Alaska Driving Tours | Roadtrip Itineraries & Accommodations (2024)

FAQs

What is the best month to road trip Alaska? ›

The Best Time to Drive to Alaska

The ideal time to drive to Alaska is during the summer season from late May to mid-September. You'll experience milder weather, longer daylight hours, and better road conditions. Outside of this window, campgrounds are closed and many of the hotels and lodges close in winter as well.

The average driver takes 6-10 days to drive the total length of the Alaska Highway. But the amount of time it will take you to drive it will really depend on you.

The sweet spot for an Alaska vacation is seven to 10 days. If you're traveling on a land tour only, in seven days you can go all the way from Kenai Fjords National Park to Denali National Park with plenty of time for day-long guided excursions along the way.

Drive the Alaska-Canada Highway

Plan to spend at least four days traveling between Dawson Creek and Anchorage—more if you want to see some sights along the way. This is the most popular route to Alaska by car, and there are plenty of gas stations and amenities along the way.

As you can imagine, summer is the most expensive time of year to visit Alaska. Cruises, plane trips, land tours, and all other tourist attractions are operating at peak capacity and their prices reflect this. If you're looking for the cheapest time to visit, then you'll want to plan your trip for November or December.

April, May, and June usually have a few sunny periods lasting several days. But, these multiday sunny periods can occur into September. Cloudy days and the probability of precipitation start to increase after the middle of July reaching nearly 70% every day during October, which is the peak of the "wet season".

There are long stretches of the Alaska Highway without cell phone service. Service will also depend on your U.S. provider's coverage in Canada or your Canadian provider's coverage in the U.S. Cell phone service providers in Alaska include AT&T, Verizon and GCI.

We recommend booking your Alaska vacation around four to six months in advance. If you're booking a package tour or reserving for a bigger group, it's best to book at least six months early to ensure availability for the itinerary you're looking for.

A typical 7-day Alaska vacation costs around $3000 per person—a little over $400 per day.

What are the cheapest months to go to Alaska? ›

Of course, you'll also find lower prices during the off-season (late September through April). Yes, it will be darker and colder, but there are advantages: It's a great time to see the northern lights and enjoy Alaska in all its winter glory.

Our independent Alaska road trip routes and tour itineraries take you to many of Alaska's most popular destinations and typically are 8 to 15 days in length, transporting you along the Alaska Highway and other Alaska roadways.

Many popular destinations and visitor attractions in Alaska are primarily accessible by highway, including Denali National Park and Preserve, Kenai Fjords National Park, Seward, Homer, Anchorage, Talkeetna, Valdez, Fairbanks, and more. The state may be big, but it's simple to navigate by road.

U.S. Coast Guard regulations prohibit access to the car deck while a vessel is underway; therefore, RVs and motorhomes may not be used for dining and sleeping while on an AMHS ferry.

Best Times to Visit Alaska for Lower Prices

The shoulder seasons (May through early June and late August through mid-September) offer the best value for travelers on a budget.

The best time to visit Alaska is between mid-June and mid-September. The warmer weather and long days make this a particularly pleasant time of year, with temperatures in the cool-but-comfortable range of 60 to 67°F.

The best driving conditions, most hours of daylight, and most visitor services can be found on the Alaska Highway from May through September. However, visitors can have a fun and safe drive along the Alaska Highway year-round with a little extra caution and advance planning.

When is the Best Time to See the Northern Lights in Alaska? The best time to see the northern lights in Alaska is from late August to mid-April, when the nights are long and dark. (You won't see them during the summer months because of Alaska's midnight sun.)