halibutman214
Oregon
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Okay so after completeing my trip both North and South on the ALCAN and looking diligently for this pot holed, rut filled goat trail, I just didn't find it. Instead I found a road that for the most part you would find in any state in any part of the country when you traveled for over a thousand miles on a two lane road. Were there some bad sections, yes, and one really bad section on my way North but 3 weeks later the same section, while still gravel was smooth. They do an amazing job on these roads considering the elements.
As far as rock chips, I guess I missed this exciting event as well. I can see how it happens and why it happens and as with running out of gas "most" chips are of your own doing. When I saw 18 wheelers coming at me on a dirt road running 100+kmh I slowed and moved over. I also didn't draft them as I saw many doing. This highway can change rapidly but for a summer trip it is NOT what some would like to make it as being.
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tonyandkaren
pennsylvania
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 I think that the people who talk about how bad it is just want to believe they were off in the wilderness having a daring adventure when truthfully , the roads are not much different than the ones in the lower 48 and there are gas stations and grocery stores too! 
Glad you enjoyed your trip!
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lanerd
Newport, OR
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Ahhhh... I think it's called "The Alaskan Highway"...not the ALCAN. But I know what you mean about it not being the back road to the badlands. We traveled its entire length back in 08, and other than a few frost heaves, it was just as good as any two lane highway in the lower 48.
Wonderful trip, huh?
Ron
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Ivylog
Blairsville, Ga. USA
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In May I was surprised that the first 1000 miles could be taken at 60 MPH with less than a mile of gravel.
This post is my opinion (free advice). It is not intended to influence anyone's judgment nor do I advocate anyone do what I propose.
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SoILBoy
Southern Illinois
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My windshield crack came on the Haines Highway while I was at a dead stop at the flagger in a construction zone. I don't think I was at fault there as I wasn't going too fast, and was over as far as possible.
The roads aren't primitive as some think, but you WILL drive for miles on loose, potholed washboarded gravel. I drove through some construction zones at 3 mph, and it was almost too fast.
I am in Homer now and hope that some of the construction will be done when I start home around the first of Sept.
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Jim Shoe
Amelia, OH
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C'mon gang. Don't tell the secret. People will stop building those plastic pipe and chicken wire contraptions on the front of their rigs.
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gbopp
The Keystone State
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lanerd wrote:Ahhhh... I think it's called "The Alaskan Highway"...not the ALCAN. But I know what you mean about it not being the back road to the badlands. We traveled its entire length back in 08, and other than a few frost heaves, it was just as good as any two lane highway in the lower 48.
Wonderful trip, huh?
Ron
Alaska Highway From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
The Alaska Highway (also known as the Alaskan Highway, Alaska-Canadian Highway, or ALCAN Highway) was constructed during World War II for the purpose of connecting the contiguous U.S. to Alaska through Canada. 
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harold1946
Surprise Arizona
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The real adventure was traveling it in the 60s and 70s when 1700 miles of it was gravel. It was better known as the alcan then.
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sue.t
Ibex Valley, YUKON
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I grew up on the Alaska Highway, at Beaver Creek YT. Never heard the term "Alcan" ... locals just called it the highway in conversation, or "Alaska Highway" if needed.
This sign at Soldier's Summit, overlooking Kluane Lake YT.
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skipnchar
Topeka or somewhere else
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the ALASKA highway is just another road and gravel roads in Alaska and Canada are no different than gravel roads anywhere else. I've NEVER understood people mounting a half dozen spare tires, 5 gallon gas cans tied to their bumpers etc. those things may be necessary when going WAY off the beaten path but certainly not for the ROADS of Alaska. About the only difference I can think of at all is that the gravel roads there SOMETIMES have large trucks using them, which is kind of rare in most parts of the country. I think that in the two days I traveled the "Dalton" we might have passed a half dozen trucks total. I'm sure this is a lot different on some other days or times of the year. Like any wilderness area, one MUST learn to respect it but some seem to be openly fearful of it. As you say though, these may be folks who have never been there and recalling tales from 50 years ago.
Did you notice that there are many stretches on the highway that the ORIGINAL road is still visible running beside the new one? There are even a few places you can derive the original for a short distance.
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