Driving from Alaska to lower 48

[Tonya]

In 2 weeks I am driving from Fairbanks, Alaska to Springfield, MO with my mother in-law. My husband is deploying to Iraq and she is flying up to keep me company.

I have never traveled this far by car. Also have never been through Canada. Does anyone know what the weather is usually like this time of year in Canada?! I know Alaska predicts snow flurries next week but otherwise pretty unpredictable.

[PNW Judy]

And welcome to the Roadtrip America forums!

The best way to plan for the weather is to check it regularly before you leave and along the way. At over 3600 miles, you will need a minimum of 7 days for the trip but I would plan for a few more so you don't feel so rushed and so you have days to wait out a storm, if one should occur. Since alternative routes are limited for much of your drive, you won't have the option to change which road you're traveling to avoid bad weather.

You might want to invest in a copy of The Milepost which is considered the definitive guide for driving between Alaska and the Lower 48.

Make sure you get your car serviced before you leave. Let your mechanic know about the long trip you're making so he can make recommendations accordingly. Since you live in Alaska, I would imagine snow/ice driving isn't unusual for you. But you still might want to brush up on some winter driving tips.

If you follow common-sense, you'll be fine. But, if you think the weather isn't going to cooperate, you might want to check into taking the ferry to Bellingham, WA, and driving from there. You can take your car on it, too.

Whichever way you go, it sounds like a great and fun adventure! Anything else we can help you with?

[AZBuck]

Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America Forums!

It is, of course, impossible to accurately predict the actual weather you'll experience on the way down, but on average, the leg through Canada (Whitehorse, Edmonton, Regina) should experience temperatures around 60-65 during the day and getting down to around 35-40 at night. I'm also fairly sure you'll see precipitation at least once along your drive, but chances are it would be rain rather than snow. But by all means keep an eye on the up to the minute forecasts as you drive.

The thing to keep in mind as you make this trip is that it is really nothing more than a series of shorter day long trips. I'd leave at least 8 or 9 days for the journey. If you can spare more, all the better. Just take it easy and don't try to cover more than 500-550 miles a day, and be sure to take a couple of breaks each day to just hike through a park or walk the streets of some quaint or interesting town you pass through. Trying to push it and make the trip in less time will just rob it of all sense of adventure and wanderlust.

AZBuck