Which towns are within an hour of Anchorage? (Wasilla, Palmer: travel, work)

[ssouina]

I'm a Seattlite considering working in Anchorage (I'm a psychotherapist so I need a good size population in order to have enough clients). Can you please tell me which towns are an hour or less in winter? Are there times when the roads aren't passable into Anchorage? Any info about these towns would be really appreciated. I've been quite impressed by the helpfulness of the folks on this board. TIA:^)

[Glitch]

The following communities are an hour drive or less from Anchorage (under perfect driving conditions):

• Eagle River;
• Chugiak;
• Indian;
• Palmer;
• Wasilla; and
• Girdwood;

Eagle River is the closest community, only 10 to 15 miles from Anchorage, on a well-traveled four-lane highway that opens to six-lanes as you approach Anchorage.

Chugiak is approximately 20 miles from Anchorage on the same four-lane highway as Eagle River.

Indian is south of Anchorage approximately 20 miles on a four-lane highway. Avalanche problems in the winter have been known to close down this highway for several hours or even days.

Palmer and Wasilla are both approximately 35 to 40 miles north of Anchorage on a four-lane highway.

Girdwood is approximately 40 to 45 miles south Anchorage on a four-lane highway, but as with Indian above, avalanches can close down the highway.

The Glenn Highway that goes north and east of Anchorage is the most traveled and best maintained. It has been closed down for several hours when there have been severe traffic accidents, but this does not happen often.

The Seward Highway goes south of Anchorage along the east bank of Turnagain Arm and adjacent to the Chugach Mountain Range.

As far as winter driving is concerned, Palmer and Wasilla may be too far to be driven in an hour. Depending on winter conditions and traffic, it normally takes between 1.25 and 1.5 hours, but can take as long as 3 hours or more if there is an accident.

Eagle River is probably your best bet.