Alaska Highway and Ferry Travel

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” Helen Keller

Driving to Alaska is high on the list of many adventurers. The trip is legendary for its beauty. Once a bumpy dirt road, the Alaska Highway is now a modern, well maintained highway. Construction occurs seasonally and may cause delays in small sections, but otherwise, it’s smooth driving!  Motels, are abundant along the entire 1,500-mile Alaska Highway.

The Alaska Highway officially begins in Dawson Creek, British Columbia. You can reach “Mile Zero” by heading north up the B.C.’s Cassiar Highway. Or, you can roll through Alberta’s high prairie and head west to Dawson Creek.

Driving to Alaska in a private car or RV offers the opportunity to linger along the way. Some of the world’s wildest and most beautiful national and state parks are along this route. Cultural attractions, adventure tours, incredible scenery and unforgettable experiences make this option popular with independent travelers.

The overall road quality on the Alaska Highway and its feeder routes is good.  The major difference between the Alaska Highway and interstates in the Lower 48 is that services, including gas, lodging and restaurants, are farther apart and in some places requires a little forethought. Travelers are advised to check road reports ahead of time.


But a strictly pavement approach isn’t the only option: Travelers can also board the Alaska ferry system, the Alaska Marine Highway. Ferries offer the flexibility to stop and explore along the way, and to bring your personal vehicle or RV along for side trips. The ferry system travels from the Inside Passage all the way to Skagway or Haines, two northern port communities that offer access up into the Yukon to connect with the Alaska Highway to finish the journey west into Alaska. You can take the ferry all the way to the Aleutian Islands. Travelers can access the Alaska Marine Highway from Bellingham, WA, or Prince Rupert, B.C., or from one of the dozens of Alaska port cities. Ferries have cabins for overnight accommodations. but you can also sleep in public areas on the ferries, including lounges and the outdoor solariums, in small tents or sleeping bags. Food service, onboard naturalists, movies and other entertainment are available on the ferries. Travelers can bring personal vehicles, bicycles and kayaks onboard Alaska’s ferries; pricing is based on the size of the vehicle and distance traveled. It’s important to book ferry travel in advance, especially during summer months or if traveling with a vehicle.

Another option would be to fly to Bellingham, WA and take the ferry without a car. Ferry travelers can experience Alaska’s port towns without bringing a car or RV. Much of Alaska’s Inside Passage is frequented by cruise travelers so many of the local tour operations are set up to accommodate guests without a car. Bicycles are available for rent in most locations, allowing travelers to explore at their own pace while ashore. And because many port communities were established before cars became commonplace, they tend to have compact, pedestrian-friendly downtown areas as well.



So if you've always wanted to see Alaska, but are not a cruise or tour type of person, consider taking the ferry. And if you drive up and then take the ferry, you can then explore Alaska from different stops along the way, by connecting with the Alaska Highway system.

 

 

For more information on specific driving routes, visit  http://www.northtoalaska.com/

To make reservations with Alaska Marine Highway System, viist  http://www.ferryalaska.com/