We just got back from a 7 day Alaska cruise from Vancouver, BC to Whitaker, AK, near Anchorage. After the end of the cruise, we took the Alaskan Railroad from Anchorage to Denali, staying at the Princess Lodge in the north-east corner of the park for a couple nights. Then we returned to Anchorage on a motor coach for our flight home.
During our travels on land into the heartland of Alaska, I paid special attention to what it would be like if we drove our RV up there. There are some decent accommodations for RVs. The season just opened, so there weren't too many RVs around. But there are some RV parks to be seen along the road that accommodate RV's in good numbers. The motor coach ride revealed decent paved road conditions from Anchorage to Fairbanks.
I heard from people who drove the Alaskan highway in Canada that the road is paved, but very bumpy and hard on their RVs. I cannot comment on that at all.
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"I heard from people who drove the Alaskan highway in Canada that the road is paved, but very bumpy and hard on their RVs. I cannot comment on that at all."
We drove up in 2005 from Idaho with no problems at all. There are always some construction areas during the tourist season to be expected.
The paved areas are fine but there are some frost heave areas. If you see the fog line getting waving, just slow down.
The hwy was fine. If someone expects the hwy to be like the lower 48 they will be disappointed.....
Larv
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We were in Denali only two nights and two days, Friday afternoon, Saturday, and Sunday morning. The weather was perfect all day Saturday...not a cloud. Unfortunately the one and only road into the park was only 1/2 open due to heavy snow accumulation over the winter, so we couldn't get as close to Mount McKinley as we wanted. Last week, the tundra was still dormant without green growth, so spotting grizzly bear was easy. We saw two groups of mothers with two cubs each, and two loners. The one pair of cubs were nearly adult size, playing tug-of-war with a carcass of some kind. It was awesome. The mountains were beautiful too. It's very dramatic compared to the Rockies in the lower 48 states. We also seen an horned owl's nest with babies, close by. The owls and bears blew away everyone in the park bus.
We did the cruise 3 years ago and enjoyed it so much that we drove up last May to July. We took our truck camper from upstate New York, 12,000 miles in 10 weeks. I think I drive my wife crazy as not a day goes by that I mention I can't wait to go back to Alaska and Canada. The cruise was great but the drive up was better. Ron Day
"I heard from people who drove the Alaskan highway in Canada that the road is paved, but very bumpy and hard on their RVs. I cannot comment on that at all."
We're up to Whitehorse now and have to say the roads have been overall very good so far. Some pat holes and a few areas of gravel, but overall as good as the states, and better than southern California.
Fred Wishnie
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Have driven the Alaska Hwy top to bottom several times - more problems with animals on the road, particularly in BC, than with the road surface. Also keep in mind that roads can be narrow and this is a major trucking route. The hot springs in Liard are worth the trip. Another poster to this forum Sue T has posted her website detailing her travels. Worth a read for anyone interested in heading north: http://members.shaw.ca/shawniganrver/
Should note that the Top of the World Highway and the Taylor Highway (Dawson City to Eagle thru Chicken to Tok) can be rougher in spots, and that the Dempster Highway (Dawson City to Tuk) requires special tires - there is a garage at the base of the highway where the owners can help - they have grown rich towing out RVs that have disregarded tire specs. Both tours are stunning and highly recommended.
On a final note the drive from Tok south along the Copper River to Valdez is stunning, with good roads and good sites.
Fred & Jo - enjoy Whitehorse. If you have the time go to the Transportation Museum out by the Airport. Next door to it is the Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre, which details the paleo-archaeology of the Yukon and Alaska.
just got back myself from the Vancouver to Whittier trip, on princess cruise line. Had an awesome time with all the family and saw some amazing wild nature. Of course the Wife and I were both talking aout how nice it would be to RV up there, but I have a feeling we'll have to wait many years, till retirement to make it up there. We were both shocked at the number of RV'ers we saw up there. They were everywhere, though probably at least 30-40% were clearly rental Class C's.
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We, also, cruised Vancouver to Seward, then took the train to Anchorage. We then rented a 35mpg Ford Escort and toured to Talkeetna Denali, Fairbanks, Copper Center, Valdez, ferry to Whittier, Kenai, Homer. Average motel cost about $125 (high $150 in Denali, $160 in Talkeetna, low $95 in Anchorage, most $115--$125 elsewhere. We think we did it right in 23 days, spending 2 full days and 3 nights in each location. We were ready to come home at the end (June 30). We had a great visit, saw most of the major sights, and did a lot of activities (McKinley flight, ATV, rafting, fishing, etc.). We used the Toursaver Book for many activities (saved about $1,400). We have no great desire to return, though.
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