Has anyone here traveled the Alaska Highway from U.S., Canada to Fairbanks? I will be driving my 06 4R Sport there in August and wandering if there are any special preparations/recommendations out there. Most of the route is paved so don't expect road problems other than some gravel sections. I will make sure my maintenance is updated and have downloaded Toyota dealers along the way.
Traveling the Alaska Highway
- Thread starter Toyboomer
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ALt4r
New member
http://www.outwestnewspaper.com/akhwy.html
Apparently it's not as bad as it used to be. Have fun and drive safe! Preparations and stuff are in that link.
Apparently it's not as bad as it used to be. Have fun and drive safe! Preparations and stuff are in that link.
Alcan
Thanks - I do have that link and some others - hoping for some first hand experience but sounds like it's just keeping my ears open. Wondering if I'll need motel reservations, etc. or just get them on the way? Will be traveling north through Canada and BC, YT the end of Aug. Cheers!
Thanks - I do have that link and some others - hoping for some first hand experience but sounds like it's just keeping my ears open. Wondering if I'll need motel reservations, etc. or just get them on the way? Will be traveling north through Canada and BC, YT the end of Aug. Cheers!
ABooker
Member
wow! I did that drive last year in October in my 03 4Runner SR5 4x4. The 4Runner ran flawlessly! It's a fantastic drive. I drove from Atlanta Georgia and crossed over north of Billings Montana. I was told to stay out of Canada as long as possible due to the cost of EVERThing being much higher. They were correct. Once I crossed over everything cost about 30 to 50% more. I had to add a few extra miles but it was worth it. I did not do reservations anywhere and never had a problem getting a room even with my two dogs. Once you get on the Alcan, don't let your gas tank get below 2/3rds. Stop before the sun goes down. Stock up your ice chest and bring snacks/food. Enjoy!!! Take time to enjoy the view. I was in a hurry and did not get to stop as much as I wanted to.
I'd do it again in a heart beat.
Remember to have fun!!!!
I'd do it again in a heart beat.
Remember to have fun!!!!
Alcan
Hey ABooker, Semper Fi to you too. I'm from Viet Nam era. Thanks for the comments. I had heard motel reservations were usually not needed unless you get to places like Denali Park but we're going earlier than you did so I imagine we'll experience a little more traffic. Many of the kids will be returning to school by late August so hopefully the activity will be a little less. We're coming back on the ferry to Bellingham.
We're leaving CO mid August and taking 3 weeks (including 5 days on the ferry from Haines) so hopefully that will be enough. Plan to do 600 miles a day or so until we get to Dawson Creek and then slow the pace a bit on the Alcan and in Alaska.
Hey ABooker, Semper Fi to you too. I'm from Viet Nam era. Thanks for the comments. I had heard motel reservations were usually not needed unless you get to places like Denali Park but we're going earlier than you did so I imagine we'll experience a little more traffic. Many of the kids will be returning to school by late August so hopefully the activity will be a little less. We're coming back on the ferry to Bellingham.
We're leaving CO mid August and taking 3 weeks (including 5 days on the ferry from Haines) so hopefully that will be enough. Plan to do 600 miles a day or so until we get to Dawson Creek and then slow the pace a bit on the Alcan and in Alaska.
peter78
Super Moderator
Re: Alcan
I have thought of going to Alaska, everytime I look at the numbers it just seems too much. What is the ferry from Haines? Does it take a couple of days and cut some of the mileage? Also, are you planning on going 600 miles per day in Alaska, is that doable?Toyboomer said:
Alcan
These are good questions. I'll be receiving my copy of the Milepost soon which is sort of the bible for this trip. You can order from www.milepost.com or Amazon. The ferry from Haines takes 5 days and costs about $2400 with a cabin with a window. You can't stay on your vehicle. That is for a 4Runner size - would be a little more with a small RV. I'm figuring a total cost with food, motels, gas, ferry, etc. of about $7500. that would be about 6,200 miles round trip from Colorado. I'm only planning on 600 a day until I hit the Alcan as most of the road to there from CO is interstate, etc. After that I plan to do 400-500. With an early start each day I figure my wife and I can get in the mileage and have time to enjoy the trip w/o hammering too hard. I'm still researching this so these questions/comments are great.
These are good questions. I'll be receiving my copy of the Milepost soon which is sort of the bible for this trip. You can order from www.milepost.com or Amazon. The ferry from Haines takes 5 days and costs about $2400 with a cabin with a window. You can't stay on your vehicle. That is for a 4Runner size - would be a little more with a small RV. I'm figuring a total cost with food, motels, gas, ferry, etc. of about $7500. that would be about 6,200 miles round trip from Colorado. I'm only planning on 600 a day until I hit the Alcan as most of the road to there from CO is interstate, etc. After that I plan to do 400-500. With an early start each day I figure my wife and I can get in the mileage and have time to enjoy the trip w/o hammering too hard. I'm still researching this so these questions/comments are great.
peter78
Super Moderator
That ferry ride sounds great. That should be a lot of fun and take a lot of driving off the trip.
I took a ferry, only 8 hours in 2001 with my 01 4Runner. It was to Newfoundland and it was a lot of fun.
This is a picture of the ferry going to Newfoundland. The front end opens up and you drive in. When we went back, it was a night and we had a small cabin. I have also been on a cruise, hopefully your ferry ride will be a bit of both ferry and cruise.
I took a ferry, only 8 hours in 2001 with my 01 4Runner. It was to Newfoundland and it was a lot of fun.
This is a picture of the ferry going to Newfoundland. The front end opens up and you drive in. When we went back, it was a night and we had a small cabin. I have also been on a cruise, hopefully your ferry ride will be a bit of both ferry and cruise.
Attachments
Alcan
www.pbase.com/kstapleton/alaska_ferries
Above is the link for the ferrys - on our particular date we'll be sailing on the MV Columbia - scroll down and click to see the ship - it happens to be the flagship of the line with good amenities for the 5 days.
Also thinking of getting a Garmin Nuvi 755 to help estimate ETAs to the next town - not that we can't do that from the paper map.
www.pbase.com/kstapleton/alaska_ferries
Above is the link for the ferrys - on our particular date we'll be sailing on the MV Columbia - scroll down and click to see the ship - it happens to be the flagship of the line with good amenities for the 5 days.
Also thinking of getting a Garmin Nuvi 755 to help estimate ETAs to the next town - not that we can't do that from the paper map.
