I was thinking of going on a road-trip this summer up to Alaska via the "Great Alaskan Highway". I was wondering if anyone has done this before? How was the road conditions? When does the snowpack usually clear? I'll have time to do this in either early to mid June or early to mid Sept. which would be the best time to go? Is diesel redily available? Speed limits? Is there free dispersed camping all along the route or do you have to stay in designated pay sites? I have a bunch of other questions so I'll post some more if you guys don't answer them 1st.

 

Traveled the road in 2005 with White Ghost and a 36' fiver. I came thru in early May - - a little snow beside the road in a couple spots. Some frost heaves being they had not had sufficient time to work on them. Plenty of fuel stops. Some people think this road runs for days without seeing a house or fuel stop - - that is not true. Get yourself a copy of the Milepost and you can schedule your fuel stops, schedule places you can pull over and overnight, things to see and what to watch out for. In fact, the book is almost overkill. I took it and highlighted what to read after getting on the road to simplify the process. You will not have any problems with overnights or fuel or places to eat. Many river crossings provide gravel pit areas to overnight. If there is a pullout that is not marked "No overnight camping", then you can stay there. You will love it. Gorgeous scenery.
Bob

 

I'm looking forward to doing some prospecting , and then if --- may make regular trips so I'll watch this post.

 

streetsmoker,

I will be taking my first trip to Alaska beginning mid-June. I've gotten lots of great information from DTR members about how to prepare and what to know about. I'll be pulling a 23 TT. I'll be interested in anything you or others have about preparations and precautions. So far, I've put mudflaps all around and have a gravel guard across the rear to minimize rock damage to the truck or trailer. My trip will be about 12,000 miles and take at least two months.

 

made the trip in june, bring 2 spare tires, and tire fixing things, as well as an air compressor. Sometimes easier to plug a tire than unbolt and bolt on spare. I know from experience

 

I don't have a camper or anything, so I'll be tenting it most of the time with limited stays in motels. I thought the whole highway has been paved. So why the need for rockguards and flaps? If you stick to the main roads. It looks like I'll make the trip in June. I know at that time, the skeeters aren't too bad yet, and the rainy season hasn't started. Most likely dates are 6/8/06-6/23/06. I know two weeks isn't quite enough time, but thats all I have and I don't plan on doing a whole lot of stopping and doing the "tourist" things. Just a lot of driving and sightseeing and fishing when I stop fro the evenings.

 

Got to go but I will post my experience when I get back

 

Streetsmoker you are nuts to try that in with two weeks time!!! Look at a BC Canada map and find Terrace. I did the Alaska hwy in 1980 from there on a Honda XL500 (sore buns) was gone 10 days from Terrace to Alaska and then the Alaska ferry to Prince Rupert, that was not nearly enough time. You are coming from a lot further away!!!!
Bob

 

Well, I've allready mapped it out, and allowed for extra "photo opp" delays and so on and I know if I do more driving than stopping it shouldn't be a problem in the time I have. I know most people take a month to do this trip, but I can't afford that amount of time off. I do plan to do a full month tour at some later time when finances allow it. Does anyone know whaty the price of diesel averages up there by the way?