Flashback Max
Homer, NY
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I’ve been to Alaska a few time by air but next summer I’m thinking I might want to try driving. People always talk about it and it’s peaked my interest. I’m thinking of not teaching summer school and just spending a couple months up there. Does anybody have any info or tips they’d be willing to share. How long does it take(I’m coming from upstate, NY), what to see, places to avoid; Anything would help. Thanks!
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hwybnb
Southern California
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Joined: 05/02/2001
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The main thing to set your mind on is that Alaska is very much like the rest of the United States - just bigger and farther away. You do not need to do anything extraordinary, beyond what you would do for any long trip, by way of preparing your vehicle. You do not need to carry a container-load of spare parts.
There are pages and pages of postings on this forum about Alaska. So some searches and you will learn a lot.
Here is a good blog about someone else's trip.
It will be a wonderful trip. Enjoy it.
* This post was
edited 11/16/08 06:48am by hwybnb *
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zigzagrv
Nazareth, PA
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Joined: 08/12/2004
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I'm heading up there for the first time next year also. I'll be leaving mid-May and expect to take at least two weeks to get to Fairbanks, approximately 4600 miles from Nazareth, PA. One thing I would recommend is good ERS. Other than that, I'm taking what I think I'll need for at least a two month trip, and I'll definitely be taking my time.
Ron
2003 Gulf Stream Ultra Supreme 33'
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JMCC730248
HIXSON,TN.U.S.
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The best advice I could give you is to purchase milepost book ,it is invaluable for driving to Ak,,,it has maps and lists all the places you will be driving thru,,,,it is called the alaskan milepost,they issue a new addition every year,,,try to purchase the latest edition,,,Tom
2006 Dodge Ram 3500 LWB SRW 48re 610ctd
30 FT.Chateau Lg slide ,retired and loving it,just me and her....or is it her and me? TOM and LADY DI.............don,t look back something might be gaining on you..........
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Rocky2
Ventura, Ca.
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Joined: 01/14/2004
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Using a copy, not necessarily the latest copy, of the Milepost is a good planning tool. I have been disappointed with the content of the Milepost in recent years, though...too much advertising couched as information. Another popular resource is the free North To Alaska brochure put out by the governments of Alaska, BC, Yukon Territory, and Alberta. Find it at www.NorthToAlaska.com
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JT
out west
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Joined: 06/14/2002
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IMO, the one essential reference for Alaska travel is Mike and Terri Church's guide:
http://tinyurl.com/6y7efw
With this and 'The Milepost', you're good to go. (But, as another poster mentioned, 'The Milepost' does have a lot of advertising, and much of it is purposely designed to look like 'travel advice'; caveat emptor.)
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Flashback Max
Homer, NY
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I know it's going to take forever for me(that's cool though)...."Ooo, what's that?" "I wonder if there's any fish in there?" "Hmmm, I really should go back and take a picture of that..."
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joe b.
Florida
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Joined: 08/24/2002
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Max, you will find a lot of information on the Alaska/Canada portion of this forum. There are hundreds, if not thousands of forum members that have made the trip.
For a person that is somewhat flexible to life's little up and downs, is still looking for a little adventure in life, still has that child like quality to be wide eyed and amazed by seeing different things, it is hard to not have a great time on the trip to Alaska. It is not a difficult trip these days, now that the highway is paved. Just a series of 300 to 500 mile days (less for some and more for others) one after the other.
Some first or second timers, that have driven the highway will try to convince others that unless everyone does their trip just like they did their's, they will have a terrible time. Not true in my experiences. What you drive, has little to do with the pleasure the trip gives. The same with a tow, folks that tow have a great time and folks that don't tow have a great time.
The Alaska Highway is no longer a wilderness highway but is a good paved two lane highway through a beautiful wilderness. There will be a few miles of road construction in places, as the permafrost plays havoc with the roadbed. When you come to a rough section of highway or some under construction, just slow down. Drive at a speed appropriate to the road conditions and you shouldn't cause any major damage to your vehicle. IMHO
We are heading back north next summer if all goes as planned for our 12th round trip by RV, to/from Alaska. Have 3 more planned after that on my bucket list. LOL
I normally take about 10 driving days from south Florida to get to Fairbanks. With a day or two here and there, it works out to be about 2 weeks + or - for us. It is the trip of a lifetime, one that you can take over and over as you wish.
In addition to the books mentioned above, the Milepost and Churches, I also like Bell's Alaska Travel guide. Bell's and Church's are the ones I keep up front with me when I am driving. The Milepost I keep in the back for evening reading.
joe b.
South Florida, Stuart
Formerly of Colorado and Alaska
Driving a Dodge/Cummins
www.jbpacooper.com web site
http://www.picturetrail.com/jbpacooper Alaska 2004 - Alaska 2006 - Colorado photos
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RRUGG
Newaygo, MI,USA
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It's a wonderful trip. We've driven it three times: 1994, 2000, and 2004. The only damage was a broken front window in our TC(happened in Montana) and a dislocated corner jack on our TC (my fault, backed into a retaining wall). BTW, it PIQUED your interest, not peaked or peeked. There. That's your word for the day. I know that because I'm a retired MATH teacher.
RRUGG
2008 Dodge 2500 QC 4x4 SB Cummins 6 speed auto 3.73
1997 Holiday Rambler 29FK travel trailer
2006 Summit 22RB travel trailer
2003 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport
Bob & Grace professional retirees
Good Sam life members
Camped in 49 states. Missing Hawaii.
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hwybnb
Southern California
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I would like to add that a driving tour of Alaska should be more than just following the ALCAN. The best parts of our trip were Valdez and the Kenai Peninsula, neither of which is on the main route.
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