Are you ready to go on the road trip of a lifetime? Driving the Alaska Highway is one of the best drives in the world 🌎. Although it’s not for the faint of heart at more than 1300 miles and with few services along the way, but it’s worth it!
Taking on this road trip can seem daunting, but with some preparation you’ll be fine! This highway started in BC Canada in Dawson Creek 📌 and travels Northwest through rugged patches of mountains and remote areas before getting to Alaska. You will encounter plenty of wildlife as well as some rough road as you make your way up!
After doing this road trip this past summer, I collected all of the information you’ll need for your drive. I’ve included a map 🗺 of places on the Alaska Highway, tips for driving, and a great itinerary to follow. Read my complete guide to driving the Alaska Highway below!
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Table of Contents
Things to Know About the Alaska Highway
Quick Alaska Highway Facts
🚙 Alaska Highway is 1,387 miles or 2232 kilometers long. It starts in Dawson Creek, Canada and it ends in Delta Junction, Alaska. However, a lot of people (including us) just take it to Tok (1257 miles) and then venture off into Alaska.
💵 It is free to drive the Alaska Highway, so the only places that may charge a fee are campgrounds, state parks, or other sites! It’s good to have both Canadian and US dollars. If you use US dollars in Canada, they will usually give change in Canadian dollars.
☀️ It is common for there to be rain or snow along the Alaska Highway depending on the time of year. Go slow, use your headlights, and be careful if there is bad weather.
⛺️You can book lodging or campgrounds ahead of time. However, it’s legal to sleep in most rest areas along the way. You can usually find a place to sleep as you go and if you have an RV or van, then I recommend it! We often use the iOverlander app to find places to sleep for free.
🦮 Pets are allowed all the way along the Alaska Highway. However, be careful if you ever see wildlife to keep an eye on your pets.
🦟 If you’re driving the Alaska Highway in the summer then it gets really buggy up in the Yukon and Alaska. You will want bug spray and you way even want bug screens on your RV or camper. They are some of the worst I’ve experienced!
📲 There are long stretches of highway (hours) without cell service. I recommend downloading maps ahead of time.
🍃 Remember to follow the Leave No Trace Principles. As always, you want to leave nature looking better than you found it.
Getting to Alaska
If you are coming from mainland USA or Canada then there are three ways to get to Alaska: flying ✈️, driving, or taking a ferry/cruise. Clearly, if you are reading this article than you are thinking about driving to Alaska.
However, there are still a few options to drive 🚘 up to Alaska:
- You can take the Alaska Highway all the way from Dawson Creek, Canada to Tok, Alaska. This route makes sense if you’re coming from the East and it’s a bit more established.
- Begin your journey on the Cassiar Highway from BC Canada to Watson Lake and then continue on the Alaska Highway. Most people take this route if they are coming from the West Coast.
- Drive up to Bellingham, Washington and take the ferry to Ketchikan and other coastal areas of Alaska. This is a great option to get to places like Juneau and Glacier Bay.
This blog will detail the journey all the way on the Alaska Highway, which is what we did. Although on our way back down we plan on taking the Alaska Highway to the Cassiar and we are looking forward to it!
Alaska Highway Conditions
⛽️ There is gas along the way and we actually never had a problem with fuel. However, there are some long distances without gas, so it’s best to fill up whenever possible. You can see all gas stations in The Milepost.
🧊 The Alaska Highway often has potholes or frost heaves on the road. Frost heaves are swelling of the road caused by freezing ground temperatures. We actually found the road to be relatively smooth until we got past the Alaska entrance. But, the road changes every year.
🐻 Along the way, you will see tons of wildlife! There are Stone Sheep, Grizzly bears, Black Beers, Caribou, bison and so much more. It’s important to take your time and use your headlights (it’s the law in Canada) as you go on the road. If you see wildlife, slow down or move completely off the road if you want pictures.
⚠️ The Alaska Highway is open year round, however, there are occasional closures for traffic or weather. You can get all the updates on Alaska 511 or DriveBC.
What You Need Before You Drive
There are a few things that I recommend you get before you take a trip on the Alaska Highway. These items will give you ease of mind and ensure that you have a safe road trip. Because of the highway conditions and lack of cell service 📵, you should be over prepared before you hit the road!
The Milepost
The Milepost is considered the holy grail 🙏🏻 when it comes to driving to or in Alaska. It details all of the various routes you can take with maps and information. It literally shares every single mile and what you can expect to find there. So, it can be a little overwhelming.
I recommend getting a copy, because there are hours of the highway without service. Then, you’ll know where there’s gas or you want to grab a bite to eat. However, it can be very overwhelming to try and plan while you go. I figured out the larger stops we wanted to take ahead of time and just used The Milepost 📖 as a fun way to follow along on the drive.
Spare Tires
You never know when you may run over something on the road or get a flat. Although we thought the road conditions were fine in 2023, they are constantly changing. Getting a tow on a remote stretch of the highway will cost you a pretty penny 💸💸. Bring everything you need to change your tires if you need.
Bug Screens
Another thing that you should invest in before hitting the Alaska Highway (especially in the summer) are bug screens. I have never seen as many mosquitos as I have on this drive and in Alaska!!!
You will find yourself swatting and batting at flies 🪰🪰 and mosquitos all the time. So, if you want peace of mind then you should get a nice set of bug screens for your rig. It will be a huge help. Ours are from Van Essential and we love them!
Best Time to Drive the Alaska Highway
Although you can drive it all year long, the best time to drive the Alaska Highway is the summer 😎. Summer begins late and ends early up in the North, so the best time is really from June to September.
During this time, you’ll have plenty of daylight, less bad weather, and animals will be out and about. The only issue is there is a lot more construction 🚧 during these months. You may have to wait for traffic delays.
If you go anytime from Fall to Spring just be wary of the weather. Days are extremely short in the winter, so go slow at night to avoid accidents with humans and animals!
Internet and Service on the Drive
One thing about the Alaska Highway is that it was probably the longest I’ve been out of service while on the move. There were two days in a row that we didn’t have any phone service at all. It’s important to plan ahead or figure out places that you could get Wi-Fi if needed. In my detailed guide below, I will mention places with internet.
Phone Service
Many US Cell Phone Providers like Verizon and AT&T offer service in Canada, however you should always check your individual plan. Although you are usually more limited on data usage. While we drove the Alaska Highway our Verizon phones automatically connected to Telus, a Canadian provider.
If your phone does not automatically connect to a provider, then you can pay for an international SIM card. I recommend Telus, which is the best Canadian network provider 📲. However, you still will not get service in remote areas.
Wi-Fi
If you need to work when doing the Alaska Highway drive, then you should map out places with good Wi-Fi in advance . There are a few spots on the drive like cafes and libraries, but they are often sparse and far apart.
Starlink
We live in a van and work full-time so we have Starlink, which is satellite Wifi 📡. Luckily, within the last year they began offering service up North in both Canada and Alaska. So, we were some of the first people to figure out the level of service.
It worked very well on our drive up to Alaska. In fact, the only time we ever had a problem was when we were surrounded by tall mountains. But, we learned that what you want is a clear sky to the South of you. So, as long as the mountains are to the North you should be fine.
We worked all five week-days on the Alaska Highway, taking meetings, and uploading pictures and were fine!
Alaska Highway Itinerary
Below you will find the itinerary we used for our trip. However, I suggest making this trip into a week long journey or more. That way, you can take shorter drives and enjoy certain places longer!
Quick Itinerary Breakdown:
Day 1: Dawson Creek to Fort Nelson (5 Hours, 300 miles)
Day 2: Fort Nelson to Stone Mountain to Muncho Lake (2 Hours 45 Minutes, 150 miles)
Day 3: Muncho Lake to Liard Hot Springs to Watson Lakes to Teslin (6 hours, 330 miles)
Day 4: Teslin to Whitehorse (2.5 Hours, 135 miles)
Day 5: Whitehorse to Kluane National Park (2 Hours, 115 miles)
Day 6: Kluane to Alaska! to Tok (6 hours, 330 miles)
Day 1: Dawson Creek to Fort Nelson
Dawson Creek, BC Canada
Dawson Creek is where the Alaska Highway originates! The highway was constructed here back in 1942. Although the route has changed a little bit, it has always started in Dawson Creek.
This small Canadian town is a great place to stock up on necessities at Walmart or to learn more information at the Visitor Center. While you’re there, you have to take a picture 📸 at the Milepost 0 Sign!
Things to Do
- Milepost 0 Sign– Snap your photo at the Milepost 0 sign to officially begin your road trip on the Alaska Highway. Despite most people taking pictures there, it doesn’t ever get too crowded.
- Alaska Highway Museum– When you go into the Dawson Creek Visitor Center, you can visit the Alaska Highway museum. One side focuses on the railroad construction and wildlife there, while the other side shows what it was like to live there.
- Dawson Creek Art Gallery– Next to the Visitor Center, you’ll find this lovely art gallery. We didn’t get a chance to go, but it has a nice reputation for having good art.
Places to Stay
I recommend making reservations in advance! We didn’t and we ended up having to stay at the Walmart, which was fine.
- Northern Lights RV Park– There are lots of campgrounds, but you will want to make a reservation because it does fill up.
- Mile 0 Campground– We wanted to stay here, but it was full when we went. I recommend making a reservation ahead of time! They have hot showers and lots of spaces.
- Walmart– This is very much your typical Walmart but tons of campers and RVs spend the night here before taking the Alaska Highway. We slept there with lots of others.
- Dawson Creek has many hotel chains including a Staybridge Suites, Holiday Inn, a Days Inn, and Super 8.
Spots to Eat
- Beans & Barley – This coffee shop is quaint and has a full menu with coffee drinks, baked goods, or sandwiches. We got a great breakfast burrito and a couple drinks to fuel the beginning of our drive.
- Le’s Family Restaurant – We didn’t eat here, but it gets good reviews. This is mostly American standard fare food.
- Spicy Fusion – If you’re craving Indian food, then you should definitely visit this spot. The dishes there are authentic and delicious.
Where to Work
You can get free Wi-Fi at the visitor center, however it is rather slow. There is a password, which you can get when you walk inside. Otherwise, there aren’t any great options for working!
Fort Nelson
This is another small town along the Alaska Highway. The town just runs a few miles long, but there are a few restaurants, hotels, and things to see in Fort Nelson. We decided to stop here for dinner 🍕 and then we continued on to stay at a gorgeous rest area over the mountains!
However, you MUST STOP at Tetsa River Lodge. This small lodge is about an hour past Fort Nelson and is famous for their cinnamon buns 🥮, which are available all day long. The cinnamon buns are about the size of your face and are absolutely delectable!
Things to Do
- Fort Nelson Heritage Museum– This museum is famous for its large collection of cars from history. Many of the cars and items in the museum can be dated back to World War II.
- Tetsa River Lodge – THIS IS A MUST VISIT! This lodge is between Fort Nelson and Stone Mountain Provincial Park. They have been making their famous cinnamon buns for over 40 years.
Places to Stay
- Woodlands Inn & Suites– There are a few hotels to stay at in Fort Nelson, but this one gets the best reviews.
- Triple G Hideaway & RV Park – There are plenty of sites available at this campground. They have sites with hook ups as well as tent sites. You can book ahead or go there when you arrive.
- Rest Area – This rest stop off of the Alaska Highway is a great place to stop for the night. There are stunning views over the Stone Mountain Provincial Park as well as restrooms!
Spots to Eat
- Northern Spice Pizza & Donair – We thought about going here for dinner, it has good reviews and is a popular spot. They make pizza with unique toppings.
- P & T Restaurant – This is another local spot that has good reviews, you can get classic Canadian food here!
Where to Work
If you need to work in Fort Nelson, then you can go to the Fort Nelson Public Library. Although it’s a small library, they do have seating and WiFi.
Day 1 Alaska Highway Wildlife Count
- Black bears: 6
- Deer: 2
- Coyote: 1
Day 2: Stone Mountain & Muncho Lake
Stone Mountain Provincial Park
Stone Mountain is an absolutely beautiful provincial park in BC Canada. Stopping here was one of my favorite parts of our entire road trip. There are campgrounds, beautiful lakes, plenty of wildlife, and great hiking trails 🥾 in this park. We’d love to spend more time here on another trip.
You will most likely see Stone Sheep which are unique to this region of the country. They are a bit smaller than Bighorn sheep and roam the mountains in this area.
Things to Do
- Flower Springs Lake Trail– We did this 6 mile hike in the park and loved it! The trail takes you through the valley, up a little bit of elevation, and to a beautiful park nestled in the mountain. Along the way, we remarked at how lush it was and how it reminded us of Ireland. I highly recommend it!
- Summit Peaks Trail– This is a difficult 5.7 mile trail up the mountain to a summit above the park. If we had more time I would have done this one too.
- Fishing in Stone Lake– If you’re a fisherman, then this is a great place to cast a line. Spend a day hanging by the shore and trying your luck.
Places to Stay
- Summit Lake Campground– Camping is available on a first-come, first-served basis at Summit Lake. Each spot costs $20 CAD and there are no hook ups at this campground. The spots are situated right next to the lake.
Spots to Eat
- Tetsa River Lodge – This is just about 20 minutes before you get to Stone Mountain Provincial Park. It has incredible cinnamon buns and it’s a must stop!
Where to Work
Honestly, there are no places to work near here 🚫🚫. We even had trouble connecting to Starlink because the mountains blocked our view of the satellites. We drove half an hour past the park to get to a nice riverside spot where we could use Starlink.
Muncho Lake
Most people would tell you that this is the most beautiful spot along the Alaska Highway and I would agree 🤩🤩. The lake is a stunning shade of turquoise and it runs for miles along the road. I could have camped here for days!
You can spend time camping, swimming, or boating on this gorgeous lake. We thought about breaking out the paddleboard 🛶 to take a ride, but it started to rain which thwarted our plans. This is truly a must stop spot!
Things to Do
- Muncho Lake is an outdoor lover’s haven! One of the best things to do is getting out on a boat, canoe or kayak on the lake. Luckily, you can rent boats within the park.
- Take the easy Mineral Licks trail around the lake or go on a tougher hike like Stone’s Sheep Trail up the mountain.
Places to Stay
- Northern Rockies Lodge– Stay at this hotel right on the lakeshore. This does sell out, so you can make reservations in advance!
- Strawberry Flats Campground– This is the larger of the campgrounds in the park. There are no hook ups and spots are first-come, first-served. Spots are $20 a night and they do sell out.
- MacDonald Campground– There are less spots at this campground, but it is also first-come, first-served. Campgrounds are $20 CAD a night.
- Free Camping on the Lake – Both campgrounds were full when we went, so we wound up staying along the lake on a pull off. It was serene, peaceful and best of all it was free!
Spots to Eat
- Northern Rockies Lodge – You can find a restaurant in the lodge that serves typical Canadian food like burgers and chicken sandwiches.
Day 2 Alaska Highway Wildlife Count
- Black bear: 4
- Deer: 3
- Mule Deer: 1
- Caribou: 3
- Hare: 2
- Mule deer:1
- Stone sheep: 13
- Porcupine: 2
- Eagle: 1
Day 3: Muncho Lake to Teslin
Liard Hot Springs
Liard Hot Springs is one of the most famous stops on the Alaska Highway. These hot springs ♨️ are open year round and many travelers have stopped here to soak and rest after a long drive. It was definitely one of our favorite places that we went on our road trip and you have to add it to your itinerary!
Admission to the springs is $5 CAD per person or you can camp there overnight ⛺️ and access them throughout your stay.
When you visit, make sure to bring bear spray because there is frequent wildlife in the area. You’ll have to walk about 5-7 minutes from the parking lot across boardwalks to the springs themselves.
Places to Stay
- Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park– There is camping right outside of the hot springs. They have fencing up to deter wildlife from getting in, plus you can unlimited access to the hot springs!
- Liard Hot Springs & RV Park– Across the street from the hot springs you’ll find a lodge. They have rooms as well as RV spots where you can stay overnight.
Watson Lake
You’ll find that this is the first larger town you’ll get to in the Yukon territory. It’s home to a few roadside attractions including the Signpost Forest 🪧 and it’s also a good place to fill up on gas.
The Signpost Forest began in 1942 when a homesick Army man wrote a sign for his hometown and the mileage away. Since then, thousands of people have added their own signs to this attraction. Also, don’t worry if you forgot your own sign they have markers and paper 📝 there to make one!
We really enjoyed trying to find a spot to put up our sign, but it took a while! Along the way, we weaved and bobbed through a lot of aisles with hundreds of signs 😱.
Things to Do
- Sign Post Forest– Entry to the Sign Post Forest is free and its a must see! There are more than 76,000 signs in this forest for people from all over the globe. Add to your own or just admire them!
- Northern Lights Centre– Visit this fantastic planetarium where you experience the Northern Lights in a panoramic theater. You can see shows at this fantastic theater daily! We didn’t get to stop on our way up, but we will definitely go on the way back down.
Places to Stay
- There are a handful of motels in Watson Lake, but none of them get great reviews honestly. You can choose to stay somewhere though in a pinch.
- We passed plenty of rest areas where people were staying nearby!
- River Spot– This is a popular spot on iOverlander that overlooks the river. It does get crowded here at times!
Spots to Eat
- Laurie’s Bistro & Coffeehouse– We didn’t get a chance to stop here, but this spot gets fantastic reviews. Go in for a quick bite to eat and some great coffee!
Places to Work
You can work at the Yukon Public Library in Watson Lake. There is free and unlimited WiFi there.
Teslin
Teslin means “narrow lake” and this quiet town is located right on the border of a beautiful lake. There have been First Nations people that have lived in this area for generations. But, more businesses opened when the Alaska Highway made their route through this town.
It is a good place to stop and rest for the night or to learn about the local people here. We really enjoyed our time at the George Johnston Museum and neither of us are big museum people! It was so interesting to learn about his life and what he brought to the people there.
Things to Do
- George Johnston Museum– Visit this museum to learn about George Johntson who was a man that was head of his time. He was a member of the First Nations in this area, he photographed much of their lives, and he was the first person to have a car. It’s a fascinating museum!
- Smith River Falls– This falls is actually off of the highway on a rough 16 mile road. We didn’t get a chance to go (we didn’t have it in our GPS and missed it), but if your car can handle it, it’s supposed to be lovely!
- Rancheria Falls– These falls are right off the road. You will just need to take a 7 minute walk down the boardwalk to see them.
Places to Stay
- Teslin Rest Stop– You’ll get to this rest stop right before you get into the town. It overlooks the lake and has bathrooms there. It is right off the highway, but we found it to be a lovely place to stay for the night!
- Yukon Motel– It’s one of the only places to stay in Teslin, but it’s supposed to be nice. You can get RV spots here, a room, or some good Canadian food.
Day 3 Alaska Highway Wildlife Count
- Bison: 73
- Black Bears: 18 (including 2 cubs)
- Fox: 1
- Hare: 1
- Porcupine: 2
Day 4: Teslin to Whitehorse
Today, you can choose to do a quick detour off of the Alaska Highway to see the smallest desert in the world! This detour adds about half an hour to your drive, but you will get to see two beautiful spots on the way! I think it’s totally worth it.
Carcross Desert
This is the smallest desert in the world at just 1 square mile! Technically, this spot gets too much rain to be considered a desert, but there are a series of sand dunes ⌛️ that fill the landscape. Although there’s not much space to adventure, it’s still a fun stop.
On your visit, you can take photos of this natural phenomenon, walk amongst the sand dunes, and drive further to the spectacular Emerald Lake. Just remember that walking through sand does take more energy than walking on the flat ground!
This lake is a bright blue color 💙 with turquoise as well. It is only a couple miles past the Carcross desert and there’s a large area to pull over and take pictures! I would have stayed longer, but we were in desperate need of a shower.
Whitehorse
Whitehorse is the largest city and capitol of the Yukon. This city has so many beautiful attractions and we loved exploring it! I instantly fell in love with the Yukon and the magical rainbows 🌈 that welcomed us to town.
Once you get back here, you’ll feel like you’re in a small city with all the necessities. They have the typical chains including Starbucks, large grocery stores, great restaurants, and a fantastic outdoor scene.
We were impressed with Whitehorse and although we only spend a day there, we felt like we could have stayed for much longer. It was definitely our favorite stop for food along the Alaska Highway. In fact, we felt like we had too many options 🍜🍔🍕 to choose from!
Things to Do
- Miles Canyon – An ancient lava pool cut the lines of what is now Miles Canyon. Along the way, turquoise water filled the crevices of the rock and it’s now a gorgeous area to visit. There are great walking trails or you can sunbathe by the shore!
- Millennial Trail – This three mile trail walks around the river in Whitehorse. It’s a lovely way to spend a day and you can connect it to the river trail to get to Miles Canyon!
- SS Klondike National Historic Site– You can visit one of the last steamboats in Canada. While you explore the site, you can learn about the history of these boats in the country.
- MacBride Museum of Yukon History– Learn about the history of the area on a visit to this great museum.
- Takhini Hot Pools– Just a short drive from Whitehorse, you’ll find these fantastic hot pools. It’s a great place to go for a soak year round, but you will have to pay to enter!
Places to Stay
- SS Klondike National Historic Site- As of writing this blog, you are allowed to stay in the parking lot of the SS Klondike. In fact, there were a lot of vans staying there and it was where we witnessed a beautiful rainbow!
- Northern Lights Resort & Spa– If you are looking for a nice place to stay, then look no further! This resort has fantastic reviews.
- Best Western Gold Rush Inn– This is a standard hotel to stay at in Whitehorse.
- Caribou RV Park– Stay at this RV park which has plenty of options for campsites including electric hook ups. I recommend making a reservation in advance!
Spots to Eat
- Bullet hole Bagels– Grab fantastic Montreal style bagels at this local spot. We were very impressed with these delicious bagels and already decided to go back on our return trip!
- Kita Japanese Restaurant– If you are craving sushi, then I’ve got you covered. this Japanese restaurant had a fantastic selection of Japanese entrees and sushi. We really enjoyed our meal.
- Antoinette’s – Visit this lively restaurant for a global menu with Caribbean influence. They have fantastic reviews and we are sad we missed out last time!
- Miner’s Daughter– A superb Canadian restaurant that focuses on the Yukon influence.
- Pickapeppa– Another fantastic option if want something different in Whitehorse. They serve great Caribbean and Jamaican food!
- Night Market – Noodle lovers will definitely want to go here! They serve great noodle and rice dishes as well as ramen at their restaurant Wood Street Ramen.
Places to Work
- Whitehorse Public Library– The library here offers unlimited internet and is a great resource for work!
- Starbucks– We worked at the Starbucks here all day and were happy to finally get to work out of the van. It’s a very busy Starbucks, but if you go early you can find a spot.
- Baked – Cafe & Bakery– This is another great option if you want WiFi and a nice cafe to work at!
Day 4 Alaska Highway Wildlife Count
Black Bears: 2
Day 5: Whitehorse to Kluane National Park
Kluane National Park
Kluane National Park is part of the largest international pieces of protected land in the world. Connected to Wrangell St Elias, Glacier Bay, and Tatshenshini-Alsek parks, it is a vast area of rugged landscapes. It is home to a huge area of polar icefields as well as 17 of the tallest mountains 🏔 in Canada.
When you visit this park, you will be awestruck by the sheer magnitude of the mountains. The only true way to see these icefields is by helicopter 🚁 or airplane. But, there are still many great ways to explore the park!
This was our last full day on the Alaska Highway and we were so excited to make it here. After talking to a ranger, we decided to do the King’s Seat trail, but she told us it would be challenging.
There was a steep climb as well as loose rocks on the path. But, we felt so good after getting to the top and seeing the views over Kathleen Lake below. It was crazy starting the King’s Seat trail at 7 pm and it still being bright and sunny out ☀️☀️! I highly recommend this trail if you’re up for it.
Things to Do
- Da Ku Cultural Centere – The First Nations people in this area provide this great center where you can learn about their people or participate in events. It offers a plethora of information on the Champagne and Aishihik people.
- King’s Throne or King’s Seat Trail- Climb up 4000 feet to King’s Throne and get panoramic views over Kluane National Park. This hike is incredibly difficult, but you can choose to just hike to the Seat, which is only 1800 feet and 6 miles total! We did the hike to King’s Seat and loved it.
- Saint Elias Lake– Choose to do another great hike in this national park and see a stunning lake. If you want, you can camp at the lake and enjoy the company of loons.
- Kathleen Lake – Go for a paddle or just sit on the shore of this bright blue lake! If you’re visiting the park, then you do not want to miss this gorgeous scene.
Places to Stay
- Kathleen Lake Campground – Stay right by the most stunning lake at this campground. There are sites for vehicles and tents, but only up to 30 feet long! It is on a first-come, first serve basis.
- Dispersed Camping– Unlike many of the US Parks, you can dispersed camp in Kluane National Park. We stayed at a spot right next to the river and it was a very peaceful night. Just make sure to clean up after yourself!
Spots to Eat
- Village Bakery & Deli– Dine on the patio at this locale. There is great food for breakfast and lunch!
Day 4 Alaska Highway Wildlife Count
No animals today, but still our favorite part of the drive!
Day 6: Haines Junction to Alaska!!
Alaska!!
Congrats after a long journey you’ve finally made it to Alaska-The Last Frontier 🎉🎉! Make sure that you take a picture at the Welcome to Alaska sign on the way into the state. It feels like quite an accomplishment to have made it that far!
Customs is located just a few miles past there and is usually pretty quick to enter. When we entered, there were only a couple cars in front of us. Once we got to the window, the agent there asked us a couple questions and then we were on our way for our Alaskan adventure!
Tok, Alaska
Tok is the gateway to Alaska and will be the first town that you get to in the state. It is a small town, but it’s a great place to restock on necessary items or grab a bite to eat 🌮. From there, the highways start to split off, so you can either continue on the Alaska Highway or turn off of it.
This was our last stop on the Alaska Highway for the journey and it’s many people’s last stops. You can continue all the way to Dawson City or explore different areas of Alaska. So, this is where I’ll leave the end of the guide.
Things to Do
- Gateway to Alaska Visitor Center– Learn about the Alaska highway and some basic facts about Alaska when you visit here. They have a few exhibits up about the wildlife and landscapes in Alaska.
Places to Stay
- Tok RV Village & Cabins– This is a great place to stay if you want to relax in Tok for a day or two after the long drive. They have cabins as well as RV hook ups here and it’s close to town.
- Sourdough Campground & Cafe – Campers also enjoy staying at this spot in town. There are some small cabins as well as campsites, plus they have a great cafe too!
Spots to Eat
- Fast Eddy’s Restaurant– If you want classic American food then this is a great spot. They have large portions, a huge salad bar, and a wide selection of entrees. On weekends it gets crowded though!
- Soho Thai– We tried going here, but they had closed early. This restaurant has fantastic reviews for their Thai food.
- Sourdough Campground & Cafe– A cute cafe attached to a campground with a good selection of bites to get.
Day 6 Alaska Highway Wildlife Count
- Bald Eagle: 14
- Grizzly Bear: 1
- Moose: 1
Final Tips for Driving the Alaska Highway
Driving the Alaska Highway is an unforgettable journey! I hope that you found this guide helpful for your road trip 🚙.
My biggest tip is that you should allow room for flexibility, because there may be times where you find a new place you love. It’s best to have some ideas of what you want to see, but the best part of doing this trip was figuring things out along the way! I hope you enjoy the trip of a lifetime.
Let me know if you found this guide helpful in the comments!
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Miss Rochelle says
I am so glad to come across your blog, just three weeks before I leave AZ for my drive to AK, via the highway! I’ve pre-ordered the Milepost so that should arrive April 2. I need to reread and take notes on certain bits of information, like Rancheria Falls, I’d not heard of. I’d been searching for a recent drive on the Alaska Highway, everything was 2021 or earlier! Thank you so much, enjoyed reading and looking forward to checking out your other travels!
lita t says
Have an amazing time! It is seriously un unforgettable trip and I’ll always look back on it fondly!
Anna says
Oh my goodness! We too are gearing up to travel from AZ to AK and our milepost book arrived April 1.
We are headed to McCarthy for some river running fun. Taking a whole month to get in as much as we can during our 7000 mile round trip road trip adventure.
Thank you Lita for your blog as well. Super helpful and has made the preparation so much for fun before we depart.
Lita Talisman says
Oh I’m so glad! I hope you have a fantastic trip, it’s so memorable.
Ritika Jaiswal says
Have you ever considered embarking on a solo road trip along the remote and challenging Alaska Highway? What safety precautions would you take to ensure a successful journey through the rugged wilderness and unpredictable weather conditions?”,
“refusal