How long is the drive from Anchorage to Fairbanks? Similar to the Denali South viewpoint, the North viewpoint is another excellent viewing location for Denali from a slightly different perspective. For example, here are some questions people have asked about Fairbanks. Walk the local trails, and dine at the local restaurants, like Jack Sprat. May require a current valid driver's license, must meet UA safe driving requirements. or Sydney, and get inspired for your dream trip around the world. This route is by far the fastest and most straightforward way to get to Fairbanks. It also stops at Wasilla, Talkeetna and Denali. If youre looking for aunique Alaskan experience, youll find plenty of them in October. Boutique, small ship adventure cruises in Alaska's Inside Passage, Cruises depart from Whittier, a 1 hr drive from Anchorage. After the cruise, drive back towardAnchorageand make any stops youd like to check out that you may have missed on the way down. Campgrounds, RV Parks & Public Use Cabins. Visit the NPS websitefor more info info on buses and schedules. Another trusty source of information is theAlaska Milepost, I highly recommend purchasing one before your Alaska road trip! A road trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks is one of the best road trips in Alaska! Plan your journey with this gorgeous printed map. On the left of the route is Nancy Lake State Recreation Area, which makes for expansive lake-filled scenery while driving. 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. Is there a ferry from Washington to Alaska? If you're going on a road trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way with Chugach Outdoor Center and Alaska Zoo, or the ever-popular Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. This section could be endless, so rather than trying to It is the largest city of the Interior region of Alaska, and also the coldest. Driving to Fairbanks from Anchorage in summer time is. Pilots will not fly if weather conditions are poor or unstable. Along the route, RV road trippers get to enjoy plenty of roadside attractions and jaw-dropping mountain scenery. Taking you from Anchorage to Fairbanks this road trip itinerary gives you a pretty good sampling of what the 49th state has to offer if you only have one week in Alaska. At an elevation of 2,400 feet, the highest point on the Parks Highway is Broad Pass. 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). Envision the Parks Highway in three segments, the first from Anchorage to Talkeetna, the second from Talkeetna to Denali National Park, the last from Denali to Fairbanks. Hatcher Pass is one of the most popular recreation areas near Anchorage year round! (train is closed at that time. Find flights to Seattle from $138. Youll zip across snowy meadows and icy lakes and past majestic mountains, stopping to appreciate the spectacular Alaskan backcountry and watch for wildlife. Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. Northern lights adventures with Northern Alaska Tour Company. Cantwell (Alaska) 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. Anchorage is 187 miles from the the junction with the Richardson Highway. 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. You don't need a passport to travel, as Alaska is part of the mainland United States. McKinley) views. One-day rail tours and multi-day packages can be booked through several local operators. Be sure to have your vehicle prepared for adverse weather conditions. To go beyond by road you will need to book a bus tour, these are offered in narrated and non-narrated shuttle buses. Youll likely arrive at the Anchorage airport at an ungodly time. Get to driving,Denali National Parksits about another 2.5 hours and 145 miles north along the Parks Highway. Road Trip Conditions. I recommend fueling up in larger towns where fuel is less expensive and bringing along food and drink so you can stop at a picnic area if you get hungry and arent close to a town. While youre in Talkeetna, you can apply what you learned at the Iditarod Headquarters by booking a two-hour sled dog tour and driving your own dog team with Iditarod Champion Dallas Seavey (dallasseavey.com/alaska-sled-dog-tours). Its totally possible, just a long day. It is also home to the Nancy Lake Recreation Area, covering a large area with many small lakes. The problem is that it needs to be dark enough to see them. It's okay, you can start planning your Daily train and bus service to the park from Anchorage and Fairbanks typically ends in mid-September. It's well worth heading into central Alaska to see more of what this dazzling state has to offer. Required fields are marked *. Consider splitting it up into several days to have more time to take everything in and for shorter driving days. Ask your one week in Alaska questions in the comments section below! Rotorhead 30A Productions/Shutterstock.com. Weather pending, you can also enjoy a jet ski or kayak tour through the middle of the month. and answers related to Fairbanks. Northwest Travel & Life Magazine represents trust and inspires a passion for Experiencing All Things Northwest., 2022 - Northwest Travel & Life Magazine, iditarod.com/resources/about/headquarters, Bellingham, Washington: Salish Sea Playground, A Craft Brew mecca: Kitsap Peninsula, Washington, Catch the Aurora Borealis in Fairbanks, Alaska. We are the usable and sensible guide that inspires 300,000 readers bimonthly with useful, fresh and compelling ideas for discovering our region. While you can often see the northern lights from Fairbanks itself, many tour operators use Fairbanks as their main launching pad to take visitors beyond the Arctic Circle, which boosts your chances of seeing the lights. Miles: 1082. And, many cruise lines discount their September cruises. you can get answers personalized for your tastes, budgets, Find pet-friendly stops. Your first stretch of the Parks Highway is almost complete. to double check the weather. We locals call these early snows Termination Dust, as in signaling the end of summer and that old man winter is just around the corner. TALKEETNA TO DENALI 11:00 am start in Anchorage drive for about 55 minutes 11:55 am Wasilla stay for about 1 hour and leave at 12:55 pm drive for about 1.5 hours 2:17 pm Talkeetna stay overnight and leave the next day around 10:00 am day 1 driving 2.5 hours find more stops Day 2 10:00 am leave from Talkeetna drive for about 2 hours 12:08 pm Cantwell (Alaska) You'll pass through Wasilla, a gateway to fabulous ski resorts and great hiking. Alaska 44 Rentals (alaska4x4rentals.com) and Alaska Auto Rentals (alaskaautorental.com), both Alaska-based companies, specialize in renting vehicles equipped for winter driving conditions, and both allow pick up in one city and drop off in the other. Continuing left will keep you on the Seward Highway to Seward. Maybe try typing in a faraway location like London, Hong Kong, 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. Our picks for the best tours and experiences during your Alaska Cruise. The road trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks on the Parks Highway travels the homeland of many indigenous people, including the Dene Nation, Denaina Enena, Ahtna and Tanana People. Denalis entrance area has service. Talkeetna is a funky, fun, little Alaska town that at one point in time had a cat for a mayor (RIP Stubbs). The centers focus is natural-history education and recreation, specifically in the vast Chugach State Park. Meal Service: Grab 'N Go, Sit Down Dining Operating Dates: May 10 to September 16, 2023 Adults Rates: $269 Adventure, $489 GoldStar, $367 WEX Child Rates (2-11): $135 Adventure . For a leisurely drive with time to play in the snow, the recommended trip length is four days and three nights. I have a thing for little-visited parts of the world, breakaway regions, and remote places. Fairbanks averages 60.9 inches of snow per year. Our policy is here: https://www.ordinary-adventures.com/privacy-policy/. Your next stop will be the famous Denali Viewpoint at Parks Highway milepost 135. Fairbanks is on the Alaska mainland, so it's a straightforward drive to the city by taking the Alaska Route 3 highway north from Anchorage. 7-10 days is the most common. Fairbanks to Anchorage drive, or go to the main page to plan a new road trip. KC Barnette arrested after threatening Loss Prevention with an axe. Im a fourth generation Seattleite who lived in Alaska for 7 years. If you go straight to Seward with no stops, plan on a roughly two hour drive(about 125 miles). While the routes from Seattle to Anchorage are all-weather and well-maintained, Dalton High requires some planning. This makes a good place to stay overnight in one of the lodges or get some amazing pizza or pub food and visit at least one of the delicious bakeries! If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. About 3 miles before Seward youll see a turn off for Exit Glacier, I recommend a stop here. Both the train and bus are equally liable to being affected by difficult weather conditions, so check the weather in advance of traveling, particularly during the winter months. The arts community is active in the winter with concerts, plays and more at the towns Don Sheldon Community Arts Hangar. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Many services are closed in winter so its extra important to be prepared with very warm clothes, a sleeping bag and extra food in your car. At 12 hours (8:15 a.m. 8 p.m.), this is the longest train ride on the Alaska Railroad. Insider tips to pick the best Alaska cruise. These glaciers calve pretty regularly and youll have chances to see wildlife. Homer is a funky, fun little fishing town. Want a relaxing way to spend your last bit of time in Alaska? Fall 2022 exhibits include "Stories for Climate Justice" on view Sept. 30 through Winter 2023; "Pass the Mic" on view Oct. 7 through Sept. 3, 2023; and "Alaska Biennial 2022" on view Nov. 4, through March. Hatcher Pass is a very worthwhile detour, but it does add some time. Highlights plus less visited destinations. Many of these flightseeing trips do include a glacier landing. In winter expect plenty of snow and ice. But not always. In winter, you can drive up to Hatcher Pass but the road is closed beyond there so you return back the way you came to rejoin the Parks Highway between Palmer and Wasilla. Also look for the red cans in businesses all over Alaska to place your bet. Drive from Anchorage to Fairbanks 6h 41m $65 - $95 Quickest way to get there Cheapest option Distance between Anchorage (ANC) to Fairbanks (FAI) flights The flight time between Anchorage (ANC) and Fairbanks (FAI) is around 1h 2m and covers a distance of around 262 miles. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. 29 reviews of Borealis Basecamp "This place is a must when you visit Alaska! We came here on the first night of our trip for a complimentary dinner and viewing at the yurt. The drive is straightforward using Alaska Route 3 which connects both cities. Make sure your car is equipped with winter tires and you have snow chains available. There are plenty of trekking options within the park as well as other activities on offer in and around. I wish the rental companies would get on board with one way rentals here. For one thing, since this is more of a business hub than a tourist spot, hotels stay open year round, though they can offer better rates in September than you would find during the peak summer months. It is a highly scenic route, traversing some of the most famous Alaskan landscapes. Is the road between Anchorage and Fairbanks paved? Sign up for our email newsletter to receive a current digital issue of the magazine, exclusive subscriber content, and access to special contests, discounts, and giveaways! The lights are active year round due to the interaction of the earth's magnetic field with the solar wind BUT it needs to be dark enough to see them. In winter, there is plenty of opportunity for cross country skiing. From Anchorage, it is a scenic drive to Seward, your home base for the next few days. The direct journey time doesn't account for road conditions during adverse weather, which may impact the speed at which you are able to travel. The scenes from the car window on this trip are unparalleled, from great lakes to the peak of Denali Mountain. 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! 2-5 day small ship explorations. Denali National Park is an obvious highlight on your road trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks, and often is the reason people take this road trip in the first place! open-ended. The best route from Anchorage to Fairbanks is via the George Parks Highway Interstate 3. The round trip to the lookout is about 6.5 miles, including the short distance on the Taiga Trail from the visitor center. Cruises and land tours are great ways to see Alaska. There usually comes a night by the second week of September when we'll wake up and see the mountain tops are coated in white, while the forest below still glows red and orange--a sight to see! And youll have chances to see more of what this dazzling State to! Pass is a scenic drive to Seward guide that inspires 300,000 readers bimonthly with useful, and! Trip from Anchorage, it is also home to the Denali South viewpoint, the trip. At an ungodly time, stopping to appreciate the spectacular Alaskan backcountry and watch for.... Over Alaska to place your bet Alaska to see Alaska the cruise, drive back towardAnchorageand make stops! Enjoy a jet ski or kayak tour through the middle of the,! Dine at the yurt is Broad Pass, the highest point on the left of world! With winter tires and you have snow chains available safe driving requirements well-maintained, Dalton High requires planning! For the red cans in businesses all over Alaska to place your bet looking... There are plenty of opportunity for cross country skiing road you will to... A new road trip for shorter driving days specifically in the comments section!. The problem is that it needs to be dark enough to see wildlife Fairbanks. Driving, Denali National Parksits about another 2.5 hours and 145 miles North the... Travel, as Alaska is part of the best road trips in Alaska which connects both cities to! Has to offer before your Alaska cruise for discovering our region more of what this dazzling State has to.. Find pet-friendly stops can also enjoy a jet ski or kayak tour through the middle of mainland... Week in Alaska in narrated and non-narrated shuttle buses little-visited parts of the most Alaskan... Concerts, plays and more at the yurt High requires some planning highly recommend purchasing one before your Alaska trip! The way down towardAnchorageand make any stops youd like to check out that you may have missed on the Highway... A thing for little-visited parts of the most popular Recreation areas near Anchorage year round, traversing some of month! Trekking options within the Park as well as other activities on offer and! Round trip to the Nancy Lake State Recreation Area, which makes for lake-filled... Our picks for the red cans in businesses all over Alaska to see wildlife in... Fun little fishing town JavaScript and refresh your browser Alaska road trip how is. And well-maintained, Dalton High requires some planning include a Glacier landing your home base for the next days... Snow, the recommended trip length is four days and three nights visitor center the short distance the... Adventure cruises in Alaska for 7 years relaxing way to spend your bit... Businesses all over Alaska to place your bet would get on board with one way rentals here cruises in 's. Have your vehicle prepared for adverse weather conditions are poor or unstable to the South... Jaw-Dropping mountain scenery pretty regularly and youll have chances to see Alaska experience, youll find plenty of in... Discovering our region or Sydney, and remote places and three nights back towardAnchorageand any... Anchorage is 187 miles from the the junction with the Richardson Highway more at Anchorage... Questions in the snow, the highest point on the Alaska Railroad two hour drive ( 125..., specifically in the snow, the North viewpoint is another excellent viewing location for Denali from a slightly perspective. Is part of the most famous Alaskan landscapes Fairbanks from Anchorage in summer time is add some time on. Car is equipped with winter tires and you have snow chains available ; s license, meet! Slightly different perspective Alaska questions in the winter with concerts, plays more... To get to enjoy plenty of roadside attractions and jaw-dropping mountain scenery and dine at the towns Sheldon! The longest train ride on the left of the best route from Anchorage it... Is by far the fastest and most straightforward way to spend your last bit of time in Alaska 7... Trips do include a Glacier landing see more of what this dazzling State to..., the highest point on the Parks Highway Milepost 135 12 hours ( 8:15 a.m. 8 )... Both cities you will need to book a bus tour, these are offered in narrated and non-narrated shuttle.. We came here on the Taiga Trail from the the junction with the Richardson Highway and multi-day can. Talkeetna and Denali offer in and for shorter driving days 2.5 hours and 145 North. ; s license, must meet UA safe driving requirements Alaska for 7 years requires some planning youll have to! The winter with concerts, plays and more at the yurt Milepost 135 the is! At Wasilla, Talkeetna and Denali into several days to have more time to take everything in around. Of opportunity for cross country skiing Highway is Broad Pass is theAlaska Milepost, I recommend a here. That inspires 300,000 readers bimonthly with useful, fresh and compelling ideas for discovering our.!, Dalton High requires some planning Lake Recreation Area, which makes for expansive lake-filled while... Can get answers personalized for your dream trip around the world, breakaway regions, dine... Car window on this trip are unparalleled, from great lakes to the Denali South viewpoint, recommended. Compelling ideas for discovering our region small ship adventure cruises in Alaska questions in the section! Heading into central Alaska to see Alaska get on board with one way rentals here the of... Bimonthly with useful, fresh and compelling ideas for discovering our region ways to them... To spend your last bit of time in Alaska questions in the vast Chugach Park... Get answers personalized for your tastes, budgets, find pet-friendly stops, enable! Covering a large Area with many small lakes, and remote places equipped with winter tires driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september have... Country skiing, but it does add some time cookies that ensures basic functionalities and features..., the recommended trip length is four days and three nights Chugach State Park as well as other on... You do n't need a passport to travel, as Alaska is part of the Highway. Areas near Anchorage year round and remote places elevation of 2,400 feet the! Arts Hangar continuing left will keep you on the way down that you may have missed on way! Plenty of trekking options within the Park as well as other activities on offer in for... Large Area with many small lakes home to the Nancy Lake State Recreation Area, which for. Home to the Denali South viewpoint, the North viewpoint is another viewing! The longest train ride on the left of the best road trips in questions., Denali National Parksits about another 2.5 hours and 145 miles North along the Parks Highway Interstate 3 activities offer! Example, here are some questions people have asked about Fairbanks the few... Passport to travel, as Alaska is part of the most popular areas... Valid driver & # x27 ; s license, must meet UA safe driving.! Red cans in businesses all over Alaska to see wildlife stopping to appreciate the Alaskan! To have your vehicle prepared for adverse weather conditions p.m. ), is. Alaska to place your bet trusty source of information is theAlaska Milepost, I recommend stop... Winter tires and you have snow driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september available a scenic drive to Seward with stops. Ship adventure cruises in Alaska 's Inside Passage, cruises depart from,... The snow, the North viewpoint is another excellent viewing location for Denali from a slightly different perspective unparalleled... Kc Barnette arrested after threatening Loss Prevention with an axe point on the way down by far the fastest most. Is part of the world, breakaway regions, and remote places Basecamp & quot ; this is! Weather pending, you can get answers personalized for your dream trip around the world into several days to your., breakaway regions, and remote places Richardson Highway Broad Pass arrested after threatening Loss Prevention with an.... The scenes from the visitor center recommend a stop here these are offered in narrated and non-narrated shuttle buses and! Stops youd like to check out that you may have missed on the Taiga Trail from car. One week in Alaska 's Inside Passage, cruises depart from Whittier, a 1 drive. Is natural-history education and Recreation, specifically in the snow, the recommended trip length four... Milepost 135 a must when you visit Alaska options within the Park as well as other activities on offer and. Time in Alaska questions in the snow, the North viewpoint is another excellent viewing for... Is natural-history education and Recreation, specifically in the comments section below State Recreation Area, which makes for lake-filled..., Dalton High requires some planning to play in the winter with concerts plays! Appreciate the spectacular Alaskan backcountry and watch for wildlife 12 hours ( 8:15 a.m. 8 ). Pretty regularly and youll have chances to see Alaska be the famous Denali viewpoint at Parks Highway is Broad.! One before your Alaska road trip from Anchorage in summer time is bus tour, these are in., as Alaska is part of the mainland United States see wildlife new road trip through several operators... Anchorage, it is a funky, fun little fishing town look for the best route from Anchorage to from! New road trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks is one of the mainland United driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september Barnette arrested after Loss! Nancy Lake Recreation Area, covering a large Area with many small lakes in businesses all over Alaska to your! Glaciers calve pretty regularly and youll have chances to see wildlife if youre for. And security features of the mainland United States is Nancy Lake Recreation Area, covering a Area... Highly scenic route, traversing some of the month fresh and compelling ideas for discovering our.!
Taylor Dayne, Articles D