Alcan or Cassier Highways (Anchorage, Tok: spring break, motel, motorhomes)

[raemarti]

Which highway is the shorter route to the Alaska US border, the Alcan Highway or the Cassier Highway? I have read most of the posts but still not sure which is the faster route from Oroville, WA to Alaska. Thanks for all the good info on here!

[retiredinhomer]

From where you are starting from go the ALCAN. If you were starting from the west coast the the Cassiar would be the way to go. I have done your route before The Okanagan valley is a beautiful drive.
dennis

[AKStafford]

The Cassiar is shorter, but the road isn't always in the best of shape, so it can take just as long. And it's a lot less traveled, so if you have an issue (breakdown, etc...) it could be awhile before anyone comes along.
Either route you take, I'd suggest getting a copy of the The MILEPOST: Alaska Travel Guide and Trip Planner . In my opinion, it's the best guide to the drive.

[warptman]

The Cassiar is only 120 miles shorter. There are more services on the Alcan and you have Liard Hot Springs. I have yet to do the Cassiar, but I drove the Alcan 17 times and absolutely love it.

[stiffnecked]

Cassiar for it's senic beauty. I just drove the Cassiar last week and it's in good shape. Either way you go you'll have to go through Prince George. Just take Highway 16 west out of Prince George then you'll hook up with Highway 37 at Kitwanga. If you gas up in Smithers then you'll only have to gas up again in Dease Lake, maybe. I've driven both the Alcan and the Cassiar many, many times. Unless it's winter time or during spring break up I always take the Cassiar.

[Lunabell]

I prefer the Cassiar, as well. It is gorgeous! I have yet to take it up, but I have taken it down twice.

[raemarti]

Thank you all! When I Google Earth directions from Oroville, WA (where I will enter Canada), the bold blue line takes me through the highway to the far left which is the Cassier route out of Prince George all the way to Tok. To meet up with the Alcan Hwy., it goes to the right out of Prince George over to Dawson Creek, which to me, is way out of lead to Alaska. I know that was the only way to go 30 years ago so you had to drive the Alcan. Dawson Creek is almost into the next province, Alberta. My psyche may not let me go that far east just to come back west again. The only way to get Google Earth to line the Alcan is if I come out of Montana and points east of there. Still pondering.....

I did think I would motel stay every other night just to make my vacation last a little longer before returning home to Anchorage. Are there any places to stay(nothing fancy-just clean and a good breakfast) along the Cassier(Dease Lake Highway) route? No big deal if not.

[warptman]

https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=O...ia=1,2&t=m&z=9

[raemarti]

I have heard too that many of the semi-trucks take the Cassier Hwy North and not the Alcan. They would probably run over me! ha! Another consideration......

[stiffnecked]

Very few semi-trucks trucks on the Cassiar. A few logging trucks and some ore haulers from some of the local gold mines. Also a considerable lack of motorhomes on the Cassiar this year. In years past I used to curse them. Not this year.