alaska route??

[CClements]

I have to get from Seattle to Fairbanks to pick up a friend and a small trailer. I'll be running empty on the way up. Whats the fastest way to go?

 

[Grizzly]

Vancouver to Prince George, west to the Cassier Hwy, north to just west of Watson Lake, then take the Alcan all the way into Fairbanks. The Cassier is a little rough in places with about 12 miles of gravel. The Alcan had frost heaves through the Yukon before you get to the US border. From the US border to Fairbanks was okay, not great. Whenever you see frost heaves signs, slow down. My wife and I just came that way last month. If you need any more information, ask away. Diesel is plentiful. Don't let your fuel gauge get less then half. No need for extra fuel cans or extra tires. Have a safe trip.

 

[starkmr]

With winter coming on, take an extra fuel can and a couple of tires anyway. Weather is unpredictable this time of year and you don't want to get caught without. Besides, the Yukon is famous for overcharging those who aren't prepared.

 

[Rebel Ram]

I have always dreamed of driving to Alaska. Great adventure. I'll do it someday. Help me out though. What is a frost heave?



Edit; Nevermind. Thanks.

 

[Grizzly]

I have always dreamed of driving to Alaska. Great adventure. I'll do it someday. Help me out though. What is a frost heave?



Edit; Nevermind. Thanks.

Bumps, kind of like a roller coaster or a series of speed bumps. To put it more scientifically, they are permafrost where the frozen soil has heaved.

 

[starkmr]

Bumps, kind of like a roller coaster or a series of speed bumps. To put it more scientifically, they are permafrost where the frozen soil has heaved.

Better known as axle breakers if you hit them too fast, oh yeah, they can be hard to see until you are right on top of them. DOT tries to mark where they are at in AK, but Canadian road signs are a completely different language!!!

 

[CClements]

thanks for the help. Im looking forward to the trip. I left Michigan yesterday for Maine Then I'll head to Pittsburgh after wich I'll make my way to Seattle, Alaska, West Coast, Nevada, new Mexico, Texas then who knows.



Carl

 

[Nate]

Where in Maine?

 

[Mark.Smith]

I also recommend buying a book called the "Milepost" It has a listing of what's available along the ALCAN highway mile by mile. You don't want to be unpleasantly suprised to find the place you had planned to get fuel had closed for the winter. Its full of other good to know info as well.

 

[Bob Cochran]

Do not get of the main roads unless you for sure know where they go. Does not sound like you will have time to do any sight seeing on other than the main roads. Lots of these roads go miles then dead end with no place to turn around. Backing up can be a real chore this from my younger brother and over the road trucker on his first trip to Alaska. Love the trip and said his tractor had never been so dirty though!!!!

 

[CClements]

I hope the trip back will be more relaxed. I have time on my side. I just wish it were July.



I'll be in Kinnebunkport Friday and saturday. I think I'll probably spend a couple of extra days just tooling around. Cadillac Mountain was one recommendation. I'm open to suggestions.

 

[DBF]

I have to get from Seattle to Fairbanks to pick up a friend and a small trailer. I'll be running empty on the way up. Whats the fastest way to go?

If the timing works out, take the Alaska Marine Highway System ferry Columbia from Bellingham, WA to Haines, AK. Then it's a 600 mile run to Fairbanks.



Saves you about 1500 miles on the roads.



Regards, DBF

 

[dodgeguy44]

A frost heave is when the road subgrade freezes in winter and when it freezes it expands therefore it needs to "heave" because of the expanding horizontal pressure. In the spring when it thaws out it goes back to a level surface.



Basically it's a speed bump in the road that nature puts there to remind you it's winter. They can cause considerable damage to a vehicle and contents if you hit them too fast.



Have great trip. It's beautiful in the north.

 

[jelag]

After several trips up on a motorcycle... . I'd take the ferry up from Bellingham... . Alaska marine highway... . its a 3 1/2 trip. . I'm guessing that is the fastest and might be the cheepest based on the fuel costs... . Notice I sais up... as we always came home on the ferry... .



In fact if your friend is only going one way... I'm betting it would be cheeper to put the trailer on the ferry system and ride it back... they have a provision to put trailers without trucks on the ferry... . this would be a one way pass for your friend and I know this would be cheeper than any round trip... . but than you wouldn't get a chance to see part of alaska...



We considered, June spring, July summer, August summer and fall, the rest of the year was winter.....

 

[Coalsmoke]

SKip Vnacouver completely, it will cost you anadditional 2 hours of nothing but issues if traffic is bad, maybe more. Take the Sumas crossing up, I think it is your highway #9? The Mile Post book can be bought at Mile 0 of the ALCAN highway, in a town called Dawson Creek. The northern half of BC is already getting snow. Be prepared. If you aren't familiar with driving in snow and ice conditions, be curteous and allow traffic to pass wherever safe. Have a good trip