Fairbanks to Anchorage drive, or go to the main page to plan a new road trip. I hope you have a great trip! You can opt for a quick 1 mile round trip walk to the face of the glacier or the much longer and strenuous hike up to Harding Icefield (about 8.4 miles roundtrip to the emergency shelter). McKinley) views. Can I drive from Anchorage to Fairbanks year round? On the other hand, if you get a nice day, your experience will be crisp and crystal clear. A road trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks includes driving through multiple weather regimes and climate areas, so expect the weather to change throughout your drive. In Alaska, there are many communities that are not on the road system at all and can only be reached by plane or boat. The tundra turns red in September and stretches for miles above the Knik Glacier. Im happy to have found this article. Check out myAnchorage Travel Guidefor ideas. Another trusty source of information is theAlaska Milepost, I highly recommend purchasing one before your Alaska road trip! Tour Code: 1517CTA. Visit Kenai Fjords National Park, where you can hike or ice climb on glaciers, go hiking, and cruise the fjords. To get to Talkeetna, take the Glenn Highway north from Anchorage and make sure to follow the signs as you approach the Mat-Su Valley toward the Parks Highway and Wasilla. Is the Drive from Anchorage to Seward Dangerous? 7-10 days is the most common. Hotels and restaurants at Denali Village are closed in winter, so youll need to drive about 12 more miles up the Parks Highway to the town of Healy for winter lodging and dining (denalichamber.com). 359 mi Total Distance 7 hrs 7 mins Drive Time 30 stops Cities / Attractions Denalis entrance area has service. stay for about 1 hour and leave at 2:59 pmdrive for about 2 hours, Marcella from Houston asked:Best itinerary for Anchorage to Fairbanks in 7 days? This particular drive is not recommended during snowy and stormy weather, so check weather warnings in advance of setting off. *Note: the Denali flightseeing tour, as with any flightseeing tour is heavily weather dependent. Through this blog Ill show you how you can visit these destinations, tricks for budget travel, road trip itineraries, and more. There is a visitor center and restroom at the trailhead. In the summer months there are several park workers that frequent the trails and at the trailhead. On the other, the tundra can glow bright red--and smell fragrant beyond words. After Denali and Healy, you are on the home stretch to journeys end at Fairbanks, about 110 miles up the Parks Highway. You can also follow this itinerary via passenger train, minus the stop in Eklutna. By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. How long is the drive from Anchorage to Fairbanks? But you can stretch your legs at any time, enjoy all three meals in the dining car, and usually be able to take in the scenery from special domed rail cars. A $10 per person pass fee will be charged per visitor at the entrance of the park. Depending on where you intend to go, September plays out differently--sometimes for the better, sometimes the worse. By Car Maximize your flexibility and extend the six or seven hours it would take to drive straight through. Feels like 1.99 Wind speed 3.4 mph Pressure 1006 hPa. But that doesnt mean things are totally shut downand there are some nice upsides to September here. The drive is straightforward using Alaska Route 3 which connects both cities. Rotorhead 30A Productions/Shutterstock.com. Which one is right for you? Get the reverse directions for a Fairbanks - Glennallen / Copper Center ( Driving Distance: 250 miles| Overnight: Glennallen ) Travel on the Richardson Highway to Delta Junction - a telegraph station established in 1904. Use the pull-offs, the Seward Highway is the most dangerous road in Alaska and one of the most dangerous in the USA. Overwhelmed by choices? Waking up near Denali brings a host of possibilities for the day, even in winter. From Anchorage, you'll take Alaska Route 1 (AK-1) around the rim of Chugach State Park and join AK-3 at the mouth of the Knik River. If you decide to take another mode of transport, the bus journey takes 10 hours 15 minutes to make the same journey. Search for RV campgrounds. And if you know Anchorage well, please help your fellow Driving to Fairbanks, Alaska on Winter Time 7,812 views Nov 21, 2020 First time driving to Fairbanks, Alaska on Winter Time. 49th State Brewing Company. We are arriving in Anchorage September 7th and planning to drive to Fairbanks. Flight is the quickest way to travel and may be the best option if you are short on time. It is the second largest city in the state after Anchorage. The train and bus take longer and run less frequently, but offer the opportunity to sit back and enjoy the scenery. or Sydney, and get inspired for your dream trip around the world. Choose a round-trip Inside passage or one-way Gulf of Alaska Cruise. Find dining and lodging in Palmer by visiting the valleys tourism website at alaskavisit.com. National Park Pass holders just need to show their pass to get in. It is a paved two lane road. There are long stretches without towns and services, but there are also plenty of places to stop along the highway. A map of the best Alaska road trip itinerary for adventurous travelers. During the first half of the month, it can still feel like Alaska summer, with temps in the high 50s and 60 (maybe even 70), and about 14 hours of light every day (sunrise at 7 a.m., sunset at 9 p.m.). The driving distance from Anchorage to Fairbanks is 360 miles. Once you are well-rested, grab a quick brunch(BearstoothandSnow Cityare some of my faves), and run by a store to grab any supplies youll need before heading south on the Seward Highway. Im so glad to have you along on the journey to experience your best low key adventure in Washington, Alaska and Western Canada! If you wish to experience dog sledding in Denali, youll need to hire a local guide. Let us simplify it for you, How much does an Alaska summer vacation cost? Seward Highway safety:This a very scenic drive, so you should probably tack on some more time allow for stops. Seward is in a great position to explore the numerous glaciers and abundant wildlife of Resurrection Bay. Entries Feed Answer 1 of 4: Hello! You could see goats and sheep on the cliffside along the road and sometimes whales in the inlet. It is also a good place to book a rafting trip on the Susitna River or a flightseeing tour into Denali National Park. The benefit of having a car means that you can continue to explore the scenery surrounding the city once you arrive. If going into the backcountry you must obtain a backcountry pass at the visitor center- they are free. Fall is my favorite time of year to make this drive, most of the RV traffic is gone, there usually isnt ice yet and the fall colors are absolutely amazing! Is the road between Anchorage and Fairbanks paved? It is also inside the Kesugi Ken Campground. There are also hiking trails in the area for exploring. stay for about 1 hour and leave at 12:55 pmdrive for about 1.5 hours, 2:17 pm Talkeetna If you are arriving by plane, Fairbanks International Airport is located to the southeast of the city and is just a short 10-minute drive to central Fairbanks. There are literally hundreds of stops along the way. 7-10 days is the most common. Find how many days you need based on what you want to see and do in Alaska. Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, The 9 Best Northern Lights Viewing Spots Near Anchorage, How to Travel to Alaska in January and February, The Best Large Family & Group Vacations in Alaska, How to Get from Anchorage to Your Cruise Port in Whittier or Seward (or the reverse! You may also choose by fall color intensity. Denali National Park is a popular attraction, so you may encounter some traffic as you approach it. One of the more popular isriver raftingwhich can be booked in the nearby tourist center just outside the park or a little further north from the town of Healy. This article is organized by stops starting in Anchorage and going north to Fairbanks. stay for about 1 hour and leave at 1:08 pmdrive for about 51 minutes, 1:59 pm Healy Fairbanks is located just 188 miles south of the Arctic Circle. Then, travel through Anchorage to Denali and spend several days here. Trippy is where It is a highly scenic route, traversing some of the most famous Alaskan landscapes. This route is by far the fastest and most straightforward way to get to Fairbanks. 11:00 am start in Anchoragedrive for about 55 minutes, 11:55 am Wasilla Campgrounds, RV Parks & Public Use Cabins. next trip! MidrangeTalkeetna Roadhouse|Booking.com|, SplurgeTalkeetna Alaskan Lodge|Booking.com|Hotels.com|. Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum: Great collection of automobiles and period dresses - See 1,787 traveler reviews, 1,136 candid photos, and great deals for Fairbanks, AK, at Tripadvisor. Boutique, small ship adventure cruises in Alaska's Inside Passage, Cruises depart from Whittier, a 1 hr drive from Anchorage. Visit in May or September for major savings on rentals (and maybe seeing the northern lights!). Your email address will not be published. Focus on Denali & Kenai Fjords. September in the Anchorage area has another unique draw: The Alaska State Fair, located just 40 minutes north of the city in Palmer. Your next stop will be the famous Denali Viewpoint at Parks Highway milepost 135. Hi Cherise, Check out the log cabin visitor center with its sod roof (covered in gorgeous flowers in the summer) as well as the Cultural Center. Camping along the way? Boutique, small ship adventure cruises in Alaska's Inside Passage, Cruises depart from Whittier, a 1 hr drive from Anchorage. Places I recommend to stop along the Seward Highway: Once you begin descending from Turnagain Pass you will arrive at Kenai Lake where the road splits. Pack your winter clothes and read on for our tips on how to get there and some of the amazing places to see en route. You can borrow snowshoes free at the Murie Science and Learning Center. So, if you want to experience the entire park roadall the way to Kantishna and Wonder LakeSeptember is likely a no-go. Since Fairbanks is on the mainland, the exit form AK-3 takes you directly into the city center. Exit Glacier is a part of Kenai Fjords National Park. Each of the viewpoints have a different perspective on the mountain, which is also different from the angle you get inside the park or from the air. Required fields are marked *. We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip. Decided to drive rather than fly to Fairbanks. Answer 11 of 11: Hello! These cookies do not store any personal information. Railroad enthusiasts will appreciate the Alaska Railroad Museum located inside the historic train station from 1923. 2-5 day small ship explorations. Youll likely arrive at the Anchorage airport at an ungodly time. Its great for independent travelers, and most of its routes continue through September. Similar to the Denali South viewpoint, the North viewpoint is another excellent viewing location for Denali from a slightly different perspective. Halibut fishing here is usually great and youll usually find many charters on offer in the summer. 2.8k. Our picks for the best tours and experiences during your Alaska Cruise. What are the road conditions like between Anchorage and Fairbanks? Local knowledge on Alaskas seasons and what to do during eachone, Stay casual, dress in layers, and get proper footwear. Ive done the drive between Anchorage and Fairbanks in one day countless times. We are the usable and sensible guide that inspires 300,000 readers bimonthly with useful, fresh and compelling ideas for discovering our region. To get started, head to the visitor center and start on the Taiga Trail for about half a mile until you reach the well signed Mt Healy overlook trail and head up from there. Lazy Otter Charters offers small group sightseeing tours into Blackstone Bay through the month of October. For a day hike, start at the Curry Ridge Trailhead across the road from the Denali South Viewpoint in Denali State Park. Must undergo a criminal history background check. Book entire boat for your family or group, or opt to bunk with other guests. The three largest towns are Charlotte Amalie (10,354), Christiansted (2,433) and Frederiksted (859). Seward, Girdwood, Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali, Fairbanks &more, You wont find Greyhound in Alaska; learn which bus lines serve which routes, Rail can cost more and is slower, but is asightseeing tour in itself, Travel times between towns by car, train, and bus in central Alaska. About 100 miles north of Anchorage youll see signs for the Talkeetna Spurr Road turn off, take the exit to the right and follow for about 14 miles where youll end up in tiny, walkable Talkeetna. July 14, 2005. Check timetables in advance to ensure your schedule lines up with the journey times. The demographics have changed a little by September, too (more families with small kids, since bigger kids have gone back to school). Overwhelmed by choices? questions about Talkeetna: #5. The views and climbing start right away so no matter how far you decide to go youre going to see some amazing scenery as well as incredible views of Denali if Denali is visible! This section could be endless, so rather than trying to Learn More > Northern Exposure Alaska Sampler - Tour 169 Paddle Alaska Road Trip - Tour 128 Cruise ships run through the third week of Septemberdocking in Whittier and Seward, and with buses and trains departing for Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali and Fairbanks. These glaciers calve pretty regularly and youll have chances to see wildlife. Best itinerary for Anchorage to Fairbanks in 7 days? But, to be fair, those cruises and buses are less crowded than they were in June, July or August. Camping sites are available from $15.00 to $30.00 per item per night. This includes spectacular views of Denali (on a clear day, anyway) as the train hugs the Susitna River coming out of Talkeetna, as well as the gorgeous Indian River Valley and the 294-foot-high bridge at Hurricane Gulch. Check the road conditions from Fairbanks to Anchorage and plan a trip based on the weather along the way. *Note: there is no fee to enter the national park or visit the glacier. And, many cruise lines discount their September cruises. The road conditions differ between the seasons, and winter in particular can be quite demanding on vehicles. The route is one of Alaskas most traveled highways, but during Alaskas long winter, its not for travelers unwilling to tackle winter driving conditions. The intersection, marked by an oversized white milepost for Mile 1422 is known as the Triangle. First the bad news: Most tours and hotels around here close between the 15th and 20th of the month, and many summer activities draw to a close by the middle of the month. Related: Denali National Park Planning Guide. Labor Day is not the end of the tourist crowds in Alaska. The route is one of Alaska's most traveled highways, but during Alaska's long winter, it's not for travelers unwilling to tackle winter driving conditions. Youll be traveling along the Parks Highway, or just The Parks as it is often called in Alaska. On a clear day you can see Denali and the Alaska Range. Home Tours Alaska Driving Tours Self-Drive All Alaska Classic Self Drive Tour. BudgetBillies Backpacker Hostel|Booking.com|Hostelworld.com|, MidrangeMoose Lodge|Booking.com|Hotels.com|, SplurgeSophie Station Suites|Booking.com|Hotels.com|, Plan your visit to Fairbanks:The Fairbanks Travel Guide + 12 Things To Do In Fairbanks. Fairbanks has a few sites on offer as well such as Pioneer Park, the Chena River, and downtown Fairbanks. Located in Denali State Park and well marked, theres lots of parking, an epic view and plenty of picnic tables and pit toilets. 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As with any flightseeing tour is heavily weather dependent are several Park that!
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