Driving the Al-Can

Hi! I did that back in 2017 and it was the adventure of a lifetime! We saw more wildlife driving that route than in all of AK! I drove it in a truck pulling a 26 ft RV, so it was slow going. The frost heaves are real and will do damage. Plan WAY more time for your trip, even in a normal car, than Google will tell you. Besides the fact that you will be stopping so often for pictures, animals, etc.

One note that when you need to take the ferry across in Dawson Creek, it may take much longer than you expect. For us, it was a 4-hour wait! However, to drive along the Top of the World was worth every minute of waiting! There's nothing like it! Truly! Back then they had a cute little border patrol at the end and you could stop for a picture and a stamp. Also, note that the border crossing does close--or did in 2017--so do check the timing so you don't have an unexpected overnight along the highway.

The Milepost will be well-worn by the time you arrive. It is chock full of helpful information! And whenever there is a food suggestion--stop and partake! They know what they are talking about!

Enjoy the journey! It's the trip of a lifetime!!

Crystal

Tammy, that’s a big change! In so many ways, Alaska to California, can’t imagine a bigger culture and weather switch. We live in Texas but go to Fairbanks usually twice a year for kids and grandkids. We usually fly but have driven it 3 times. The last driving trip was in 2022 and we did do the Top of the World road on the way back. We pull a travel trailer and we camp the whole way so no hotel advice. The only thing to remember is get gas before you need it and slow down for the frost heaves you will come upon! It’s days of driving but really a unique experience/adventure. Good luck!

I had a close friend that did the Al-can from Montana to Alaska with a group of cyclists. He drove the camper and others biked. It took a lot of time and they departed from Montana when it was still cold.

Take bear spray from what I hear.

That will be a big move! We have not driven this road, but ironically just watched a show on driving it a few nights ago. It was on YouTube and this is the link to it https://youtu.be/1wn5GF0HTPM?si=5VVzucrQs4vV2_jv . In the video it shows lots of places to stop and check out.

We traveled the Alcan from SoCalif to Anchoage in Nov 1971. Lived and worked in Alaska for over 44 years. Have traveled the Alcan many times, completely or partially. And we have traveled the North (to DawsonCity) and South (to/from Skagway) parts of the Klondike Hwy often as well as the Top-of-the-World Hwy (from Dawson City).

I don't know where you start, but you will go thru Tok Junction - last cheap gas, good supplies and several motels until Whitehorse. A bit to the east of Tok is the road north to Dawson. It is paved about half way to the border; gravel for the rest of the way to Dawson. Chicken has services if needed. Dawson City is very interesting for the mines, frontier buildings. and Diamond Tooth Gertie's. The visitor center and museum are musts. A stay of 2+ nights is recommended. Reservations are also recommended. We stay at the "Dawson City River Hostel" for the interesting accommodations (get a cabin) and the owner, Dieter. It is kind of like luxury camping where you can meet travelers from all over. Dawson has more conventional accommodations but no class. All services are available in town as well as some decent food (salmon from Skagway OK, from the Yukon not). The Klondike Hwy to Whitehorse is usually a very good oiled gravel road with major services at Carmacks. Recommend a stop at the 5 Finger Rapids overlook. Whitehorse has places of interest including the museum, the Klondike steamship, and the nearby Takhini Hot Springs. The Alcan south is paved and generally frost heave free. Lots of services if not especially cheap. And, as you are used to, likely to be road work anywhere. Have a nice trip. (If you are not camping, bear spray is not needed. The Canadians sometimes confiscate bear spray at the border anyway).

Thank you all for your responses so far. Hoping to get more responses.
It will be an adventure for sure!

What route do you contemplate taking south of Whitehorse? The Alcan to Dawson Creek? Then southwest to Prince George and Vancouver? Or From Dawson Creek to Edmonton and Calgary? The Cassiar Hwy from Watson Lake to Prince Rupert, Prince George then to Vancouver? What do you want to see in western Canada and the US? Lots of interesting sights and places all over on the way to CA.

@Larry42, yes we plan to drive to Dawson Creek and then on to Prince George. Do you have some recommendations? I am still in planning process for this trip, which is coming up in 55 days!
We plan a two night stop over in Dawson City and in Whitehorse. After that, we need to push on to CA., but I have never done this drive and although it will be long, it will be an amazing adventure.

this might be useful - Taking the Long Way Home From Alaska

On an epic road trip, a family plots a course from Alaska to the Lower 48, passing through some of Canada’s most spectacular scenery. The tally: 2,200 miles, five national parks, numerous hot springs and one excellent reindeer hot dog.

Depending on how soon you need to be in SoCal and what your traveling requirements are, you have several good options. We travel with a p/u camper or with van+trailer and so really try to avoid I-5 or anything like that. If not in a big rush and wanting some sight-seeing, you could head into Alberta from Dawson Creek and travel south thru Banff/Jasper (reservations might be a problem). Then take US 15 south. Or with the Prince George option, pick either US 97 (not much on scenery) or US 395 on to CA. Of course, lots to see in CA but that stuff is accessible from home later. Happy & trouble free travels.

On some new phones you can connect with emergency services through satellite if land cell service is not available. This could be very useful if cell connectivity along the highway is as poor as some have described.
https://www.tomsguide.com/phones/the-google-pixel-9-lets-you-send-messages-via-satellite-heres-how-it-works
https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15254448?hl=en#zippy=%2Clocations-where-satellite-sos-is-available

Wow, what a step! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that everything goes exactly as you hope. Best wishes from Munich.

Thank you Mignon! We have arrived safely at our new home base. So happy we drove and while we had some long days in the car, we saw awesome scenery and wildlife. Highlights were the Signpost forest in Watson Lake, Dawson City (amazing Klondike/gold rush town and definitely worth a 2 night stay), wildlife galore (bison, eagles, foxes, bunnies, lots of black bears), Laird River Hot Springs (a must), and wow, so MANY trees!!! The Yukon and British Columbia are so beautiful. We did have to alter our plans slightly due to wildfires in BC. I feel sad for the animals and people affected by these fires. So glad we did this. Highly recommend Top Of The World hwy. Amazing!!!!!

Tammy, I’m glad to hear you had a good and safe trip. How many days was it from door to door?

Barbara, it was 12 days with a 2 night stay in Dawson City and in Ft. Nelson (which we hadn't planned, but had to due to wildfires). Since I have done lots in Washington and Oregon after we reached those states we just wanted to get to our destination and did not linger at all.