Tucson John / Alaska trip

[Scotchman]

John,
I've been dreaming about an Alaskan road trip for years. I believe you're my best bet to make it happen. I discussed it with Sandi. She thinks I'm crazy, but had no objections. I get back from San Diego on July 4th. Just for giggles, what kind of itinerary would we be looking at?

[FlyNLow]

Having made the trip many times, and lived in Alaska for nearly 20 years, I don't think you'd have a problem. The first few trips I made in the 70's were on gravel roads, replete with broken axles and all the horror stories, like a huge rock being thrown through the windshield from a passing truck with dual rear wheels. Fortunately, the rock missed everyone in the car.

Today, the road is paved all the way, and high speed travel is without the perils of the past. Do watch out for frost heaves, however, where the road bed is broken during the severe winters. There are two basic routes - the Alaska Highway north from Montana, or the Cassiar Highway, north from British Columbia. The Alaska Highway is probably the easiest route - both are very scenic. The Cassiar was an old logging road, now upgraded and paved, although construction may still be underway in places. I've done both.

Timing is another issue. It can rain a lot along the way, and flooding can wash out the highway on occasion. I'd recommend July and August. By August the mosquitoes (a large swarm can easily pick up a Cobra and carry it away) start dying out, and by July the road damage is normally repaired.

Realize that it's a LONG trip, and the roads in Alaska only go to Fairbanks and Anchorage. We moved from Homer, Alaska, to southwest Colorado, and the trip was 3745 miles. Alaska is a BIG state, and it will take along time to see it. Plan on about 3 weeks, 2 at minimum - with 2 weeks, you'll get there just about in time to turn around and come back.

Get a copy of "The Milepost" - a mile-by-mile travelogue of the entire trip north, with gas/food/lodging information as well as historical sites of interest. Speaking of lodging, do NOT stay at the Toad River Lodge...

http://milepost.com/

Hope that helps....

[John-Tucson]

FlyNlow, Thanks for the info. I lived on Kodiak Is. a couple of years in the late 80's. We drove the Alaskan Highway up and the Cassiar back south. The Cassian was very senic but most of it seem to be dirt, I'm glad to hear that it is now paved. Our family will be cruising to Alaska in early July so I'm kicking around the idea to go there in late July , early August for three weeks. I do remember the frost heaves and yes, we to received a broken windshield only 200 miles from Anchorage- a semi going the other way threw a large rock at us. Do you want to come along and re-live some memories ?

[FlyNLow]

Originally Posted by John-Tucson

FlyNlow, Thanks for the info. I lived on Kodiak Is. a couple of years in the late 80's. We drove the Alaskan Highway up and the Cassiar back south. The Cassiar was very scenic but most of it seem to be dirt, I'm glad to hear that it is now paved. Our family will be cruising to Alaska in early July so I'm kicking around the idea to go there in late July , early August for three weeks. I do remember the frost heaves and yes, we too received a broken windshield only 200 miles from Anchorage- a semi going the other way threw a large rock at us. Do you want to come along and re-live some memories ?

Sounds like a fun trip - but, I think that after the winter we've had here in SW CO, I'll head for Tucson instead....we still have about 6 feet of snow off the back deck. But thanks for the opportunity! We made 4 trips to Alaska last year....

[HighPlainsDrifter]

Hi,
You can always take a ferry up the inside passage and drive back.
Good Luck,
Perry.

[John-Tucson]

Perry, It's so good to hear from you. Where are you at ? You're supposed to be here in the warm country this time of year. We have missed you. I never even thought about taking the ferry up to Anchorage, thanks,

[FlyNLow]

Originally Posted by John-Tucson

I never even thought about taking the ferry up to Anchorage, thanks,

Just so you're aware - the Alaska Marine Highway ferry system does get you "close" but not TO Anchorage. From Haines, it's through open ocean, not the protected inland passage that is sheltered from heavy weather and high seas.

Most of the routes from Haines up toward the Kenai Peninsula use smaller vessels, and you can get a little green around the gills if you're not used to big wave action. It all depends on the weather. Check the routes at:

http://www.alaskaferry.com/images/Ak...ristmapMAP.pdf

[HighPlainsDrifter]

Hi John,
We have our place rented to the end of March, so will be there April and part of May. It's been 10* warmer this winter, no snow for the winter games, they helicoptered it in.
My inlaws took their 5th wheel on the ferry to alaska and drove down so it's doable.
Perry.

[mikiec]

Been there, done that.... I'de do it again.

Mike

[Scotchman]

John,
How many miles a day did you drive on average on the all state run ?

[RedSnake351]

Originally Posted by Scotchman

John,
How many miles a day did you drive on average on the all state run ?

Scottie Boy, you do the math. As I 'member without looking it up, the time was real close to a month and the milage I believe was 'round 12 grand total.
That would make an average of approx.4 biggies a day. HMF!
John, better correct me on that.
Ralph, the figurer!

[Scotchman]

So, if it's 4000 miles one way, and 3 weeks is the time frame, that's about 400 miles a day, everyday, for 20 days round trip. 1 day off. Like driving from Phoenix to San Diego 20 days in a row. Makes you think a little. At 20 miles a gallon, that's 400 gallons of fuel. It's mind- boggling. No wonder John won the Iron Butt award.

[mikiec]

John, Took many days off on his trip. Visiting Family, FFR and the London Cobra show.

Mike

[Scotchman]

So John,
If you do go, how many miles a day do you plan on running

[John-Tucson]

Date wise, I have just committed to taking a cruise ship to Alaska and will return on July 4th. When I did the trip around the USA I rerally didn't smell the roses, I did vacation in Boston for five days and Cleveland for ten days and Kentucky for three days. Those were to visit family. I know that there are a couple, perhaps a few Cobras in Alaska. I did a quick Mapquest and from Tucson to Anchorage it's 3,780 miles, so your 4,000 miles is right on. From here to Salt Lake City is only 770 miles or 12:15 hours which is very do-able for the first day. The second day would put us just into Canada, the third day would be an easy drive into Edmonton. A ball busting forth day we'd reach Fort Nelson followed by another lond long day we'd be in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, then two more 400 mile days and we'd be in Anchorage. SO, that is seven days of driving, no break downs, no sightseeing. The return trip can be south thru British Columbia to Vancover and then either down the coast thru Washington and Oregon and California or thru Washington, Idaho, Utah, etc. There would be no days off for rain, there is no AAA service close by in Canada or the Northwest Territories. My initial thinking would be to go all out to get there and then take our time coming back. Yes, three weeks sounds about right. I have checked the gas prices in Tok and Anchorage, the lowest prices are $3.33 in ANC and $3.54 in Tok. I was not able to get any prices in Canada. What do you think ? Should we start planning this trip ? If we open it up and ask others on the forums we might get a few other fools to go along.

[HighPlainsDrifter]

Hi,
Vancouver area is $1.14 a liter which is about $4.50 a U.S. gallon. Regular will probably go back up over 5 bucks a gallon again this summer, premium just about 6 bucks.
Perry.

[Scotchman]

FlyNLow,
Thanks for the info.
John,
Your #'s have blown my mind. I drove from Phoenix to Whitefish in 2 days before. That's a lot of driving. And what you're proposing, makes that look like a trip to Tortilla Flats on a Sunday morning