ALASKA
The Last Frontier Doesn't Wait
Alaska is not a trip you take when you're ready. You take it when you decide you're done waiting. The scale of the place is genuinely hard to comprehend until you're standing in it — mountains that dwarf anything in the lower 48, rivers choked with salmon, bears on the roadside, and skies that go on forever. Drive the Alaska Highway from the lower 48, or fly into Anchorage and work outward. Either way, give it at least two weeks.
Best For
- Wildlife
- Wilderness
- Road trips
The Guide
WHAT TO DO &
WHERE TO GO
The Alaska Highway (ALCAN)
Driving the Alaska Highway from Dawson Creek, BC to Fairbanks is a bucket-list road trip in its own right — 1,387 miles of wilderness, small towns, and wildlife. Budget 5–7 days just for the drive. The road is paved and in good shape; a standard truck or SUV handles it fine.
Denali National Park
Only one road goes into Denali, and private vehicles can only drive the first 15 miles. Take the park bus deeper in — it's the best way to spot wildlife anyway. Grizzlies, moose, caribou, and Dall sheep are all common sightings. On a clear day, the mountain itself is staggering.
Kenai Peninsula & Homer
South of Anchorage, the Kenai Peninsula offers world-class fishing, dramatic fjords, and the charming town of Homer at the end of a long spit jutting into Kachemak Bay. Halibut fishing here is legendary. The drive down from Anchorage along Turnagain Arm is one of the most scenic in North America.
Fairbanks & the Northern Lights
If you're going in late August or September, push north to Fairbanks for a shot at the aurora borealis. The season starts earlier than most people think. Chena Hot Springs, an hour outside the city, is a great base — soak in the outdoor hot springs while the lights dance overhead.
"I drove up alone at 64 with a truck and a tent. Three weeks later I came back a different person. Alaska does something to you. I can't explain it — you just have to go."
— Dave M., Denver CO
Trip Planning
PRACTICAL
INFO
Best time to visit
June–August (summer); late Aug–Sept for aurora
Currency
US Dollar
Getting around
Rental truck or RV strongly recommended
Budget (daily)
$150–$300 USD — Alaska is expensive
Fuel
Fill up whenever you can — stations are sparse
Wildlife safety
Carry bear spray; know how to use it
Cell service
Spotty to nonexistent outside Anchorage/Fairbanks
Driving from Seattle
Approx. 2,300 miles; plan 5–7 days
Community