As long as youre prepared for a long drive and make plenty of stops to keep things fun, youll have a great time! Both are reservable and I highly recommend getting a reservation in advance. Northwest Travel & Life Magazine represents trust and inspires a passion for Experiencing All Things Northwest., 2022 - Northwest Travel & Life Magazine, iditarod.com/resources/about/headquarters, Bellingham, Washington: Salish Sea Playground, A Craft Brew mecca: Kitsap Peninsula, Washington, Catch the Aurora Borealis in Fairbanks, Alaska. This drive deserves at least a day of your road trip to Alaska. Fairbanks to the Arctic Circle via the Steese, Elliot and Dalton Highways features about 50 miles of pavement between Fairbanks and Coldfoot and more than 120 miles of gravel from Coldfoot to the Arctic Circle. There's a pretty good chance you'll see the Northern lights here (during the aurora borealis peak time between September and April) because it's far from the city and it's super dark. This 28,000-acre refuge protects coastal and freshwater wetlands, sloughs, mudflats, lakes, streams and forests, all critical habitat for much of the regions wildlife. Keep sleeping bags in your car just in case. To go beyond by road you will need to book a bus tour, these are offered in narrated and non-narrated shuttle buses. Eagle River, Wasilla, Talkeetna, Denali National Park/Healy and Nenana all have plenty of services. Option:Take afishing charterinstead, relax in Seward, enjoy a nearby hike. stay for about 1 hour and leave at 12:55 pmdrive for about 1.5 hours, 2:17 pm Talkeetna In Alaska, there are many communities that are not on the road system at all and can only be reached by plane or boat. While the routes from Seattle to Anchorage are all-weather and well-maintained, Dalton High requires some planning. Talkeetna is a funky, fun, little Alaska town that at one point in time had a cat for a mayor (RIP Stubbs). Your must-have activity guide + map while in Alaska. But not always. Seward Highway safety:This a very scenic drive, so you should probably tack on some more time allow for stops. Drive from Fairbanks to Anchorage 6h 36m $65 - $95 Quickest way to get there Cheapest option Distance between Fairbanks (FAI) to Anchorage (ANC) flights The flight time between Fairbanks (FAI) and Anchorage (ANC) is around 1h 5m and covers a distance of around 262 miles. Then, travel through Anchorage to Denali and spend several days here. Accommodation: 14 nights. Let us simplify it for you, How much does an Alaska summer vacation cost? When youre ready to say farewell to Talkeetna, backtrack to the Parks Highway and head north. Glennallen saw an influx of gold seekers headed for the Klondike Gold Fields in 1898. Free personal GPSdriven travel guide to Alaska. Decided to drive rather than fly to Fairbanks. Exhibits and videos cover the Iditarods past and present. You could see goats and sheep on the cliffside along the road and sometimes whales in the inlet. Yes, even this step is optional, because if you're on vacation Flight is the quickest way to travel and may be the best option if you are short on time. Alaska's state capitol of Juneau is the only state capitol in the United States that you cannot drive to. And, many cruise lines discount their September cruises. It is a five hour drive to get to the state's major airport hub in Anchorage. Savage River is much smaller and less busy than nearby Riley Creek and you can walk along the river there which is absolutely gorgeous. 7-10 days is the most common. September in the Anchorage area has another unique draw: The Alaska State Fair, located just 40 minutes north of the city in Palmer. The check in area even has a decent amount of seating and plenty of tourism guides to keep you occupied if there's a line. It is also inside the Kesugi Ken Campground. July 14, 2005. Exit Glacier is a part of Kenai Fjords National Park. Road Trip from Vancouver to Anchorage, Alaska. Im so glad to have you along on the journey to experience your best low key adventure in Washington, Alaska and Western Canada! Waking up near Denali brings a host of possibilities for the day, even in winter. The Nancy Lake Area is very popular with those who live in the Anchorage area, with plenty of cabins surrounding it. The scenes from the car window on this trip are unparalleled, from great lakes to the peak of Denali Mountain. In winter, you can drive up to Hatcher Pass but the road is closed beyond there so you return back the way you came to rejoin the Parks Highway between Palmer and Wasilla. The classic Alaska Cruise, offered by such companies as Holland America, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. These cookies do not store any personal information. Railroad enthusiasts will appreciate the Alaska Railroad Museum located inside the historic train station from 1923. If you're a photographer, you may be interested in a fall foliage photo tour. At around 60-70 minutes, flying is the quickest option and is sometimes even less expensive than the train. If this is the case, your best option will likely be to add an additional day onto your trip and return back to Anchorage and fly out from there. Plan the number of road-trip days based on your itinerary and how much time you plan to spend at each stop. There are also hiking trails in the area for exploring. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Mt Healy is a great hike in Denali National Park near the entrance area that you can do without planning ahead and being on a bus trip. These flights can range from $220 to $460 per person. Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, The 9 Best Northern Lights Viewing Spots Near Anchorage, How to Travel to Alaska in January and February, The Best Large Family & Group Vacations in Alaska, How to Get from Anchorage to Your Cruise Port in Whittier or Seward (or the reverse! If you dont have time for that, you can still make a shorter stop in Denali. Overwhelmed by choices? Fairbanks to Anchorage drive, or go to the main page to plan a new road trip. Your next stop will be the famous Denali Viewpoint at Parks Highway milepost 135. Fly from Kailua-Kona on American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, United Airlines and more. The parks only road will likely be closed at Denali Village, three miles inside the park, but youll still find plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun without the summer crowds. It's also a popular time for multi-day photography tours. In the summer, expect lots of RVs and probably some construction. Make sure to book lodges and hotels far in advance for this very popular area, especially in the Denali National Park area which has very limited options. A road trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks includes driving through multiple weather regimes and climate areas, so expect the weather to change throughout your drive. The program proved to be an enormous success due to the valleys rich soil, the midnight-sun growing season and the heartiness and determination of the farmers. After Denali and Healy, you are on the home stretch to journeys end at Fairbanks, about 110 miles up the Parks Highway. Nenana 9F. For example, here are some questions people have asked about Fairbanks. First time in Anchorage and looking for lunch and possible site see. The best route from Anchorage to Fairbanks is via the George Parks Highway Interstate 3. drive for about 2 hours, 12:08 pm Cantwell (Alaska) The Denali South (and North) viewpoint is one of the best places to see Denali, the High One anywhere in Alaska. Your email address will not be published. You can also find some cool day trips or get away for a weekend. to each other and sharing tips and advice. Construction and RV traffic can cause significant delays in places during the summer and winter driving can make it slow in winter depending on the conditions. Fairbanks is 360 miles north of Anchorage, just north from the Denali National Park and Preserve. Check out the following posts in the One Week In Alaska series: Start shopping plans over atbattleface, my go-to travel insurance choice, or over atWorld Nomads. Many will opt to stop at Healy, Nenana, and more. Denali National Park is an obvious highlight on your road trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks, and often is the reason people take this road trip in the first place! The problem is that it needs to be dark enough to see them. The classic Alaska Cruise, offered by such companies as Holland America, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. While only 144 miles (232km), you could drive it in just over 2 hours. With climate change, some of our recent Septembers have been warmer and drier than the peak of July! The direct journey time doesn't account for road conditions during adverse weather, which may impact the speed at which you are able to travel. You walk to the counter inside the airport (admittedly it's a long walk in Anchorage) and then walk directly out to the garage. Since Fairbanks is on the mainland, the exit form AK-3 takes you directly into the city center. Local knowledge on Alaskas seasons and what to do during eachone, Stay casual, dress in layers, and get proper footwear. It is the second largest city in the state after Anchorage. Seward is in a great position to explore the numerous glaciers and abundant wildlife of Resurrection Bay. Here's an insider's rundown: Alaskas biggest cityrich with museums, shops and restaurantssees the least amount of change as August turns into September. September is actually the beginning of the peak season of this Alaskan city: Fairbanks is a nice destination year round, but really starts to shine when the night skies finally become dark enough to view the northern lights. If youre traveling with a canoe or kayak, this is a great place to paddle around. Girdwood is great to visit in the fall. Road Trip Conditions. Alaska Railroad Anchorage to Fairbanks. Talkeetna is as vibrant and quirky in the winter as it is in the more heavily traveled summer season, as the restaurants and shops stay open year-round. Services are operated by Alaska Airlines, Inc. and Condor Flugdienst. travelers and answer their questions about Anchorage! suggest every local activity or attraction, we'll leave it There are vacation rentals in Anchorage and Fairbanks and the Mat-Su Valley, but not as many along the rest of the drive. One-day rail tours and multi-day packages can be booked through several local operators. Dont endanger others lives by stopping in shoulders or even worse in the middle of the road because you see something you want to look at. The roads seemed decent, although a bit scary going in and out of Fairbanks near the mountains/ hills. Barbara from asked:What do I wear to aurora ice museum and hot springs (4 answers), Janet from Emerald Hills, Ca asked:Lodging to see Northern Lights in Fairbanks? Privacy Policy & Disclaimer. Fall 2022 exhibits include "Stories for Climate Justice" on view Sept. 30 through Winter 2023; "Pass the Mic" on view Oct. 7 through Sept. 3, 2023; and "Alaska Biennial 2022" on view Nov. 4, through March. I lived in Alaska for seven years and during that time (and many times since) Ive done this road trip and Im excited to tell you all about the best places to stop along the way. Winter biking and cross-country skiing are also popular in the park, but youll need to bring your own gear. Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, The 9 Best Northern Lights Viewing Spots Near Anchorage, How to Travel to Alaska in January and February, The Best Large Family & Group Vacations in Alaska, How to Get from Anchorage to Your Cruise Port in Whittier or Seward (or the reverse! 5, 2023. I recommend spending two nights in Denali if possible because you then get the full day to take the bus trip into the park. Cruises and land tours are great ways to see Alaska. (0 answers), Wasilla (2 answers) It is the largest city of the Interior region of Alaska, and also the coldest. Every twenty years or so, a freak early snow will surprise people, but the roads remain open. Make sure your tires are in good condition and carry chains with you just in case. Don't forget about exploring your own hometown with a staycation. Plus, our mosquitoes usually die off the first week in August, so they are long gone. On a clear day you can see Denali and the Alaska Range. However, if you are driving on to Canada you may need a passport to re-enter the US. Its great for independent travelers, and most of its routes continue through September. In the summer, this is a wonderful alternative to the Parks Highway, especially if youre making a round trip drive to change things up. 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