Zaydewise Loc: Nashville TN

My wife and I are planning a trip to Alaska and need some advice. How easy is it to drive and explore the state without going on a cruise? Can you recommend someone to help us with the trip?

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

There is only one hiway I believe, you may need to take guided tours in Glacier National Park, and fly or boat to other destinations.

rdgreenwood Loc: Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

I took a six-week trip to Alaska about six years ago, driving from the Kenai Penninsula (Homer and Bald Eagles as common as Pigeons) to the Arctic Circle (my wife still whines about the absence of a dotted line). I flew into Anchorage, where I picked up the RV I had rented. The highways are good, the settlements are a bit far apart. If you want more details, PM me. If you go from Anchorage to Fairbanks, a few miles north of Nenana you'll see "Parks Towing"; it's owned by a buddy of mine.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Driving? It depends on what you want to see? Alaska is HUGE!!!

http://www.alaska.org/how-big-is-alaska/tennesee

Hopefully there is a member from Alaska here.

Photosmoke

The state is huge, my wife & I have been on several cruises & inland tours. We have thought about flying there and renting a vehicle to see what we want to see & not what someone else wants us to see. We love Alaska and would go again, but we are getting tired of the repeats, it's a fantastic place but everything gets old after you have seen it a few times. First time visit , I am sure you will enjoy it.

thomt

yep alaska is huge one problem in the road system is tiny compared to the size of the state. keni is great but it is going to be crowed never been up fairbanks way was hoping to but life got in the way' listen to the guy who rented a Rv

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Break it down. Visit a "small" part of it. Otherwise, you'd spend your time traveling....

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

It really is a good thing to ask about, but the hard part is believing what you hear and actually doing the right things...

Consider that if we overlay a map of Alaska on top of the Lower-48 we could put my home in Barrow up at the Canadian border with Minnesota, and then put Ketchikan down at the Florida panhandle. Anchorage would maybe in Oklahoma. Of course the Aleutian Islands would be near Los Angeles. Just to put things in perspective!

I've been very very lucky to have seen maybe half of Alaska... in 50 years of making an effort at it. The point is to decide, given your budget for time and money, what is actually most significant to you. Another point is that the highways (there are several) are where Alaska is the most like the Lower-48, so to see what is unique about Alaska means avoiding anyplace you can drive to (and you can't drive to most of Alaska).

The Arctic, north of the Brooks Range, is unique in almost every way. Different cultures, different landscapes, different animals, and while the plants are the same they almost all look different. Western Alaska is much the same. The Interior doesn't so much look different than it functions differently due to a climate of extremes.

The most significant difference between Bush Alaska and the Lower-48 is cultural. We live in a different world, with a different world view and our own value system. Almost anywhere you go in Bush Alaska the culture is unlike anything at all Outside. And that actually is the most fascinating bit of Alaska to see and photograph.

Anchorage is a nice place... and Alaska is only one airplane ride away.

thomt

yep been out to cold bay once and aniak 4 times loved cold bay aniak not so much

LarryFB Loc: Depends where our RV is parked

My wife and I retired in August 2001 and became full time RVers. Our dream trip was to visit Alaska. Unfortunately, August is not the right time of year to start a drive to visit Alaska. So our trip was postponed.

On May 2, 2002, we left Southern California and headed North. On May 15 we entered Canada where we donated a bag of potatos to the border trash can. That same day, in Hope, BC, Canada, we went to the local store and purchased a bag of potatos (California Potatos). On June 2, we entered Alaska for the first time. We visited Fairbanks, Denali, Anchorage, the Kenai Peninsula (Seward, Keenai, Soldotna, Ninilchik, and Homer). Then it was back up to Anchorage, and then Glenallen McCarthy, and into Valdez). Finally back up to Delta Junction, Tok, Chicken, and into Dawson City in the Yukon. Then it was down to Skagway. In all we spent about 2 1/2 months in Alaska, and drove all but two of the paved roads in Alaska. However, we saw maybe 10 percent of the State!

Sure, we saw the part of Alaska that is most like the "lower 48," but it was fantastic and certainly different from the lower 48.

For anyone who is planning on driving to Alaska or in Alaska is to be sure to purchase the latest edition of "The Milepost." It's published each year and is appropriate for not only the Alaska Highway, but also the roads in Alaska.

We were out of the lower-48 for about 4 1/2 months and the trip was great.

We were not able to get out of the civilized area for various reasons. Many places in Alaska can only be reached by boat or air, but just visiting the somewhat populated area is certainly worth the effort.

Zaydewise Loc: Nashville TN

We want to see Denali National Park, animal and bird life, and some interesting other parks and towns. We thought of flying into Anchorage and then renting a car. We are city folk so camping and alike are out of the question. We plan on a trip for about 12-14 days. Hope this narrows down the recommendations. Thanks again for your help.

gwong1 Loc: Tampa, FL

I did this trip with my brother-in-law almost six years ago. We had a blast and saw a lot of Alaska from the highways, which were in good condition. If I were to do over again, I would change a thing. I am attaching a spreadsheet of our adventure. Enjoy your trip. Gary

Attached file:
(Download)

onepictureatatime Loc: St. Louis, Missouri

Drove the ALCAN, in winter (great adventure). Lived in Anchorage, while in the USAF, and been on 2 cruises since. It is a great place to be no matter how you go. do not pass up any chance of going.
My wife and I are ready to go again. Oh and do not forget a camera.

Tim Kuelker

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

We flew into Anchorage and picked up a rental SUV. Spent two weeks - Denali, Seward, and Homer. Had a fantastic time. Make sure you make reservations well ahead of time - almost a year is needed if you want any options. We found a great house to rent for four nights in Homer at VRBO.com Would do it again in a heartbeat - it was wonderful.