Cost of diesel across Canada to Alaska

[Grizzly]

Question for TDR members in Canada. How much is diesel across the Cassier Highway to Tok, Alaska? How much is diesel in Fairbanks and Anchorage?



We're thinking of making another trip to Alaska this summer. The cost of diesel could stop us as it has the last two years.



We'd be towing our 5er, on an 11,000 miles round trip.



Thanks, george

 

[TLane]

I use these guys to get an idea of fuel prices, but they don't always have all the stations:



GasBuddy.com - Find Low Gas Prices in the USA and Canada



I'm sure there are other sites as well. They are currently showing $4. 01 per gallon in Fairbanks.



Be sure and consider all the other costs of traveling, including rough roads, long way from anywhere, possibility of no cell service, etc. Those roads will beat the crap out of you, your family, your truck, your trailer, etc. We looked at the costs and took the cruise last summer instead. One week up the inside passage and one week on land, from Anchorage to McKinley to Fairbanks. Very pretty! Another option is to fly up and rent a motor home, we may look into that next time. I'm sure others will call me a wuss and say "man up". I don't want to discourage any one from driving up, but be sure you know what you're getting into before you go.

 

[KLauber]

Cassier Highway Pipeline

Question for TDR members in Canada. How much is diesel across the Cassier Highway to Tok, Alaska? How much is diesel in Fairbanks and Anchorage?



We're thinking of making another trip to Alaska this summer. The cost of diesel could stop us as it has the last two years.



We'd be towing our 5er, on an 11,000 miles round trip.



Thanks, george

Grizz, Just follow one of the 22-wheel semis that serve the mines near Dease Lake. They haul ore south and return to the mines with 3000 gal of fuel. Big yellow Freightliners with dual steering axles. Just 'borrow' some fuel when they stop for lunch at the truck stop in Dease Lake. Maybe they've paved Hwy 37 by now. It was gravel in 1987.

 

[Grizzly]

I use these guys to get an idea of fuel prices, but they don't always have all the stations:



GasBuddy.com - Find Low Gas Prices in the USA and Canada



I'm sure there are other sites as well. They are currently showing $4. 01 per gallon in Fairbanks.



Be sure and consider all the other costs of traveling, including rough roads, long way from anywhere, possibility of no cell service, etc. Those roads will beat the crap out of you, your family, your truck, your trailer, etc. We looked at the costs and took the cruise last summer instead. One week up the inside passage and one week on land, from Anchorage to McKinley to Fairbanks. Very pretty! Another option is to fly up and rent a motor home, we may look into that next time. I'm sure others will call me a wuss and say "man up". I don't want to discourage any one from driving up, but be sure you know what you're getting into before you go.

We drove to Alaska twice before. Last trip was in 06 with our 11'-3" Lance truck camper. The first trip was in 95 pulling our 88 Holiday Rambler 5th wheel. Each round trip was 11K miles. The trip in 95 was much rougher than the 06 trip. The Alcan has been greatly improved. We took the Cassier Hwy back last time. It was rough, but far more scenic and much more wildlife. Maybe 200 miles shorter also. I only get 10 to 11 mpg with the new Arctic Fox 5er.



george

 

[Grizzly]

Grizz, Just follow one of the 22-wheel semis that serve the mines near Dease Lake. They haul ore south and return to the mines with 3000 gal of fuel. Big yellow Freightliners with dual steering axles. Just 'borrow' some fuel when they stop for lunch at the truck stop in Dease Lake. Maybe they've paved Hwy 37 by now. It was gravel in 1987.

There were only a few short stretches of the Cassiar Hwy that weren't paved in 06. The longest gravel stretch was about 20 miles.

 

[GHarman]

Milepost

Make some calls! Hope this helps? GregH

The MILEPOST: Alaska Travel Guide and Trip Planner

 

[TLane]

We drove to Alaska twice before. Last trip was in 06 with our 11'-3" Lance truck camper. The first trip was in 95 pulling our 88 Holiday Rambler 5th wheel. Each round trip was 11K miles. The trip in 95 was much rougher than the 06 trip. The Alcan has been greatly improved. We took the Cassier Hwy back last tim. It was rough, but far more scenic and much more wildlife. Maybe 200 miles shorter also. I only get 10 to 11 mpg with the new Arctic Fox 5er.



george

Excellent - you know the drill then. I'd hate for someone to start off on a trip up there with half a tank of gas and think it's just like any other highway. Which is something I might of done a few years back...



When we were there, we noticed a couple of different trucks towing trailers with out of state plates, they looked like they'd been driven thru a mud bog to get there. I also noticed that the "Milepost" linked above lists RV repair at MM 0 as "United Spring and Brake". I've heard some people needing spring repairs after one trip up there!



Enjoy your trip!

 

[mpaulson]

$1. 15 ish in Edmonton Alberta area. I wouldn't let fuel prices scare you out of having a good life and missing out on what you want to do, that's what I live by. I gave up worring about what it cost to go places as it just ruins the spirit of the trip while you are on it. The Gas buddy link is accurate for the Edmonton area.

 

[Shadrach]

That $1. 15 is for a litre. In American language that about $4. 35 a US gal if you consider the dollars equal. It's the old " if ya wanna play ya gotta pay" Fuel is one of the biggest expenses when doing a driving trip, but that's why we have a Cummins and a trailer right? I would like to do that trip some day myself. Shad

 

[Grizzly]

$1. 15 ish in Edmonton Alberta area. I wouldn't let fuel prices scare you out of having a good life and missing out on what you want to do, that's what I live by. I gave up worring about what it cost to go places as it just ruins the spirit of the trip while you are on it. The Gas buddy link is accurate for the Edmonton area.

Your absolutely right and the fuel prices aren't going to get any better anytime soon. I'll just have to bite the bullet.



A current copy of the Milepost is a must. We had the latest issue with us on the last two trips. I wouldn't leave home without one.



george

 

[Shadrach]

George Do you take a different / modified route each time? There are only so many ways to drive to Alaska but there are always things you would like to see again and new things to see also. Shad

 

[RonD]

Your absolutely right and the fuel prices aren't going to get any better anytime soon. I'll just have to bite the bullet.



A current copy of the Milepost is a must. We had the latest issue with us on the last two trips. I wouldn't leave home without one.



george

George, if you don't have an aux fuel tank in the bed, this may be the time, I have as several others do a 75 Gal Transfer-Flow bed tank, I removed it from my 05, and installed it in the 12 truck, total fuel about 105 gal, it lets you select where you want to fill up, both price, and fuel quality. Yes they cost, but I think mine has paid for itself over the years, plus I never worry about where to fill up, will the 5er clear the canopy etc, just something to ponder over.

 

[Grizzly]

George, if you don't have an aux fuel tank in the bed, this may be the time, I have as several others do a 75 Gal Transfer-Flow bed tank, I removed it from my 05, and installed it in the 12 truck, total fuel about 105 gal, it lets you select where you want to fill up, both price, and fuel quality. Yes they cost, but I think mine has paid for itself over the years, plus I never worry about where to fill up, will the 5er clear the canopy etc, just something to ponder over.

I just looked at one today at a truck accessory shop. It's a 50 gal gravity flow with a small tool box. Sells for $1200 installed. I've heard some negative things about a gravity flow aux tank. I do want a small tool box.



I have about 6" between the truck rail and the 5er.

 

[RonD]

I don't think the gravity flow tanks are legal, I would check first, my Transfer Flow sits lower than the bed rails about 2 inches I don't have the tool box, just a tank, they make a very good product, there are others, I only have experience with there's, I installed it myself, not a real bad job, I would have a difficult time adjusting to having only 35 gallons to work with.

 

[EricBu12]

This spring I am going to get either the 60 gal replacement or the 75 which has a 15 gal tank that connects to it from the spare area and you don't lose the spare. If I can haggle over price with a writeup, maybe I can get the 75 for a little more than the 60.

AeroTanks - Dodge D-60

 

[Shadrach]

I still want to add a second tank mounted where the spare tire goes. I'll move the tire into the box under the canopy, where it will not get so beat up. Shad

 

[KLauber]

I have the 95 gal L-shaped tank. We went from Greenville to SD without stopping for fuel. That was in the 03 and back in 2008. Worth the investment.

 

[Bill Weber]

Grizzly My wife and I drove from S. Texas to Homer, AK last summer. We went through Calgary, Edmonton, Ft. St. John, White Horse, and into Tok. Our price range in Canada was $5 - $6/gal. We didn't do a lot of shopping for price. Alaska was around $4. 80/gal.

The roads in Canada start to get a little rough in B. C. and the Yukon. The roads are paved all the way. There was a lot of repair work going on in the Yukon. Happens every spring/summer when the frost melts. The roads have a lot of dips which you might want to slow down on if towing a trailer. And we saw a lot of them. Campers also.

We only drove 10,000 miles with some side trips. Albuquerque should be a lot shorter. The difference between $4 & $5/gal is only a little over $800 for your trip. Remember there are no armored cars in funeral processions. GO! Have fun. Bill

 

[Grizzly]

Grizzly My wife and I drove from S. Texas to Homer, AK last summer. We went through Calgary, Edmonton, Ft. St. John, White Horse, and into Tok. Our price range in Canada was $5 - $6/gal. We didn't do a lot of shopping for price. Alaska was around $4. 80/gal.

The roads in Canada start to get a little rough in B. C. and the Yukon. The roads are paved all the way. There was a lot of repair work going on in the Yukon. Happens every spring/summer when the frost melts. The roads have a lot of dips which you might want to slow down on if towing a trailer. And we saw a lot of them. Campers also.

We only drove 10,000 miles with some side trips. Albuquerque should be a lot shorter. The difference between $4 & $5/gal is only a little over $800 for your trip. Remember there are no armored cars in funeral processions. GO! Have fun. Bill

We have made two 11K mile round trips to Alaska, '95 and '06. We take many side trips in Alaska and the Yukon. In '06 we went north on the Top of The World Hwy from Whitehorse to Dawson City, across the Yukon River, by ferry, then on to Chicken, then to Tok and Fairbanks. On the way back we went into Skagway. We also went down the Cassiar Hwy to Hyder, Alaska, which is on the most southern tip of Alaska. These are side trips well worth taking and we'll do it again. We will also explore new places on our new trip.

 

[Bill Weber]

Thanks for the info Grizzly. Now I know why all the Xtra miles. I am printing you reply and will ck your route. We may go back this year and check some of them. We travel with our 2 Labs and have had a little trouble finding pet friendly lodging in Alaska. Will start looking. Bill