In 2014 for a seminar on traveling to Alaska some members of the Northwood RV Owners Association (NROA) put together a planning guide for anyone interested in making the trip. All that contributed had made the trip at least once and some more.
Also the exchange rate varies and at the time of this guide it was about even. In July 2015 it was as high as $1 US = $1.31 CAN so travel currently is much less expensive.
Planning
Where to start?
Start with reviewing the information available at http://www.northtoalaska.com/ which will provide maps, guides and links for you to study. Some of the information is dated. It indicates that 10% of the Cassier Highway is a gravel roadway. It is now fully paved with the very northern portion narrow but with very light traffic. All the routes are subject to construction and may have gravel stretches.
First some answers for questions everyone asks.
What is the highway like?
The Alaska Highway is not the fabled endurance road of old. It is a modern highway with people traveling in all modes of transportation from bicycles, compact cars, to huge motohomes with everything in between.
Many people travel up the Alaska Highway and then return via the Cassier Highway as it is about 200 miles shorter and provides new scenery and places to explore.
Most of the main highways with the exception of the Dempster, Dalton, and Top of the World are paved and good roads. Those are gravel and fairly well maintained. Severe weather can affect all the highways and roads in the north. You will encounter stretches with construction where it is gravel as the roads require a lot of maintenance. The biggest issue with the roads is frost heaves but most are marked and aren’t a problem if you slow down sufficiently. Before traveling on any of the roads it is wise to check road conditions.
Occasionally sections of some roads are washed out, flooded or closed due to forest fires. This can delay you for a day or longer. Generally temporary detours are established and roads are opened as quickly as possible and you will be on your way. This doesn’t happen too often but it does happen.
Construction may slow you down some but generally not too much.
Where can I find more information on road conditions?
For road conditions and information click on the links below or for the Alaska Highway, call 867-456-7623, or 907-273-6037. For Yukon dial 511. For British Columbia call 1-800-550-4997. In Alberta 511, Out-of-Alberta 1-855-391-9743.http://drivebc.com (British Columbia)http://511.alberta.ca/ab/en.html#x=-12627247&y=6802017&z=1&l=36 (Alberta)www.gov.yk.ca/roadreport (Yukon)www.dot.state.ak.us (Alaska)
When is the best time to go?
Most people make the trip sometime between mid May and late September. June to early September are the busiest months but late August and September can be the most colorful foliage months depending on the weather.
You can have snow in any month in Alaska but it is a greater possibility in May and late September. Temperatures can be as high as the 90s but freezing temperatures are also somewhat likely so prepare for it. You will encounter rain and wet conditions on your trip but the driest month is usually June. It all depends on the year and your location. Visitor guides will provide average high and low monthly temperatures as well as average monthly rainfall. It is just a guide.
What about insects?
You will encounter bugs, especially mosquitoes so bring your deet based or other preferred bug spray/lotion. They can be the worst in forested and damp/wetland areas. Mosquito head nets are worth carrying along if you will be staying in government campgrounds.
Where can we see the most wildlife?
Your best opportunities for seeing wildlife is in the northern part of British Columbia. Much of the highway has wide swaths along each side with the brush removed and only grass growing. Many animals feed in this area and it makes it much easier to spot them from a distance. Most common to see are Grizzly and Black Bears, caribou, Stone Sheep, and bison. This is not to say there isn’t a lot of wildlife elsewhere but it is just harder to spot.
In Jasper NP you will likely see bears and elk and in Denali NP if you go on one of the tours or shuttle buses you may see moose, caribou, Dall Sheep, Grizzly Bears, wolves, and possibly wolverine. There are a lot of moose in Alaska but you have to look for them. Depending on where you go you are likely to see a lot of eagles, waterfowl including swans, and many species of birds and small animals. You may even come back with a great appreciation for the crafty raven. They are everywhere.
Next decide if you would prefer to go:
1. On a preplanned caravan tour
2. On your own with another or a few couples
3. Or by yourselves.
1. Caravan companies make all the arrangements for the trip; campground reservations, routes, time frames, events, tours and attractions to see or visit, restaurants, etc. Some of this is included in the price of the caravan so check to see what is included. You will have some time to do things on your own but for the most part it is a group itinerary. The group can be as small as 8-10 rigs or as many as 40+. The caravans provide the opportunity to meet lots of people and make new friends. Caravans can be round trip or one way allowing you to make the return on your own. They also usually have a “tail gunner” that brings up the rear to make sure no one is left behind and is prepared to help with minor repairs if necessary to get you back on the road or to a location other repairs can be done. After that it is up to you to catch up with the caravan.
Below are links for more information on caravan tours:
http://www.alaskarvtrips.com/caravan-tours.html
http://www.rvalaskatours.com/?gclid=CJTO-J7BnL0CFewRMwoduQcArg
2. Going with friends (another or a few couples) is another way to enjoy the trip and have some help, if necessary. With any small group you will have to make compromises on what you do, see, travel times, stay durations, etc. This usually works best if everyone is flexible and each couple is free choose what they want to do as much as possible. You don’t need to be joined at the hip the entire trip.
You can travel and spend time at each location together with each doing what they want to do at that location. Another approach is to pick locations and dates for all to meet and in between each couple is on their own. This allows you to have more time in some locations when others would rather move on to spend more time at another.
Traveling with others allows you to spread needed items across vehicles and avoids duplication. For example, one could carry a portable AC powered air compressor, another carry a hydraulic bottle jack and if wheel and tire sizes are compatible they could be shared, if necessary. If you break down you still have mobility with the other rigs. It is important to be able to communicate with others in your group. Each rig should have a two-way radio with good range capabilities.
If taking pets there are places like the interior of Denali NP that dogs are not allowed. Some of the tours are up to 13 hours long. Pet daycare is available 8 miles south of the park entrance or you could take turns with traveling companions with pet care. If you have a nasty/mean/or barking dog, it will be a problem many places.
There may be other spots that you can’t or don’t want to take your dog such as a tour on the White Pass and Yukon railroad out of Skagway that could last much of the day. Check into the options in locations where you may need to leave a pet for extended periods.
3. If you are the type that prefers to be able to do what you want and when you want to do it, then going solo is likely the best option for you.
There is the option of driving one way and taking the ferry the other direction but with RVs the ferry is expensive. The ferry from Skagway or Haines to Prince Rupert (back to excellent roads) runs about $2000 depending on onboard accommodations and to Bellingham, WA it runs about $4000 for a 50’ rig.http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/index.shtml?gclid=CPep8ZjCnL0CFcURMwodemMALA
Once the decision is made to go to Alaska the task is then to plan your trip. If you choose to go on a caravan most of the planning will be done for you. If traveling with other couples then you will want to share the planning with each couple being responsible for the some of the research.
Start by ordering the Milepost guide book http://www.milepost.com/ or http://www.amazon.com/Milepost-2014-Kris-Valencia/dp/1892154315/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1393018991&sr=1-1&keywords=milepost+alaska , the mile by mile guide to the Alaska Highway as well as all the highways in Alaska, Yukon Territory, and northern British Columbia. Next order free visitor guides from all the locations that offer them, state and provinces/territories as well as cities and towns. Just do a Google search for “Visitor Bureau or Tourism” for each province, state, and city and sign up for the free guides. Use AAA provided maps and guide books in addition to the maps and guides the various visitor and tourism bureaus provide if you are a member.
The visitor guides provide all kinds of information on the areas and especially events that you may want to include or avoid. If it is an event that doesn’t interest you, avoid the area at that time as you may find it difficult to find available space in RV parks or campgrounds. By knowing when and where events take place you avoid missing the ones that really interest you. Make a list of any that interest you and their location and another of the ones to avoid to aid in your trip planning. This will help determine when and where you go as well as routes.
There are Alaska discount coupon books that provide up to 50% savings on many tours and attractions. Before you purchase one look them over carefully to see how many you are likely to use. That is the only way you can be sure to get your money’s worth. You can find out about them online by searching for “Alaska discount coupon books”.
Another excellent resource book is the Traveler’s Guide to Alaskan Camping by Mike and Terri Church http://www.amazon.com/Travelers-Guide-Alaskan-Camping-Alaska/dp/0982310153/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1393019241&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=Traveler%E2%80%99s+Guide+to+Alaskan+Camping. It is fun studying all the information and learning about each area and town.
The Milepost and the Traveler’s Guide to Alaskan Camping are considered the two must have guides for your trip. AAA Tour Guides and maps are great additions for the trip.
Use Google to search for all the RV Caravans that would be en route during your trip and plot them on a calendar. Plan your itinerary to avoid competition for campgrounds, RV parks, attractions, etc. There are a lot of them and it isn’t as easy as you might assume but it is worth doing. Find them by using a Google search on “Alaska Caravans” as well as “Airstream caravans”. Good Sam no longer does Alaska caravans as of 2014. It is possible they will resume in the future. Not only will you not be competing but not following them on the highways. Campgrounds and RV parks can be studied in detail in the guides, websites, Google satellite maps and street view as well as recommendations from people who had already traveled there. The websites www.tripadvisor.com and www.rvparkreviews.com are also a good source of information. A lot of great info comes from travel blogs.
Some of the links are:http://glelin-travels.blogspot.com/2012/06/june-3rd.html
http://nelsonstravels.blogspot.com/2009/06/heading-north.html
http://mikeandpat.weebly.com/alaska-adventrue-2010.html
http://www.serenitysys.com/photogallery/alaska_2009/
http://suethomas.ca/2010AugSept.html http://ronsalaska.blogspot.com/2009/03/mini-schedule.html
http://user.xmission.com/~pab/index.html (an example of little preparation or experience in 1997, but they made it, somehow)
Microsoft Streets & Trips is an excellent tool to plan your route, stops, duration, and travel distance on travel days.
Once you decide on a route for the entire trip you should decide roughly how many miles you want to travel per day. Then divide the total distance by the miles per day and add the number of days you plan to spend on days not traveling. Days for shopping, laundry, sightseeing, tours, and a few for some unexpected delays or side trips, etc. That will be your planned trip length but don’t make that too rigid and allow yourself some extra time for things you decide to do that you hadn’t planned on.
Traveling on average 2-300 miles a day on travel days is more than enough and it allows you to stop early and get your pick of camping spots. Campgrounds start to fill around 5-6pm so if you stop early in addition to getting your pick of prime sites you can relax and enjoy the area. You will find many of them completely empty and you wonder if you will be alone that night. By about 7 pm they tend to fill up to a great extent. The exception is early or late in the season.
Reservations at some locations will be required if you intend to stay in Jasper NP or some of the other major parks like Denali or popular spots like Liard Hot Springs (the first-come first-served sites tend to fill early). http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/index.aspx Canada National Parkshttp://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/ British Columbia Provincial Parkshttp://www.albertaparks.ca/ Alberta Provincial Parkshttp://www.nps.gov/dena/index.htm Denali National Park
If you have never been to the Ice Field Parkway in Jasper National Park and for that matter Banff and Lake Louise they are well worth including in your itinerary.
Also you may want to make RV/Campground reservations at locations that you are booking other tours, fishing trips, etc. that have fixed dates. For the most part reservations aren’t necessary if you plan on stopping early (3-4pm) or can be made a day or two in advance depending on what you want to do. Keep flexibility in the itinerary to adjust without too many cancellations. You may find locations that you want to stay longer and some that you are ready to move on early.
Depending on your preference in addition to the numerous RV parks there are some very nice provincial and state campgrounds along the way. In BC it was typically $16 and firewood was around $8. In the Yukon it was typically $12/night and they provided free firewood. Most of the provincial parks do not have hookups and only a few have dump stations. The RV Parks are not RV Resorts and some are nothing more than a gravel parking lot with some or full hookups, while others are fairly nice. Don’t expect too much as the locations and weather makes it difficult to offer ideal facilities. The Traveler’s Guide to Alaskan Camping provides excellent details on all of them.
An AC low voltage/surge protector is highly recommended as some of the campgrounds generate their own power and even the ones that don’t are subject to varying voltages.
Many of the northern campgrounds and even a few RV Parks have “boil water warnings”. So travel with full water tanks or at least a day supply and you may want to carry some 2 gallon bottled water jugs. A water filter is advised for any location where you do hook up to their water supply.
Businesses along the route tend to come and go so check the latest information. When the highway was gravel most or all the way, travel time between locations was a lot longer. To accommodate travelers there were lodges and RV facilities at multiple spots along the way. Today many of those locations are passed up and have gone out of business. Others close for various reasons.
Purchase your fuel at larger and busier locations that move higher volumes of product. You will get cleaner and fresher fuel especially at the end of the season!
Pay particular attention to the pump as not all are identified with green for diesel and black for gas. BP has started using green for gas even in the US and other companies may use other colors. There isn’t a standard. You should also pay close attention to overhead clearances to avoid damage. Check: http://www.gasbuddy.com/ for current fuel prices.
You might choose to stay in Government campgrounds and then RV parks every few days when you need hookups. The Traveler’s Guide to Alaskan Camping includes listings of sanitary dump stations along the routes.
Preparation
Your planning will continue to fine tune the trip but now you need to focus on preparation to actually go. There is a lot to do; determining what you need to take, what needs to be done to your vehicles, immunizations and certificates for pets, etc. and the list will grow as you plan. If you start the preparation early you can take it a step at a time slowly checking off the “to do” list.
Make sure your vehicle and trailer/camper is in top condition. Trailer tires should be fairly new, less than 3 years old and less than 6000 miles on them with no cracks or bulges. Keep in mind that the trip can be from 5-6000 miles to as much as 10,000+ miles. Generally the recommendation for trailer tire life is 12000 miles or up to 5 years. You can go longer but the roads can be hard on tires. Taking a second mounted spare tire for the trailer and an un-mounted spare for the truck if the tire size isn’t readily available except in major locations i.e. 20” tires is an option.
Wheel bearings should have been recently repacked and brakes inspected and adjusted. There isn’t a problem getting something fixed along the way in most towns but you may be waiting for the parts to be shipped in. It may be wise to take a spare bearing and seals for the trailer. Items that are relatively inexpensive and can get you back on the road quickly; a spare trailer spring, lug & shackle bolts & nuts, and at least 2 of every type of fuse used in your vehicle and trailer. At the least, you should have the contact information for your suspension manufacturer (axles, springs, etc.) should you need it.
Think about the inexpensive items that would be easy to take that could keep you on the road. Things like a 12 volt air compressor, ramp type trailer jack, torque wrench for wheel lugs, spare fuel cans, AC low voltage/surge protector (highly recommended), and water filters should be on your lists. Adding a Tire Pressure Monitor System for the trailer wheels so you will know when a problem occurs, not when one is escalating, is a good idea. A small but fairly complete tool box it highly recommended. A medium sized plastic tool box can be your repair kit with wire, caulk, sealer, assorted tape, plumbing repair fittings, as well as some ABS plastic and cement. This doesn’t include everything but provides a good idea for your preparation thinking. The roads in Alaska can wreak havoc on vehicles if you don’t drive carefully and you don’t want to be stuck somewhere with few options to correct a situation. Go with the assumption that if you have something you won’t need it but if you don’t, you will need it.
Also consider multiple uses for the things you take. An example would be to use leveling boards or blocks in place of a ramp type trailer jack. A good first-aid kit and manual should be in everyone’s vehicle. Clothing that can augment what you have and would be easy to care for yet serve you well in changing conditions is a good option. Items that don’t require ironing, dry quickly, and don’t take up much space work well.
Consider that you will experience wet conditions at some point on your trip, how much depends of the time of year and the variability of the weather. Having the clothing and shoes/boots to deal with it will allow you to do things regardless of the weather.
Boots such as Muckboots http://www.amazon.com/Original-MuckBoots-Jobber-Boot-Womens/dp/B000WG93X2/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1393095573&sr=8-8&keywords=muck+boot+company as well as rain pants and jackets are just a few you want to add to your list. Columbia Sportswear makes some great stuff that keeps you dry and warm in changing conditions. Plan on clothing for 10-14 days but plan to do laundry about once a week. That way you will have more in case we don’t get to a convenient location in a week.
Food is one of the last areas to concentrate on. Take as much meat as the freezer will hold and plan to restock the other grocery items weekly. You may want to carry a 10-14 day supply of the grocery items, just in case. Consider boneless items and package them flat in vacuum sealed bags to conserve space. Be sure to determine what you can cross the border with. Whitehorse, Fairbanks, and Anchorage all have large discount stores like Wal-Mart where you can do major restocking if necessary. There is a Costco in Anchorage. There are restrictions on fruits and vegetables, alcohol, etc. so check current restrictions before crossing the borders and it will go much smoother.
The place to start is at the Canada Food Inspection Agency website:
http://inspection.gc.ca/food/information-for-consumers/travellers/what-can-i-bring-into-canada-/eng/1389648337546/1389648516990 for the foods and the quantities you can bring into Canada as well as any banned. Firewood, fruits and vegetables were common questions at customs. If you have something i.e. firewood they will route you back out of customs so you have to get rid of it. They don't confiscate. This is a real delay and means two trips through customs.
You will be crossing the border into or out of Canada, DO NOT attempt to carry firewood through a crossing.
Keep in mind that you may be crossing the Canadian border multiple times depending on the towns and places you visit.http://inspection.gc.ca/animals/terrestrial-animals/imports/policies/live-animals/pets/eng/1326600389775/1326600500578 for requirements to bring pets into Canada and breeds not allowed in some Provinces
Canada Border Services Agency:http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5082-eng.html for information on additional requirements when crossing the border. Firearms restrictions can be found here.
Note: Pepper spray, mace etc. for personal protection is illegal in Canada for use on humans. You can buy bear spray for protection from animals. Make sure it is labeled Bear Spray. You may want to wait until you arrive in Canada to purchase this and keep the receipt.
Vehicle Insurance
U.S. auto insurance is accepted as long as an individual is a tourist in Canada. U.S. insurance firms will issue a Canadian insurance card, which can be obtained and carried prior to driving into Canada but is not necessary. Contact your insurance carrier and request a “Canada NON-RESIDENT inter-province motor vehicle liability insurance card” if you want one. Carry it along with your current US insurance ID card, and vehicle registration. A good practice is to put these along with pet rabies certifications in a folder or binder that you can hand quickly to any agent at a border crossing if asked. Certainly speeds the process.
Good Sam Travel Assist in addition to their Roadside Assist is inexpensive insurance for when you are in remote locations and a long way from home. http://www.goodsamtravelassist.com/benefits.aspx
The rule of thumb is to declare everything they ask about and let them decide if it is ok. Answer the questions honestly but don’t offer a lot of additional information. That can prompt more questions and the need for more answers. Keep the conversation simple and honest. If asked the purpose of the visit, it is visiting Alaska, and how long in Canada, give your best estimate. If you don’t declare something they asked about and they find it, the search will continue and so will your delay. The more you are prepared the easier border crossings will be.
You need to consider the number of hours of daylight you will encounter. Depending on the month and where you are you can have up to 20+ hours of daylight. Be sure to have means to block light out for sleeping. Inserts for roof vents work well and there are some foil faced items that can be attached to some windows/doors. Black foam poster board cut to fit window openings will work very well and don’t take up much room.
You need to consider what you will do about mail. As the trip could be two months or longer you might arrange for the post office to forward your first class mail every so often. They will charge a Priority Mail fee for each time you have it forwarded (prepaid) and then you can call a few days (3-4) ahead and tell them where to send it. It is best to have it sent to smaller towns with a single post office such as Tok, Delta Junction, Talkeetna, Seward, Homer, etc. as it is quicker than going to large busy Post Offices to get your mail. Should you forget to pick it up at a location you can call that location and have them forward it to another location (no additional charge). Depending on your local post office and how long you will be gone they will appreciate you having someone periodically pick up your non-first class mail (AKA Junk).
Telephone and Cell service
There is only limited cell coverage along most of the route. AT&T Wireless and Verizon coverage is available in parts of Canada and it can be added to your services. The coverage is very limited the further north you go. In Alaska coverage is better but limited. If you have cell service with ONSTAR on your vehicle it will work anywhere in Canada and Alaska that has any company’s cell service. Prepaid phone cards from TELUS (a Canada telecommunications company) are about $5 for 100 minutes and you can use any phone to call anywhere in the US or Canada.
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is available at many of the RV Parks in the towns and cities either for free or for a fee. If the RV Park is full the connections will be slow or you may not be able to connect with everyone trying to use it. Bandwidth is limited and it only takes a few trying to do video to bog it down for all. Near the major cities the Wi-Fi is generally pretty good if available. You can go to the local libraries or some visitor centers to access Wi-Fi. In Denali and in Fort Nelson it is available at the visitor center. In Jasper besides the library there is an internet café. In Watson Lake it is available at the library. These are just some of the locations so just ask locally.
Canadian currency and Credit Cards
Check with your local bank about obtaining Canadian currency or check to see what banks near the border that has it on hand for conversion. Get an amount you think you will use while there as you can always convert it back when you return. Make sure you have some Loonies and Toonies ($1 & $2 coins) in your pockets as they are required to get a shopping cart. The coin is returned when you return the cart. They are also necessary for Laundromat machines.
Most places will accept Visa and MasterCard and some will accept American Express but most small places (mom and pop operations) like real cash. US currency is accepted just about everywhere but some small isolated locations don’t want to deal with the currency exchange. Buying a $4 cinnamon roll on a credit card is a pain for the retailer. Use cash for the small purchases. Government campgrounds don’t accept credit cards, you will need cash (US or Canadian) or checks. Most credit card companies add a charge for foreign currency exchange anytime you use your card in Canada.
Of course you should continue to think about everything and ponder “Do we really need it, is it just nice to have, or is it overkill and should be left at home?” At the same time don’t travel so light that you can’t fix anything.
And don’t forget to take your passports!!!!
Finally the information here is not official; it is based on firsthand experience and research at the time it was compiled. Conditions, laws, rules, and requirements change and should be checked near the time of your trip.
We hope you enjoy the adventure!!!!
