canada) from the lower 48?

Re: Anybody ever drive to Alaska (or the northern reaches of Canada) from the lower 48?

Haven't made the drive myself, but have heard enough about it to help a little.

Plan on at least two weeks - a week to Alaska and a week back, depending on how far into Alaska you go.

Don't forget that entry into Canada now requires a passport.

Make sure you and your vehicle are well prepared for a long drive. The roads are generally in good shape, but if you run into car trouble you could be a long way from help. Carry vehicle supplies and an emergency kit in case fecal matter really hits fan.

Gas stations can be hundreds of miles apart, so don't let yourself drop below half a tank.

Watch out for wild animals. Moose versus car is generally a win for the moose.

 

[LynahFan]

Re: Anybody ever drive to Alaska (or the northern reaches of Canada) from the lower 48?

Re: Anybody ever drive to Alaska (or the northern reaches of Canada) from the lower 48?

My brother and his college room mate did it one summer from Ithaca and back. 6 weeks with two 6-ft-2 guys in a 1984 Civic hatchback. They mostly camped in a tent on the side of the road. They drove out across Canada and said they almost just stopped and stayed in the Canadian Rockies for the whole time because they were so beautiful. They pressed on, though, even driving 600+ miles on a dirt road at one point just to say they made it to the Arctic Circle (can't remember which town). They carried 2 5-gallon jugs of gas with them at all times, and had to dip into them on many occasions. They also carried two full-size spare tires. You definitely need to take the trip pretty seriously.

Their only regret from the trip was that it wasn't longer.

 

[Beer Pong Horn]

Re: Anybody ever drive to Alaska (or the northern reaches of Canada) from the lower 48?

Re: Anybody ever drive to Alaska (or the northern reaches of Canada) from the lower 48?

You could consider taking the car ferry back to Seattle from Anchorage too, if you only feel like doing a one-way.