Alaska by RV? We are planning to go to Alaska early July. Rental cars are scarce as hens teeth! We have a hold on a 24' RV till the end of this week and trying to make that decision...

AR Farm Gal Loc: Piggott, AR (NE AR)

We are planning to go to Alaska early July. Rental cars are scarce as hens teeth! We have a hold on a 24' RV till the end of this week and trying to make that decision asap. We are used to pulling a large rig (24' trailer + 3/4 ton pickup), so I don't think driving it will be an issue. We will fly into Anchorage and visit southern coastal areas - Seward, Homer, etc. Anyone with experience driving a small RV in that area? Pros and cons of doing this?

anotherview Loc: California

You have an adventure on your menu. Stay on paved roads, and stray off them only if the road is maintained. Travel light. Bring along two or three LED flashlights with spare batteries, for emergency signaling at night. I can suggest a portable air pump (running off the cigarette lighter outlet) for inflating tires. Take 2 or 3 flats of bottled water. A first aid kit seems like a good idea, too. Wear broken-in hiking shoes.

Make a list of everything you will need to pack before you leave.

For sure if you go into a remote area, file a trip plan with a park ranger. Then they will know where to start looking if you fail to report your return.

AR Farm Gal wrote:

We are planning to go to Alaska early July. Rental cars are scarce as hens teeth! We have a hold on a 24' RV till the end of this week and trying to make that decision asap. We are used to pulling a large rig (24' trailer + 3/4 ton pickup), so I don't think driving it will be an issue. We will fly into Anchorage and visit southern coastal areas - Seward, Homer, etc. Anyone with experience driving a small RV in that area? Pros and cons of doing this?

ORpilot Loc: Prineville, Or

It has been several years since I drove an RV around there. Buy the full coverage insurance. We had the spare tire bounce off somewhere and the insurance paid for it. As a previous person said “ stay on paved roads” or well maintained gravel roads. Get yourself a copy of “The Mile Post” it is the best maps and information on all roads and road side stops. WiFi is ??? In many spots. A real GPS is more useful. It use to be legal to camp anywhere that was not private property. I can’t emphasize enough to get the MilePost. It will be your bible. Enjoy your trip. Stop at the Iditarod Hq. and say hi to the dogs.

Elliern Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

ORpilot wrote:

It has been several years since I drove an RV arou... (show quote)

I agree with all of the above. We only rented a car, but still found some of the paved roads turned into gravel ones before our final destination. We found the mile marker map extremely helpful.
My bother in law took a 3 month trip with his large RV. They experienced several flat tires and a broken windshield from the gravel roads. Turned into a very expensive trip since didn’t have enough spare tires on hand and had to have them delivered to their location. He taped the windshield together until they could get to Anchorage for a replacement. They drove up as part of a caravan from Florida. They had a great time but would never do it again.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

AR Farm Gal wrote:

We are planning to go to Alaska early July. Rental cars are scarce as hens teeth! We have a hold on a 24' RV till the end of this week and trying to make that decision asap. We are used to pulling a large rig (24' trailer + 3/4 ton pickup), so I don't think driving it will be an issue. We will fly into Anchorage and visit southern coastal areas - Seward, Homer, etc. Anyone with experience driving a small RV in that area? Pros and cons of doing this?

Yes. No issues.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

If you stay on paved roads, there little likelihood that you would need all those spare tires, air pumps, etc. Our roads may not be the best in the nation, but they’re not that bad, and if you don’t want to risk damage to the rv from driving on unpaved roads, don’t drive on them. We never had any issues with either of our rv’s up here.

I would recommend planning some of your overnight stops and making reservations at rv parks. Be prepared to pay more for an rv spot up here than you do down there, though. By the way, you are just as likely to suffer rock damage to a windshield on a paved road as you are an unpaved road. The 4 or 5 windshields I’ve had to replace can attest to that!

anotherview Loc: California

Expect to run into something you never expected. Crap happens on the road.

I had a windshield wiper blade fly off its arm. I barely missed riding over a loose truck tire tread flopping around like an alligator on the Interstate. I woke up one morning to a flat tire (short version of incident). Twice, deer have stopped in the middle of the rode, and them froze there while I steered around them.

Join AAA if you haven't. This organization can help you while on the road.

Elliern wrote:

I agree with all of the above. We only rented a ca... (show quote)

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

You know what RV stands for, Right? Ruined Vacation. Just joking, but be prepared, things break. Just the nature of the beast. A good tool box would be worth having. Have fun!

tramsey Loc: Texas

AR Farm Gal wrote:

We are planning to go to Alaska early July. Rental cars are scarce as hens teeth! We have a hold on a 24' RV till the end of this week and trying to make that decision asap. We are used to pulling a large rig (24' trailer + 3/4 ton pickup), so I don't think driving it will be an issue. We will fly into Anchorage and visit southern coastal areas - Seward, Homer, etc. Anyone with experience driving a small RV in that area? Pros and cons of doing this?

I Goggled 'driving to Alaska and got an interesting site https://www.moving.com/tips/your-guide-for-driving-to-alaska/#:~:text=Nope!,the%20safety%20of%20road%20conditions.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is A PASSPORT you'll need one to cross into Canada

ORpilot Loc: Prineville, Or

tramsey wrote:

I Goggled 'driving to Alaska and got an interesting site https://www.moving.com/tips/your-guide-for-driving-to-alaska/#:~:text=Nope!,the%20safety%20of%20road%20conditions.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is A PASSPORT you'll need one to cross into Canada

BTW ... to the best of my knowledge... Canada is not letting tourists in from the USA

AR Farm Gal Loc: Piggott, AR (NE AR)

anotherview wrote:

You have an adventure on your menu. Stay on paved... (show quote)

Thank you! I like all your suggestions.

AR Farm Gal Loc: Piggott, AR (NE AR)

ORpilot wrote:

It has been several years since I drove an RV arou... (show quote)

Thanks for the info. I just booked flights and reserved the RV. And, ordered the Milepost! In 2000, we drove a pickup pulling a 24 foot gooseneck trailer from Arkansas to Alaska. The only trouble we had was crossing the border into Canada. That was a very hard trip. We sold gourds at the Alaska State Fair in Palmer and hubby and son went hunting at Manley Hot Springs area.

AR Farm Gal Loc: Piggott, AR (NE AR)

ORpilot wrote:

It has been several years since I drove an RV arou... (show quote)

We have a Spot Tracker device that is GPS powered in case of emergencies. We'll also be taking an older Garmin GPS with road maps in it.

anotherview Loc: California

Glad I could help -- based on my own experience doing road trips.

Let me add a few little things. Take toilet paper and facial tissues. Bring along 12-gallon plastic bags (or an empty suitcase) to stow laundry. Some motels provide a laundry room.

Top off the windshield washer bottle.

Before going on the road, have your mechanic inspect your vehicle for its roadworthiness. I once left with worn tires. I had to buy new ones later, on the road.

AR Farm Gal wrote:

Thank you! I like all your suggestions.

ncribble Loc: Albuquerque, NM

We've driven to Alaska three times, once in a Class A, and twice pulling a 36' 5th wheel. If it were not for our age, we'd go again. You are about to experience a thrill of a lifetime on the frontier. Document with photographs, and write logs on your experience. The first time we only allowed 3 weeks in AK, and from that mistake the next two trips we were there for 2 to 3 months, and wished we had more time. Don't sweat the little things, as they are going to happen, keep your focus on the beauty and thrill of adventure.