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I'm moving to AK next month and am driving to catch the ferry in Washington from Maine. I don't have much extra cash or extra time. I'll be heading off on my own and have never driven this far by myself. I'm very excited and looking for any tips. What do I need to do ahead of time? How far will I get most likely in a day? and how long will the whole trip take me? I'm not sure what to expect once I get out of New England as far as finding places to stay etc? Any tips?
This sounds like a wild adventure!
Where in Alaska is your destination? It is very likely to hit rough winter weather on any trip north. How far will you be traveling on the ferry?
If you take five days you (as long as the weather cooperates) you should have a reasonable drive from New England to Seattle. There are plenty of places to stay along the route. What highway were you planning to use?
Route 90 is probably the most direct route, but this time of year can be pretty rough because of the weather. If you take Route 90, you're close to Yellowstone Park. Of course, it could be closed because of the weather. You can check via website to see if it's closed or not. If you haven't seen Yellowstone, it's definitely worth the time.
Your trip sounds like a lot of fun. Are you taking the Alcan highway? Keep us posted.
Have a safe trip.
Robert
Well, thats the thing...I'm not sure what? highway I'm taking. I thought it would be best and most expediant to travel from Maine up into Canada then straight across through the Great Lakes and then down into the mid-west and across to Eugene, OR, where I plan to spens a few days before heading up to catch the ferry ride in bellingham, WA. Have you any experience with these highways? Considering my time and money constrants I'd considered bypassing the various sites, like yellowstone this time around. Although I don't know what to expect, could I drive through this territory and experience it anyway? Thank you soooo much for your replies! Oh and The ferry ride with take me and my car three days up to Juneau.
If it were me and time and money were both significant constraints I would take QB-401 through Toronto and Detroit cut down to I-80 and follow it the entire way to I-5 before heading north to Eugene. You still run the chance of winter weather, but that route is favored by many truckers for ease of travel.
Question: What are you planning on doing with your car in Juneau? Is your final destination Juneau? Juneau's longest road is only twelve miles and so you won't be doing much driving up there.
M.
Thanks for the info. I'll have to go check it out on the map. Once I get to Juneau I prob. won't have much use for the car you are right, but...as this is my first move from home I felt compelled to have my own transportation i.e. escape, should I want it : ) I'm also really looking forward to the trip across the country. Chances are I'll put my the car by the Summer and head up into the interior with a friend. The ferry ride sure is expensive but I would never risk a drive like the AL-Can right now. SO how far do you suspect can be travelled in one day, and how long will this route take me to get to Eugene? Thx so much! You have been very helpful.
As I mentioned in my posting dated 02/16 -- five days is a reasonable period of time to travel the distance. Eight to ten hours per day of travel.
Wow - I was so glad to come across your post. I'm also planning an extended drive to Alaska, hitting as many national parks and hiking/canoeing routes as I can.
It's sketchy now, but I'm thinking of leaving mid-May, swinging south from PA through Shenandoah, into GA, hitting Texas, then up through AZ, CO, UT, MT, over to CA then up through Oregon and Washington, through Canada from the Yukon into Alaska...destination is Anchorage first to hook up with my uncle, then to Fairbanks for a cousins wedding on June 20.
Anyone with suggestions is super appreciated. Just received my Eagle pass for the national parks, will be mostly camping and hostelling (and sleeping in the truck when need be). Have lots of friends I'll see along the way...want to keep a weblog and post photos to the web so people can follow along with me virtually :-)
I'm anxious to hear all about your experiences, how you planned, what came up you didn't expect, etc. Ugghh..so much to plan for but it's so exciting...I'm very anxious to join all the folks here, like yourself, that have made an extended trip in their lives. Good luck!!!!
Think twice about bypassing anything. When I was your age I just assumed I'd be back to spend more time but it never happened. If you can, take the time now.
I recommend I90. Michell's (SD) Corn Palace, doll museum, and the Mandan Indian Museum. The Bad Lands, Mt. Rushmore, and the Black Hills make for interesting and reasonably quick and cheap stops. Do be careful of the weather.
I forgot Wall Drug in South Dakota where you can get a free glass of water and a refreshing break while gawking at the incredible amount of "stuff" for sale.
In Oregon, stop at the rest areas. They have (or had) terrific displays on the history of the Oregon Trail. Heading across country in a covered wagon was, of course, just an earlier version of the road trip without the road.
If you just want to roll, go I80 and I84. Once you're west of Chicago it is just miles and miles of road. Don't worry about places to stay; even the great open spaces have signs that point you to beds. On I80 look for Little America in Wyoming for instance - a motel that was built specifically because there wasn't one for miles and miles. Of course, it isn't as true as it was back when the motel was built.
I'm curious of your plans to drive up to Alaska. I live in GA. and was hoping to take a similar trip, and be in Washington early June.
First, my apologies to Emy...I did not mean to take a diversion from your original post..just felt a sort of comradery and wanted to wish you the best and get any pointers as a result of your trip. I hope it is wonderful!
To Kiwi - I'm open to hearing what your plans are. You can contact me directly at joshuabrock@mac.com. You can also IM me under AIM using that name or if you have a Mac, use iChat and find me that way OR I also can be found as joshuabrock1971 on AIM as well.
Just so you know, I'm pretty set on trying to make the trip on my own (really kind of a pride/independence thing) but I'd certainly like to hear what you have in mind.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Joshua
Yes you should try and see as much as you can. If you are intending to sitesee, allow for about 300 miles per day. If you spend a couple of hours anywhere once or twice a day you will not be able to make quick time. Be sure and see the Pioneer Automobile Museum at Murdo. The Corn Palace is great. In the tourist season, the gym floor is converted to a pretty good souvenir shop. If you don't see Badlands National Park, shame on you! It is great. Also Yellowstone, Grand Teton and Mt Rainier NP are a must. Badlands and MT Rainier are so intense, they are a religious experience. The site of Mt Rainier towering over Seattle is something truly to behold. Good luck, be careful. Take good care of your car. As the boy scouts say,"Be Prepared."
No no..I'm glad you posted here. I was hoping to hear from someone that had similar plans or had made the trip already. I am getting so ridiculously excited. I worry a little bit about my "preparedness". Having never made a trip like this I'm not certain I've got everything covered. Especially now that my departure date is approaching I know I HAVE to take my car in to be looked at and make sure I've got the nec. car "stuffs"..road flares, jumpre cables, etc...saftey stuff that I haven't ever thought about carrying. What are your plans anyway? and when did you say you're leaveing. I understand the independance thing you mentioned...that's what this trip is all about! My bst to you..and I look forwrd to hearing from you again.
You might want to get the Alaska Milepost before you leave. It'll tell you everything you need to know about AK roads.
I go to school in NE and it sometimes makes me wonder...what else is out there and what could I be seeing? Well, my curiosity got the best of me and I've decided to head to the mountains in Colorado for 3 or 4 days and just roam. This actually will be my first time seeing mountains. But see, I'm the type of guy who thinks central Nebraska is pretty, anytime of year! So you can see how overwhelming this might be for me. Since I really just decided on this and I'm leaving in 3 days, I'd really love some suggestions as to some cool spots in Colorado or even into Wyoming. I'm packing light, with plenty of film. This could be the first of a great lifetime of roadtrips. Thanks for taking interest enough to read down this far...Wish me luck
I have always enjoyed driving thru much of Nebraska -- Miles are easy (except in a blizzard) and folks are friendly.
It is hard not to be overwhelmed by the Continental Divide -- spend some time in the SW section of Colorado -- great vistas, exciting roads and spring wildflowers are coming!
Mark
Kwest -
Thanks so much for the post. Oddly enough the Alaska part is going to be the more familiar part for me. My uncle and I drove through a large part of it when I was there 8 years ago. He has sent me each year a copy of the Milepost...I thank you so much for email!
Any thoughts on WA, OR or British Columbia and the Yukon? Will be leaving the US via Washington on the Ferry (I hope!) and meandering up that way, visiting a friend in Whitehorse, then off to Alaska. Any other trip thoughts are much appreciated. Thanks again! - Joshua
Emy -
I'm sorry...I haven't been following the posts the last week or so...did I miss you, did you leave yet? If not, I'd love to chat with you one last time before you head out (little things you came across as far as expenses, traveling through Canada, whatever!!).
I'm knee deep trying to put this all together. There's SO MUCH I want to see. I made a list of all the National Parks and Wilderness areas (haven't even looked at the state ones, etc) and I had like 48! ;-) Think I need to cut that down just a bit. I got my Eagle pass for the parks...the cost in gas alone, depending on the route taken, for my gas chugging Durango is like $800! Man o man!
Kiwi and I are still working on the nuances to see if she'll be going with me or venturing out on her own. It's a difficult choice...yes the independence but to also be able to share that with someone who appreciates it for what it is, a trip of a lifetime most likely - that's hard to pass up to. Either way, it will work out!
Hope to hear from you soon!! You can either post here or email me at one of the addresses I'd left above. Thanks!!!!
Grand Coulee Dam: biggest dam in the US (I think?)...at least one of the biggest concrete structures ever, rivaling in sheer mass Hoover Dam. They do a great laser light show at night on the dam face. The scenery leading into this area is quite interesting where you will get to see coulees.
Great Falls: on the way to Grand Coulee Dam. One of the biggest waterfalls in history that archeology has uncovered. Was created at the end of one of the ice ages when the great inland sea broke through the ice and scourged Idaho and Washington in the process.
North Cascades Highway: breath-taking sites that take you through the interesting Methow Valley with lots of hiking opportunities and the western-themed town of Winthrop is a fun stop.
These are spots in Washington that you can easily see while driving to Bellingham to catch the ferry to Alaska.
If you skip the North Cascades Highway (and I wouldn't if it's open...closed due to snow much of the year) then you will likely take Snoqualmie Pass on I-90. This skirts the northern part of Mt. Rainier NP. A worthy stop as well.
Other Washington highlights: Mt. St. Helens (not to be missed!), Olympic National Park, the San Juan Islands, the beaches along the northern coast around Kalaloch, Lake Ozette, and the Makah Indian Reservation.
Hope this gives you some fun ideas.