The Alcan Highway

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

In 1975 we drove the Alcan back then it was mostly gravel...not bad for a gravel road...My wife and I are considering a trip either this summer of next..In 75 we had a International pickup and slept in the back...Now we have a 23 foot travel trailer...what is the road like these days? I would guess mostly paved with some construction areas...Anyone driven it lately???

[Sourdough]

I drove the Alcan in Oct in a Mazda Miata.  Road was good, no construction, or gravel.  I took the by-pass north of Edmonton, to Lloydminster.  Edmonton is a large city with lots of traffic, I try and avoid it if possiable.  Saskatoon, Ragina, then down to North Portal and into North Dakota.  Little traffic from the Alaska Border to Grand Prairie.  Lots of businesses along the road since the early 70s.  You will most likely go up through Leathbridge, Calgary, and on up to Edmonton.
 
Tourisum to Alaska is really down the last two years due to the high price of fuel.  Have a good safe trip.  Rog in North Pole, Alaska.  My name is Roggie Hunter and my number is in the book.  Call me if you want when you get here.  Maybe we could meet for coffee or something.  Rog     

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

  Thanks for the reply..We are just considering this trip at present..but this information makes it sound like a nice trip...thanks again..we get that way, we'll be in touch...

[379 Peterbilt]

Ive driven the entire Alaska highway round trip twice and it is hands down the most epic journey in north America, and I have been everywhere. Muncho lake area of British Columbia is the highlight - bears, sheep, bou, moose, and bison.
 

 

 

 

 

 

[Sourdough]

Four years ago my high school buddy and I drove the wife's Mazda RX-8 up the Alcan.  We were in no hurry and spent 8 days making the drive.  We spent three days at a festival in some small town off the road, where they were having an auto show. 
 
There was wildlife all over the road.  Foxes, Coyotes, and Wolves ran across the road in front of us.  Stone Sheep, Dall Sheep, Caribou, Moose, and Bison were all standing in the road.  We had to stop and wait for them to get out of the road.  Watch out for those Wood Bison, they are much bigger than the Bison in the lower 48.  They are often lying on the side of the road, and they don't move for nobody.  They would have no trouble turning your car or truck over.
 
If you are serious about driving the highway, go to you local book store and purchase a book called the "Alaska Milepost".  That book give all the information needed for traveling the highway.  All points for gasoline, or diesel.  All lodging and food locations.  Points of interest such as places to fish, hike, or viewing.  There are camping areas ran by the Provences, all along the way and they are listed in the Milepost.  All kinds of things are explained in there such as getting a three day fishing permit, history of the small towns and communities, hot springs, and side trips such as going to Dawson City, then driving the Top Of The World Highway, from Dawson City over to the Taylor Highway in Alaska.  The "Milepost" also tells about all the cities and towns in Alaska as well as Canada.  It give the same information for traveling around Alaska as well as Canada.
 
Good Luck,  Rog

[no guns here]

Available at www.milepost.com .
 
NGH

[thxmrgarand]

I live in so-called southeast Alaska and therefore have to drive a portion of the Alaska Hwy to access the rest of Alaska.  There is always construction in the summer (paid for by the US taxpayer even though it's most often in Canada), and often forest fires, so expect delays.  Except for road under construction every mile has been paved at some point.


The Canadian government has absolutely no sense of humor about guns so we mail our guns to Tok, Delt Jct. or Fairbanks.  A buddy headed north a week ago for 2 months of fishing and he mailed guns to himself in Tok.  Handguns are prohibited (practically speaking to Canadians as well as Americans).  Long guns can be taken but there are restrictions on type, and all must be registered with the Canadian government (which is why we mail them).  I know people who have had a little trouble at the Canadian border because they were wearing a belt knife; not sure how official that restriction is.  There are quite severe restrictions on reloading components, and limits on types and quantities of ammunition.  I personally have been pulled over and asked about my National Rifle Association bumper sticker (do I own guns at home, etc.)


People who owe back child support, have a past drunken driving conviction, or have been convicted of most types of crimes cannot enter Canada.  Check on identification requirements; everyone I know uses a passport.


I have had trouble with some remote Canadian gas stations having gasoline that is too old.  A couple spare mounted tires and a can of gasoline doesn't hurt.  Food handling practices at some of the small, roadside diners can be a problem for any stomach so buying packaged food is good advice.  Many gasoline stations shut down when the summer is over, so while I prefer driving the road in winter over summer I make sure I have at least 50 gallons of fuel combined tanks plus gas cans when I drive in the winter as when I hold the speedometer on 75 the truck mileage seems to drop to 11 or 12 US miles per US gallon.