Alaska road trips offer the freedom to explore the Last Frontier on our own terms. If you’re a frequent cruiser to the state and want to extend your adventure, adding a self-guided land itinerary offers a contrasting experience.
We love the freedom of hitting the open road, sometimes without a destination. In Alaska, every road journey is scenic, with towering mountains, lush forests, and wildlife at every turn.
The best Alaska road trips include the Glenn Highway, which winds through glacial-carved valleys, and the Anchorage to Fairbanks route, which showcases iconic destinations like Denali National Park.
Travelers who plan these journeys in peak season benefit from the summer solstice and more daylight driving hours. For those who prefer a camping adventure, these trips can be done by rental car or RV. Some even make the journey with their own vehicle from the lower states.
Planning Your Alaska Road Trip
Summertime is the peak season for road trips. We recommend booking car and RV rentals and hotel reservations early to ensure the best availability.
The planning process can feel overwhelming. Some drives take hours, others all day or longer. Start in Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, with its international airport and many rental car options. Alternatively, an RV costs more but saves on hotel expenses.
From there, you can take a road trip north to Denali National Park or south to the Kenai Peninsula.
Key stops to include:
- Denali National Park.
- Seward for Kenai Fjords National Park.
- Talkeetna for stunning views of Mount Denali.
- Valdez for glaciers and wildlife.
Rental Essentials
Choosing the right rental is crucial. It’s essential to read each company’s policies, as they may differ. Many car companies do not allow travel on unpaved roads, and those that do require an additional fee for specific routes.
Some RVs include mileage, while others do not. There may be sewage dumping, cleaning, generator usage, kitchen supplies, and bedding fees. Compare the pricing because a low-priced rental with many fees may be more expensive.
Navigating Weather And Terrain
Driving in Alaska is challenging due to the weather and terrain. The permafrost between Denali and Fairbanks creates uneven roads reminiscent of a roller coaster.
Summer offers long daylight hours but watch for wildlife. In winter, prepare with snow tires or chains. We recommend having a physical map as a backup, as cell service can be limited in remote areas.
Alaska Road Trip Routes
If you’re seeking road trip inspiration, we’ve mapped out six iconic routes. From coastal classics to remote interior adventures, each offers unique experiences and breathtaking vistas.
Sterling Highway: Anchorage To Seward
Kenai Peninsula is the draw for those driving the Seward Highway. This 127-mile road trip between Seward and Anchorage travels through charming coastal towns and pristine wilderness, a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts.
Most road trips are about the journey, not the destination, which is somewhat true of the Seward Highway. While the drive takes under 3-1/2 hours without stopping, so much along the way entices us to pull over.
We loved the scenic views of Turnagain Arm and the Chugach Mountains. Potter’s Marsh is an ideal stop for bird watchers.
When traveling from mid-July into August, Beluga whales might be seen at Beluga Point viewpoint. After a 35-minute drive from this point, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (AWCC) is a must-visit.
The AWCC preserves and rehabilitates Alaska’s wildlife by rescuing injured animals and promoting sustainability. We viewed moose, muskox, caribou, and black and brown bears in large enclosures resembling their natural habitat.
Before arriving in Seward, take in the stunning views of Kenai Lake. Some smaller bodies of water, such as Summit and Tern Lakes, are pretty picturesque before this.
At the end of the road trip, Kenai Fjords National Park is the crown jewel of the peninsula. It’s known for its massive glaciers and abundant marine life. Exit Glacier, just north of Seward, offers a hiking playground for avid outdoor adventurers.
Parks Highway: Anchorage To Fairbanks
This 358-mile route is the gateway to Denali National Park, home to North America’s tallest peak. This stretch of highway travels through Matanuska-Susitna Valley, known for its fertile soil. It is a lengthier journey with many interests begging you to stop.
In Wasilla, stop at the Iditarod Headquarters. A visit here provides insight into Alaska’s famous sled dog race.
Talkeetna is a must-stop for immersing yourself in the town’s quirky atmosphere and vibrant arts scene. Nagley’s Store, a general store and brew pub offers a bit of everything.
Bucket list tours are popular here. Choose from flightseeing tours of Denali, river rafting on the Talkeetna River, or ATV adventures. We chose the latter.
An overnight here is recommended to break up the road trip. It allows for more time to savor Denali views and enjoy Talkeetna’s eccentric feel. Talkeetna’s stunning views of Denali make it a favorite base camp for mountain climbers.
It should be noted that Talkeetna is closer to Mount Denali than the national park. Travel north to Denali from Talkeetna the next day.
In the park, we can spot moose, bears, and caribou. I was lucky to see four of the “big five,” with the wolf being a no-show. Plan to spend three days in Denali to experience and get a taste of the land.
We have access to the first 15 miles of the park in a private vehicle. It’s prime moose country, and we spotted three. For a deeper exploration of the park, we recommend taking an excursion such as the Tundra Wilderness Tour.
Hiking and wildlife viewing are popular activities within the park. The Savage River Loop and Horseshoe Lake Trail are excellent options for day hikes with rewarding scenery. If you didn’t take a flightseeing tour in Talkeetna, they’re offered here too.
The Parks Highway is open year-round but can be icy in winter. Summer brings the advantage of long daylight hours for extended sightseeing.
Dalton Highway: Fairbanks To The Arctic
While this route has “highway” in its name, it isn’t the smooth paved route we expected. This 414-mile road to Prudhoe Bay was built to service the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and is made of gravel. There are few services along the way, but miles of scenery and old oil fields.
For the truly adventurous, the Dalton Highway offers an unparalleled journey into Alaska’s remote Arctic. The road crosses the Yukon River and the Arctic Circle, entering a land of tundra and midnight sun. The highway ends at Deadhorse, near the Arctic Ocean.
Since 400+ miles of gravel road doesn’t make for a comfy journey, some only drive to the Arctic Circle sign at mile 194. If the thought of driving this route scares you silly, book a tour instead.
Only specific rentals allow you to drive the Dalton Highway, which isn’t for the faint-hearted. This gravel road is used mainly by oilfield truckers. The route is bone-jarring but beautiful and scary at the same time.
This road trip requires careful preparation, including spare tires, extra fuel, and emergency supplies. A satellite phone is recommended in case of emergencies.
Glenn Highway: Anchorage To Glennallen
The Glenn Highway offers a picturesque 189-mile drive through southcentral Alaska. This 3-1/2- hour route can be winding, so drive slowly and enjoy the journey. The drive to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is one of Alaska’s most scenic routes.
Highlights include the historical town of Palmer and the chance to see Dall sheep on the cliffs near Sheep Mountain. Palmer’s Reindeer Farm is a unique stop, especially for families.
We love visiting the Musk Ox Farm and learning about these Ice Age survivors. For avid crafters like me, the farm produces Qiviut (kiv’-ee-ute), a fine yarn. Available as 100% Qiviut or blended with silk, it’s used to knit warm hats and scarves.
Beyond Palmer, we can marvel at the massive Matanuska Glacier, visible right from the road. Scenic viewpoints provide opportunities to marvel at the Chugach and Talkeetna Mountains.
With an early start, a two-to-three-hour tour of Matanuska Glacier allows for glacier exploration. Times are offered at 10 am, 11 am, 1 pm, and 2 pm, and crampons, hiking sticks, and helmets are included.
Glennallen sits at the junction of Richardson and Glenn Highways. Nestled in the heart of the Copper River Valley, it’s a great place to enjoy salmon fishing, rafting, and hiking.
With an extended Alaska itinerary, we recommended continuing south on the Richardson Highway to Valdez.
Richardson Highway: Glennallen To Valdez
This route is an add-on to the one above. It travels south from Glennallen to the coastal town of Valdez. The 119-mile Richardson Highway route travels alongside the Wrangell Mountains. Winter driving can be challenging, but summer offers excellent conditions for exploring this scenic route.
Established in the early 20th century, this historic route offers breathtaking interior landscapes dotted with a few small towns. Four miles from Glennallen, stop at Summit Hill for stunning views of Mount Drum.
Copper River meanders beside the highway for the start of this road trip, but views of Worthington Glacier are a highlight. Nearing Valdez, the Lowe River runs close to and under the highway as if to race you to the endpoint.
Thompson Pass offers stunning alpine scenery one and a half hours into the drive. Further ahead, Keystone Canyon features waterfalls cascading down steep rock walls. Horsetail and Bridal Veil Falls are the best examples.
This road trip is less traveled and preferred by those who want to get off the beaten path. Its remoteness makes it a great alternative to the more crowded route to Denali National Park.
Exploring parts of Wrangell-St. Elias, America’s largest national park, is often the draw for this road trip. The national park boasts stunning mountain scenery and fascinating mining history. We recommend exploring the ghost towns of Kennecott and McCarthy.
While the route to Kennecott is long, the park offers incredible hiking and glacier trekking opportunities. Prepare to start early, include a two-hour mine tour, and take a trek to Root Glacier. Remember to pack crampons when planning to walk on the ice.
The road ends in Valdez, a picturesque coastal town known for its fishing and glacier tours.
Klondike Highway: Skagway To Whitehorse
The Klondike Highway, while mainly in Canada, starts in Skagway, Alaska. This historic route followed the path of gold seekers during the Klondike Gold Rush.
This road trip is ideal for those cruising and not visiting interior Alaska. When cruising, most travel to Emerald Lake and drive back the same way.
We traveled this route in an electric car to do our part for the environment. The road travels through many climatic zones and climbs the steep White Pass, crossing the U.S.-Canada border. The highway offers lovely views of waterfalls, mountains, lakes, and boreal forests.
While many Yukon Highway travelers make the drive to see Emerald Lake, it wasn’t the highlight for us. Having spent much time in the Canadian Rockies, its green waters didn’t match Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park.
The Tormented Valley is jaw-droppingly beautiful. Its low-lying scrubs and trees mimic those in Denali National Park, where the area experiences harsh winters.
Beyond the scenery, key stopping points are Carcross Desert (the smallest in the world?), Yukon Suspension Bridge, Tutshi Sled Dog Tours, and lunch in Carcross.
Do note that passports are required because this road trip from Skagway, Alaska, crosses into Canada.
Conclusion
Alaska’s breathtaking landscapes and natural wonders create unforgettable road trips. Every year, we explore parts of the state and marvel at its diverse wildlife and pristine topography.
Road trips allow us to forge deep connections with the land and its people. We’ve met friendly locals, savored fresh seafood, and learned about Alaska’s indigenous cultures and rich history.
Remember, trips by road require planning. We recommend packing for changing weather, checking road reports, and preparing for long drives.
Whether you’re seeking solitude in nature or thrilling outdoor activities, an Alaska road trip delivers experiences that will stay with you long after you return home. Those experiences often entice us to return for an encore adventure, which is why we visit the 49th state year after year.
