Completed in 1942 and opened to the public in 1948, the Alaska Highway, also known as the ALCAN, is a piece of American history. Although it has its rough spots and its length and remoteness can be daunting, driving it is also a grand adventure. And, the completed journey merits a badge of honor in many circles. Although I had driven the Alaska Highway before, I had never done it in an RV. It was definitely worth the trip!
The Beginning – Dawson Creek, BC
The official start of the Alaska Highway is in the city of Dawson Creek, British Columbia. It is a bustling area with many tourist attractions. However, having been in the area many times before, we primarily used it as a jumping off point by stopping at the local Walmart for supplies. Of course, we also had to stop for the obligatory “beginning of the Alaska Highway” sign picture. Soon after, we were on our way.
Alaska Highway Planning
Due to the remoteness of the Alaska Highway, planning is vital to a successful trip, especially for the first-time traveler. The availability of gas and/or diesel can sometimes be challenging. Much of the road between towns also lacks a cellular connection, so assistance for any issues can sometimes be far away and difficult to summon. The Milepost travel planner can be a critical component to a trip on this famous highway. It can be purchased online or at many visitor’s centers along the highway itself.
We planned out our fuel stops early in order to make sure the motorhome’s range would take us where we needed to go. Our plan also allowed us to avoid getting fuel in smaller towns or waysides as much as possible due to the expensive prices that can be involved. We stopped for fuel in the following places: Fort Saint John, Fort Nelson, Watson Lake, Whitehorse, and Tok, with a small top-off in Haines Junction. My motorhome only has about a 400-mile range, so you may be able to get away with fewer stops if your range is longer. Haines Junction was definitely the most expensive of our fuel stops, but we couldn’t quite make the distance from Whitehorse to Tok without cutting it too close for my peace of mind.
Attractions Along the Route
Liard Hot Springs is one of my favorite stops along the Alaska Highway. It’s a lovely hot springs in a wilderness setting with nearby camping. Check out my post to learn more about this oasis in the North! Watson Lake is another fun stop along the Alaska Highway. It is home of a famous signpost forest. This place is huge, and you can find license plates and signs from all over. It can be fun to look for license plates from all the places you have lived – I was able to find all three of my states pretty quickly. Visitors are also welcome to add their own sign to the collection.
Haines Junction is another beautiful area, with mountain views and the large Kluane Lake nearby. It is also the jumping off point for a road that crosses into Alaska to the town of Haines. From there, you can also take a short ferry ride to the town of Skagway, near the gold-rush famous Chilkoot trail. You can then rejoin the Alaska Highway on the other side of Whitehorse via a road from Skagway. We didn’t take this loop due to our short timeline. But, I would love to do it at some point.
Mountains of Haines Junction
Road Conditions/Potential Issues
Some travelers on the Alaska Highway may run into mechanical or other vehicle issues during their journey. Windshield dings and cracks are very common. Flat tires can also be prevalent. RVs may also be susceptible to issues with their shocks or suspension due to the workout they get on the highway. Whitehorse is the largest city along the northern section of the highway, so it can be a good place to get any needed repairs completed.
From our experience, the roughest portion of the Alaska Highway was the last fifty miles before and after the Yukon Territory/Alaska border. This area was pretty rough, with numerous potholes and frost heaves. However, it was easily traversed at a slower pace. Most of the rest of the highway was in good condition. All of this being said, we didn’t experience any issues (even a windshield ding) on our trip to Alaska. So, it is entirely possible to have no issues at all – just drive safely and go slow through any rough conditions.
The End – Delta Junction, AK
Six days after entering Canada in Roosville and twenty days after I originally set out from Denver, we crossed back into the United States at the Alcan border. Later that same day, we arrived in Delta Junction, the official end of the Alaska Highway. Coincidentally, it is also my hometown and final destination for this particular journey. The motorhome held up great while it carried me over 3,170 miles. The only thing it required from the journey was a bath to wash off all the mud and dirt. My major journey complete, I was happy to be back in my hometown. I was also excited to spend the summer traveling and hanging out with local friends and family. Have you ever driven the Alaska Highway? Do you plan to in the future? Let me know in the comments below! Also, feel free to hit subscribe to hear more about my upcoming adventures.
The official end of the highway sign!
Just a bit dirtier than when we left
Both happy to have made it!
